Great point about: "But simple isn't the same as easy. In fact, few things are as complicated as living simply." It's funny how simple and easy are too often connected as basically the same thing these days. It's almost as though the mind sometimes cannot comprehend simplicity and needs to complicate things as proof of its own existence. In some ways the ego mind reminds me of a dog barking and listening to an echo of then spirals into more barking. Haha - I hope this makes sense! I like that collage titled: "some sentences like bricks." Interesting.
Thanks Neil! As usually seems to be the case, I agree with you completely. There are times when a collage comes together almost effortlessly, with so few elements and materials, with almost no intervention from me. And the hardest thing is to let it be what it is. I often have to fight of the urge “to complicate things”. I’ll try to add more than is necessary to prove my craft or skill or capabilities. Often it takes more far skill to be restrained.
“some sentences like bricks” is part of an ongoing series of side projects I’ve been working. I’m looking for something in them, or in their process, I’m not sure what, but I also know I’ve quote found it yet, so we’ll see, lol.
Thank you! Anne Lamott is amazing! I make it a point to reread at least one of her books every year. She always gives me the salve to soothe the burn of daily living.
Love this. I too keep it that simple- I create - that is all I need- along with sporadic glimpses of nature (that includes animals). Add to this- I try to be my best self to those around me and I don't read the news. I hope you have a lovely day.
Thanks so much Andrea! “I create - that is all I need” - that’s it exactly! Definitely resonates for me, that and being blissfully uninformed when it comes to the news, lol. Sometimes I think of my studio as my hermitage in the city, a place I can go and forget about everything outside it. The simplicity is the reprieve. Thanks again!
Whenever I can't make sense of something, I usually need to break it down smaller. I try to find the exact piece that I'm stuck on and get clear on that. Sometimes it is obvious.
Sometimes it's counter-intuitive, and I need to look at things from another point-of-view.
I just spent a couple nights in the sweetest hermitage. It was everything I could ever need to be comfortable and happy. Perfect simplicity. In a place like that, it feels like nothing is impossible.
“I need to look at things from another point of view” - I think that is precisely the point of all creative endeavors and activities; the search and the practice of seeing differently! The trip sounds incredible!
So resonant, these musings. Beautiful collages, too. I love the freshness and geometry of “the signifier to the signified” - and the dissolution of “some sentences like bricks” (but in the context of that great aqua!)
Thanks Amy! When I was working both those pieces i was worried they were getting too busy, too chaotic, too noisy. But I think, as @Carolyn Jones said in a previous comment on this post, the process of making these was a matter of “uncovering” the clarity and quiet stability that “has always been there”. I didn’t think about it that way at the time. But’s that’s what I love most about sharing work, sometimes a viewer brings the insight of the piece to me and then I understand better than I did before. Thanks again!
Thanks Kim! Might be more credit than I deserve. I think I’ve just collected enough fractured moments of clear headedness that I’ve been able to piece them together into a collage of something that sometimes helps me see a bit more clearly. Emphasis on “sometimes”, lol. Thanks again!
I so relate to this: "I don't ask for much. Most extravagances seems burdensome and unappealing. Most luxuries seem tedious, unnecessary, and uninteresting. I'm a person of simple pleasures and even simpler needs.
What I need most is simplicity.
But simple isn't the same as easy. In fact, few things are as complicated as living simply."
Thanks Manuela! It’s a strange paradox, isn’t it? That somehow how when you don’t want much, moving through world is at once lighter and more challenging simultaneously. Thanks again!
Great point about: "But simple isn't the same as easy. In fact, few things are as complicated as living simply." It's funny how simple and easy are too often connected as basically the same thing these days. It's almost as though the mind sometimes cannot comprehend simplicity and needs to complicate things as proof of its own existence. In some ways the ego mind reminds me of a dog barking and listening to an echo of then spirals into more barking. Haha - I hope this makes sense! I like that collage titled: "some sentences like bricks." Interesting.
Thanks Neil! As usually seems to be the case, I agree with you completely. There are times when a collage comes together almost effortlessly, with so few elements and materials, with almost no intervention from me. And the hardest thing is to let it be what it is. I often have to fight of the urge “to complicate things”. I’ll try to add more than is necessary to prove my craft or skill or capabilities. Often it takes more far skill to be restrained.
