The title popped into my head as I was watching Joe Bonamassa a few nights ago. Joe, for those not in the know, is a blues rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. His career’s pretty impressive; starting at age twelve, he opened for the awesome B.B. King. Anyway, the post’s not about Joe—maybe another time 😉—but about artists perfecting their trade.
How does one segue from playing the blues to improving a craft? It’s not that far a stretch. I was considering how well he played, which made me ponder how musicians constantly aim to entertain and please audiences. They strive to do/offer their best. Over time, they refine. They perfect . . . or play the blues with soul and conviction . . . a metaphor, of sorts.
All passionate artists aim to be the best they can be. As a writer, I revise constantly to improve my work. As an editor, I amend to help make other works as good as they can be. Poets, painters, puppeteers, and performers [love alliteration] . . . those that truly care . . . polish words and riffs and moves.
It’s a labor of love, this repetition that aims for perfection. Nothing is “great” the first time. All projects and persons are works [of art] in motion. So, it’s imperative to keep striving . . . and keep playin’ the blues with soul.
Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence. Colin Powell
The Writer's Grab-Bag 