self portrait with bird, Monotype of the Day #755

Day 23 of Year 3

Another self portrait. I'll be exited when this topic plays itself out but for now, I submit to what is given.

I Worried
By Mary Oliver

I worried a lot. Will the garden grow, will the rivers
flow in the right direction, will the earth turn
as it was taught, and if not how shall
I correct it?

Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven,
can I do better?

Will I ever be able to sing, even the sparrows
can do it and I am, well,
hopeless.

Is my eyesight fading or am I just imagining it,
am I going to get rheumatism,
lockjaw, dementia?

Finally I saw that worrying had come to nothing.
And gave it up. And took my old body
and went out into the morning,
and sang.

From Swan: Poems and Prose Poems https://amzn.to/31peMGf 

self portrait in quarantine, Monotype of the Day #701

Day 331 of Year 2 (Actually Day 336)

"There is a voice that does not use words. Listen!"
-Rumi

Making a self portrait is an important tool for staying centered and present. So many things come up each day to pull our attention away. Self portrait helps me be with what is rather than escaping into distraction. My studio practice is at its heart, an act of listening and I can't listen deeply if I am distracted. Deep listening is a powerfully transformative act.

will you unlock?, Monotype of the Day #695

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Day 325 of Year 2 (Actually Day 330)

Poem below the title. I posted this poem before but this image recalled it strongly for me. This print is about the internal work that is necessary to support change in the external world.

Say I Am You
by Rumi, Trans Moyne & Barks

I am dust particles in sunlight.
I am the round sun.

To the bits of dust I say, Stay.
To the sun, Keep moving.

I am morning mist, and the breathing of evening.

I am wind in the top of a grove, and surf on the cliff.

Mast, rudder, helmsman, and keel,
I am also the coral reef they founder on.

I am a tree with a trained parrot in its branches.
Silence, thought, and voice.

The musical air coming through a flute,
a spark of a stone, a flickering in metal.

Both candle and the moth crazy around it.

Rose, and the nightingale lost in the fragrance.

I am all orders of being, the circling galaxy,
the evolutionary intelligence, the lift,

and the falling away. What is, and what isn't.

You who know Jelaluddin, You the one in all,

say who I am. Say I am You.

From Say I am You https://amzn.to/2AaOA8D

a light in the forest, Monotype of the Day #692

Day 322 of Year 2 (Actually Day 327)

I found it difficult to cooperate with my materials tonight, that happens sometimes and it's ok. I let it go, tomorrow is another day. We are in a period of great change so I've posted one of my favorite poems on the subject. This is a time of listening among other things. Listening is active, not passive and deep listening has the power to transform.

Want the change
By Rilke, Trans. Barrows and Macy

Want the change. Be inspired by the flame
where everything shines as it disappears.
The artist, when sketching, loves nothing so much
as the curve of the body as it turns away.

What locks itself in sameness has congealed.
Is it safer to be gray and numb?
What turns hard becomes rigid
and is easily shattered.

Pour yourself out like a fountain.
Flow into the knowledge that what you are seeking
finishes often at the start, and, with ending, begins.

Every happiness is the child of a separation
it did not think it could survive. And Daphne, becoming
a laurel,
dares you to become the wind.

From In Praise of Mortality https://amzn.to/3ctFu4c

pollination, Monotype of the Day #622

Day 252 of Year 2 (Actually Day 257)

Tonight's poem is my favorite bee poem. I had to post it to go with the theme of this print. But this poem also relates to last night's post- so much can happen while we are at rest. xo

Last Night As I Lay Dreaming
By Antonio Machado, Trans. Robert Bly

Last night, as I was sleeping,
I dreamt -- marvelous error!—
that a spring was breaking
out in my heart.
I said: Along which secret aqueduct,
Oh water, are you coming to me,
water of a new life
that I have never drunk? Last night, as I was sleeping,
I dreamt -- marvelous error!—
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
from my old failures. Last night, as I was sleeping,
I dreamt -- marvelous error!—
that a fiery sun was giving
light inside my heart.
It was fiery because I felt
warmth as from a hearth,
and sun because it gave light
and brought tears to my eyes. Last night, as I slept,
I dreamt -- marvelous error!—
that it was God I had
here inside my heart.

From The Longing In Between, Sacred Poetry From Around the World https://amzn.to/2JiiyIO

doorway, Monotype of the Day #617

Day 247 of Year 2 (Actually Day 252)

Today was difficult but also beautiful. The puppy we thought we were getting fell through due to virus concerns and I spent the day working out logistics for a family member who unfortunately needs to travel. But then, I took a really wonderful, reviving walk with my dear. It's a strange time in the world filled with loss but punctuated by beauty. I am learning to embrace the beauty and let go of attachments. I think this is key for getting through this tunnel we are in, this moment of unknowing. My intentions for being my best self: I will trust, I will let go, and I will remain present. My heart and prayers go out to all those who are ill. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Lots love to you. xo

march of the keyholes, Monotype of the Day #609

Day 239 of Year 2 (Actually Day 244)

Again with the keyholes! 😊 What are they all about? Symbols are complex and have many layers of meaning. Examining them is like peeling an onion and at different times, different meaning come clear. Tonight keyholes strike me as a pivot point between two worlds. There are so many doorways in life, so many times we must leave safety and be thrust into to the unknown. Keyholes promise transformation. Into even the darkest room they shed some light. We are all deep in the unknown right now, these keyhole remind me to look for signs of light.

listen: four part harmony, Monotype of the Day #602

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Day 232 of Year 2 (Actually Day 237)

Something new today! I made four different monotypes on top of a single drypoint etching plate. Technically, this is called a monoprint, but because I did monotypes on top, I'm still counting it as part of the monotype of the day series. 🙂 Last year I purchased a rickety old press that I thought was in good working order. I let it sit in my studio for a full year as a reward for finishing my show. As soon as the show went up, I had an expert come over to get it working. Sadly, it's not in great shape. He advised me to get rid of it and find something in better condition. However, there was nothing available for a reasonable price. If you've been following me, you know one of my mottos is "if there is a will, there is a way". So we got it rolling as well as possible and today I tried it out for the first time. There's a big learning curve and the wheel is definitely hard to turn but I'm pretty happy with the results. I had my studio assistant to help turn the wheel, but I'll have to figure something out for future sessions. Here are the four prints, the base plate inscribed with a drypoint image, and a picture of the press. I've tentatively named her Myrna after Myrna Loy. xo