Books that Made Me- Robert Henri’s “The Art Spirit”

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Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

Hiya, pals! Today we’re talking about The Art Spirit by Robert Henri- a how-to on making art like your life depends on it.

Henri was in the trenches as both painter and teacher, pushing his students to stop overthinking and start feeling. “The object isn’t to make art, it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.” Boom! Right in the kisser. You don’t do art. You become art. You live it, breathe it, let it take over your bones until there’s nothing left to do but create.

Don’t waste time waiting for permission. “Cherish your own emotions and never undervalue them.” That’s Henri telling us our gut instincts are gold. Feel something? Good. Put it on the page, the canvas, the world. Don’t sand down the edges, don’t pretty it up for the critics. Like ODB said, “Oh baby, I like it raw!” 

One more cup of coffee for the road: “The artist must be a master of reality, but must refuse to be its slave.” This world will try to box you in, tell you how things should be done. Rules are for squares, ya dig. Be wild. Be fearless. Be a friggin’ werewolf and howl at the friggin’ moon, baby! 

So grab your brush, your pen, your pizza slicer, your knitting needles- whatever- and get to work!

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