Four years ago, about this time, I received an honorary doctorate and gave the commencement address at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California. Founded in 1930, the school prides itself on being a cutting-edge institution — a place that takes a conservatory-like approach to teaching people how to be fearlessly creative and have a definitive impact on the world. It was challenging to think of what to tell a group of artists with such wide-ranging expertise and aspirations (there are 11 undergraduate and 7 graduate degrees in everything from illustration to transportation design). Ultimately, I decided to just talk about the challenge and gift of making art — whatever the motivation, whatever the medium. I have been hearing about so many friends taking on creative projects lately, struggling to keep them alive, daring to believe again in the power of their vision, so I thought I’d re-up this. I hope it’s useful to you or someone you love…
That nursing note makes way too much sense to me.