Beyond the Notes:
Georgia O'Keeffe

To Create One's Own World

Listen to an excerpt from the song:

The text for this song combines a selection of short quotations from Georgia O'Keeffe's writings, letters, and interviews, arranged by the composer. These excerpts are a brief but vivid articulation of O'Keeffe's philosophy: a passionate commitment to self-expression, individualism, and creativity. In the song, the singer becomes O'Keeffe, and the mixed chamber trio of flute, bass clarinet, and marimba act as musical echoes and extensions of her sentiments.

To create one's own world, in any of the arts, takes courage.

Making your unknown known is the important thing.

I don't see why we ever think of what others think of what we do -- no matter who they are. Isn't it enough just to express yourself?

I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life -- and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.

The days you work are the best days.

Quotations from Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986), arranged by Nell Shaw Cohen.