Again, I have chosen an artist—a painter—for my second posting of this series, “Why Create?” My plan had been to feature a photographer or composer. But, this artist, Marie Tapert, and my first subject, Dudley Zopp had sent comments so similar that I thought it might be compelling to publish them one after the other. Also, because I have known Marie for more than fifty years, appreciating her work and watching it grow as she explores. I realized that her approach is similar to Dudley’s. Both of them are not afraid to try different media, different styles, seeking a new level that is powerful and fitting. Yet, both remain true to their individual philosophies.
“Marie writes:
The simple answer as to why I became an artist is I did not have a choice. I just was one. Sitting on the steps of the porch of my house on the east side of Detroit at 12, I painted the rainy street, the cars and trees out of boredom. It wasn’t until I smeared water over the entire image that it became the “aha moment” and my sense of that moment and the day was made alive and exciting.
From then on I knew I was an artist and that my work was about my place in the world and my inner view of it. By letting my sub-conscience have a voice, through the magic of materials and my childlike wonder at how they can be manipulated, I can make visual poetry. And that is pretty damn exciting. At times it is play and at other times, painfully frustrating, but everyday there is discovery. What is in me, who am I and what is this place I call home?
Yikes, Marilyn how do you writers do this?
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