image belonging to Peter Clothier

This is a series of essays Dr. Clothier wrote over a 30 year period for himself.  I, for one, am so glad he found a way to bring them all together for publication as I can’t seem to get enough of his words.  Before I found this book, I was consumed with the thoughts of what has gone wrong in our society that causes things like hideous amounts of oil to gush into our waters, the abuse of one’s profession to the point of causing economic collapses and the kind of thinking which make parents think it is a good thing to begin the higher education process with children before kindergarten.  What are we doing wrong and why do we keep doing it?  Now, I am no genius, but it seems to me we have forgotten the importance of the process of living.  In today’s world, we are so focused on the product, we forget the process.  Heck, so many even begin with the product and then consider how to get there only to keep focused on the product no matter what gets hurt in the process.

Consider this recent article in the New York Times which talks about teaching 5 year old children engineering so they will have a better chance of getting a job when they are 23!  Probably, by that time, the world is going to be so saturated with engineers they are not going to get a job anyway.  Why is it we can’t see that allowing children to become what they are meant to be will help the world balance out?  Who are we to push children in one professional direction or another?  It seems to me this is just teaching them to ignore their own instincts rather than encouraging them to be the best “person” they can be!  Now this brings me back to Peter Clothier who describes himself as a “recovering academic”.

So much of what Peter talks about in this book resonates with me, so this is only a part of what you will probably hearing about him in the future.  In his essay, “The Bandaged Place”, Peter says, “…it’s in our anger, in our pain, and in our grief – and our joy – that we find common ground.  So I aim to write the most intimate, personal words I can, in which everyone can find a piece of him- or herself.” This is what artists do.  We open up ourselves for all the world to see, we give a little part of ourselves each time we create, we often wear our heart and soul on the outside, leave a piece of it in each creation and hope something we have done will touch that place in someone else.  This is a part of the creative process.  Yes, it is slow, but we quickly learn that fast isn’t better.  Yes, it makes us utilize a lot of “inspiration” to get to the place of maybe a single sketch (reading, writing, travel, blogging, etc.), but we also learn from each and every mark because each time we give.  We come to understand keeping it for ourselves has no value.  Just like love has no value unless you give it away.  Maybe this emotion isn’t the same the creator had when they were laying bare their soul, but if it resonates in any way with the viewer or the reader, then it is successful.  Now, consider how different the world might be if educators, parents, politicians, engineers, bankers and other business types all did this?  What if they, even ever so slightly, stepped away from their industrial model (step one, step two, step three, etc. and don’t make a mis-step) and considered the importance of the process over the product?  I wonder if that spill in the Gulf of Mexico would have happened or if those in the financial sector would have been partying with the retirement savings of others or if we would be trying to make 5 year old children be 30 year old adults?  I wonder if our world would be a better, more thoughtful, more kind place?  I wonder if we would consider more and push less?  I wonder if we would be a happier society?  Well, there is little limit in what I wonder.

So now you know where my head has been lately.  I contribute this contemplation to giving myself permission to enjoy the process of living and creating, rather than pushing for the product.  Do you think this makes a difference for you – in your life and in your work?  If it makes a difference for the individual, do you think it would make a difference in the world if more individuals would be process rather than product oriented?  I am eager to hear your thoughts.

Have a Beautiful Day in your part of the world.

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Do you know about the work of Dan Pink?  I first read his book, A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future.  In this book he talks about how creative types have something computers cannot duplicate and how that is what the future is going to need in order to survive and to keep economies going in a positive direction.  He has now written another book called, Drive where he talks about what does and does not drive humans to do their best.

As many wise, popular writers and thinkers have been doing lately, Dan has given a talk on TED and I hope you will take the time to watch it here.  Dan is funny and passionate.  He talks about the division between what science knows and what business is doing.

How does this made a difference for artists? Dan talks about the need for AUTONOMY, MASTERY and PURPOSE in one’s work.  Think about it, isn’t that the way artist’s like to work (in general)?  Actually, as Dan talks if you think about it in relationship to artists, I think you will recognize the model he talks about. He gives good examples and his research actually upholds a lot of what we do and how we live.

