You are most welcome! I love her "The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, Marie Laveau".
There is actually a shop on Bourbon Street and it is still there 🔮thank goodness! ( I visited there in 2010, so I am glad it still exists). Sadly, I did not get a chance to visit her tomb.
Take pictures to share the next time you are there please, even if you do not get to Marie's tomb, just of New Orleans in general. I doubt I will ever get to visit again. Good luck, I hope you get to move back there!
Thank you for sharing your Kolaj Fest experience with such openness and honesty. It’s incredibly relatable to hear about your initial doubts and the transformative power of creative community. Many of us find solace and creativity in solitude, only to be surprised by the richness that collaboration brings. Also, FABULOUS WORK!!!
Much appreciated! The Submission period doesn't close until October so now comes the hard part of waiting. Rest assured I'll be sure to let you what happens! Thanks again!
Keep talking and shining… it shows within your creativity. Will be good to see the transition from ICAD to either a smaller or larger scaled substrate. These creations are beautiful… I see in these (with the people) how mind and body can be divided yet comes together. Maybe a split in self or isolated from society. Keep creating!
Thank so much! ICAD may become a permanent fixture of my daily practice. I'm halfway through the project. I can't imagine not doing it, and I don't think I want to, hahaha. Scaling up is an active struggle I've been working on. I currently trying to tackle A4. I'm trying to do a couple in that size a week, and it's more difficult that I thought it would be. It feels almost like I'm relearning the whole process. It's funny how one change can effect everything.
You're absolutely right! I've been very fortunate to meet so many incredible artists, whose work I think is pure genisus, but they don't see the way I do. Sometimes it's just hard to be objective when you're so close to the work.
This is gorgeous work , I love the use of the text, too. The pieces you submitted are fantastic, good luck! And I don’t mind a bit if you share more about kolaj, it sounds so life and art altering; confidence boosting.
"Art Altering" - love that! I think it definitely was. Confidence boosting too. I've felt much freer and much less inhibited in my work since my return. More willing to lean into the work and where it's going without the fear or anxiety. It's a kind fo faith, one could say, a trusting.
I think it's also faith in the work itself. Trusting that it knows more than you do. That it knows what it wants to become, knows what it wants you to be, and knows how to get you there. Madeleine L'Engle says that "when the artist is the seventh of the work, the work is better than the artist". More and more I'm finding that to be true.
Haha, I am a terrible proofreader, no judgement here. But I do sort of like the idea of only being one seventh of my work; the rest speaks for itself, maybe. I think it works either way 🙌
An experience like that can free something up--unlock a door-- inside a person. I'm glad you got to be in that flow, Duane. Last summer, I took an "intuitive painting class" for a weekend without any idea of what to expect. On the second day, the teacher suddenly asked us to switch canvases randomly with a neighbor--when we were already *well* into our own projects! 😲 We were supposed to quickly work with their painting and make it our own. Wild. It really challenged me to drop any preciousness I had about expressing my own "vision" for a work of art and just enjoy the process. Something like that sort of burns away a layer of the imposter syndrome we all carry.
That’s sounds like an amazing experience. Definitely seems very close to some workshops I was a part of while I there. It’s that loss “presciousness” that’s made the most impact on me and my work.
Dogen said that “Miracles are nothing other than fetching water and carrying firewood.” There is an ebb and flow between the miraculous and the mundane. Things needn’t be anything other than what they are. Art is extraordinary because it’s made of ordinary things and ordinary processes. And there’s no need to be precious about it, because the extraordinary is just something that happens everyday.
I can definitely see the freedom in your work— there’s that monastic lens again—oh man, “the extraordinary is just something that happens everyday.” this is exactly what drives my microseasons project🌿
I just got home from my morning hike—the forest was glistening after last night’s rain & the fresh-soaked beauty was in everything!
"The feature reel of my insecurities" such a great description! So many of these images are just spot on! Super inspiring to read your words and see your work. And I too was at first self-conscious about playing in a group setting, but found it to be so freeing to be caught up in the making while hearing about work!
Thanks so much for reading Zelda! Glad it’s not just me, lol. It’s almost surrel to look to your right, left, and acorss from you and see great artists at work. It’s amazing to just soak it up and soak it in. Was definitely great getting to share a table with you too!
