21 Comments
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Jenn's avatar

Really love we wrapped our words in dreams; your use of the white space is quite nice. And I so appreciate your thoughts, too.

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Ayesha A.'s avatar

Yes. I agree!

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Duane Toops's avatar

Much appreciated!

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Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you! Honestly, negative space is soemthign i relish in other artists’ work but something I struggle with in my own. I’m always on teh look out for ways to utilize it creatively. I’m happy with how this one turned out, but I haven’t quite been able to do it again, lol.

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Manuela Thames's avatar

Beautiful! Words and collages!

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Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you so much! i really appreciate it!

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Jason McBride's avatar

Beautiful collages and inspiring words as always!

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Duane Toops's avatar

Jason!! Great to hear from you! So glad you like this one! I appreciate you!

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Deborah Brasket's avatar

I love this, Duane. The title drew me in and then every word that followed. It is our task, as artists, as humans, to notice the shimmer that radiates beneath all that is. Joy seems fleeting and ephemeral, but it doesn't have to be. It's something that can be cultivated. And because it sings, it can drown out the harsher sounds. If we have ears to hear.

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Duane Toops's avatar

Deborah! So great to see you! This is such a beautiful reply! The primary job of the artist isn’t so much the making, but the noticing. Everything else is just an outgrowth of this. Thanks again!

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Janice McDonald's avatar

Yes! Well said. So often it’s all about the little things.

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Duane Toops's avatar

Exactly! I’ve found again and again that it’s always teh small things that save me.

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Elizabeth Grace Martinez's avatar

I've been carving out time every day to go to the park and sit and notice everything around me. that is how I am reconnecting with the Divine, realizing the order to everything that has come before and will come after.

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Duane Toops's avatar

Such a beautiful practice. My collage practice functions for me in a similar way. But even with that being said, I’d like to make time and space to do what you’re doing. Thanks for sharing!

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Elizabeth Grace Martinez's avatar

it helps that i found a sanctuary to go to. i posted from it with photos here https://substack.com/@eleanorcarr/p-147409974

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Duane Toops's avatar

Absolutely beautiful!

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Elizabeth Grace Martinez's avatar

thank you <3

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janice bisset's avatar

I love this and agree with you 100 %. It is our job as artists, (and everyone can be an artist) to be astonished by the beauty all around and within us--saying 'yes' to curiosity and wonder around every corner.

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Duane Toops's avatar

Every word of this! So well said! It our job to be to be astonished - to say yes to wonder, to curiosity - just wow! Exactly! Thank you so much!!

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janice bisset's avatar

thank you for your encouragement, Your words make me feel at home. I am beginning to feel brave.

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Duane Toops's avatar

That makes me happier than just about anything, and more than I could ever ask for - Thank you again!

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