John Smith
Thoughts From My Studio “CHRISTMAS GREETINGS” Dear Friends, This has been a long and hard year for most of us, but very often times of difficulty test us, and if we take up the challenges presented we emerge much stronger and wiser, even though possibly somewhat financially poorer. Insofar as my “Thoughts from my Studio” articles are concerned these times have given me plenty to ponder on, and the result has been endless choices of issues to present to you. Often those things have not been easy to write about, and possibly even more difficult to digest as readers, but nevertheless they are issues that face us and need to be confronted and hopefully solved so that we can move on and achieve our ultimate objectives. You the readers of these articles have been really wonderful this year and I’ve had many responses. Some have been to tell me that you have enjoyed the articles and that they caused you to think on these important matters. Others have written to say they have learned from them, and yet others again have presented their own thoughts on the issues discussed - or have even presented alternative issues. They have all been welcomed and digested and filed. I do believe I have responded to all who wrote to me. The greatest reward for me has been to know that I am not writing to a vacuum and that people are out there reading the articles and thinking deeply about what has been said. Some of the prodding and probing has lead to artists and leaders of groups and societies to take a leap of faith and to make changes to their careers and also to arts organisations. To hear this is a real welcome Christmas gift for me and I wish you well for the future. The articles are not meant to be a criticism reflecting on individuals or groups, or anyone working in the Arts industry, but about asking questions relating to all these issues which form the stumbling blocks that we have to face and overcome as the Visual Arts Community. I will continue to write on issues that present themselves, and will start in January with an article on Art Groups and Societies. Hopefully things such our politics and the economy will improve and even flourish and we can then include far more articles on the lighter side of Art and also talk about the great successes that are brought to our attention. Now the year winds down and our thoughts turn to other more happy and less stressful things such as family, friends and holidays, and then in a short while we will be presented with a brand new book to write in. To write of new challenges and successes. How that will read after twelve months is largely up to us and how we face up to those challenges. I sincerely hope that when we reach this time next year we will all be able to take a bow and be really proud of how we have embraced the year and the problems that will surely face us, and that our art and the industry will shine like a beacon for all to see. I wish you and your families the best Christmas ever, and wish you all the strength to conquer the wonderful challenges that may face you and all of us during 2010. Our very warmest wishes, |
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