There are just some films that I love to see as an artist. I like films that show how art is made, like the documentary “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.” I like films that show how thinkers think, like the Fran Lebowitz documentary “Public Speaking.” And then there’s the gem of a film we saw this weekend that shows how the artist observes, the documentary on Bill Cunningham. Cunningham is the reason I go to the Style section first. I love his pictures. And he’s the kindest man. The filmmakers do such a great job of revealing his consideration and professionalism, as well as his enthusiasm for looking and observing. He is an artist’s artist. We should all be more like him.
1. I fulfilled my three weekend goals. I gave myself a 48-hour window to do the following: make a batch of pesto, buy four paintbrushes, and see the new Joan Rivers documentary. I love completing tasks. And here’s my tip for the day: set your sights low. Don’t try to accomplish eleven hard things when three easy things produce the same level of satisfaction.
2. I loved Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work. It’s not a vanity piece; it’s a year in a working comic’s life. She’s 77 and works harder than most people half her age. And she’s so unbelievably funny. She never had it easy, yet she doesn’t seem to mind playing it hard. She never turns down a gig, and has to hustle for everything. She keeps working because that’s what you do.
3. There was a preview for the upcoming documentary Great Directors, which interviews the world’s top ten greatest independent filmmakers. I don’t remember which director said it, but one of them explained why artists are compelled to make art this way: “An apple tree makes apples.” I love that.
4. Prescription medication to grow longer eyelashes? Really?
5. Faculty at Fisher College are not allowed to wear jeans. I have to go to the pants store.
How you like them apples?! I got the job! I’ll be teaching two courses, a painting and a drawing course, starting this fall at Fisher College in Boston. I had my interview yesterday, I got the call today around noon, and by four p.m., the contract was signed. I’m really excited to get back into the classroom. I’m not going to say I had given up hope on landing another teaching gig, but with this economy, it’s been slim pickins out there. I consider myself lucky.
I’m going to celebrate this career victory by buying four new brushes, seeing the new Joan Rivers documentary, and trying my hand at some homemade pesto.
