Replies: 28 Comments
on Thursday, September 28th, walt said
Thanks Dianne, I miss you, all my friends in Greenpointe and the music scene in the village too. I don't know when I'm gonna get back up that way. Things have kinda taken a turn. But I'm hoping maybe in the spring if not later this fall. I just don't like going up for a couple days. A week is good. Maybe spring break near the end of March.
on Wednesday, September 27th, dianne bowen said
hey walt, miss ya' in NYC!
I'm sure you wear that helmet like an art star.
I agree with the phrase, "MY work". It is contained in the depth of who we are, "artists".
When you realize this to be true, it will not be ignored, clamouring for absolute attention and devotion, and you do it with everything you've got. Everyday, all day, an involuntary action like breathing. (grin)
Recording, internalizing, digesting, and answering questions, concerns, fears and hope. Living is the food for great art.
I hope you'll be back around my neck of the woods soon. Green point is not so green with out ya'. look forward to seeing what comes next in your work. dianne
on Thursday, September 21st, walt said
thanks fghjkl., I appreciate it. I know, I know... it does get confusing sometimes but ultimately once you get out to the studio, or up or down or into the studio everything changes...it all makes sense again...I haven't really done much since early July even though I've tried. But today I had a good day. Made some headway. Have two shows opening at the end of the month and am gonna submit some things to a big venue here in town so I'm working again...it means all the world. Good luck to you as well.
on Thursday, September 21st, fghjkl said
Walt,you was nearly a goner,but you dodged that particular grim reaper,with any group of people theres always something happening,and for you it could be an event full of imagery or often with me I like to squeeze at least one painting out of an unusual experience.Apropo your other observations about the work career or work then my work,I can tell you Ive had many conversations where this has come up with loads of confusion,about what it actually is I do,or used to do or am doing,quite a few people have had the impression that Im a house painter,and I havent disabused them of that,and while its clear to us,or then again maybey not about what an artist is or does,there are sections of the community where the word artist produces a confused miscomprehension about the word just uttered.Of course this can be compared to other parts of the community where its so passe to be or even utter the word artist,without groans and utter over familiarity,and of course we opurselves can feel that.Never mind,because probably its always been so.Anyway good to have you back in the land of the living,after your dance with the skeleton.
on Saturday, September 16th, walt said
thanks for the kind words Matt. I had my first bike break down this week. Got a flat on one bike on Tuesday evening. Grabbed one of two back up bikes and blew a chain on the way to school on Wednesday. Finally got a new tube and am now up and riding again. The bike shop that sells parts for my Trek is near the art supply store. So yesterday I also picked up a couple new canvases. Yes, life is good.
on Friday, September 15th, Matt said
Walt,
Isn't life wonderful even wearing a little black bike helmet ;-) ... so glad you are still around and pleased that you chose to share this with us here.
on Sunday, September 10th, walt said
for the record my sons 'hat' is an old Polish peasant tradition. It is essentially a fertility hat. I call it baby voodoo. All the charms on the bell of the hat represent his old, bachelor life. All the charms on the brim are his new married life and of course since it is the women, grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunts etc. who decorate the hat most of the new charms have something to do with having babies.
Again I appreciate everyones good thoughts. I'm feeling better than ever. C, I'm not one who really enjoys stationary workouts in a public gym. Nothing against you as I would enjoy your company. My son has left a pair of cross country ski's in my shed. I can ride my bike until it freezes then use the skis.
on Saturday, September 9th, Margaret said
Walt, my gosh I am so glad you are a wise man, used your good judgment, and got yourself to the hosp ASAP. And weren't on the long plane ride when it happened. I just read your blog as I’ve been out of touch with aa and computer for well over a week--on the road cross country in a 62ft moving truck and car carrier. I’m in Tucson now. I have to find studio/live-in space and get back to work. Everything is in storage. No matter what we experience, there’s always “the work”, waiting.
Your experience will change the way you think about a lot of things. You spoke of work developing on an inner level and needing to become a reality. Getting an eyeball to eyeball with one’s mortality necessitates a “make it so” attitude, I would think. So, make it so!
I’ve got a few years on you, Walt, and the calendar speaks to me in that respect. I am anxious to get settled, relatively, because I have a new series (direction) pushing and prodding me to get on with it.
A short story here: my sis-in-law had a brain aneurysm, was unconscious for a few days, awhile back. She is fine now. However, she said she saw a tunnel of light and was being transported someplace. She very adamantly told who/whatever that was jollying her along that she couldn’t possibly leave because she hadn’t worn all her jewelry yet.
