...from the awakening person

Sunday morning musing...

Of the myriad things written about art what speaks to you?

trawling and relaxing...

Today is the first day for going slow in ages... the first day I've not needed to pack, move, sign things, make calls or think about moving.

Its a warmish winters day, sun shining, and I've got the quietest comfy spot to sprawl and read magazines and pop online for a trawl this morning! Biggest decision today is where to go for a walk and where to have coffee if I feel so inclined!

My Homage to the Seed Facebook page has been my online communication channel of late ... figured how to use my iPhone a little better lately and also Instagram. Otherwise its been rather quiet online here. 

Below I've posted a quote from an old journal shared on FB last week ... found when just out of art school all those years ago and wondering how life might unfold. It struck me as terribly poignant... all the more so that Franz Marc was such a young painter when his life ended tragically in WW1. The seed idea.... a poignant and wonderful metaphor one can explore in multiple ways.

I snapped quite a few pages from journals in the week I packed boxes... old favourites, photos and archived papers, journal pages etc. 

Particularly loved this quote from reading Thomas Moore's 'Care of the Soul' in the 90's.

At Huffington Post I found he writes a column. 

Thomas Moore

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Thomas Moore has been a monk, a musician, a professor, a psychotherapist, an author and a lecturer. His book Care of the Soul was a number one bestseller and he's written about 20 books in all. Currently he's working hard trying to bring soul to medicine.

From article: 

Redefining Education: Cultivating the Soul

I took this excerpt below from this article which will give you a taste of his thinking:

"One way is not to treat the material we teach as things. I've used mythology in much of my writing, and frequently a reader will say to me, "I never knew that mythology had anything to do with my life." Most people could say the same about many things they have studied. I didn't know literature had anything to do with me. I didn't know that science had something to say about my life. I didn't know that I could sort out moral issues by reading poems.

The "thingification" of education has cost us an immeasurable loss of values and insight. We build great machines, but we don't know how to use them for human edification. Many have studied the natural world as a collection of things of which we are the absent landlord. We grant Ph.D.s to people without knowing if they're ready to be creative and responsible citizens of the world. As long as they know certain things...

Maybe it's time to restore subjectivity to the subjects we study and to redefine our very idea of education. We could guide people as they learn not only things of value but also how to be."

Well... 

I really liked that line:

Many have studied the natural world as a collection of things of which we are the absent landlord.

I think I am going to have to quote that line elsewhere!
Trawling the internet I found a few images which I've posted here. The first, blue marbles, reminded me of a series of drawings I was doing in 2000 from an old Marble collection. I'd picked out all the blue ones and was focusing on capturing the light and colour. Late that night I could smell something burning but dismissed it as someone reheating the risotto I'd cooked. A bang on my door to say the house was on fire soon got me moving though!

That was the last night I lived there! Blue marbles consequently came to represent something far more profound than one generally associates withe the subject. That fire was, in part, somewhat traumatic... being suddenly dislocated is tough and I feel for those who deal with dislocation around the world whenever all manner of circumstances intervene. The graphic images mean something when one can recall the reality of ending up homeless out of the blue. Not all are as fortunate as I was that night!

But there was a uneasiness for some time to come, the smell of smoke brought concern till I knew where it was coming from... and the weeks following that event I would not wish on anyone. One could say I didn't lose my marbles, literally or metaphorically... that fire became of symbol for me of making a big change that I was ready for and had resisted making... leaving Melbourne and moving back closer to where I had grown up... to where I had family connections and a strong sense of history. I was 42 and somehow it was THE change that I needed to make at that point. 

The fire was like the friend who said... "hey... its time!"

Found at kutukutuhaite : from muffett 68

Blue for me often offers a sense of calm and contemplation. This work by Robert Mangold caught my eye. Such a pared back work yet at the same time quietly but powerfully expressive!

Robert Mangold from here

These tiles with their muliplicity of patterning always speak to me as well. Arabic decorative forms strike me as both very clever and also spell-binding when installed and revealing that sense of endlessness .... the infinite ... a potent spiritual metaphor all cultures have some affinity with.

Islamic Tiles: Via here.

So many interpretations and mediums and cultural variations for these patterns!

from Here

Then I came to this humble city street scene from Paris below. Reminds me of being in Greece where olive tins were always recycled in the gardens, balconies or alleyways for pots. When I moved to Melbourne in 1989 I collected these kinds of tins from the Victoria markets from Greek deli friends I made there and grew my plants in such tins.

Sandra Juto: Finding colour in the city

See more of Sandra Juto's images at Flickr and see some Paris shots from this Swedish designer living in Paris here.

And then I saw this Keith Haring work. From here an unfinished work form Keith Haring in 1989.

When packing recently I found something I'd bought from his pop Shop in New York in 1986 when I spent 10 days there in route to live in London.

