32 Comments
User's avatar
Kim Nelson's avatar

"What is a poet... It's someone who can fashion something elegant from despair and agony.

Someone who can find the smallest of embers in the bleakest parts of their hearts, and paint ochre dreams of fire across the walls."

These lines released a pressure snuggling in my core and pressed up the well of tears. Suddenly I could see: This is me. This is me.

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

It is you, absolutely! Thanks for being that person. We need you.

Expand full comment
Patris's avatar

What a beautiful contemplation of how artists move through chaos.

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks so much Patris. I wish there was an easier way, but it's the only way forward that I can see.

Expand full comment
Patris's avatar

Not everyone qualifies as an Artist in my mind. You are.

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

Much appreciated 🙏❤️🙏

Expand full comment
Kimberly Warner's avatar

Ah! That Kierkegaard quote is wonderful. And your ability to stay true to the despair, not need to move from it because the world says it’s better to be positive. Your darkness is our light.

Expand full comment
Donna McArthur's avatar

Well said Kimberly.

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

Kierkegaard is wonderful! Thank you Kim! So grateful for you and this reply, really needed that!🙏🙏

Expand full comment
wildflower's avatar

Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful post!! As an natural optimist I never questioned that. You made me think about it. Great artwork as usual!!

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you! I really envy those of you who are inherently optimistic. It's a super power. A gift. Whatever it is that gives you that spark of positivity, it's missing in me. I just don't have it. I wish I did though, especially these days. Thanks again!

Expand full comment
wildflower's avatar

I always believed it was a gift. But this flame dimmed a bit since the pandemic. I’m working to enlighten it again. So I can understand. It’s hard not being able to just believe.

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

It definitely is. Things have been tough for a while. Give yourself some grace. Even bonfires need fuel. Reread the writers that remind you. Rewatch your favorite movies. Listen to great records. Make things. It may not shift things to the better, but it can usually get you through.

Expand full comment
Martin Hughes's avatar

Six months ago, I woke up to making visual art. I still can't explain it. The decades-long run-up can be seen in hindsight, but it's shocking how that wasn't clear until it shouted "Boo!" and changed everything.

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

I relate exactly. It took me so long to find my way to collage. When I finally it felt almost accidental, and yet everything has made sense since.

Expand full comment
Donna McArthur's avatar

Duane this is gorgeous and sums up what goes on in my head sometimes. Effort is required!

I love the art.

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks so much Donna! So glad this resonated with you too! Glad it's not just me 🙏

Expand full comment
Andrea Fisher's avatar

Wow!

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Daniel Henderson's avatar

Artist live by the silver-lining and even spin their works from there.

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

Beautifully said.

Expand full comment
Susanne Helmert's avatar

What a great question and wonderful contemplation. I will ponder about it myself for a while…

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks so much. It's one I'm still wrestling with myself.

Expand full comment
Nathaniel Roy's avatar

This HITS. It’s hard work.

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

That hardest that I know of. Thanks my friend.

Expand full comment
Ann Collins's avatar

Making beauty out of all the chaos and confusion—that’s a super power. As you begin a new chapter, may this drive fuel you!

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks Anne. I won't lie, that drive feels close to nonexistent at the moment. Hoping to tread water long enough for it to find me again.

Expand full comment
Ann Collins's avatar

Hang on, Duane 🙏💛

Expand full comment
Dave Conrey's avatar

Thanks, Duane. I saw your update about the work situation, and things may feel tenuous, but there is opportunity out there for whatever comes next, even if it doesn't look like you expect.

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks Dave. I hope you're right. I appreciate you.

Expand full comment
Davin Trail-Risk's avatar

Love this and very much with you on my own fraught connection with optimism.

“subject to the limitations” is incredible by the way. I live how your are exploring texture and expanding your vision in cool ways.

Expand full comment
Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks Davin! Glad it's not just me, lol.

I'm enjoyingit explorations but there's a level of frustration with them, because I'm just not quite sure what to do with them, or what to turn them into. There's something missing. Something I haven't discovered. A can't put my finger on it, but I feel like there's a connection I haven't made.

Expand full comment