The Artist

The day seemed the same as every other day,  the sun rised at the same time and  people outside his window were scrambling to get on with their business. Nothing was the same for him though,everything was painfully different. Someone had pressed the mute button,...silence. All he could hear was his heart beating. The numbness took over his body. He had no more money, and no hope for any work in the near future. He was unemployed for a while now.  His days and thoughts were filled with thoughts of how to get some money to make it through to the next day, but today he was too tired to look for work so he stayed home.

He refuses to take money from his friends. He tries to hold onto any pride or dignity he has left. He hasn't had food for two days now, but he tries not to think about it. A few years ago things were better for him, there were always small  projects available so he was always working.  The economic crisis, along with an unexpected illness and everything came to a sudden stop. No more work ! Now it feels like everyone is moving forward but he's standing still......going nowhere.  He tries never to complain though, he knows he lived his life fully, at times recklessly, and he lived his passions to his hearts content. He is an artist and has always been generous with his heart, his work and with his money.

But being an artist is both a blessing and a curse. Is there room for artists during an economic crisis?  Is art a"luxury" we can't afford right now?  Imagine that, a world where art is of secondary importance. Think of our childrens wonderful, free imaginations gone to waste, not needed. Should we teach our kids to think practically rather than draw the sun purple with sunglasses?

Produce, lower the deficit, spreads, even my 80 year old mother talks about spreads...what the hell is a SPREAD!!!   All of a sudden the artist has to think practical, efficient, cost effective and finally ....sterile. The truth of the matter is the artist doesn't fit anymore. Someone once said to me,  "artists don't see life differently, they see life correctly". She's a very talented painter, but cleans houses to feed her family.

So this is how it is. I started writing this blog because I love to cook and I wanted to express this love. The  problem I have though is that with every great love comes pain. The pain that comes from life and the reality around us. Have you ever thought that we are leaving a world to our children where hunger is constantly increasing. We wanted so much material wealth that we actually borrowed  from our childrens future.  Every real cook, and I mean a person who cooks from the heart has a deep need to feed and nurture people. How do you nurture peoples souls, or peoples dignity.?

My dear friends, how many of you would beg or steal to feed your kids? Not easy to answer ......or is it?

So today I humble myself and feel very grateful for all the everyday small pleasures my kids can enjoy.