“some sentences like bricks” is part of an ongoing series of side projects I’ve been working. I’m looking for something in them, or in their process, I’m not sure what, but I also know I’ve quote found it yet, so we’ll see, lol.
Thanks for sharing the link to your storefront. Buying art is a pleasure.
Thank YOU Gloria! There’s a collage on it’s way to you! Hope you like it! Thanks again!
Oh I love process videos and see the background of things. Time to go paid!
WoW! You’re blowing my mind! Thank you so much!!
Great work.
Thank you for quoting Ann Lamott she is such a genius and it’s lovely to bask in her aura together.
Thank you! Anne Lamott is amazing! I make it a point to reread at least one of her books every year. She always gives me the salve to soothe the burn of daily living.
A burst of colour in these ones. Absolutely wonderful. And the writing flows like poetry. Thank you!🙏
Always so kind! I appreciate you!
🙏🏻
Simplicity is as valuable as it is difficult to achieve. A perfect description.
So well said! thank you!
Love this. I too keep it that simple- I create - that is all I need- along with sporadic glimpses of nature (that includes animals). Add to this- I try to be my best self to those around me and I don't read the news. I hope you have a lovely day.
Thanks so much Andrea! “I create - that is all I need” - that’s it exactly! Definitely resonates for me, that and being blissfully uninformed when it comes to the news, lol. Sometimes I think of my studio as my hermitage in the city, a place I can go and forget about everything outside it. The simplicity is the reprieve. Thanks again!
Gorgeous work Duane. And I’m with you, simplicity is everything.
Thanks so much Kimberly! Couldn’t agree more! Simplicity isn’t just a preference, it really is a necessity. Thanks again!
Simple is not the same as easy. So true.
Whenever I can't make sense of something, I usually need to break it down smaller. I try to find the exact piece that I'm stuck on and get clear on that. Sometimes it is obvious.
Sometimes it's counter-intuitive, and I need to look at things from another point-of-view.
I just spent a couple nights in the sweetest hermitage. It was everything I could ever need to be comfortable and happy. Perfect simplicity. In a place like that, it feels like nothing is impossible.
I felt like I could stay there forever.
“I need to look at things from another point of view” - I think that is precisely the point of all creative endeavors and activities; the search and the practice of seeing differently! The trip sounds incredible!
So resonant, these musings. Beautiful collages, too. I love the freshness and geometry of “the signifier to the signified” - and the dissolution of “some sentences like bricks” (but in the context of that great aqua!)
Thanks Amy! When I was working both those pieces i was worried they were getting too busy, too chaotic, too noisy. But I think, as @Carolyn Jones said in a previous comment on this post, the process of making these was a matter of “uncovering” the clarity and quiet stability that “has always been there”. I didn’t think about it that way at the time. But’s that’s what I love most about sharing work, sometimes a viewer brings the insight of the piece to me and then I understand better than I did before. Thanks again!
I just love your posts and collages.
Thanks LeeAnn! I appreciate it!
I totally can relate. Great post and (as always) incredible collages!!!
Much appreciated! So kind of you!
Fantastic work.
Thank you Michele! Means a lot to me!
It seems to me
You have more clarity
Than for others ever will be
The case
Thanks Kim! Might be more credit than I deserve. I think I’ve just collected enough fractured moments of clear headedness that I’ve been able to piece them together into a collage of something that sometimes helps me see a bit more clearly. Emphasis on “sometimes”, lol. Thanks again!
I so relate to this: "I don't ask for much. Most extravagances seems burdensome and unappealing. Most luxuries seem tedious, unnecessary, and uninteresting. I'm a person of simple pleasures and even simpler needs.
What I need most is simplicity.
But simple isn't the same as easy. In fact, few things are as complicated as living simply."
Thanks Manuela! It’s a strange paradox, isn’t it? That somehow how when you don’t want much, moving through world is at once lighter and more challenging simultaneously. Thanks again!
Both the writing and these pieces are beautiful. Always
It’s always an absolute pleasure to hear from you! Thank you so much for you constant kindness and encouragement!
Duane, you and your work are extraordinary. It never fails to impress me- and I say that as an artist myself.
Thanks again! It really does mean the world to me!