“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.”

George Bernard Shaw

Remember when you were a kid and you could just sit down and color a scene from your summer vacation without constantly worrying if it was any good? I’m not sure why we are encouraged to stop doing things unless we are great at them. I think when it comes to creativity we need to have a high threshold for mediocrity. As a secret writer I often try to do the math- how many horrible short stories equals one I am not too embarrassed to let someone read? A lot!

I am always awed when I see the early sketches of some great masterpiece. It is so much more interesting than letting the final product stand alone. Any great accomplishment has trial runs and failures as its foundation. 

I am so grateful to the people in my life who pursue artistic dreams; the writers, the painters, the actors and musicians who keep creating. As we kick off this high season, I look forward to seeing the events that will unfold.  

This past year we lost two people who did a great deal to propel the arts in Huatulco. One was artist Jim Spicka who, along with his wife Mary, organized an annual art show of local talent. We also lost my dear friend Carminia Magaña, founder of Amigos de la Musica and an early contributor at The Eye. Be sure to get to the Amigos de la Musica concert on November 15th. 

Without a doubt Huatulco is a wonderful place to vacation and live but the thing that gives it chispa are the people in our community who embrace the importance of artistic endeavors. A huge thank you to the writers and contributors of The Eye and to those who organize concerts, art shows and film screenings. Thank you to the artists and writers behind closed doors creating the masterpieces of tomorrow.

This month our writers explore the arts, profiling well-known artists like Francisco Toledo and local talents like Carolina Schwartz. Mexico is a wealth of talent and holds creativity in high regard as evidenced by its museums, festivals and public art. 

If you are resident or visitor seek out and support our community events. I also encourage you to create; paint, sing, write- don’t be discouraged by the failures- they mean you are on your way!

See you next month,

Jane