So, take good care of yourself because you still have a lot of jewelry waiting to be worn.
~~Margaret
on Saturday, September 9th, Michael Fornadley said
Yeah, nothing like facing death separates what is important and what is not. One of things that might separate us from the maddening heard is the realization of our own mortality, reinforced from just studying others in our craft that have passed on. Most of us have and or will go through this, if not ourselves it will be with friends and loved ones. Guess it gives us some wisdom and understanding, depends on the personality of the individual. Walter is a survior, strong and disciplined from knowing these many years. Just from seeing how real fragile life is you really start to see what is important and it isn't riches, success or glory. It is to me enjoying every moment with family and friends.
on Friday, September 8th, C said
Ya can't ride that bike in the snow! See ya at the gym soon...right?!!
on Friday, September 8th, Brad said
Walt,
Glad you made it - I feel you were seeing "it" coming before "it" did. This reminded me to recheck the expiration date on my bottle of aspirin - something most folk forget to do - the pill loses its effectiveness past the date. We live to learn. It has only been this year that I no longer stand outside to watch lightening storms closer than 5 to 10 miles away from my farm. The older I get the more surprised I am over, "The wiser I've become." I walk more, don't smoke, and cut back on the red meat & pizza - to name a few positive habits. You mentioned to me long before July, that you held concern over pulling off the show down south and your son's wedding as well... I'm glad it was the wedding that didn't suffer from the hardship of fate. Family is core. Best wishes in the continuing journey.
Brad
on Friday, September 8th, Vick said
Wow, what a story. Puts everything in perspective, doesn't it? The photos that go with your blog cracked me up. Is that your son's wedding? What is that hat about, there has to be a story there!
on Friday, September 8th, John Nolan said
Walter,
wishing you a speedy recovery and long life. You are a brilliant blogger, teacher and artist. Whatever you do, please dont stop blogging, teaching or painting, but I would definitely encourage you to stop smoking.
on Friday, September 8th, Ellen Fisch said
Just checked out your blog because I am working round the clock trying to get ready for two shows. Wow did your story hit home! For the last a number of years I have been working harder and harder, trying to beat the clock. At any rate, when I stopped smoking in my mid 50s, I also gained unwanted weight. One trick that has sometimes helped is to ask myself why I mindlessly eating my tenth piece of candy or the second piece of pizza I don't really want. Sometimes I can actually realize that I'm eating to fill the empty places,sooth the frustrations or simply because I'm tired or thirsty. Sometimes this mind tripping works! All the best! Hope you are well, productive and happy for many years to come! From my vantage point of 60, you are young!!
on Friday, September 8th, Andrew said
Glad to hear you are over the hardest part, and that you have chosen to look back on this experience with a bit of philosophy as the lens through which you see these changes. In my last blog, I mentioned that mortality was on my mind because of the departure of Pavia, and as we produce, it's a positive thing if we remember that all of us have only so much time to get to wherever we are going with our work. Hopefully, your talking about this experience will spread desire around to others that will lift the quality of their artworks one rung higher on the ladder. That would be my wish for you, for me, for everybody.
on Friday, September 8th, walt said
I appreciate all the thoughts, especially from those of you have never appeared on the radar before now. Elena, you know you have my heart! Thanks ever so much for your thoughts out there in Joshua tree. Jose, yes, it is always a work in progress.
George, please thank Marylinn for her thoughts. It meant alot to me.
And yes. I'm working at all the things I'm suppose to do.
on Thursday, September 7th, Harvey Parker said
I couldn't resist checking your blog. I went thru the same thing last Oct. I'm 42. Teaching public school art/humanities full-time, on 3 committees, taking 9 graduate hours per semester for 2 years straight (with classes in 3 different cities each week), chain smoking, fast food and no exercise finally caught up with me. When I finished my Master's degree I fell apart.
The first stent they put in scarred over. So they went in 6 weeks later to do "one or two more". Ripped the inner arterial lining of the first repair, and had to plug it with 3 more, for a total of 6 stents, plus messing up my femoral artery so bad I had to stay on my back for a month.
I quit smoking, started eating right, and finally began visiting the gym (which has been costing me $45/month anyway, but who had time to go?...) Lost 50 pounds (gained 15 back now that school's back in...)
