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| Jake Grossberg and myself at his 80th birthday party |
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A few weeks ago I received an email from Di Grossberg inviting me to
Jake Grossberg's birthday party. She had found my post about him here and was inviting past students to come to his surprise party. Of course I said yes, wondering how any teacher could remember their students from year to year never mind 30 years. When I walked into his house there was a house full of former students plus friends already there and that was at the very beginning of the party. It was quite a testament to his influence on so many of us. When I walked up to shake his hand he looked at me and said " Lisa, are you still painting" ( I think I heard him say I still looked that same but that might have been wishful thinking) But oh what a great question!!
I hung around for a while, talked to other students and traded stories, wrote a note in the book Di provided and left. I did have a chance to thank him for all the wisdom he shared and to let him know I am passing it on to my students. It was quite a day. Thanks, Di.
Sculpture by Jake Grossberg
Still
on the subject of influences, I was thinking about artists that I know
or have known personally who have the ability to help my work grow and
change. One
teacher comes to mind quite often and I repeat his advice to my
students every time I teach and occasionally to myself when I am fussing
around on my work. Jake Grossberg, sculptor, was trying to show me something with Plaster of Paris and I was very hesitant and timid. He looked at me and in his Jewish grandfather way said
"Bubele, you are not making bombs here-it is just art"
Later after I had graduated he was encouraging me to go around NY with my work and I told him I wasn't ready.His
words were "Do you think you will ever think you are ready? He
suggested that I think of promoting my work like I was selling
salami's. Some people like salami, some don't."
He taught
me to separate my work from myself and get into a different mind set
when promoting......invaluable advice. Thanks, Jake
