The Best Advice

Perspectives from The Artist's Road

Baking the Bread 1889 (PD US) Anders Zorn

Joe Paquet reminded us of this profound quote from poet Rainer Maria Rilke: “If your environment seems poor, blame yourself. Tell yourself you are not poet enough to call forth its richness.” Paquet credits Rilke’s quote with helping him to understand that he did not necessarily need to travel the world to find inspiration, but that he needed to fine-tune his sensitivity and see the inspiration that was always around him.

Hearing the quote again inspired us to reread Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet. The ten letters were written by Rilke between 1903 and 1908 to aspiring poet, Franz Xaver Kappus and offer insights just as applicable to the visual artist. Exhibitions, competitions and organizations all have their places in the world of art, but they are subject to the changing winds of popular tastes and so are not the measure of an artist’s work. To look to others for approval and estimation can be an invitation to …