“Art is not something apart to be learned from books of rules; it is a living thing which depends on full participation. As we grow in life, so we grow in art, each of us in our unique way.”
~ Edward Weston
Waiting is not empty time. But it sure can feel like that. It is ingrained in my consciousness that to be is to do. And to wait, to pause, to stop for a while, is by definition — not to be doing. Not doing can be a daunting challenge to a personal sense of purpose and value. Letting there be no doing requires faith, trust and a sense of belonging to this very moment, just as it is.
However, in the many years that I have been making art, I have noticed an interesting phenomenon. In the fallow times between intensive work output, my creative faculties are still in action – even if I don’t have anything to show for it. Something is going on beneath the surface. This growth is fed by other disciplines and influences: nature, music, poetry, writing, other people’s art. Silent meditation, personal relationships, travel and life’s changes. When I pick up the brush again, or turn to a sketchbook, I am a more mature artist, something has ripened and my hands have not forgotten how to work. I have never been “rusty” when I start anew. In fact, my work is better for the pause.
In the spirit of renewed action, I have a flock of new birds underway, and look forward to sharing them soon! I am also feeling inspired to get to some bigger pieces and urban landscapes.
