Mind Fields: How Humble I Am

In spite of my flamboyant reputation, I must admit that am innately modest and humble. I am, of course, joking. Having reached an age where I have experienced numerous great THUDS from life, I don’t have the conceit anymore to come out and tell everyone how great I am. Maybe that’s a problem. I know who I am. I’m a great artist. Unfortunately there’s no way to prove this assertion. Most great artists know they’re great. No one can talk them out of that notion.

For every great artist there’s another hundred million who think they are great artists. But they aren’t. How does one tell the difference? Damned if I know. Having a large audience doesn’t make one an artist. Nor does having a small audience. I would guess that one of the biggest tips that one is in the presence of mediocre art is the amount of sentimentality contained in the art itself. I recognize myself as a great artist by my ability to connect with the deepest regions of creative inquiry. You can take that or leave it. That just means that I received a gift from God and I was astute enough to treasure and protect it. That’s what talent is: god’s gift to you.

My writing tongue speaks as in a conversation with a friend. My music tongue sings as if playing with the birds in our tree. Making art is a process of extracting Truth from the sloppy ores of earthly life. Art is finding meaning in Existence and putting it into a form that communicates. When art becomes dishonest it stops being art. The truthful exposure of yourself is essential to obey the guiding spirit of art. most of the time art will contain an element of beauty regardless of how dark the subject matter.

As an artist I have greatness. As a human being not so much. I’ve been a pathetic human being for decades. These days less pathetic; I’ve changed a lot by doing the work of deep psychothereapy . It’s often the case that an artist is so focused on the art that he or she forgets how to behave. That’s how I used to be.

Awareness of myself as an artist came to me at fifteen. I was in love with a pink blonde girl who was a sex addict. She was’nt a sex addict with me which became the topic of extensive wheedling conversation. She did one good thing for me. She helped me turn my suffering into art. From that point forward I have never deviated from my core identity.

Art never stops. The practice of one’s craft never stops. The practice is your companion through life. Your instrument, your paint brush, the limbs of your body. These things you train every day. The quest for Art resembles a combination of athletic and priestly discipline. Thecalling of art requires much study.

It has been often said that it takes Genius to see Genius. That may be the reason so many genii remain invisible, like the spirits who inhabit the hollows.

Genius is lonely. I am always out there in the crazy-sphere, where my mind occupies itself with stupid things.

I admire people who are unique and know it. I admire people who retain their consideration for others in spite of their talents. Talent may buy you a hamburger but only character will help you digest it.

About Arthur Rosch

Arthur Rosch is a novelist, musician, photographer and poet. His works are funny, memorable and often compelling. One reviewer said “He’s wicked and feisty, but when he gets you by the guts, he never lets go.” Listeners to his music have compared him to Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, Randy Newman or Mose Allison. These comparisons are flattering but deceptive. Rosch is a stylist, a complete original. His material ranges from sly wit to gripping political commentary.

Arthur was born in the heart of Illinois and grew up in the western suburbs of St. Louis. In his teens he discovered his creative potential while hoping to please a girl. Though she left the scene, Arthur’s creativity stayed behind. In his early twenties he moved to San Francisco and took part in the thriving arts scene. His first literary sale was to Playboy Magazine. The piece went on to receive Playboy’s “Best Story of the Year” award. Arthur also has writing credits in Exquisite Corpse, Shutterbug, eDigital, and Cat Fancy Magazine. He has written five novels, a memoir and a large collection of poetry. His autobiographical novel, Confessions Of An Honest Man won the Honorable Mention award from Writer’s Digest in 2016.

More of his work can be found at www.artrosch.com

Photos at https://500px.com/p/artsdigiphoto?view=photos

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This segment of “Mind Fields” is sponsored by the Roberta Writes blog site, where you can find the poetry, photos, videos, and book reviews by Robbie Cheadle and so much more.