One thing that really caught my notice was his notebooks. They had these preserved at the museum rooms just down from the (magnificent) house. This was a man who had a large slave population to carry out his commands at Monticello, but he took a huge amount of time with all the details. He chose ever piece of furniture, every bit of wallpaper, designed the house, sent back measurements for every beam, delivered detailed floorplans and outer sketches of the house, and had NO ARCHITECTURAL TRAINING. And, by the way, he did this while he was largely the Ambassador to France and was abroad.
The notebooks and all their scribbled notes, sketches, measurements and details... are just incredible.
This set me to thinking.
Since I am in the middle of reorganization of my Studio (again) and have just finished my business paperwork this week for my art photography.... When did Jefferson sleep? I know he had all those slaves. Not that I condone slavery in any way ! But he chose to do a lot of it himself. How? When?
And then I thought about artists from years ago. How would a Michaelangelo do today in business as an artist, or Monet, or any of the more famous artists? Would they be able to keep up with government papers, Studio space, taxes, websites, blogging, Facebook, Twitter, social networking, keeping in touch with fans... while still producing their work? Would they get their filing done each night? Would they agonize over their business card stock? Or would some of the better-off ones just keep efficient personal assistants to track their UPS and FEDEX accounts and keep things straight in accounting on the computer?
You just have to wonder.
The first "image" artist I can think of was Andy Warhol. He was a great. He would do well today, I'm sure. But the more hermit-like artists... wow... how the world has changed! Marketing used to be a dirty word when I was a kid. Now it is the everyday. Not that I really have an "image" (lol)! THAT would be WAY too much work!!! I am no Andy Warhol!!! But still, everywhere I go, I not only carry cameras, but my iPhone. The cellphone takes so many pictures (as many of my Twitter fans know) when I travel, and at other times too. And everything goes up to Twitter ever day. Not the best way to take photos, but instant... and sometimes with maps! (yes, I have that app too).
I apologize to fans now. For all those times that I have not had this blog up in a timely fashion. For not having recent photos on my Facebook fan site (until a few days ago). For not working out how to link Twitter to Facebook until this week. And for not personally answering all the Twitter and Facebook and Website messages straight away.
But you should really try this job.
Not that I am complaining. Well... everyone envisions the life of an Art Photographer as exotic and fun. No one sees the paperwork and the site maintenance time. No one sees your family chasing you off the Twitter at the Dinner table. Or all the rest....
But then, all the wonder and beauty you have the chance to capture. All the things you see at home and when traveling. All the people you meet.
But "They" are right.
This is a FABULOUS job. And I wouldn't do anything in place of it in the world! I have trouble thinking of this as a job. I love it.
Well... maybe... a few additional things I would take on.... lol.
