Thoughts for Thursday

I was reading a photographer profile at Don't Box Us In, and came across the following poem that embodies the way I feel about photography. I wanted to share it with you. I know it is aimed toward writers but it can be applied to photography (or any art form) very easily.

So you want to be a writer?
by Charles Bukowski

if it doesn't come bursting out of you
in spite of everything,
don't do it.
unless it comes unasked out of your
heart and your mind and your mouth
and your gut,
don't do it.
if you have to sit for hours
staring at your computer screen
or hunched over your
typewriter
searching for words,
don't do it.
if you're doing it for money or
fame,
don't do it.
if you're doing it because you want
women in your bed,
don't do it.
if you have to sit there and
rewrite it again and again,
don't do it.
if it's hard work just thinking about doing it,
don't do it.
if you're trying to write like somebody
else,
forget about it.


if you have to wait for it to roar out of
you,
then wait patiently.
if it never does roar out of you,
do something else.

if you first have to read it to your wife
or your girlfriend or your boyfriend
or your parents or to anybody at all,
you're not ready.

don't be like so many writers,
don't be like so many thousands of
people who call themselves writers,
don't be dull and boring and
pretentious, don't be consumed with self-
love.
the libraries of the world have
yawned themselves to
sleep
over your kind.
don't add to that.
don't do it.
unless it comes out of
your soul like a rocket,
unless being still would
drive you to madness or
suicide or murder,
don't do it.
unless the sun inside you is
burning your gut,
don't do it.

when it is truly time,
and if you have been chosen,
it will do it by
itself and it will keep on doing it
until you die or it dies in you.

there is no other way.

and there never was.

Rick is back and my world is new again. Last night I met him after his flight in Ft. Collins. We stayed at our favorite hotel, ordered room service and had coffee and cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Its good to have him back. Today's main focus will be some artistic processing that I have been aching to do. I have some experimental techniques involving textures that I will be sharing once they are complete. For now let me end with a couple of photos from my 365 project...

7/365 ~ “An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.” - Buddha

Yesterday evening I was scrambling to find an image for my 365. Eyes open I spotted these beautiful maroon leaves against a f ence by my home. Upon further inspection I found these delicate berries. The quote refers to my project... Having the idea to do a 365 means nothing if I lack the dedication and desire to see it through.

8/365 ~ Chocolate Marquise+Ricky Wade=Heaven

Chocolate genoise layered with chocolate mousse and infused with Grand Marnier.