So do you think artists and creative types can change the world?  It sounds as though science is on our side…can you believe it?

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Can you see some of the parallels here?  Sometimes my work helps me to understand what the inside part of me is searching for and sometimes I am never aware enough to catch on.  One of the things which has caused discussions lately with some creative friends is how we have to live our lives and often have other creative outlets in order to continue to work.  I have learned with this particular insight how important a particular type of travel is for me and taking lots of detailed photos, too.  I also know if I do not journal the painting becomes very difficult.  I think my family would also tell you that without my journaling, travels and painting, I would become very difficult!  So being an artist is much more than the actual work I do in the studio.  Is this true for you, too?  What other creative endeavors do you need in order to stay on track?  Is your work actually more than meets the eye?

Have a Beautiful Day!

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What is your reflection?

Sometimes when we look closely into life’s mirror,

the layers reflected back are ones we do not want to see.

Sometimes we have worked so hard with those layers

they sparkle back at us.

What does your mirror reflect?

My reflection has been dull, however all of that is changing.  I can see the sparkle returning.  The hardest part for me to remember is there is a spirit within needing as much nurturing as I am giving away.  Remembering those people who grace my life and allowing them give makes all the difference in my life which is reflected in my art.  Life or work, it is all the same.  How about you?  Is there any division between your work and your life?

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bits and pieces – a work in progress

Do you ever have days when you are trying to make connections in your head, but can’t quite get there?  All that wants to seem to come out of you is visual, but the words all seem to belong to others?  I have several things which I have read lately that seem to want to be connected in some way, however I just do not have the “bridge words” to bring them together.  Let me share them with you, because quite possibly you are supposed to be the one to make the sense!  Here goes:

This morning as I was reading the blog, Mind the Gap, I was struck by this passage on morality and question:

These codes are fluid in so many ways, variable by so many factors–geography, economics, age, religion. More than most groups, artists seem to flow between them, ferreting out their fundamentals and illustrating how communities of people apply them to their lives. And if we’re going to count on this creative class of people to do the exploring and the feeling for those who can’t or won’t go there for themselves but yet go buy tickets to see what those artists have discovered, is it hypocritical to then chastise those same artists for bad behavior (as long as it’s of the legal kind)?

I hope you will read this whole post because there is a great deal to it and he poses some excellent points.  Then these two quotes decided this was the day to show themselves in my email:

Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is
taking the risk to be alive.. the risk to be alive and express
what we really are.
::: Don Miguel Ruiz :::

You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle
of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.
::: Paulo Coelho :::

After that, I decided to make myself a cup of tea and this was on the tea bag tag:

Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself. – Chinese Proverb

Well, the list of things kind of goes on from here, but these are the things I have floating around in my head trying to bridge the gaps between them. 

• It is important to love what you do, because in that way you will do the best job possible

• What makes people fear challenges?

• It is so hard for us to listen to our own hearts, because the world often tells us not to do that!  Again, that ego gets in the way!

• This is a big responsibility for teachers, but isn’t it all about helping the student search their own heart and not be afraid of what they find?  Or is that a fear of teachers, too?

• Why does my brain have to get in the way so much?

So do you have the bridge words which might bind these seeminly random thoughts?  My brain would sure appreciate some quiet!

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more than meets the eye?

As I look at this work in progress, I wonder what I am leaving behind I do not know about.  What am I sharing with the future?  Am I giving unintentional information?  I am thinking about this because of the recent uncovering of what appears to be a previously unacknowledged Leonardo da Vinci drawing, La Bella Principessa.  It was sold in 1998 as an “early 19th century German” piece.  However after it was sold again in 2007 for nearly the same price as in 1998 ($19,000.00), the buyer decided to have it checked out.  After connecting with a da Vinci expert, he learned he may have made the purchase of a lifetime!  You can read all about the discovery at many main news outlets, however here is a US article and here it is via a London newspaper.  You can also read how it got it’s name.

At any rate, all of this makes me think about what we might be saying in our art.  Am I leaving evidence of something I do not know about or is my work really just subject to each viewer’s place and time?  At any rate, it is interesting to know you just never know what you might be leaving in each painting.  Read this article, it is so interesting!