Anyway, good luck. Behave. Watch out for depression (IT WILL COME). Everybody I met in cardiac rehab, at work, or school, or just out walking the dog, wanted to show me their scars and tell me how long it took to get "over" it. They're not talking about the physical stuff. It's a mental, emotional blow. Most people take a year. I've fought 11 months of roller coaster emotions, anxiety, and "why me?". Maybe by Oct '07 I'll be "over" it.
It's all part of the normal process of recovery.
Just remember, if you think you're going crazy, it's normal. If you think you're O.K., but your friends and family think different, GET HELP. If you already know you're crazy, well... enjoy the excuse.
Good luck.
on Thursday, September 7th, David G. Wilson said
What a wonderful thing that you recognized the signs and did not put off seeking medical assistance. I am delighted that you have gotten adequate treatment and wish you all the best in your recovery. Please, please, please get rid of the cigarettes. Thank God I recognized the evils of smoking as far back as my childhood when I saw my father smoke and drink himself to death and then later my brother followed suit. I surely do not need to experience it first hand since my father and brother served as guinny-pigs to teach me the lesson. I wish you all the best and get better soon.
on Thursday, September 7th, Cecil Herring said
Hi Walter: That was some trip! I'm so glad you are ok and are living to create a lot more great art! I myself had an echocardiogram last year that brought heart doctors running saying I needed to have things done about my heart, I had a bad murmur, possible congestive heart failure, while I recuperated in the hospital with pneumonia. All this year, I've been thinking this was the coming bad time and I better get it all said and things in order. I imagined all kinds of bad things.Well, this past week, my cardiologist read the most recent echocardiogram and said: "your heart is better! (How can one's heart get better?) Well, You got a good test and maybe the others weren't so good (Huh?) and your heart is fine and I don't have to see you for a year! I'm taking him at his word. Believe me, I'm going to have fun and enjoy life - and make more art! Best regards and great good wishes and congratulations on living another day! Cecil Herring
on Thursday, September 7th, Pamela Griffith said
I shall read your story to my dear husband who still sneaks a smoke down the side passage of our house. I wish you success with your weight loss and exercise and your health.
I think that being an artist is such a bitter sweet occupation. The disappointments come frequently and the successes are often marred by the stuggle to survive.In Australia there are many artists both amateur and professional and very few can make a living from their art. This means part time teaching or some other work which is in itself stressful as one has to answer to many bosses.
I think that when we stop striving for fame and accept that in these times art is not held to be glorious by our peers we are better off. We are in the midst of a technological revolution. Consumerism is rife and art is a low priority for most households. We artists know that this is bad for society. That there are simple joys and pleasures to be had by making art and sometimes sublime satisfaction on seeing great art. We would like to share this art appreciation with other people but sadly society has largely turned its back on artists.
Now that I accept that I am priveleged to be able to teach and share my art with others and that I was lucky to be born with the ability to observe and interpret the things I admire or feel, I have a healthier approach to life.
IT takes a long time to realise that artists are only heroes in the glossy art books. In reality they have all struggled and it has often affected their health.
Stay well and blogg for years to come.
on Thursday, September 7th, Ron Anderson said
Walt, I am relieved to know that you are feeling better after such an ordeal.
You have always been a wonderful supporter of my artwork, which I appreciate, and you are a great colleague!
Your own artwork is outstanding as always. Here is hoping that your next trip overseas will be less stressful.
Ron Anderson
on Thursday, September 7th, francisco vidal said
Hi;
Walter i reed today 9/7/06 and i glad you make
.That hapen to me i have baypass and a bill for more a $75 grants.
back thank good i a live and working now on watercolors and gouches I work mainly in oil on canvasmedioun and large size.
The only bat think happen is i losf my Apartmen, studio and have old my work for years in astore and out a job. bat still a life happy i make
good bles you
vidal
on Thursday, September 7th, Elena Ray said
Walter-you are a great artist with an incredible body of powerful work-so glad you will be around to continue. Live long! May I suggest yoga as a holistic way to heal. It is an art form that uses your body (and Mind) as the medium. Highly engaging for creatives and it feels soooo good so it doesn't require that nasty stuff "will power". Anyway, from you devoted pal in Joshua Tree***take care, Elena
on Thursday, September 7th, josé said
Walt, your testimony is a wake-up call to some of us. Personally, I take too many things for granted and tend to be negligent in the care I take with my body - I've been lucky to ride into middle-age on the body I cut out during adolescence. The last time I recall doing some real, deliberate, exercise was in 1986 when I went on a skiing trip with some buddies. After I got married in 89 all the extra time went into the work. I’d use to joke to my friends that I was my own boss but still got less time off than they did working for theirs. Oh yeah, and I fool myself into believing that moving the canvases around the studio and stretching the stuff is a form of exercise in itself. Sure.
