With Art, There is No Limit

On the plane over to London I had the pleasure of meeting an artist from Bombei (sp?), India. He has been a sculptor almost his whole life and had spent the last few months in Denver, CO for a Marble Symposium. It was great getting to know about him and his passion for sculpture. He has worked with various materials including fiberglass, wood, and stone. His work mainly expresses a combination of forms, including abstractions of the human form. My sister and I were fascinated to hear how this contemporary Indian artist's work so greatly contrasts that of his predecessors. He admitted to me that even in his own time his work has changed and progressed quite a bit. "With art, there is not limit," he told me. I wonder if his statment is true. It makes sense considering how earnestly some artists work to use new materials and new methods. But there are other artists who seem to find their niche in one subject matter or one material, and who can be content and confident in that one thing. (Take George Segal, for example). What is art if it has a limit? What is art if it does not?

Bare Necessities

It's the day before I leave for London, and I am learning the difficulty of trying to "pack light." If you had to move to a far away place for a year, what one thing would you take that you could not live without? For me, that one thing is–besides art history books, of course–the vinatge pair of black cowboy boots I bought at a thrift store last week. Scruffed around the edges, these boots seemed rather plain and dull...until I tried them on, and what joy! Hitting slightly below the knee and cupping my toes just right, they stomped with character and confidense on my feet. I have joked about arriving in England with a cowboy hat and firm "Hey, Ya'll," but I think these boots will do just fine.

This past week, I have enjoyed high quality time with the family as well as the opportunity to say good-bye to very dear friends. I appreciate all the encouraging sentiments as I travel to another culture.

Cheerio!