Congratulations, Barbara, on the thirtieth anniversary edition of Wishcraft. The ideas in that book, and your ongoing support, changed my life and the lives of so many others
When Wishcraft was first published I had been working for nearly a dozen years as a caseworker in Child Protective Services. Working with abused and neglected children is important and satisfying work, but it is also work that can sometimes lead to 'burn-out.' While holding down that full-time job, I was attending graduate school in an unrelated field, Art History. That period was the single most difficult and stressful in my life.
During spring break (1979) I picked up a copy of Wishcraft, looking for some 'easy reading' while soaking up sun on the beach. What I found, were three simple ideas that changed my life:
Most things don't require credentials
From Wishcraft I learned that—other than to perform brain surgery—most activities do not require any specific degree or qualification. That basic concept was transformative. I could be an art historian by doing art history. As soon as I returned from vacation, I started to write short articles, organize art exhibitions and become involved with grass-roots, artist-run organizations.
When people asked me, “What do you do?” I told them, “I am an art historian.”
Eventually, I was able to quit my job as a caseworker, and support myself as an art historian, arts administrator, teacher and curator.
Finding the 'touchstone'
In Wishcraft there is a great exercise involving writing about an “Ideal Day”, and figuring out the 'touchstone' at the core of your dreams and desires. This idea has become the basis for an important habit. Whenever I really want something, I ask myself, “What is the 'touchstone', and how can I put some part of this dream into my present life?
Brainstorming and Barnraising
From reading Wishcraft, I discovered that I am really good at brainstorming. Whenever there is some problem or need, I gather together the smartest people I know, and ask them to brainstorm with me. This simple strategy almost always works, and it is certainly a lot of fun.
By 1985, I was already working as an art historian, when I realized that there was another part of my dream still missing: I wanted to live in Europe and to organize art exhibitions in my own space.
That was an ambitious goal, and I had no idea where to start. So I harnessed the power of telecommunications, and started several online Wishcraft groups on bulletin board systems. (This was long before Barbara Sher's excellent Web-based board.) I wrote to Barbara, and she graciously joined those early online experiments.
Planning a move abroad involved so many things: learning a language, finding a place to live, making a living, and building an international support network. All of the team members in our online Wishcraft group were of great help. Two friends really made the difference: SlimD [David T. Mills (1955-1991)] and Ray Gallon.
During the first summer that I spent in Rome, studying Italian, one of my online friends, Slim D, wrote me long letters, filled with ideas and encouragement. Whenever it seemed too hard, he cheered me along. SlimD later became my life-partner, and together we moved to Rome. In Rome we did anything that would support the dream: we led tours in Italy and throughout Europe, catalogued art collections and organized exhibitions. (In a pinch, we also taught English, and solved people's computer problems.)
Slim D died in Rome, and I still miss him.
Another really important person from our Wishcraft group was Ray Gallon. Ray wanted to move to France. Today, more than twenty years later, he and his family live in Barcelona. Ray has a second home in France, where he continues to works as a sound artist, technical writer and telecommunications specialist. Ray is talented in so many things; I am certain that he can accomplish just about anything. His ongoing example continues to inspire me.
Family responsibilities eventually brought me back to the States, and I accepted a position as the Director of a university art gallery.
More recently, because of health problems, I took an early retirement. Now, at a more measured pace, I have begun to design and fabricate jewelry. Working with metal and gemstones, I discovered that I enjoy making art, not just writing about it. This is a source of great satisfaction. Although I am not quite ready as yet, I hope eventually to be able to earn some additional retirement income with my one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Thank you Barbara, for all that you have taught me during these last thirty years. I wish you many more years of continued success with your writing, lecturing and group work.
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