I was traveling to Chicago yesterday to visit my daughter and my grandson. As I was waiting to be picked up by my son-in-law, I was watching people. It’s fun to people watch. There certainly are a bunch of different kinds of people. Tall, short, thin, fat, in between. Happy, sad, depressed, irritated, and even angry travelers were seen. The one thing that stuck out though, was how everyone was in such a hurry! Where are we all going in such a hurry? I mean ultimately, will it really matter tomorrow?
It’s November! Halfway through actually. The year is almost over. What happened to all the time in the year? I know we’re all supposed to have the same amount of it, if we are still breathing, that is, but I think I was shorted a few weeks! In truth, I think I wasted those weeks, spread out over the entire year. But we will consider that later.
We associate November as a month of thanks, which is a good thing. I think most of us humans forget to be thankful most of the time. I know I do! I am going to touch on that subject, in relation to art.
This may read like a Hallmark card, and if it is too sappy, you can be thankful that it isn’t longer than one page!
I sometimes wonder how many people notice the colors of the day? It can be bright blue, with bright sunlight that casts shadows. The landscape by me has turned to browns, cream, dust, grey, and ochre (goldish). I love when the sky is dark with rich deep greys and various shades of it. I find it intriguing to see where the darkest shades are located in a cluster of clouds. Have you ever noticed the shapes of the trees without leaves? I love seeing contorted weird shaped trees and see all the bending limbs. There is something so beautiful about the shapes and colors of trees! The different bark and textures.
Do you ever notice the way the wind blows a flag? The rippling of the fabric reminds me of water. It’s so relaxing! I really like seeing the wind move things around. I especially like watching clothes blow on the clothesline. I don’t think it gets much simpler than that, but it is a gift. I love windy days. (yes, even when it is -10 or 15. How about the absolute beauty of frosted windows? Do you examine the intricacies of the shapes the ice has made on the window? Most people can’t wait until Summer again, but I, for one, relish all the subdued tones of the season.
How about the sounds? No mowers, no leaf blowers or speeding, revved up trucks. Most birds are gone here in Minnesota, so I hear less sounds in nature. There is so much inspiration all around me though, I sometimes am overcome by the fact that there is not enough time to do all the art I want to create. And that brings me back to the time I lost in 2018. Starting an art piece is the most frightening in my process. How shall I start? What if it doesn’t turn out? I manage to waste time worrying, instead of starting. Like anything else in our lives, if we just take one step forward, we are that much closer to the next step. Sounds corny, I know, but it is the truth, like it or not. I think it best to just forget about the time I did waste! I think I will relish on what I DID get done, and how I have plenty to consider for 2019.
Look at some of the simple things in your world, and really notice. I played with my grandson, Caleb all week long. I had to force myself to sit at his level and examine pinecones, and tiles, and sticks, and dryer fuzz. It is little. So little, and yet, each item in its own right, is interesting. What can I do with dryer fuzz? I don’t know, but I might come up with an answer! Stay tuned.
Thanks for reading!