there was always a tension in my inner life between the artist and the intellectual. not that they are completely unrelated, in myself or other people or in society, but i have always felt them somewhat at odds within myself.

the artist got a head start simply because there were artists in my family and everyone encouraged artistic pursuits. i used to draw and paint and this is what people said i had a talent for (i don’t think i would ever be great). but at twelve i gave it up for the most part ...