lately i have discovered art movies. they are fascinating to me. i think it is a new addiction. i just got netfilx to feed my habit. there is seemingly an endless supply of them - art 21, movies about individuals, movies about groups of artists and how they relate, etc. i enjoy learning about different artist's lives, processes and realities. in the last few weeks I have watched movies about picasso & braque, francis bacon (what a kook), origami artists (between the folds), susan rothenburg, and alice neel. here is a photo of my set-up while watching alice neel. what a great way to spend a friday nite! (geek.) there are usually a few key quotes that blow my mind. like alice neel, for example, talking about how painting is such a gift and how she was really just so grateful. and how after painting it took her awhile to "get back in her body" because while she painted she became the painting and the person she was painting. woah. through the movies i've noticed that the art world seems to be generally pretty male dominated for the most part. at least traditionally anyway. i think and i hope that is changing. but really it is not a surprise given the fact that having a baby and raising a child is so much darn work. an energy suck for sure. not that it isn't worth it mind you- but it is darn near impossible to maintain any kind of balance in the affair. the need to create art versus the need to be an active, engaged parent who is providing the best possible home they can for their child. that is a tough one. oh the guilt. what would have happened to frida kahlo if she actually had a child? and alice neel- she did it anyway and look at the ringer she went through. it's just interesting to see how various women have met the challenge. anyway, there is a lot to be learned through movies. and you can bead while you watch them. now there's a bargain.
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