| June 10, 2009
"Every Friday Feels Like
Yesterday was Monday"
with Allan Mardon
|
Circles of Change: Conversations with Dr. Zara Larsen
on Change Leadership and Career Fulfillment
June 10, 2009
“Every Friday Feels like Yesterday was Monday”
Guest: Allan Mardon
Anchoring Points:
- Twenty years ago I moved to Tucson to retire … for but six weeks … after 25 years as a high powered New York freelance illustrator working for TIME, Sports Illustrated, and other publications. I had known since age 10 that I wanted to be an artist, growing up on a 500 acre farm in Canada and learning to learn. If it really gets hard, work.
- As an artist I only bring 50% to the work, the balance is filled in by those who see it and really make it into something.
- I was determined to reinvent myself and invent a unique form of contemporary narrative painting ala tapestries and Native American ledger drawings, relying upon my line art forte and joy of storytelling. Given my passion for history and discovery, it came to me naturally.
- My first oil painting was of Mission San Xavier de Bac (an obvious choice). It was on display at the Arizona Inn and stayed in their library for several years, where the owner would visit it when he traveled in from out of town.
- For a year I researched the contested Battle of Greasy Grass (Battle of Little Big Horn) via 100s of books and documents before spending the next year painting the full 24 hour battle. Who says anyone is the only authority to write history, particularly the white man amidst a Native American story?
- I had no idea why I was doing it, but I just had to do it. I started to paint in 1989, and within 5 years, the 12 foot by 7 foot painting was labeled a masterwork and is now in the permanent collection in the Whitney Museum of Western Art in Cody, Wyoming. So, what else do I need at this point?
- We’re all wired a certain way, so why try and change it? I recently uncovered the first map covers I drew for Esso Gasoline over 50 years ago, The animal sketches are similar to what I am doing today! You either are, or you aren’t something; don’t get tangled up in the shoulds and shouldn’ts.
- I will be 80 in 28 months, yet something is still chasing me – making me go after it. Do what you love to do, as sooner or later it will work to the point of loving your life. Realize the only thing you have control of is YOU.
- Change is always fruitful. You can’t make plans too far in advance, because circles are around and pulling you in new ways.
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