dream of strength, Monotype of the Day #625

Day 255 of Year 2 (Actually Day 260)

It must be spring that's driving my use of yellow. I feel it's glow waking me up and stirring things inside that have been quiet too long. To me trees have always symbolized strength. I admire their quiet growth and evolution. Nothing dramatic, just the gentle unfolding of a promise planted long ago. Tonight's poem is from Rilke's Sonnets to Orpheus, probably my favorite book of poetry ever.

Sonnets to Orpheus Book I, I
By Rilke, Trans. Stephen Mitchell

A tree ascended there. Oh pure transcendence!
Oh Orpheus sings! Oh tall tree in the ear!
And all things hushed. Yet even in that silence
a new beginning, beckoning, change appeared.

Creatures of stillness crowded from the bright
unbound forest, out of their lairs and nests;
and it was not from any dullness, not
from fear, that they were so quiet in themselves,

but from just listening. Bellow, roar, shriek
seemed small inside their hearts. And where there had been
at most a makeshift hut to receive the music,

a shelter nailed up out of their darkest longing,
with an entryway that shuddered in the wind-
you built a temple deep inside their hearing.

From Sonnets to Orpheus https://amzn.to/2Jl4VZk (My book is out of print, but this should be the same translation)

inner world, Monotype of the Day #624

Day 254 of Year 2 (Actually Day 259)

Success! I've gotten back to making my print in the morning, though I'm still posting at night. This will enable me to go to sleep before 3am! What a transformative joy that will be. For those of us at home, this pause can be an opportunity as well as a trial. I am using it to create new healthier habits. That is my intention. Luckily I love the morning anyway. Morning energy is different and my work is changed by it. Somehow early in the day the inner world seems so clear. I am always struck, and particularly so this morning, by how large and spacious this inner world can be. My love and prayers to all those who are sick or suffering. xo

Camas Lilies
By Lynn Ungar

Consider the lilies of the field,
the blue banks of camas
opening into acres of sky along the road.
Would the longing to lie down
and be washed by that beauty
abate if you knew their usefulness,
how the natives ground their bulbs
for flour, how the settlers' hogs
uprooted them, grunting in gleeful
oblivion as the flowers fell?

And you -- what of your rushed
and useful life? Imagine setting it all down --
papers, plans, appointments, everything --
leaving only a note: "Gone
to the fields to be lovely. Be back
when I'm through with blooming." Even now, unneeded and uneaten,
the camas lilies gaze out above the grass
from their tender blue eyes.
Even in sleep your life will shine.
Make no mistake. Of course
your work will always matter.

Yet Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these.

From Bread and Other Miracles https://amzn.to/3anSRT6 Ungar has been turning out a lot of new work recently. I encourage to get this amazing book of her poems and find her newer work on her facebook page. She is SO good and her work resonates deeply with this time we are in.

finding peace, Monotype of the Day #623

Day 253 of Year 2 (Actually Day 258)

I couldn't bring myself to erase that beautiful stripe of pink ink from yesterday's plate so I made it into a tree. What else could I do? 😊I am trying to embrace what is happening right now and take in this pause, so I am going on a daily walk. The streets have a peacefulness usually only experiences on Thanksgiving or Christmas afternoons. Bird song is everywhere. I am grateful for these small moments of beauty in the middle of this storm. My love and prayers to all those who are sick or suffering.

The Best of Any Song
By Wendell Berry

The best of any song
is bird song
in the quiet, but first
you must have quiet.

From A Timbered Choir https://amzn.to/33T0w9x

life force, Monotype of the Day #621

Day 251 of Year 2 (Actually Day 256)

Tonight's poem has brought me so much solace in my life. In many ways, to people who live with long term illness, shelter in place is a familiar feeling. We have had to give up so many things over the years, parties, trips, important family events. We know how much it sucks and how much grief it brings. But we also know that we can grieve our cancelled events and come through on the other side. We have been forced to learn that beauty is possible amid loss and that waiting is just a skill. So now as we wait for this storm to pass I offer you tonight's poem as salve. My love and prayers to all those who are suffering or ill.

