imagery

this wasn't the post i intended but i'll tell you about that other stuff later.  read this...

there is a time we have to abandon our used clothes, which already have the shape of our body, and forget our ways, that lead us always to the same places.  it is a time of crossing: and, if we don't dare to do it, we would have stayed, forever, on the shores of ourselves. 

this is a poem by portuguese poet, fernando pessoa, and i came across it at trincar uvas.  joana is a poet, a photographer and a jewelry maker and i often stop by for visual inspiration. 

this poem has gotten stuck inside me.  the image of our clothes having, holding, the shape of our bodies, leading us to the same places is the perfect kind of metaphor i'm always looking to express in my work.  the symbolism i'm always searching for to tell what's inside.

but really, the poem is stuck because it must hold some meaning for me.

1.2.3. Near Life

4. Circle of Lights

5. Trincar Uvas

6. Deer and Swan

7. miss quite contrary

8. darla dear

does it resonate for you too?

scary white pages

the other night, when i should have been in bed i posted about a drawing challenge and half committed to it.  this is the reason why.  have you all heard about the sketchbook project?  basically it's a 32 page blank book that you get to make your own using whatever mediums you choose.  you pick a theme which can inform what you do, or not.  the sketchbook then gets cataloged in the brooklyn art library where it can be viewed by anyone and everyone. thousands of sketchbooks will also travel the world to be viewed, making this a really cool, global project.  the art house co-op, the group that came up with this nifty project has others for you to do to that combine this global, collaborative art idea. 

so... the deadline for this is april 30th and it's fast approaching.  i have started working on one page.  i have some thoughts for others.  but right now 32 pages is scaring the (bad word) out of me.

sooo many blank, white, spotless pages.

here's the page i've started.  i'm still deciding between 2 themes - the secret and how to tell it or how to spell and other things to learn.  

oh my...  so i will revisit the 30 day drawing challenge when i'm not quaking in my boots.  if anyone else decides to do it please let me know.  i would love to see your work and link to it.

managed to get past the scary little white canvas and made this.  it contains the first lines of one of my favorite emily dickinson poems.  here's the complete poem

hope is the thing with feathers

that perches in the soul,

and sings the tune - without the words,

and never stops at all,

and sweetest in the gale is heard;

and sore must be the storm

that could abash the little bird

that kept so many warm.

i've heard it in the chillest land,

and on the strangest sea;

yet, never, in extremity, 

it asked a crumb of me.

and i'll leave you with another favorite

ample make this bed.

fill this bed with awe;

in it wait for judgement break

excellent and fair.

be its mattress straight,

be its pillow round;

let no sunrise' yellow light

interrupt this ground.