Be careful what you pretend to be because you are what you pretend to be.
-Kurt Vonnegut
The quote above is from the late writer Kurt Vonnegut, who was one of the writing heroes of my youth. I read his Slaughterhouse Five, a WW II dark comedy novel, over and over during my teens and twenties. I identified strongly with his point of view and the aloofness of many of his main characters. They always seemed slightly out of place in their worlds and times which appealed to the same feeling I have often felt.
I like this quote a lot. It’s very arguable, simple but with aspects that are contradictory and open to debate.
When I first looked at the quote I thought of someone who aspires to a career as an artist or writer. I remember reading many years ago some advice to prospective artists that said to be an artist you must first act like an artist. The writer’s point was that if you thought of yourself of an artist and did all the things an artist did with the same dedication, then eventually you would find you were truly an artist.
I have found this to be true, to a degree and with a few caveats. For instance, I think this only applies if you stick with this for a long period of time. Pretending you’re something for several months or a year only means you tried but couldn’t maintain the dedication that is required. Doing it for a long time means going through the ups and downs of a career, the thrill of success and the abyss of being rejected. Time means going through periods of creativity and periods when there is seemingly nothing. But if you are what you say you are, you forge on.
But before you pretend to be what you wish to be, know what the pitfalls are that accompany your choice.
This is kind of a continuation of yesterday’s blog, The Spiral, where I talked about expanding my horizon and thinking bigger. I hope that more people reach out for what they really want and find the dedication in themselves that is needed to live the life they want.
The key is to never stop reaching…
Redtree Times 
I read in a book recently that there are artists who quit and then there are artists who stop. The difference is that those who stop will start again one day. That is the point where I am at today. Starting again is like the pitfalls and the ups and downs of the long road to becoming an artist. I call my self an artist since that is the direction I choose to follow.
Mark– I think that is a good point, about those who quit and those who stop. Pushing the “pause” button on your potential than abandoning it altogether. Thanks for bringing up that perspective and please accept my best wishes on your own journey.
Hiya! Got here via alphainventions.
I love the painting in this post. Very, very much. It must be one of yours, considering your Flickr stream. I also particularly enjoy the “Archaeology- New Light Comes” painting pictured in your Flickr stream.
I’m assuming that you are the artist, and with this assumption, may I be so bold as to ask whether any of your paintings are available for purchase? If so, how much for either of the two I mentioned?
I love your work and would love to buy one of your paintings.
Please let me know. Thanks.
Hi, Therese- Yes, much of the work on this site is mine. I’m glad you’re liking what you see.
The piece in this post, “Reaching…”, is indeed sold. The other piece,” Archaeology…” is hanging at Gallery CNY which can be reached by the link at the right in my blog. It is still available.
Again, thanks so much for stopping in and your interest in my work.
There’s so much here to talk about but I’m at the ass end of a day filled with documentary-watching so it’ll have to wait until June.
But I love that quote.
Great site this redtreetimes.wordpress.com and I am really pleased to see you have what I am actually looking for here and this this post is exactly what I am interested in. I shall be pleased to become a regular visitor 🙂