It’s a platitude to say that good health is the greatest thing we can wish for, but it’s only a platitude until it knocks on our door, isn’t that right? Without it too many unwanted and unknown distractions set in and enjoyment starts to be drawn out of whatever we do: our work runs a serious risk of becoming a fight against time, gravity and the elements that make up our daily existence - unless we have the perseverance of a Matisse it might even die away. After hearing from you, and with my 50th around the corner, I’ve decided to look at things a little differently – I don’t plan to join the gym, ever, but a more extended walk along the sea in the mornings and a quick swim if the weather plays along shouldn’t do any harm – and I’ve started listening to my daughters much more about how much butter and sugar I take in at breakfast.
I agree with the distinction you make between ‘job’ and ‘work’ though I would still encompass what you do ‘teaching’ young art students as part of the work (even though technically you are being paid for services rendered). It would be good material for a new blog.
I’m glad to hear it was only a scare and that all is well. Take care and I wish you all the best.
on Thursday, September 7th, gabriella said
Wow, Walter! You are a force of nature! Not only do you experience a major health crisis, but you come out of it with persistence, gratitude and love of all you do. I am so happy that you are still here with us, doing your good works and sharing your thoughts, opininons and knowledge, and am personally much richer for this.
Your blog is a good example for me right now, as i am having major problems with my sight and am about to undergo an operation on my left eye. if i can come out of that experience with as much grace and can-do-it attitude that you model i will be a happy camper.
on Thursday, September 7th, Olga said
Auch, Walter! I am so glad that you are doing better. That was really a smart decision to call an ambulence, I do not know how would I act in this case. I also hope that you have some health insurance from the University, 30,000 is damn too much. Recently, one friend of us had to go to emergency room for some serious infection on his finger. The bill was about 2.000. Same time, his grandson who lives in Spain, had a spinal injury when driving skateboard. He was taken by helicopter and had a special treatment in hospital and so on...he is better now. What the bill was? Guess... about 400 !
Anyway... it's all material...The most important, Walter,- you are getting better and you are doing right things. Yes, our priorities have to be family and health - health is important not only for us but also for being able to help and support our kids. Shame on me - I am still smoking. And I am afraid to gain weight.
Do you keep diet, Walt?
on Thursday, September 7th, Mark said
Walter, Glad it all worked out for you and that you are doing better. I am also 53 but luckily (as my father died very young, 59, from a heart attack) I am in good health, but not without the aid of a few pills. But then again we never know do we. We can only try.
A job is what we do for others, our work is what we do for ourselves, others may enjoy it and buy it, but still it is for us.
Good luck on the NOT smoking, keep up the excersize (I missed my walk this morning) and watching our weight, no fun there but I guess it is needed. I have a beautiful, perfect human being of a grandson that I want to spend long years with.
Take care.
on Thursday, September 7th, George Birch said
You seem to be headed in the right direction; caring for and about your bodies health. I for one am looking forward to see what new and exciting art you will now produce. My life is filled with the richness of people who have brought joy; who shared their lives and challanged my take on all things so that I am forced to see the world anew. You are one of those people. You can never know fully how much you have inspired and influnced others by personal contact or through your art. George
On July 7th I awoke at around 6 am and began loading my truck to make the 7 hour drive to Chicago to visit family and friends before boarding a plane at O’Hare for Cordoba Argentina. My brother and I had been invited to exhibit drawings and watercolors with Maria Elena Kravetz Gallery in Cordoba and I was to fly the artwork down in advance to have the show framed. As I made a few last minute additions and subtractions to my luggage I was experiencing a little indigestion…a bit of heart burn. By about 7:30 I was feeling very strange, the heart burn was getting worse and feeling less like heart burn and more like a band tightening around my chest making it hard to breath. I knew, even as I labeled it heart burn an hour or so earlier, what was happening. But I was arguing with myself about schedules, the tickets which were a large expense, that this physical symptom would soon pass and that I shouldn‘t let it hinder my plans. By 8 a.m. I finally picked up the phone and called an ambulance. I immediately took an aspirin, grabbed my cell phone, closed all the windows and locked the doors and went out to sit on the front porch to await the squad. A day and a half later I had a stent in my heart to open the artery and allow the blood to flow and a bill for $30,000 plus for a heart cath and angio-plasti.
