Inspiring Artist

I would like to congratulate Victoria Alba for her insightful article on artist Amalia Mesa-Bains (“ ‘A Gift From the Gods,’ ” Nov. 22).

Mesa-Bains is a gift from God. I am truly inspired by her courage, her passion and her unfailing commitment to life and art. I relate to her struggle for a sense of identity and the need to belong. This woman inspires me! She did not cry, “Woe is me, I’m Mexican, I’m a woman--you are obligated to help me.” She went out into a world of harsh realities and made her life a success.

To be an artist of any consequence, one must walk a very long and arduous road. As Mesa-Bains stated, when one is faced with this kind of conflict, one is forced to confront what really matters: good friends and an active role in life.

To worry about the rewards is to live a futile experience, to take pleasure in the doing is to experience happiness.

HAYLEY TOLKIN

Los Angeles