3 Traits of the Artist

29 January 2007

The most striking feature of Marvin Bell’s craft talk during the Pacific University MFA Winter residency was his closing remark about the three traits of the artist. Here is what I wrote down:

  1. A disregard for convention
  2. A strong inner direction
  3. A love of challenges

I have been meditating on these qualities ever since, seeing where I can, for example, wipe the dust of adoration from my eyes and transcend old lyric devices. Then it occurred to me that our cat, Miranda, exemplifies all three traits in abundance throughout her daily life.

Photo by Valerie Peake
(click to enlarge)

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Posted in Humor, MFA, Poetry | Tagged , , | Comments (4)

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  • http://otherpeopleexist.blogspot.com/ Kurt

    That’s me! My blog has never been less popular, and yet I still soldier on 23/6.

  • Robert

    That’s you? You’re my cat?!

    As if your blog weren’t surreal enough…

  • jenni

    Bell had some good poems in the most recent issue of APR. I like his three traits. Good ones. Hope all is well in your studies.

  • Robert

    Great, I’ll look for those. I haven’t gotten the January/February issue yet.