My letter to an artist (and his response)

July 25, 2007
Email: indaysha_eddy@yahoo.com

Dear Mr. Abeles,

I am Ayanna Dye and I would like to discuss with you a very important topic. I want to know your views and opinions on why we need art. I am discussing this on an online blog at http://unite2007collegewriting-aed.blogspot.com/ if you would like to observe. I think that art is something that everyone needs in their life and that some people don’t know that. However, if you would be so kind as to tell me your opinion I believe that would consider it and learn to appreciate it more. Please hear me out and ask any questions if need-be.

I was searching for some great artist with accomplishments such as yours and, fortunately, I stumbled upon your internet page. Something I would like to ask you is: do you have any other artists that you would recommend for me? I would love to have more than one great artist helping me on my quest.

Right now I would like to explain to you why I feel that art is a necessity. Firstly, art is creativity and a major way for you to express yourself. Every where you go there is art; there’s no escape from its beauty. What I want is for those who don’t have the artistic eye to see what art does for them. For me it is a stress reliever, an emotional outlet, and a way to discover things about myself and others. The only reasons why I feel so strongly about this is because people praise sports and know everything about them, but when you ask who painted My Son and His Cat Orville they wouldn’t know! This disappoints me because artists made the gyms that the sports teams play in! So I would like to ask you to help me not let this happen anymore.

In closing, please tell me your opinions: do you think that art already gets enough publicity? Do people take enough time to notice? Or am I forcing something where it doesn’t fit? There are benefits in knowing about art, but everyone may not see them the same way as me. I NEED GUIDENCE FROM THE BEST! Will you help me sir?

Sincerely,

Ayanna Dye



his response.....


Dear Ayanna Dye,

You pose extremely painful issues, have I mostly been whistling in the dark all these year, I fear I have. I make art for deep internal needs plus a great love of what meaningful art has given me, lifelong. I taught for decades and asked each new class, "Did your parents take you to art museums, have any art books, own any original art?" Mine did not and very, very few of my students had those experiences, except my more fortunate Wellesley College students.The art articles in Life magazine hooked me on art and made me determined to become an artist and work as hard as I can to learn to draw well enough to communicate via art. I would watch people flip by the art page in Time mag. on subways and buses. I personally don't give one damn about sports, except those with horses, especially polo, I know those stars, but who else does?We are told more folks pay to go to art museums than to baselball games, but somehow it doesn't seem real.I am only interested in art that is humanistic. Abstraction and installation, computer art, etc. mostly seems to turn off the public so that art is not accessible to these masses of people; much more so than when I was young, then the average Joe, knew what Andrew Wyeth and Picasso and Dali were doing, even if it didn't touch him/her.. I just do not know what can be done, except what is in our hearts and minds, if you can heighten awareness somehow, please do so!!!!!! I consider you special if you are deeply moved my still, hand made, visual works, where an artist has opened themselves up via empathy.Look up Jerome Witkin, Vincent Deserderio, Paul Matthews and of course Lucian Freud.Thanks for bothering yourself with these real questions and finding me and my work and making contact.All good wishes and I am so glad you know who made My Son Max and His Cat, Orville. I long ago gave up on dreaming of being "a household name", but if you can help that, all power to you.

Sigmund Abeles

thanks to his reponse i have others to look up! THANK YOU MR ABELES!!!!!!!!