Artwala Road

I came across this image today by chance. Same table and chairs as in the Patti Smith photo below, another cafe in Paris, another time. It’s 1925, over eighty years ago, before the second world war but after the first. Love the spirit of this one too. Must be something about coffee that makes for a good time. Drink up!

August 22nd, 2007 | Category: Dear Reader | Comments (6)

This photo of musician Patti Smith and her friend fashion designer Ann Demeulemeester came in a magazine this week and made me mindful again of the great synergy that emerges when artists meet, no matter the differences in medium. I love this photo. They have been friends for ten years after Ann sent Patti a t-shirt she’d designed. Patti was living in Detroit then, raising her children and was isolated from a bigger artistic life. We artists don’t fit all that well into the corners of everyday life or community—so much of our energy is devoted to the worlds we’re busy creating. And we like it that way. We don’t so much choose it, I think, but feel chosen for it. It’s what we do.

Patti and Ann are sitting outside at Cafe de Flore where Simone de Beauvoir once sat with Sartre. I like how young they look at sixty and how rough and real. I like that the tradition continues in Paris with artists meeting in public spaces. Two other friends, Picasso and Matisse met in Paris cafes too.

The artist’s life is a brave one, isn’t it?  It’s so far out on the limb of the unknown. It takes so much faith and clarity of vision. It takes strength to stay the course especially when it seems, as it often does, that the world does not support us in our work. We are still supporting the world and each other as artists just by showing up day after day and doing the work. What would a world without art or fashion or fine buildings be? Or a great book, a good laugh, a song? Or a garden? Or all the things that people make into art—all the caring work. However winding the paths of friendship, I cherish beyond measure what I’ve found with artists who are devoting their whole lives to the cause. It can be the place where we get sustenance for the onward journey and have the kind of laugh you only get when you step out onto the edge of life and into its wonders. So—cheers!

August 18th, 2007 | Category: Dear Reader | Comments (11)