Crafting words

It has been a really exhausting weekend, and I have been feverishly working on a grant application to be submitted this week. I heave a sigh of relief as it is now completed. Crafting words for an art grant is an art in itself, one that I have not had practice for some years now. Unfortunately, there are many times when the words become more important than the visual elements in the making of art. This brings to mind Tom Wolfe's book, "The Painted Word" , a good read which I highly recommend.


What I saw before me was the critic-in-chief of The New York Times saying: In looking at a painting today, "to lack a persuasive theory is to lack something crucial." I read it again. It didn't say "something helpful" or "enriching" or even "extremely valuable." No, the word was crucial.

In short: frankly, these days, without a theory to go with it, I can't see a painting.  

(exerpt from the book)

As for me, I still think a picture is worth a thousand words!

Rose Reflections Watercolour by Artist Bee