Another great post! But in some ways its depressing. To think of all the potential out there, that will never be known because of the way our educational systems work. Because of the way our society functions. It truly was happenstance-- a bringing together of several different people/activities all at the same time that led Kaphar to become who he was and do what he did. If just one of those elements was missing-- would you have been able to tell the story you did? I guess in some ways, we can’t control for this, other than trying to get folks to appreciate that everyone has different skills, abilities, methods of learning, and that we all provide value, and ought to be allowed and given the opportunity to figure out what that is. What would society be like if we did that?
I loved this story and related to it in a lot of ways. Self-learning is what gets most of us through art school, not that there weren't some amazing professors, but some of those open-ended exploratory classes, were a bit of a nightmare. Something about having time to sit and stew in your own curiosity can create amazing results if you learn to teach yourself.
Amazing read! Would you say that the lack of a structured learning environment is what made the difference in Kaphar's interest in it? Thinking about school, it's very much a structured and rigid learning system, one that he did not thrive in, whereas when let loose with minimal guidance, he found the grit to learn on his own.
Thank you for a wonderful uplifting message especially welcome this Thanksgiving week. I am thinking that traction comes with each success that then makes for more traction- and the converse- that not feeling successful leads to a downward spiral. He seems to find his own inner traction as well . And I imagine having a love cheering you on helps keep the forward momentum dynamic going. Finding an environment that helps you thrive is what we can all be grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Nice piece. It also seemed Kaphar managed to stay attuned to his inner voice despite lacking external validation or success early on. His capacity to stay rooted in his own desires (and not conform) produced unique and valuable work.
I know I quoted Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic on your last post, but it feels appropriate once again. She touches on “genius,” how the Greeks and Romans thought about it, which I find more helpful:
“The Greeks and the Romans both believed in the idea of an external daemon of creativity—a sort of house elf, if you will, who lived within the walls of your home and who sometimes aided you in your labors. The Romans had a specific term for that helpful house elf. They called it your genius—your guardian deity, the conduit of your inspiration. Which is to say, the Romans didn’t believe that an exceptionally gifted person was a genius; they believed that an exceptionally gifted person had a genius.”
Another great post! But in some ways its depressing. To think of all the potential out there, that will never be known because of the way our educational systems work. Because of the way our society functions. It truly was happenstance-- a bringing together of several different people/activities all at the same time that led Kaphar to become who he was and do what he did. If just one of those elements was missing-- would you have been able to tell the story you did? I guess in some ways, we can’t control for this, other than trying to get folks to appreciate that everyone has different skills, abilities, methods of learning, and that we all provide value, and ought to be allowed and given the opportunity to figure out what that is. What would society be like if we did that?
I loved this story and related to it in a lot of ways. Self-learning is what gets most of us through art school, not that there weren't some amazing professors, but some of those open-ended exploratory classes, were a bit of a nightmare. Something about having time to sit and stew in your own curiosity can create amazing results if you learn to teach yourself.
Amazing read! Would you say that the lack of a structured learning environment is what made the difference in Kaphar's interest in it? Thinking about school, it's very much a structured and rigid learning system, one that he did not thrive in, whereas when let loose with minimal guidance, he found the grit to learn on his own.
what a story!! ❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing this, David! Kaphar’s Jerome project was profoundly affecting and the crossing point between you delighted me.
Thank you for a wonderful uplifting message especially welcome this Thanksgiving week. I am thinking that traction comes with each success that then makes for more traction- and the converse- that not feeling successful leads to a downward spiral. He seems to find his own inner traction as well . And I imagine having a love cheering you on helps keep the forward momentum dynamic going. Finding an environment that helps you thrive is what we can all be grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Nice piece. It also seemed Kaphar managed to stay attuned to his inner voice despite lacking external validation or success early on. His capacity to stay rooted in his own desires (and not conform) produced unique and valuable work.
Lovely story. Thanks for sharing, David.
I know I quoted Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic on your last post, but it feels appropriate once again. She touches on “genius,” how the Greeks and Romans thought about it, which I find more helpful:
“The Greeks and the Romans both believed in the idea of an external daemon of creativity—a sort of house elf, if you will, who lived within the walls of your home and who sometimes aided you in your labors. The Romans had a specific term for that helpful house elf. They called it your genius—your guardian deity, the conduit of your inspiration. Which is to say, the Romans didn’t believe that an exceptionally gifted person was a genius; they believed that an exceptionally gifted person had a genius.”
Such an inspiring story, David. Thank you for sharing.