I can't believe I've been gone so long. I have planted about 600 acres of corn this month, not to count the hay I've cut and raked. I haven't been to town but once or twice to get groceries or go to church. I get totally absorbed in farm work this time of year, just like I do with my painting- it's just another form of creativity for me. There is something so deeply satisfying about watching the sun come up over a green field that you've only been able to see the row in front of you until the light shines on your work.
I've done a few things in my journal like the above and then this strange family portrait of my daughter and her sons. I'm totally in love with Dell Kathryn Barton 's paintings and Art Fix (I love following them and seeing their images everyday on my Facebook). If I can't take a class from her, I can a least sit down and really study one of her paintings. I try to dissect my feelings about her work and find out what "IT" is that calls me because I know in that mystery lies another answer to what I want to see in my own work.That brings me to this point. I realize we are all an example to somebody whether in our art work or our lives and relationships. Sweet Farmer had such a poor example of a good husband from his own father that he said he has spent a life-time studying men who were successful in relationship with their wives. The tips he's gleaned have definitely paid off for me.
We should spend a lot of our learning and studying time on the right subjects. What is it about that person, that blog, that art that grabs my attention and makes me want to be a better person, a better artist? Get really specific. Don't generalize. Then own it. It can become a spiritual practice. We can't be afraid to emulate that person for awhile until those good things become a part of who we are, a part of our own work. It will have a different spin because it came from me, from you-
May my mind stroll about hungry and fearless and thirsty and supple..... ee cummings
11 comments:
Spring time brings us all a whole new energy! Enjoy farming and painting, you can tell you pour your heart and soul into both of them!
wonderful post..I will read it again!
so so SO digging this
...totally feeling the green
and soil
and satisfaction
in it all.
Whether my fingernails
wear dirt or paint,
I wallow in it
wholeheartedly.
Pure awesomeness:)
Thanks....good share!
-Jennifer
Oh man, I really needed that super-awesome quote!
I missed you! I love your sketch of the girl,and also love the one of your daughter and her boys. Beautiful work on all of them. Glad you're doing good and enjoying what you're doing.
We are planting here- and waiting for the rain to let up enough to cut our hay. Just when we think it's dry enough, more rain.....
I loved your tribute to your husband - so sweet..................
Hello gorgeous girl. Wow all that corn. xx
it's so good to see a post from you pop up in my reader, you've been missed! Although I can see why you went missing from blogger land with all that you have been doing. Love your journal pages and appreciate the words of wisdom and encouragement.
Planting and Harvest..That is what our life is really all about..It goes right back to God..No wonder you love it..Thank you my friend for all your words on my blog..Our God is truly amazing..Even in the times when we are in the valleys.
I know one day you and I shall meet. You ask me why, I do not know but God does.
I do love the last painting..I do want to own one of paintings..
May God bless you and your family and may your harvest be plenty.
Katelen
Your viewpoint on life and everyday things is so refreshing. And makes YOU such a good example.
I'm so glad to see you posting again. I've missed you.
Well said - and important to consider. Sometimes we have to learn from ourselves - our own experience - and other times we need to follow others to learn something new.
And I'm going over to look at Del Kathryn Barton's work right now.
Post a Comment