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I love the work of Marc Rothko, so when I found this series of videos done by the BBC and Simon Schama, I had to share them with you.  Schama does a whole series on The Power of Art which includes similar discussions on Caravaggio, Bernini, Rembrandt, David, Turner, van Gogh, Picasso and Rothko. If you are willing to take these in bits and pieces, which may be a perfect way to view them, they are all on YouTube.  I love the way he weaves in art, the artist, culture, business and political history to help explain, indeed, The Power of Art!  One of the greatest examples of this, I think might come about in the Picasso series when he speaks of a painting which was covered up at the United Nations before a press conference! I will tell you no more here.  We have so much to be greatful for in these artists who went before us, not only in understanding what they went through and what they were trying to share, but also what their struggles mean to what we do today.

I would love to see more of these.  Of course, modern art is my personal preference, but we have a lot to learn from all artists – even each other.  I am grateful you are willing to share.

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It is the time of year when many of us in the Northern Hemisphere traditionally head out for a holiday from our daily routines.  Of course, I am reading in this challenging economy many, this year, are choosing to explore the areas closer to home.  Without a doubt, that makes sense.    Some people choose to visit the wilderness or countryside during the hot summer months.  Maybe these are the people who call home a city or suburban area.  While those folks who reside in the country might look for a change of pace in the city.  Around here, even with lawmakers on recess, this capital city is still bustling!

Although it might be interesting, I am not here to talk about who is on vacation or what kind of person travels where during the summer, I wanted to speak about how people often seek out vegetation and water no matter where they travel.  Parks and gardens in cities are as popular as museums and monuments.  Clearly National Parks are a major consideration for many no matter what country.  Our family adores these areas and as you know we visit Glacier National Park in Montana on a regular basis.  When we lived in England, we lived in a National Forest (and traveled to European cities for holidays).  The point I am trying to make here is one artist know and often employ in their work – humans often find organic forms very appealing.  We also work to seek a balance in our lives and this is part of that balance, I am guessing.

sweet nectar

Few would find this photograph unappealing.  The curvy butterfly sits well among that spiky vegetation.  Even the spiky vegetation, however, is not thorny in the spikes, it has a feathery quality.  These are similar feelings one might wish to achieve in an organic painting because it is what is appealing to the human…the human artist and the human viewer.

double frottage

A double frottage shows similar soft forms below a spiky layer.  This organic form was appealing when it revealed itself to me.  Of course, this piece has gone on to inspire other work, however you can see the similar aspects of the photograph and the frottage work.

traditional long view

This traditional long view is beautiful with the sharp, hard rocky mountains wedged between the billowy soft clouds and the soft, crisp glacial lake and the feathery forest.  Many would love to just paint this as it appears in the photograph and indeed many viewers seek out this kind of painting.  Of course, you know, I prefer not to be so literal in my translation.  I prefer to allow the photograph to inspire me, then allow the painting to transport me to a variety of contemplative places in my mind.

Simple Contemplation

This painting, for example, transports me to many places depending on my mood.  While it is organic in its presentation as it often reminds me of the ripples on a mountain lake while a soft breeze is blowing, it can also take me to where the sky is that amazing sapphire blue.  In either case, I find myself staring at this painting a lot.  Now, many people would much rather see more form and many more would rather see the lake or the sky in context with perfect color matching.  My world doesn’t work that way, but I find these photographic images to be subtly inspirational.

The natural world can be very inspiring to the artist.  The shapes and forms along with the colors and textures can catapult the muse into many directions.  This is not to say it is only nature I find inspirational, because that is not true at all.  I do find, however, nature is appealing to just about everyone.  It is simple, it is contemplative, and it is our world.  With all of this being said, and with the recent news our glaciers are melting at a faster rate than scientists thought they would be melting, I encourage you to do everything you can to take care of this great place we call earth, this place we love, this place we are a part of which gives us life.  In your art form or in your work encourage those around you or who view your work to contemplate the world around them in detail.  You never know how much of a difference you can make.

So how about you?  Is organic form and nature a part of what inspires your creativity?  Is it important for you to contemplate the relationships you unconsciously make in your work?   I am eager to hear your thoughts.

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