in a plain way

"The greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world is to see something and tell what it saw in a plain way. Hundreds of people can talk for one who can think, but thousands can think for one who can see. To see clearly is poetry, prophecy and religion, all in one." - John Ruskin


I did not know who John Ruskin was, and what his work had to offer, until after I left art school (damn you, Tyler!). This was a great shortcoming of my professional education. Ruskin believed that art, craftsmanship, and living are all parts of each other and that only with truthfulness can creativity really be effective. He placed great value on skill, but still greater value on truthfulness. I always keep his writings in mind when I am at work in the studio.