Well.. that walk is calling me... so I will say goodbye for now,
Enjoy your days,
S 

something to muse on...

trip-trip-trip.tumblr.com

well my friends... the camera is on the back burner... other things are cooking for now... so may I share with you  ...yes  ....again... finds from tumblr.

from Crystal

buddhabrot:

Kolam is a form of sand painting that is drawn using rice powder by female members of the family in front of their home. It is widely practiced by Hindus in South India. A kolam is a sort of painted prayer - a line drawing composed of curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots. Kolams are thought to bestow prosperity to homes. 

reginasworld:  Computational Micro Photography by Treasure Tolliver

via give me one more day

artpropelled:  (by marianbijlenga)

momentitus: John Belingheri

Ink on paper by Sophie Munns

Quote: Drawing is of the spirit; 

color is of the senses. 

(Henri Matisse)

Painting by Sophie Munns

Color is the place where our 

brain and the universe meet. 

(Paul Klee)

I am first and foremost in this life a naturalist, interested in life forms and their processes.

Quote: Virginia Pochmann

posted by Seed Capsules

hyperallergic:

1001 Chairs Protest for Ai Weiwei This Weekend by Kyle Chayka

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has been missing for 12 days without official charge from the Chinese government. In protest, artists and activists all over the world are planning a global sit-in this Sunday, April 17 at 1 pm, staking out Chinese embassies with 1001 Chairs for Ai Weiwei, a take on Ai Weiwei’s 2007 “Fairytale” project in Kassel, Germany. 

All over the world, protesters will bring chairs to Chinese embassies and consulates and “sit peacefully” in support of Ai. Spearheaded by New York City’s own Creative Time, the organization writes that “1001 Chairs for Ai Weiwei calls for [Ai’s] immediate release, supporting the right of artists to speak and work freely in China and around the world.” See the event’s Facebook page for details, including gathering places and times all over the world….READ MORE.

Last night I posted on an emerging proposal for 2011 over at the Homage blog. Somewhat tentatively putting a plan out there that is still in the process of being formalised is a leap of faith I can assure you. Still... one cant hold one's breathe indefinitely!

In February I was invited to consider taking up a proposal that was MUCH to my liking! With it comes certain pragmatic matters to figure out ... so thats what's been pre-occupying me of late. Lets just say I'm very keen, for one who's not much been a traveller for a rather long time now ...its ... well... yes... very exciting to ponder.

I know some of you are jet-setters (funny saying that!) ... I however, have become a remarkably stay-at-home person in recent years. Maybe moving homes, relocating quite a lot does that to you... but I'm ready ... and I'll keep cooking this plan!

Ciao,

Sophie 

a post card I designed this week... liked this quote form Einstein.

timelessness...

There's not been a lot happening here of late ... except for the change of background wallpaper and header that come from my 'fluidity' phase of a few years ago when summer meant swimming in old, timeworn  ocean baths... and the ocean, luxuriating in the spaciousness of that realm. I maybe I was missing that the other day... whatever prompted it... the flowing watercolour ribbons of green, blue and brown do soothe a certain longing. So much water has fallen here in these past 2 months and yet so little of it reminiscent of the languidness of summer.

I just visited this Tumblr blog OLD CHUM and found a few images that caught my eye... if you click under the image it will take you to each tumblr page. 

Its one of those lovely mellow days here... light rain ... a peaceful atmosphere. After a particulary trying period of humidity and all the strange, and for many, harrowing times weve had in this part of the world of late... something about today said... its OK... take it easy... just breathe out ... recoup and set off again!

And why these images? ... well ... they suit that mood of mellowness... well worn, relaxing, well-loved ... timeless - look at that wood - and Matisse... always textiles ... so warm and inviting ...and the globes...have always loved them!

And if one really must stray from home then why not a stay in this hotel down below?

Have a good week wont you!

Sx

from Old Chum

Old chum

 

Old Chum

Old chum

Old Chum

Old chum

Ill finish with this intriguing image from tumblr site: come and see inside my bones - Hotel La Montaña Mágica. Huilo-Huilo, Chile

Ive been busy at the Homage blog of late ... do pop over if you want to see a work from the amazing photographer Chris Jordan on seeds!

Spectacular and ... well ... just read more here to find out!

How good is your memory!

Before I start in I'd like to acknowledge the new 'followers' who have come along lately ... welcome and thanks for connecting!
Recently I have been tagged, twice in fact ... first up by Mlle Paradis across the Pacific Ocean... and on the weekend by the Montreal based nathalie et cetera! Also  Mary Zeran from Iowa penned a post which actually makes me blush a little... beautifully put together for her 'discovering the world of art" blog. Take a peek here if you will!

