I have a thing for artists. I’m bewitched by creative people, whether they’re designers, photographers, painters, writers, musicians…I like to know their stories, how they get inspired, what’s behind their work (maybe this is the reason why I’m a sucker for biographies?) what they do, what they love…and yes, when it’s possibile, I definitely like to know where and how they live. I’ve always thought that the house we live in tells a lot about us. A couple of months ago I was surfing the web, just jumping from a website to another (so typical of me) when I read a quote that really struck me : “I imagined myself as Frida to Diego, both muse and maker. I dreamed of meeting an artist to love and support and work with side by side.” This phrase means a lot to me, in many ways. This is what I dreamt about when I was a little girl. Can you imagine me, sweetly obsessed with the artist’s figure, reading these words? My heart jumped into my throat! (not to mention that one of the female artists I love most is Frida Kahlo) The author is Patti Smith and it’s taken from her book “Just Kids“. I have to say I didn’t know much about Patti Smith or her music, I knew a couple of her songs (shame on me) but nothing more. I quickly took note of it on a post-it intending to buy the book soon. I bought the book a week later, together with another one, “Women who runs with wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estés. I started reading the Estés one first but, after a few pages, I abandoned it…and believe me, I rarely stop reading a book, even when it’s boring. But I couldn’t wait to read “Just Kids”…it was like it was calling my name. And well, now I know why!! I couldn’t put it away. I just couldn’t stop reading it. I spent two days literally glued on that book. This is one of most inspiring books I’ve ever read. You could say that’s just a sort of biography and yes, it is. The point is that, in some ways, the more I read the more I saw myself in those pages. Of course I’m neither a poetess nor a rock star, so I’m clearly talking about feelings and life’s events, definitely too many and too private to mention here (I hope you understand :)) Patti Smith will perform at “Carroponte” in Milan, in July and, this time, I’ll be there. Her book, her story led me to her music. Looks like a déja-vu…
oh, I so love this picture. Her smile, the way he’s looking at her…just sweet.
I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a really good read.
“Please, no matter how we advance technologically, please don’t abandon the book. There is nothing in our material world more beautiful than the book.” — Patti Smith
“I have loved books all my life. There is nothing more beautiful in our material world than the book.” — Patti Smith
“The artist seeks contact with his intuitive sense of the gods, but in order to create his work, he cannot stay in this seductive and incorporeal realm. He must return to the material world in order to do his work. It’s the artist’s responsibility to balance mystical communication and the labor of creation.” — Patti Smith
“I had no proof that I had the stuff to be an artist, though I hungered to be one.” — Patti Smith
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Tags: art, artists, books, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Frida Kahlo, inspiration, Just Kids, Patti Smith, quotes, reading
