19 Comments
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Ann Collins's avatar

Having watched you make it, and then knowing that some of this material comes from an actual vintage scrapbook makes "importance to the name" a very special piece. I especially appreciate the precise cuts that reveal the old handwriting in the underlayers. A casual observer would not know of the multiple small choices that tie together the color scheme, as well. As with all your work, the texture can't be fully appreciated on a monitor screen. Very nice work!!

Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you so much! I don’t often do a lot of precise, meticulous cutting, but some of the source material I’ve been using lately seems to be demanding it. I trust that it knows more than I do, so I just try to go with it, lol. Thanks again!

Anna Judd's avatar

I love how this writing, talking about art, is talking about how to live. Love this.

Duane Toops's avatar

Exactly! I was just telling someone recently that most of the time when I talk about creativity or collage, I’m not really talking about creativity and collage. Those subjects are simply the gateway that I use to talk about other things. It’s the vehicle that lets me get to everything. Thanks Anna!

Anna Judd's avatar

I think this is just wonderful Duane.

Duane Toops's avatar

Means the world to me Anna!

Manuela Thames's avatar

"May you bend without breaking." Love!

Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you so much Manuela! That’s the one that hits the most for me too!

Danny Toops's avatar

Thank you

Kimberly Warner's avatar

The Course of Love by Botton is such an incredible book. And though it’s more about relationship, it also carries this principle of bending, relating to what is (and bending through that relation) rather than forcing change.

Duane Toops's avatar

Oh this sounds amazing! I love his work but haven’t read that one! Thank you for the recommendation!

The Sea in Me's avatar

“Flexibility is its own kind of strength”

A wise, uplifting post Duane. I was almost substituting the word 'relationship' for 'creativity' reading it. In a time that calls for better boundaries in one way, and that has legitimised people's sensitivity in another, this post speaks to some of that.

A less rigid, entrenched way of seeing the world, ourselves and others. A more flexible way of living is a healed one I feel. And all the blooms of creativity that come from that lovely place.

Duane Toops's avatar

Wow! That’s such a brilliant shift! It’s the nuanced move from left-hemisphere categorization to the right hemispheric intuition. I love that! thank you so much for sharing!

CarrieD's avatar

What a great line about perseverance being soft and flexible. It is exactly how I feel when I sit down to create—ready to give in.

Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you Carrie! Sweet and kind as always! I love that this landed for you!

Vanessa's avatar

Really needed to read this ; feels like the missing link - thank you, thank you 🙏

Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you Vanessa! Makes me so happy that you got something out of it!

Jill McDougall's avatar

So, so, so true! Thank you...exactly the reminder I needed right now. Be responsive to the work. Watch and see what wants to happen instead of thinking I already know.

...and that curve in these intentional acts, omg! Is that from one of the photographs?

Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks Jill! So happy its resonating with you!

Yes! That floral curve is from one of @Susanne Helmert’s photograms, they’re all so incredible! They’ve been an absolute joy to work with!