Gitanjali 81
By Tagore

On many an idle day have I grieved over lost time. But it is never lost, my lord. Thou hast taken every moment of my life in thine own hands.
Hidden in the heart of things thou art nourishing seeds into sprouts, buds into blossoms, and ripening flowers into fruitfulness.
I was tired and sleeping on my idle bed and imagined all work had ceased. In the morning I woke up and found my garden full with wonders of flowers.

From Gitanjali https://amzn.to/2Ux6jgV

flow, Monotype of the Day #620

Day 250 of Year 2 (Actually Day 255)

A very quick sketch tonight because our furnace died and its is FREEZING in my studio! FREEZING! Luckily we are able to heat our bedroom with a space heater and hopefully we can get it replaced soon. Still I feel lucky, I have so much. I know there are people who are truly suffering and my heater doesn't compare. This will pass. Sending love and prayers to all those who are suffering or unwell. xo

windows, Monotype of the Day #618

Day 248 of Year 2 (Actually Day 253)

Is this a sunrise or sunset? I wasn't sure until I realized it is both. One way of being is ending as another is coming into form. Now is a moment of deep surrender and trust. It is a moment of unknowing. Our old ways have, at least for the time being, come to an end. The studio teaches so much. In the studio the artist learns to let go and embrace the unknown, to let life force run through them and into the world. By doing this, the artist is changed and healed, enveloped by the greening, generative energy that undergirds all of life. What happens in the studio then spills out and effects the world. If you feel helpless think of the artist. There is little we can do right now to change the outside world. We must stay home, we must wait. But we can look inside, we can find kindness for ourselves and others, we can heal and reshape our internal world and thereby create ripples that positively effect everyone around us. We have lost a lot but all is not lost, we can still make these moments count. Sending prayers for healing and love to all those who are sick or in difficulty. xo

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

looking out, Monotype of the Day #616

Day 246 of Year 2 (Actually Day 251)

Something very simple tonight. I'm connecting to a calm and peaceful internal energy while working and it's keeping me sane. I also just received a new ultramarine ink. The working properties are very different from my other inks so I'm exploring that too. Just finding normalcy where I can and looking for silver linings everywhere. I hope you are doing the same and if you can't right now that's okay too. Be kind to yourself. Sending you lots of love. xo

lake light, Monotype of the Day #615

Day 245 of Year 2 (Actually Day 250)

Making landscapes puts me in touch with the spaciousness of the inner world. I find myself making these moonlit scenes when I feel confined. A lot of us are feeling hemmed in right now, but the inner world is a beautiful resource. There is so much to explore and know inside. Let us become explorers and adventurers. The interior world is as vast as our physical confinement is small.

connected, Monotype of the Day #614

Day 244 of Year 2 (Actually Day 249)

Working felt good tonight. I'm finally back in the flow after weeks of struggle. My show was an amazing experience and when it ended that body of work came to an end too. I tried so hard to plan so I wouldn't miss a beat between my show and getting back into the studio. And I did keep working, but the energy wasn't there and I battled. I know this but wasn't listening: you have to respect the cycle and where you are in it. You can't fight the emptying of energy. If you do everything stagnates and there is no room for the new. I resisted this truth and so I struggled. Finally I just accepted that I wasn't making my best work. It was ok, just a wave I needed to ride. After a while, things began to shift and I'm renewed and excited by my work again. Lately I see many artists posting that with social distancing and the extra time, they feel they should be working but somehow can't. It's a stressful time. If you can work great, but if you can't, respect your process. Given time things will shift, your tank will fill and your time will come. Be kind to yourself and this kindness will pass onto others too.
Technical note: I used the ghost image from last night's print under tonight image. Lately I've been taking ghost prints of everything for use later. So fun!
xo