I know exactly what you mean. The solitude of my daily practice is a necessity. A non-negotiable. But, working in a group setting, absorbing and reciprocrating the momentum of a shared artistry, it’s a next form of flow.
Always great to hear from you Scott! Thanks so much! Means a lot to me that you took teh time to look through this! Aaaron Beebe is the guest editor for the next issue, makes it even more exciting. Fingers crossed. Thanks again!
That is a startling beautiful set of images you have there. Also, you capture the sense of working together in New Orleans quite well. I certainly had similar reservations. Actually, before I went two years ago I did not even consider that I would be making real work in such a situation. I figured I would just listen to talks and hang out. But I was so blown away when I saw them setting out tables and supplies that we could work with DURING the talks. How brilliant is that I thought!
The time passed so quickly and easily creating there and it was a thrill to see other truly great artists make very different work in a very different way. And yet we were all doing the same thing. The best way I could describe the ease and flow was that we were like cyclists riding in a peloton, drawn along with the flow.
Yes! Absolutely! Everythign was so great about the event, but the collaging DURING talks had to have been my favorite thing out of everything! Love the cycling analogy! That’s it precisely!A seamless slip into flow in the rhythm of teh collective! Thanks for that Stephen!
Marie Laveau
In one quick lick I waved my mojo hand,
made the Mississippi’s muddy spine
run crooked as a crow’s foot,
scared politicians into my pocket
with lizard tongues and buzzard bones,
convinced the governor to sing my name
under a sharp crescent moon
white as a gator’s tooth.
Now my magic got the whole Vieux Carré
waltzing with redfish and rooster heads,
got Protestants blessing okra and cayenne,
Catholics chasing black cats down Dumaine,
even got Creoles two-stepping with pythons
along the banks of Bayou St. John.
They say soon my powers gonna fade,
that there’s a noose aloose in the streets
looking for a neck to blame.
But I’m just a lowly colored woman
and ain’t nobody gonna blame a worm
for scaring a catfish onto a hook.
Chris Tusa
Love this! Thanks so much for sharing!!
You are most welcome! I love her "The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, Marie Laveau".
There is actually a shop on Bourbon Street and it is still there 🔮thank goodness! ( I visited there in 2010, so I am glad it still exists). Sadly, I did not get a chance to visit her tomb.
https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/1612
I’ll have to try and check it out the next time I’m there!
Take pictures to share the next time you are there please, even if you do not get to Marie's tomb, just of New Orleans in general. I doubt I will ever get to visit again. Good luck, I hope you get to move back there!
Thank you for sharing your Kolaj Fest experience with such openness and honesty. It’s incredibly relatable to hear about your initial doubts and the transformative power of creative community. Many of us find solace and creativity in solitude, only to be surprised by the richness that collaboration brings. Also, FABULOUS WORK!!!
Best of luck with your submission, let us know how it goes. 'Out of place' is a favourite of mine.
Much appreciated! The Submission period doesn't close until October so now comes the hard part of waiting. Rest assured I'll be sure to let you what happens! Thanks again!
Keep talking and shining… it shows within your creativity. Will be good to see the transition from ICAD to either a smaller or larger scaled substrate. These creations are beautiful… I see in these (with the people) how mind and body can be divided yet comes together. Maybe a split in self or isolated from society. Keep creating!
Thank so much! ICAD may become a permanent fixture of my daily practice. I'm halfway through the project. I can't imagine not doing it, and I don't think I want to, hahaha. Scaling up is an active struggle I've been working on. I currently trying to tackle A4. I'm trying to do a couple in that size a week, and it's more difficult that I thought it would be. It feels almost like I'm relearning the whole process. It's funny how one change can effect everything.
These are full of bursts of colour I've not noticed before. Seems like you're in a happy place with these master pieces! Thank you for sharing.
"maser pieces" is way more kindness than I deserve. But, I'm definitely coming to a place where I'm happy with my work and I love what I'm making.
I guess we value it differently when we don’t do something and appreciate the skill and work others do.
You're absolutely right! I've been very fortunate to meet so many incredible artists, whose work I think is pure genisus, but they don't see the way I do. Sometimes it's just hard to be objective when you're so close to the work.
This is gorgeous work , I love the use of the text, too. The pieces you submitted are fantastic, good luck! And I don’t mind a bit if you share more about kolaj, it sounds so life and art altering; confidence boosting.
