23 Comments
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Ann Collins's avatar

I enjoyed listening to the interview, Duane. Especially the discussion around breaking through old patterns and ways of thinking. This felt like an extension of the gathering on Sunday, which was so wholehearted, supportive and energizing.

Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you so much for listening Ann! In many ways it really was. I had just recorded this interview teh day before the meetup so all of this was still fresh and thrumming in my heart and in my head. It’s part of what made teh meetup so beautiful to me, it was the opportunity to see something talked about conceptually turn into something solid in the form of community.

Ann Collins's avatar

You definitely did that. Thank you for galvanizing us. It’s so affirming to share an hour with real people care about supporting one another’s creative ideas.

Duane Toops's avatar

It was one of the most profoundly refreshing experiences of community and belonging I've felt in such a long time. Beyond grateful for all of you!

Ann Collins's avatar

👊💛

Kimberly Warner's avatar

Clearly you trust the fragments, they are always wildly harmonious in your collages. What a perfect art form to illustrate the resonance in dissonance.

Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks Kim!! "wildly harmonious" - that is such a damn good turn of phrase!! And "resonance in dissonance" - three words perfectly encapsulating the ethos of everything I try to do when I make things! Thank you!

Danielle D's avatar

Wonderful conversation. I love your point of view of collage as a form of poetry. That notion hits me in a very specific way. Seeing collage as a sort of singing poem -a window of richness in l’art de vivre. It did my spirit good to find this today, I hope whatever you are up to today, you find all the poems singing! ✨️🙏✨️

Duane Toops's avatar

collage as a singing poem!! That is so gorgeous Danielle!! thank you!

Bone folder press's avatar

Solid writing, as always!

Duane Toops's avatar

Too kind! Thanks for reading! It really does mean a lot!

CarrieD's avatar

Great interview! I love your ability to translate the inward creative process into such clear and thoughtful language. You articulate such a deep self-awareness about how your work comes into being. Thank you for sharing❣️

Duane Toops's avatar

Aww! Wow! Carrie! Thank you so much for such a lovely response! Thank you for listening!

CarrieD's avatar

I was looking for it, and there it was! Attached to the bottom of your note!

Duane Toops's avatar

Like magic! lol

Jill McDougall's avatar

Slay, Duane- listening now and he just compared you to Brian Eno! Sweet!!

Duane Toops's avatar

I know right?! what the actual f*ck!! I wish you could have seen how lit up I got when he said! that might be the best compliment I’ve ever received!

Ash Pechin's avatar

This really spoke to me, and I need to keep sitting with it, thank you

Duane Toops's avatar

My pleasure!! Thanks so much for reading!!

Kate Jara's avatar

Beautiful perspective and collages as always Duane!

Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks so much Kate! I appreciate it!

Hannah Hunter's avatar

That was such an incredible conversation. Duane. Listening to it loosened up so much in my brain and ideas that were hiding somewhere began to pop up. I loved your divisions of collage; collecting, curating, conversation and collaboration. I agree with the moderators that all of this would make a rich and nourishing book.

Duane Toops's avatar

Oh my! Hannah this is so kind and generous! Thank you so much for listening! I’m beyond happy to know it resonated with you and that you got something helpful out of it! That, in itself, just means so much to me!