Being Present
April 10, 2009 by Janice
This Thai paper is responsive to whispers. That’s one reason I chose it. Handmade, a little imperfect, perfectly sensitive to catching nuances. That’s very good. Because this piece is all about listening. These are gentle marks. Not tentative ones. Just gentle marks. If you look carefully you will find them in the painting in my banner too. I did not realize that would happen when I picked this part of the painting to show you today. But that alone, encourages me that I am on the right path.
Because I am making this up as I go.
And I am liking that a lot. I don’t know if I am out to prove a point to myself or show you that we are essentially ourselves even when we try something new. Not stuck in a rut ourselves, but core essential ourselves. If we give over to it. Or at least, I am thinking that is what we’ll see here. I am letting the lines lead me.
Listening carefully, reaching instinctively.
I wanted the power of a whisper in these parts. I want a muted , restricted palette, neutral even. I want the nature of the essential lines to carry this piece to where it is going. So I am trying to get out of my own way a bit, just let it come to me. So I listen, gently sometimes. And play.
Process between the signposts requires that we be fully open to play.
What does that mean? It’s a lot like summoning up the zone. You know, the zone. Chi. That space where we just are, where time kind of slips away. Where we ask a question, bring ourselves fully to it, and just respond. That place where flow happens. That is where we are most likely to find exactly what we are supposed to find. So this piece has me fascinated. And yes, I am still going to cut it up when the page is filled. That’s part of the design of the piece. And to be honest, that’s kind of freeing.
Are you letting yourself go to the zone? Are you trusting yourself there?
And now where is my Naughty Margarita? A Good Friday to you all.
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9 Responses to “Being Present”
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You know I never knew paper could respond to whispers! What a great experiment. I always like to say that the difference between good art and great art is a matter of millimeters. And to weigh a gem, you need a jeweler’s scale. I guess your paper is just that.
It always amazes me how subtle it can get… sometimes I think there’s no limit to it. Whenever I get quieter and listen to whispers, I can sense more subtle whispers under them. What if I left the whispers for the sub-whispers? Is there a paper for them too? This vertical approach to art is wonderful.
Todd Smith’s last blog post..Can you help me choose the pictures for next year’s calendar?
Todd,
One of the things that draws me to your photos is that you listen so well to whispers when they are there. This vertical approach is really revealing. It’s meditative and playful at the same time. Like when I just draw. Just open myself to it.
And yes, there is a paper for sub whispers, LOL. I have a sheet of it too. A little expensive and pure white. Maybe this is practice for it?
You’re right, the vertical approach is meditative and playful. It’s like exploring. Fun! Can’t wait to see what your sub-whisper paper can get from you.
Todd Smith’s last blog post..Can you help me choose the pictures for next year’s calendar?
Ooooh–liking the soft whisper, Janice. I’m excited watching this one develop. I admire you for cutting it up at the end–what a freeing thing to do. Carry on! I’ll have one of those margaritas, too. I had a Mai Tai last night that was excellent, so I’m primed. Happy Easter weekend!
sue’s last blog post..“More than kisses, letters mingle souls…” (-John Donne)
Sue,
Thanks I like the whispers too. I just came up for air a minute ago. It is definitely time for some kind of beverage. I had to reread myself just now to work through what I just stumbled into on the piece. Hm…okay…
I got an email from Santa Fe friends yesterday… I say margaritas all round. Happy Easter weekend to you too.
Oh Janice, I sucked in my breath and read your words which seemed to lightly caress my ears. Even now I am typing softly not wanting to disturb the beautiful moment that you have created where we can just be. Allow me to step back and simply enjoy the quiet, the whispers…beautiful, just beautiful.
Karen Swim’s last blog post..Hop, Skip, Double and a Dip
I am really enjoying this journay that you are on. And it is already really awesome looking !
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..Dancing with Daffodils
“Listening carefully, reaching instinctively.” Beautiful description. Can’t wait to see where this leads.
Fred H Schlegel’s last blog post..Physics and Ideation: Ways To Unleash Creativity
Karen.
Whispers..like rain gently falling…I am so glad you could BE right there.
Wendi,
This is a funny process. It’s a silly piece of paper. A piece of paper and some bits of graphite and color. But what I am asking of it.. well, there’s the thing isn’t it? There’s the big gigantic thing.
Fred,
It’s all about the process on this one so there is no telling where it will go. LOL. And it is a lot about the listening. That can be huge. Same can be true for other professions too, don’t you think?