Thursday, January 31, 2013

Thursday Thoughts...

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...

18 comments:

  1. 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

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    1. Me 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.

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  2. Oh 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.

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    1. Oh 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.

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  3. F-just beautiful in its clarity, lack of clarity and simplicity. B

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    1. Thanks 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...

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  4. I think I'll try balsa wood as a pen right now! How wonderful that you've been Lost in Calligraphy, Fiona!

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    1. '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!

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  5. Your quotes are always so...well...right. And so is your calligraphy. It's exquisite.

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    1. Thanks 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!

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  6. ditto Jennifer! Looks like you are having fun my friend. Can't wait to see the results.

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    1. Ah yes - fun fun fun! Will share and show soon...

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  7. I 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.

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    1. It 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.

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  8. All I can do is nod my head and say "yes".

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    1. Sometimes that's all that is needed isn't it Leslie! A truth is a truth...

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    1. Thanks Velma - I enjoyed the mark-making and also the words.

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.