The Artist's Road Painting the World's Beautiful Places

Giving Permission

Perspectives from The Artist’s Road

   Last weekend we traveled to New York, to say a final goodbye to a very important person in our lives—artist, designer, builder, author, personal mentor and friend to both of us, our brother-in-law, David Stiles. The celebration of his life took place at his summer house, an old barn he had moved over 50 years ago to a piece of land near the ocean on Long Island, and which he and his wife had slowly, by hand, made extraordinary and magical.  All the guests there had stories of how their lives had been positively affected by knowing him and his family. We understood. It also happened to us.

  This event reminded us of our own debts of gratitude to them. A very long time ago, when we were very young, we wanted to make a big change in the course of our lives as artists. We decided to expand our opportunities by leaving our cozy lives in the Midwest and moving to New York where opportunities in art were more plentiful. This was a big, scary and risky proposition. We figured we could fail easily, but because we were young, we had the time to recover somehow. We had no jobs, and no place to live. What we did have was the encouragement from our two role models - David and Jeanie Stiles, who were both freelance creative people. We figured that, if they could do it and make a life, then perhaps we could too. They gave us permission to think our dreams were possible, and that gave us the courage to believe also. Sincere encouragement is no small thing to offer someone. It helped change our lives then, and led directly to where we are now.

   Making art is, by definition, a contribution to the world. But if we really want to change a person’s life for the better, offer them hope and encouragement. It costs us almost nothing to do, but can be a powerful gift. And that, can make all the difference. Pass it on.