Day 32 of Year 2
If you look closely at this monotype, you will see the ghost image from the leftover ink of last night's print. I'm becoming obsessed with these ink remnants because I can feel their purpose. My first memories of making art are from about 4 years old in preschool. I made faces of strange and monstrous creatures from clay. It was clay that first taught me art materials have inner purpose and desires. Clay is teeming with life, filled with microbes and molds, and is an active participant in making art. If you don't listen to the clay, it won't cooperate, structures will fall apart and cracks will form. Sometimes you will come to clay with an idea only to find it has other, better ideas if you will only listen. The same is true with ink. From the moment it is applied to the plate, it leads the way, gently nudging me to a final image. We are partners in exploration, each made better by the other's creative impulse. Letting go of fixed ideas and surrendering to this partnership is an important part of making art. The leftover ink on my plates calls out. I can feel its desire to express itself. Who am I to deny it its purpose?
Let it go
By Danna Faulds
Let go of the ways you thought life would unfold:
the holding of plans or dreams or expectations–Let it all go. Save your strength to swim with the tide.
The choice to fight what is here before you now will
only result in struggle, fear, and desperate attempts
to flee from the very energy you long for. Let go.
Let it all go and flow with the grace that washes
through your days whether you received it gently
or with all your quills raised to defend against invaders.
Take this on faith; the mind may never find the
explanations that it seeks, but you will move forward
nonetheless. Let go, and the wave’s crest will carry
you to unknown destinations. Let it all go and find the place of
rest and peace and certain transformation.