Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
Thomas Merton
I am sure I have quoted Merton before, and I'm pretty sure I haven't used this quote before but it's been tricky to keep track away from home and with no power for days before I left.
This speaks to me as he so often does. When I think about both the in and the out of art - it is possible to both find myself and lose myself within it.
I find myself when I go deep inside and find things of mine or my thoughts that need expressing - and the art lets me tell that story or get it out somehow. Inelegantly expressed I'm sorry. The process of making or creating is a means by which I discover and express truths about myself. I think I find a part of me through art.
Yet the opposite holds true as well. In the process of making or creating I very often lose myself, or at least my left-brain thinking, analysing and observing self. I often feel as if I have been lost in my art as if I have gone many many miles away, and then I'm back.
It's quite a beautiful and accurate conundrum...
This is a part of a practice page I did with Massimo Pollelo at his workshop in Sydney. It is done with balsa wood as a pen and walnut ink. The intensity of focus as I tried to compress the letters and keep the strokes right meant I really was lost in myself as I did it; and I think the loose gaps feel a little bit like I found myself...
Thomas Merton
I am sure I have quoted Merton before, and I'm pretty sure I haven't used this quote before but it's been tricky to keep track away from home and with no power for days before I left.
This speaks to me as he so often does. When I think about both the in and the out of art - it is possible to both find myself and lose myself within it.
I find myself when I go deep inside and find things of mine or my thoughts that need expressing - and the art lets me tell that story or get it out somehow. Inelegantly expressed I'm sorry. The process of making or creating is a means by which I discover and express truths about myself. I think I find a part of me through art.
Yet the opposite holds true as well. In the process of making or creating I very often lose myself, or at least my left-brain thinking, analysing and observing self. I often feel as if I have been lost in my art as if I have gone many many miles away, and then I'm back.
It's quite a beautiful and accurate conundrum...
This is a part of a practice page I did with Massimo Pollelo at his workshop in Sydney. It is done with balsa wood as a pen and walnut ink. The intensity of focus as I tried to compress the letters and keep the strokes right meant I really was lost in myself as I did it; and I think the loose gaps feel a little bit like I found myself...
balsa wood makes a lovely writing tool - I love the dry brush effect it makes as the ink runs out - it makes the more delightful texture
ReplyDeleteMe too Ronnie - I also like that it almost encourages you to continue to write whereas with a pen I'd be thinking of re-dipping. It is most scrumptious.
DeleteOh you lucky thing. Having watched more Massimo Polello videos than is good for a girl, I can't tell you how envious I am. After the rigours of your recent weather traumas, how wonderful to lose yourself in an activity like this and forget everything but the moment you're in.
ReplyDeleteOh Leslie - it was a true delight and he was so warm and funny and generous as well. You would have loved it. And yes, I went far away in my head whilst I was there, but skipped a happy dance when I heard that power and phones had returned.
DeleteF-just beautiful in its clarity, lack of clarity and simplicity. B
ReplyDeleteThanks B - sometimes we try so hard to capture what you just said; and here it is without me meaning to do it in a way...
DeleteI think I'll try balsa wood as a pen right now! How wonderful that you've been Lost in Calligraphy, Fiona!
ReplyDelete'Tis a wonderful place to get lost in Ersi, and i truly enjoyed soaking in it. Go cut balsa and play right now I say!
DeleteYour quotes are always so...well...right. And so is your calligraphy. It's exquisite.
ReplyDeleteThanks J - this one rings true doesn't it and feels just right. Thanks for your kind words - glad you like it. I enjoyed myself so much!
Deleteditto Jennifer! Looks like you are having fun my friend. Can't wait to see the results.
ReplyDeleteAh yes - fun fun fun! Will share and show soon...
DeleteI know the feeling...... to be lost and found in one's art. Your practice page (an artwork in itself) makes me feel the meditative quality of this exercise.
ReplyDeleteIt resonates doesn't it Robyn - lost and found all at once and by the same process...I'm glad you can feel the quiet mediative, repetitive flow of this work.
DeleteAll I can do is nod my head and say "yes".
ReplyDeleteSometimes that's all that is needed isn't it Leslie! A truth is a truth...
Deletebeautiful marks, beautiful words
ReplyDeleteThanks Velma - I enjoyed the mark-making and also the words.
Delete