the path less noisy
I've been reading
's book, The Art of Noticing, slowly. Partly by intention. Partly as consequence.It seems anathema to the subject to read through hastily, unconsciously, un-noticing-ly. But, also my routines have lately been upended, and my reading patterns have become unreliable. Perhaps, in this case, it's a benefit. I can better appreciate the flicker of moments I spend with it.
One practice he suggests is to take a walk and navigate by silence. To choose the path less-noisy. To follow where the quiet leads. To "Keep going until you find the quietest spot in your vicinity". To stop there. To absorb it. To take it in completely.
Its sound advice. Pun intended. But I think it also applies to the ways we navigate our work and creativity.
What if the process of making became a matter of following the silence.
What would it look like, what would happen, if each mark made, each word selected, each brush stroke, color, or texture chosen was done so because it quieted some part of you?
What if every effort was directed at discovering the most soundless places within ourselves and letting it take us in?
P.S. I made a quiet video for my paid subscribers, showing teh process of making the collage at the top of this post. You can find it here.
P.P.S. - ICAD Day 347-349 - all the collages featured are available for purchase here.
Hi Duane, though with the constraints and other issues, I have worked some with finding my way with collages.
I finally have one that speaks to me, still among works in progress. I thought I might share it with you but I’m unclear how to send it to you.
This is an excellent point, Duane: "What if the process of making became a matter of following the silence."
That silence feels almost like a blank canvas without preconceived notions or interfering ideas. I like this way of doing things in my writing.
Thanks for sharing and I like that collage titled: "an inevitable rebalancing." Interesting.