"Art Altering" - love that! I think it definitely was. Confidence boosting too. I've felt much freer and much less inhibited in my work since my return. More willing to lean into the work and where it's going without the fear or anxiety. It's a kind fo faith, one could say, a trusting.
I like that—a faith and trusting— in yourself and your creative vision and abilities.
I think it's also faith in the work itself. Trusting that it knows more than you do. That it knows what it wants to become, knows what it wants you to be, and knows how to get you there. Madeleine L'Engle says that "when the artist is the seventh of the work, the work is better than the artist". More and more I'm finding that to be true.
Oh, that’s quite lovely. Thank you for that.
Meant to say "servant of the the work" not seventh. Clearly proof reading is not one of my strengths lol.
Haha, I am a terrible proofreader, no judgement here. But I do sort of like the idea of only being one seventh of my work; the rest speaks for itself, maybe. I think it works either way 🙌
An experience like that can free something up--unlock a door-- inside a person. I'm glad you got to be in that flow, Duane. Last summer, I took an "intuitive painting class" for a weekend without any idea of what to expect. On the second day, the teacher suddenly asked us to switch canvases randomly with a neighbor--when we were already *well* into our own projects! 😲 We were supposed to quickly work with their painting and make it our own. Wild. It really challenged me to drop any preciousness I had about expressing my own "vision" for a work of art and just enjoy the process. Something like that sort of burns away a layer of the imposter syndrome we all carry.
That’s sounds like an amazing experience. Definitely seems very close to some workshops I was a part of while I there. It’s that loss “presciousness” that’s made the most impact on me and my work.
Dogen said that “Miracles are nothing other than fetching water and carrying firewood.” There is an ebb and flow between the miraculous and the mundane. Things needn’t be anything other than what they are. Art is extraordinary because it’s made of ordinary things and ordinary processes. And there’s no need to be precious about it, because the extraordinary is just something that happens everyday.
I can definitely see the freedom in your work— there’s that monastic lens again—oh man, “the extraordinary is just something that happens everyday.” this is exactly what drives my microseasons project🌿
I just got home from my morning hike—the forest was glistening after last night’s rain & the fresh-soaked beauty was in everything!
That’s definitely what I love the most about your project! You find the little miracles in everything, everyday.
Thank you so much Duane! 😊
Credit where it’s due ;-)
😘
"The feature reel of my insecurities" such a great description! So many of these images are just spot on! Super inspiring to read your words and see your work. And I too was at first self-conscious about playing in a group setting, but found it to be so freeing to be caught up in the making while hearing about work!
Thanks so much for reading Zelda! Glad it’s not just me, lol. It’s almost surrel to look to your right, left, and acorss from you and see great artists at work. It’s amazing to just soak it up and soak it in. Was definitely great getting to share a table with you too!
I love hearing about it! I adore my solo studio time but there is something so dang cool about making art in a room with other people.
I know exactly what you mean. The solitude of my daily practice is a necessity. A non-negotiable. But, working in a group setting, absorbing and reciprocrating the momentum of a shared artistry, it’s a next form of flow.
Just fantastic work. All of it. And your submissions to Cut Me Up are next-level.
Always great to hear from you Scott! Thanks so much! Means a lot to me that you took teh time to look through this! Aaaron Beebe is the guest editor for the next issue, makes it even more exciting. Fingers crossed. Thanks again!
¡Buen trabajo!
¡muchas gracias!
That is a startling beautiful set of images you have there. Also, you capture the sense of working together in New Orleans quite well. I certainly had similar reservations. Actually, before I went two years ago I did not even consider that I would be making real work in such a situation. I figured I would just listen to talks and hang out. But I was so blown away when I saw them setting out tables and supplies that we could work with DURING the talks. How brilliant is that I thought!
The time passed so quickly and easily creating there and it was a thrill to see other truly great artists make very different work in a very different way. And yet we were all doing the same thing. The best way I could describe the ease and flow was that we were like cyclists riding in a peloton, drawn along with the flow.
Yes! Absolutely! Everythign was so great about the event, but the collaging DURING talks had to have been my favorite thing out of everything! Love the cycling analogy! That’s it precisely!A seamless slip into flow in the rhythm of teh collective! Thanks for that Stephen!