??????????
You might be wondering about the blank piece of paper above.
Well let me share with you an experience I had when applying to a major art college at the beginning of my career as an artist.
After lots of preparation and determining which College I thought would be right for me…………I applied and was……. rejected.
Since I believed I should be there I called the Principle of the College and he agreed to see me.
I remember walking into his large office and upon being seated, I placed a blank piece of paper right in front of him.
He said “what is this”?
I replied with great emotion….”That is me. A blank piece of paper with all the potential in the world………to have anything on it even a masterpiece. But I need this college to help me do that”.
Without another word he picked up his phone and called his deputy and said “give Robert an interview”.
What happened next I will save for another time.
So a blank piece of paper has always had a lot of meaning for me.
ALL of our potentials
ALL of our hopes and dreams.
May we all fulfill our highest and best in life and make something of that blank piece of paper we all have been given.
Copyright Burgess 2012 (c) All rights reserved.
BURGESSART 
A terrific story. What a courageous young man you were. So glad they let you in art school. I love the metaphor. We should all fill out piece of blank paper with our dreams and realize them as yo did. RLTE
Thank you Silvia. Just one thing to add to your comment…..the best is yet to come…for ALL of us!
Do you know a man by the name of Salvador Dalí ? 🙂
Lesley, of course I do. A great artist. Curious as to why you would bring up “his” name? Please tell me more.
I have a Spanish friend who told me the story of Dali sitting for a final exam and while others were furiously creating their final masterpiece – he sat silent and with nothing on his canvas. At the last moment he picked up his pencil and proceeded to draw a perfect circle. So perfect because of his practice of drawing 1000’s of circles until he reached perfection.
Now, I have tried to find this story on-line but with no luck. (perhaps it is an urban legend? perhaps my friend had the wrong artist?)
My question, of course was tongue in cheek ! your post reminded me of Dali and his thinking which was well .. quite visionary.
Thank you. That story does come to mind now. It was Dali. I remember reading it in a book on his art/life. He was an amazing man always doing the unexpected. Best wishes, Robert
Thanks Robert for confirming that. And now you know why when you did the unexpected, I thought of this story 😀 … waiting for part deux !
I draw a blank. ; )
Now…….. just draw 1,000’s and you will become famous 🙂
OMG, I have similar experience too. When I knew that I was rejected after the Interview, I called the Head of the Government relation Department of the Company who offered the vacancy and he agreed to see me at his office. I placed a blank of paper in front of him. When he asked me what it mean, I said it can be anything. He told me if he wanted to know what it mean to him. I just wrote down this words ” I believe that I will be able to do the job you are offering, as long as you would give me a chance.”
Then he said, Well…. go to my HR Department and come back to me next week. Remember, I will hold this words for years to come !…. Thank you for your memorable story. Your blog is awesome
Maybe we can make both ourselves feel good by saying………great minds think alike. We should compare some of our other experiences too. Love your site and photographs. Many thanks, Robert
yes it would be grateful if can share experience and exchange or share thoughts. thanks a lot, muhammad
Reblogged this on i cittadini prima di tutto.
Great! I recently wrote a book in which I use a blank piece of paper to make a very important pivotal point. Love coming across this here. That was brilliant on your part. 🙂
Thank you. But please tell us about your book and how you came to using a blank piece of paper (your inspiration)….without giving away the plot. Congrats on writing the book.
Fab anecdote
Thanks Nicholas………I amazed how little can say so much…….to so many.
Like everyone else who has commented……………………… WOW!!
Don’t you just love young people?
All that fire, all that belief.
I came here to say a simple ‘thank you’ for following my blog and I leave feeling inspired. The sun is shining and the dogs are asking for a walk, and as I walk I will think about your story.
Thank you.
Terry.
Thanks Terry………you can’t keep those dogs waiting. Appreciate your visit too and look forward to following your blog. Best wishes, Robert
A rare insight in one self …. but most importantly, a true AND innocent believe in one self … just as rare indeed.
Thanks Thomas……..those were the days when we were young.
We still are … Robert, we still are … !!
🙂 🙂 🙂
wow…very moving story dear…thank you so much for sharing as its very motivating for everyone
Thanks Kavita…….I am so pleased it is having a positive effect on others.
You can read a lot into this post!
Thank you ………..Magic in nothingness!
Much better than my art school interview!
That does not look good…….still in the long term it does not matter. When you commit to something nothing will stop you.
Great story, thanks for sharing this.
I said pretty much the same thing in my first interview in my first job.
I said: I learn fast. And I got the job.
Thanks kathyclem……I’m sure most of us start out with great enthusiasm……and say things that shock ourselves.
Beautifully put! I loved it.
Many thanks Rachel
Great story indeed. If the Dean had asked you to put something onto the paper, what would you have done? Did you have any ideas prepared? Had I been the Dean presented with such a bold and obviously intelligent, talented candidate, my curiosity might have driven me to explore further. I’m glad you were given the opportunity and thus able to develop further; your art certainly shows it. Some of us had the passion burning inside but pursued other lines and came to the art late. I still have so much to learn and so little time to do it in! Tony
Hi Tony, thanks for your comments. My blank sheet was really like an empty glass…….which needed filling and they had the knowledge to do just that. Since then I have come to realise that we all have certain knowledge within us which we can never learn and only need to trust and express. That is what is called “IN-TUITION”…..and that is what makes us unique. So it is never too late and you can give your something “special” at any time of your life. That inner vision is so much more important than any learning……just do it!
Thankyou.
“When you commit to something nothing will stop you..”
I’m quoting your words which , somehow , have always constitute my motto…
Awesome posr
My comment started incomplete …
I meant that your ost is awesome!
Again…
Errata corrige: post
Hahaha
Anna, thank you so much for your comments……I understand and I am honoured that my words have become your motto. I better listen more closely to my words!…..thank you again 🙂
Aw, I think I’ve made a mistake here. Checking through my old subscription lists, I think I deleted your profile (mixing you up with another ‘burgess’), but you’re here! And you’re active! Please re-subscribe at my front page!!!
Will do……best wishes, SeeNorway.
Thank you!
I just had to try removing a lot of dead weight! Prelimary investigstions/calculations tell me that approximately 85-90% of what we have aquired as subscribers during the last 4 years are ‘dead weight’? And I think it’s the same for just about everybody?!
I have so far removed something like 8% of my list. Now I’m checking for reactions og decreased traffic volumes.
Understand…..good luck!