Being an artist:
Elizabeth Murray spoke at my graduation from the School of Art Institute in Chicago in the early 90s. While I appreciated her work then, I was not particularly a big fan or anything. However, when she spoke at our graduation ceremony, I felt more like I met her personally and found a deeper appreciation for her work. I find this happens a lot in the arts. Meeting the artist can - it doesn't always, but it can - give a new connection to the work. Her positive and grounded attitude stayed with me.
Here is a trailer for the Elizabeth Murray movie by Art:21, a series of movies about artists produced by PBS.
