Link - Inspiration is for Amateurs

Tags: maker

Chuck Close on Creativity, Work Ethic, and Problem-Solving vs. Problem-Creating

“Inspiration is for amateurs - the rest of us just show up and get to work.”

That stings. We’re renovating a house, and I’ve already put quite a bit of thought into my office sanctuary, despite it sitting at the very end of our project list.

Keyboards, monitors, desks and chairs come up in conversation at least once a month in my circle of friends. Joe and I have both built custom desks, and our current desks won’t be our last. My chair was a steal on ebay, but I would gladly pay full price if necessary.

Does that make me an amateur?

I hope not. I don’t think so after reading Chuck’s perspective a second time. We obsess over our tools, not our spaces. Our spaces get attention only as a tool of noise reduction and focus improvement. Wall color is not a hot topic, but sound insulation is. My butt has paid the price for cheap chairs, and my wrists for cheap keyboards.
I make no apologies for my snobbery.

“A poor craftsman blames his tools”, but a great craftsman picks and cares for great tools.