JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
SPOTLIGHT
TO BE AN ARTIST
Inside the Book
By Douglas Schwartz
My book entitled, To Be An Artist begins with the following words because they
best define, for me, what the life of an artist is all about.
"To be an artist or not to be an artist is not the question. To be an artist is, in
fact, an inherent calling."
To Be An Artist then goes on to say..."It doesn't matter if you're a photographer,
actor, painter, comedian, musician, potter, architect, sculptor, watercolorist,
designer, singer, poet, dancer, filmmaker, writer, illustrator - or an artist working
in any other medium or discipline which I didn't include - all artists are the same
in terms of required sacrifice and persistence, as well as the very promising
potential for insanity!" I believe this statement needs no further explanation
except, of course, that this is precisely what I do in the pages that follow.
The amount of time and energy that went into the writing of To Be An Artist was
quite involved to say the least. You might even say that it was sixty-three years
in the making which, not coincidentally, happens to be my current age. I firmly
believe that artists are born...not made. Therefore, artists are artists from the
time they take their first breaths.
best define, for me, what the life of an artist is all about.
"To be an artist or not to be an artist is not the question. To be an artist is, in
fact, an inherent calling."
To Be An Artist then goes on to say..."It doesn't matter if you're a photographer,
actor, painter, comedian, musician, potter, architect, sculptor, watercolorist,
designer, singer, poet, dancer, filmmaker, writer, illustrator - or an artist working
in any other medium or discipline which I didn't include - all artists are the same
in terms of required sacrifice and persistence, as well as the very promising
potential for insanity!" I believe this statement needs no further explanation
except, of course, that this is precisely what I do in the pages that follow.
The amount of time and energy that went into the writing of To Be An Artist was
quite involved to say the least. You might even say that it was sixty-three years
in the making which, not coincidentally, happens to be my current age. I firmly
believe that artists are born...not made. Therefore, artists are artists from the
time they take their first breaths.
I took it upon myself to write To Be An Artist for one primary reason. As someone who has spent the better part of forty
years as a professional artist, I believed that sharing what I've experienced would help others to achieve their full potential.
For even though the book is about my own journey as an artist, it might just as well be about yours or someone you know.
With all modesty aside, I am extremely proud of this book. That's because I know that my life as an artist has genuine
meaning...one which has a story to tell. To Be An Artist is that story.
years as a professional artist, I believed that sharing what I've experienced would help others to achieve their full potential.
For even though the book is about my own journey as an artist, it might just as well be about yours or someone you know.
With all modesty aside, I am extremely proud of this book. That's because I know that my life as an artist has genuine
meaning...one which has a story to tell. To Be An Artist is that story.
The credit for the professional and distinguished appearance of the book's design goes to my wife and artistic partner, Karen.
As with any creative effort or achievement, making something look easy is never an easy task! While my name may be on
the cover, I say with all sincerity that To Be An Artist would not exist without her!
It was never my intention to paint a rosy, false portrait of what it is like to be an artist...nor did I. Rather, I told it like it is. This
includes the good times as well as the bad. The triumphs, the disappointments...and, most importantly, the determination
and fortitude needed to devote one's life to being an artist. As I wrote in the book..."No sugar coated crap here!" All in all,
I believe that I convey a completely honest and personal narrative...one that I am very eager to share with others.
As with any creative effort or achievement, making something look easy is never an easy task! While my name may be on
the cover, I say with all sincerity that To Be An Artist would not exist without her!
It was never my intention to paint a rosy, false portrait of what it is like to be an artist...nor did I. Rather, I told it like it is. This
includes the good times as well as the bad. The triumphs, the disappointments...and, most importantly, the determination
and fortitude needed to devote one's life to being an artist. As I wrote in the book..."No sugar coated crap here!" All in all,
I believe that I convey a completely honest and personal narrative...one that I am very eager to share with others.
With this in mind and beginning with childhood, To Be An Artist chronicles many of my life experiences as they relate to being
an artist. Throughout the pages of the book, these experiences are woven together through a series of literary vignettes which
are grouped into three acts. To Be An Artist concludes at the present time and also provides a personal glimpse forward to
things as I envision them to come.
As anyone who knows me can attest, I am not one who could resist the opportunity to impart my philosophical and humorous
views on art and being an artist as well. Why should I? After all...philosophy, in the literary sense, is an art form...as is humor.
To make To Be An Artist even more complete, I also feature forty exclusive observations throughout the pages of the book,
three of which are included in this SPOTLIGHT.
an artist. Throughout the pages of the book, these experiences are woven together through a series of literary vignettes which
are grouped into three acts. To Be An Artist concludes at the present time and also provides a personal glimpse forward to
things as I envision them to come.
As anyone who knows me can attest, I am not one who could resist the opportunity to impart my philosophical and humorous
views on art and being an artist as well. Why should I? After all...philosophy, in the literary sense, is an art form...as is humor.
To make To Be An Artist even more complete, I also feature forty exclusive observations throughout the pages of the book,
three of which are included in this SPOTLIGHT.
All content in this SPOTLIGHT © copyright Douglas Schwartz. All rights reserved.
