Anaïs Nin






"You have a right to experiment with your life. You will make mistakes. And they are right too. No, I think there was too rigid a pattern. You came out of an education and are supposed to know your vocation. Your vocation is fixed, and maybe ten years later you find you are not a teacher anymore or you’re not a painter anymore. It may happen. It has happened. I mean Gauguin decided at a certain point he wasn’t a banker anymore; he was a painter. And so he walked away from banking. I think we have a right to change course. But society is the one that keeps demanding that we fit in and not disturb things. They would like you to fit in right away so that things work now." -Anaïs Nin

Above is a small selection of my Anaïs Nin books. When I fall in love with an artist's work, I tend to want to accumulate every book published about their work that I can afford to get my hands on (Frida Kahlo, Corita Kent, Kenneth Patchen, Edward Gorey, Dan Eldon to name a very small few. The long list starts here.) I love my books. I can't help it. To me, art, LIFE is all about connection.

When I find an artist whose work sets my heart all a flutter, I want to have it nearby and within reach. I am a paper lover. I want to be able to pick up a book and flip through the pages. I want bookmarks, the smell of paper and to be able to hold something close. It's just the way I am.

I've decided that this will be the summer of Anaïs Nin. I'm pulling out all of my books and will work my way through her diaries in order.

Connection. Connection. Connection. 

"We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls." -Anaïs Nin

Work your way through some scrumptious Brainpickings articles on Nin here.  

"The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery." -Anaïs Nin

Comments

tracey said…
Kelly, will you share with us which thing you're reading and maybe we can discuss here? I'd love to follow along with what you're rediscovering. I love her, too.
ArtZest said…
I'm not familiar with Anias Nin. What attracted you to her work? What type of art does she work on? I hope you enjoy your summer reading her diaries.
Lori Wostl said…
OMG I just gave away my entire Anais Nin library - would have been happy to give it to you - It actually left here last week. SO SORRY

It is a worthy cause for your summer for sure. Try Anne Lindburgh too.
Kelly Kilmer said…
Tracey, food for thought! Thank you! I will think about it!

ArtZest,

She was a writer who kept (and published) a diary from the time she was 11 until her death.

Susan Ernst said…
I am a book lover too! I will borrow a book from the library and then decide I need my own copy to refer to again and again. Amazon and I have a great relationship!! I've heard the name Anias Nin, but have not read anything by her. Is there a particular book you suggest beginning with?
Kelly Kilmer said…
I'm going to start with her very early diaries:
The Early Diary of Anaïs Nin (1931–1947), in four volumes

Most folks begin with:
The Diary of Anaïs Nin, in seven volumes, edited by herself

Hope this helps!

Kelly
Unknown said…
Thank you so much for the blog link and for introducing me to Anias Nin.

What a truly unique lady - and I love her accent to - you can just picture her reading her diary and can visualise the views that she is reading about.
Jan said…
Kelly, Though we have never met I have a connection to you because our interests are sooooo similar. I've loved Anais for years and will now pull out her diaries to read along with you this summer. I love following you.......your inspiration is contagious! (I also love and own books by Dan Eldon, Corita, etc). I live in WI so I'm only able to take your online classes. I'm sure your mortar and brick classes kick ass!!!!
tootles, jan
Kelly Kilmer said…
Thank you, Jan, for the very kind words. It means a lot. It's also nice to know that there are others out there who get it!! :)
Hugs and thanks,
Kelly
Kelly Kilmer said…
Thanks, Lottie! I always love learning something new so I'm glad that I can pass something along to others. :)

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