“Never be so focused on what you’re looking for that you overlook the thing you actually find.”
Ann Patchett
Today I am pondering art, and whilst this could be about life, it feels so very accurate with regard to an art life.
It seems to me that art work comes about in a couple of different ways. It can come from within, emerging at will in the form it will take and where one simply seems to be a conduit or a bystander and stare in wonder at the end of it going wow - where did that come from? Or it can come from significant planning, research, experimenting, testing and trialling and then be complete and hopefully beautiful resolved.
There are no doubt variations on a theme for each of these, but it seems to me that it is the latter that comes into play in Ms Patchett's words.
I think her guidance suggests that we can get too wrapped up in the thing we think we are going to make or produce, too focussed on following the steps we laid out that we might lose track of those moments when a new path emerges and we are shown possibilities beyond our original thinking and plans.
A good reminder to be present. To pay attention to what is here, what we have found, rather can always thinking ahead and waiting for the future.
Take the occasional detour...
Ann Patchett
Today I am pondering art, and whilst this could be about life, it feels so very accurate with regard to an art life.
It seems to me that art work comes about in a couple of different ways. It can come from within, emerging at will in the form it will take and where one simply seems to be a conduit or a bystander and stare in wonder at the end of it going wow - where did that come from? Or it can come from significant planning, research, experimenting, testing and trialling and then be complete and hopefully beautiful resolved.
There are no doubt variations on a theme for each of these, but it seems to me that it is the latter that comes into play in Ms Patchett's words.
I think her guidance suggests that we can get too wrapped up in the thing we think we are going to make or produce, too focussed on following the steps we laid out that we might lose track of those moments when a new path emerges and we are shown possibilities beyond our original thinking and plans.
A good reminder to be present. To pay attention to what is here, what we have found, rather can always thinking ahead and waiting for the future.
Take the occasional detour...
(((Fiona))) namaste
ReplyDeleteThank you Mo - and of course, to you...
ReplyDelete