This has become one of my favorites from my most recent trip to Venice. Late at night, in Piazza San Marco, this artist had his paintings set up to sell. In the image, I love how the light just pools around the art, an island in the darkness. The artist is there too, a part of it, slightly visible at the edge.
Isn’t that how art is too? No matter what we create, it may be a representation of some other physical thing, but we are there too. Art is a reflection of us. You cannot separate the creator from the creation, the artist from the art.
And so I am in this image too, as the artist. I am the one who sees these moments. I am the one who looks longingly at these street artists, whispering inside, “I want to do that. I want to create for a living.” Set aside my American-dream culture to say that maybe it doesn’t matter if I have a big collection of stuff, maybe just creating is what life is about. Creating something good, something to be proud of, something that touches others in a positive way. Live to create, create to live.
Lovely image…it looks so mysterious!
Hi Kat!
Ohhh swoon! I love Venice and the piazza San Marco. One evening we had been out to the island of Burano and made our way in the dark from the top of Venice to the bottom through the labyrinth callas and it was magical.
Thank-you for a glimpse ….I have to get back there soon…….
Happy Creative everyday!
love, kelee
My favorite thing is the shadowy figure of the artist in the background. This is a magnificent shot!
What a lovely sentiment – the interaction between the artist, the art and the viewer should be dynamic if it is to be meaningful. Nothing worse than art that sits on a shelf and collects dust because it meant something only to the artist who created it — and worse still is art that meant nothing even to it's creator. I loved reading what you wrote – it spoke to me.
Venice is such a beautiful place! I really love how this artist set up his art to sell…loving the lightings. Your words are truely beautiful! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!
what a great picture!
Oh my…the picture is wonderful..mysterious and shadowy! I love it!! But your words struck me! I am an artist and a photographer..funny how they blur together. I think so much of my present life is all about creating..the stuff is just stuff..but to create is bliss!!
Wonderful post, Sarah