R. Thomas Richard
I think the film "Babette's Feast" has the best way to answer that question, when posed to any artist of any kind, concerning the particular art expression that he has found or stumbled upon - or that has found him, awakened him, and given him a voice. An artist of any kind has something to say, and it must be said. He may try this or that kind of art, but his message will find a way.
Another beautiful answer was offered by Leonard Cohen - a very gifted poet/songwriter. His song/poem/prayer, "If It Be Your Will" comes to me often. Art comes from God - or better to say, good art comes from the Source of all goodness. There is trash that is passed off as art - I'm not talking about that. But art is meant to lift, and point, and direct the soul to the Source Himself, to Truth, even if He is not mentioned explicitly, even if the artist himself does not realize that he is just a spokesman for Another.
But truth deserves to be spoken! Or sung, or expressed in some way to give voice to it. So I try to write. It is not easy, but that is not the point at all. To speak it, or shout it, or whisper it, or write or sing or sound or paint it - that is the point. An artist, having been given art in his soul as an unrequested gift, has a burden to bear. And a duty to do. And it is a profound joy to offer it back in return!
Another beautiful answer was offered by Leonard Cohen - a very gifted poet/songwriter. His song/poem/prayer, "If It Be Your Will" comes to me often. Art comes from God - or better to say, good art comes from the Source of all goodness. There is trash that is passed off as art - I'm not talking about that. But art is meant to lift, and point, and direct the soul to the Source Himself, to Truth, even if He is not mentioned explicitly, even if the artist himself does not realize that he is just a spokesman for Another.
But truth deserves to be spoken! Or sung, or expressed in some way to give voice to it. So I try to write. It is not easy, but that is not the point at all. To speak it, or shout it, or whisper it, or write or sing or sound or paint it - that is the point. An artist, having been given art in his soul as an unrequested gift, has a burden to bear. And a duty to do. And it is a profound joy to offer it back in return!
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