I once heard a story about several older gentlemen who were in a critcal care unit in a hospital. Only one had a view out the lone window. To help his fellow patients, the one with the view began describing such great views out the window. The trees flowing in the wind, the flowers as they were budding, people meeting and having fun. The descriptions were very detailed and delivered in an exciting manner.
One day, the fellow with the view passed and now the others in the room had no brightness through their day as no one had a view and there was no words of the outer world. Finally one of the remaining gents asked if he could be moved to the window spot. The answer was “yes” and he was shifted to the view. With anticipation the gent peered out the window only to be greated by a view of another drab hospital wing. You see, the view was from the mind of one who cared about his friends and who always saw beauty in all he surveyed.
An artist should develop the “eye” for beauty when none is present. Its a matter of viewing things differently from the easel.
-John