patti smith

i read an interview with patti smith years ago where she described being asked by her son what her advice was about being a musician. get a job, she said, get a job. it's stayed with me for whatever reason and i've been grateful for that quote. i do have a job, fortunate enough for it to be a decent one where i can afford to pursue my artistic practise in any direction i want, pay for publication, pay for exhibition, buy all my own equipment/space, be beholden to no-one.

i'm not even a big patti smith fan but i've picked up her books here and there along the way. i just like the patti smithness of patti smith, her willingness to do, to be who she is.

i'm really grateful for it, this freedom. when i look back to when i was younger i see a time when i was preoccupied with notions of success. i've been pretty fortunate with that too, altho i never made any money! that said, i hate all that so i don't miss it. being able to encourage others tho, that's a blessing. and all we can hope for.

here's another video, just for all those angsty types worried about their legacy. when you're dead you're dead and you're going to be forgotten. be more concerned with your day, right now!