Clouds of Calm , 8" x 8"x 2"
acrylic paint, acetate, masonite, pine, gel medium

Organica:   

Things that happen randomly or by accident.  The idea of layers, transparency, and our ability to examine things up close.  To work collaboratively  with a material.  Not forcing an outcome.  Being present to the experience.  Being in the moment. 

View Mary's website here to see more Artworks. 

Now to Mlle Paradis... I did find a moment to respond to her tagging and come up with a series of writers that have been influential in some way last week here....but what I didn't do is choose whom to pass it on to!  I really enjoyed the challenge of thinking about these writers... so I 'm keen to pass it on.

Before I got round to it Nathalie had tagged me with a very different kind of challenge - an 'I love your blog' award which required the answering of 10 questions:

The rules of the prize are:
Do a post with the prize
Answer the questions
Give the prize to 10 blogs
1. Why did you create the blog?
2. What kind of blogs do you follow?
3. Favourite makeup brand?
4. Favourite clothing brand?
5. Your indispensable makeup product?
6. Your favourite colour?
7. Your perfume?
8. Your favorite film?
9. What country would you like to visit and why?
10.Make the last question and answer to yourself:     

Nathalie did think some of us might balk at questions 3 and 5. Well.. yes... that could be so! But in the spirit of the silly season I'm thinking why not hybridize Mlle Paradis' great question on influential writers with these 10 questions above.

So...what would that hybrid version look like? ...something perhaps along these lines:

!. Name a fav book/writer that mentions blogging.

2. Name a blog you like that deals with books and writing.

3. Name a book/writer you're fond of that somehow features makeup.

4. Name a book/writer that deals with clothing.

5. Name a book/writer that talks of the indespensable anything.

6. Name a book/writer that you adore with a colour as a key motif.

7. Name a fav book/writer for whom perfume is a feature.(challenge 

   is to not go for the obvious one if possible!)

8. Name a fav book/writer which focuses on a film...or vice versa!

9. What country do your fav books/writers tend to hail from? egs..

10.What question would you like to make up about books and 

   writers... then answer.

Well I guess I could not blame you for reverting to one or other of the original tag subjects... influential writers or the first list of 10 questions above... but I wish to dare you to find answers for my hybrid challenge!!! Who wants to have a go? ...I'm going to tag various ones...but I invite you to enter into the silly season spirit and have a go if you come by and wish to take part. This is something you could even do on the night before xmas for a party game (joking) with a glass of whatever ... sherry, egg-nog, vodka?

Im going to try and answer these questions myself before I put it to you... so here goes!

1. books with blogging stories ...I can only think of the Julie and Julia book ...but i read it last year and did enjoy it!

2. A blog I like that deals with books and writing - I like to visit Slow Muse for the fact it introduces me to poets Ive not read before... and ideas that come from a broad ranging literary sources. There are others ... but thats a good start for me!

3. make-up... any ideas...anyone? Oscar Wilde?

4. clothing ... Jane Austin books come to mind... there must be many on this topic! Aesop "The lamb began to follow the wolf in sheep's clothing" (thanks google)

5. indespensible - clothes are crucial in some parts.“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society'. Mark Twain

6. Colour - The film "three colours blue" just came to mind! For a book...well... any ideas out there.

7. Perfume - "Happiness is a perfume which you cannot pour on someone without getting some on yourself" - Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

Trying to think of a book that has a scent or aroma that features.

Something is stuck in the back of my mind!

8. Film... mmm... these questions are hard... I need help... who made them up? Ben Okri's 'Arcadia' was a book about a painting which I rather liked. Film... any ideas?

9. Country of origin of fav books/writers - sometimes I have gone through stages of reading books from a particular place... Greece comes to mind and Scotland. Its a while since I did that though! 

10. Thank god I can make this one up... what books hold appeal when bedridden? Crime and Detective books - my mother gave me Agatha Christie to read when I was 14 and home ill from school. Its escapist for me... they come into their own at that time!

Well ... I barely scraped together answers here ... so of course you can do better than me...

And the blogs I'm choosing to tag:

Should you wish to respond to any of the three challenges - 

Passage Paradis , Mary Zeran , Nathalie, Caterina at La Dolce Vita, Janis at janis, Em at garden fool, Priya at the Plum Tree, denise at grrl and dog, a paper snowflake, gloria freshly art and design, Jaci at blue china studio, Lucy at nourish me , Ro Bruhn ... and you! If you have time in this busy season please join in! 

PS If you can help out with question do leave a comment!

Im thinking maybe everyone is just too busy at the moment for this... but if you're feeling game....dont be shy! Alternatively come back to it after xmas... when you've been given a few books... or have thought of some !!!! Sorry Nathalie for paying havoc with a simple idea... You can tell that Ive technically "gone on holidays'  from the fact I could be bothered to do something this whimsical...I am off to Melbourne for 5 days late thursday... so a quick break down south is also making for the feeling of lightness after a long demanding period of concentration!
See you all,
S x