Renee De Four
@reneedefour
Renee De Four
Whenever possible (and it’s almost always possible), have someone do a day or two of work with you before you hire her; you can do this at night or on the weekends.
Sam Altman • How to hire
When in her life did Agnes Martin discover her passion for painting?
You know what? I'm no longer doing things that don't light me up.
What feels interesting?
What feels exciting?
What's my curiosity saying?
It's so easy to listen to other people's advice and opinions, following the direction of the "experts." But what could be more expert than our own inner wisdom?
🌀 Agnes Martin - My Rabbit Hole of Exploration
Here is the answer to the question I asked in the first post. Agnes Martin discovered that painting was all she needed to be fulfilled in this life. I wonder at what age in life did she discover this? Was it an innate knowing or did she struggle?
I envy people like this who know what their “thing” is. I’m 30 years old and it frustrates me deeply that I don’t have a strong affiliation with one thing. Whether that’s writing, or reading, painting or playing an instrument. I’m starting to wonder if I need to try new things?
What I do enjoy - building workflows with digital tools, solving problems by creating systems does not feel like an artistic thing!
I can build and perfect a Notion or Tana workflow for hours until a solution is found but something feels like it’s missing. Maybe it’s because it’s not tangible like painting?
I don’t know but I think I need to pick up pottery - maybe that will be my thing.
Update 1/4/25 9:15 pm - This quote also reminds me of Hirayama from Perfect Days. He too discovered something far more precious than material accumulation.
What am I an expert in? What can I become an expert in?
Recent a-ha moment: I’m an expert at being myself. I’ve spent so much time searching for my “thing”, my craft to master. After all writers having writing, artists have drawing and painting, musicians have songwriting and learning their instrument - what do I have? I have me, my own unique blend of things. A Being to explore.
Maybe I don’t have one craft to master this time around. Maybe I just need to express me as authentically and unhindered as possible.
his skin and teeth suggested an indifference to hygiene.
Cut a chrysalis open and you will find a rotting caterpillar. What you will never find is that mythical creature, half caterpillar, half butterfly… No, the process of transformation consists almost entirely of decay.
— Pat Barker
— Pat Barker
