THAT MUST BE RELAXING

A New York City Skyline of my own design A rewarding experience, but certainly not relaxing.

I’m sure I am not the only artist to hear the comment about how relaxing making art must be. I heard this ad-nauseum when I first left my medical practice to pursue a career in art. Of course I wanted to scream.. “NO!!! IT IS NOT RELAXING!! IT IS WORK!!” The difference is that it is good work, and like all good work, there is an element of stress and anxiety involved. These are, for the artist, as garlic is for the Italian cook. They make the art worthwhile, they give it that something special that cannot be defined, but easily recognized when present, or absent.