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A Fine Disregard
Not uncommonly we encounter persons of exceptional sensitivity — emotional, imaginative, intellectual, aesthetic, intuitive. Delicate perceptions, fine sentiments, nuances of thought that pass unnoticed by legions of dull, sleepy spirits are powerfully registered by these more thin-skinned and “irritable” souls. And then there is another type of soul, the sort that is known for possessing “grace under pressure.” These persons are admired for their unflappability — keeping their cool and their poise under circumstances that would unnerve or unhinge most persons. Is it possible to imagine the skilled suturing together of these two quite different types of soul — into one marvelous creature? Such a prodigy would be able to maintain the highest degree of sensitivity or responsiveness without having to resort to dampeners and buffers in order to prevent being overwhelmed and thrown off balance.
— Paul DeFatta
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“…there is a particular kind of attentiveness, and a particularly scintillating way in which you look at the world, which you would not have if you thought you knew where you were….If your life is at stake, you are looking for every clue to help you survive…. The artist who steps into this space actually feels like his life IS at stake. You could die, literally, or you could live in a completely different way. Your senses are alive to every moment and every…
