Lightness of Being, Kuta, 2008.
“The heavier the burden, the closer our lives come to the earth, the more real and truthful they become. Conversely, the absolute absence of a burden causes man to be lighter than air, to soar into new heights, take leave of the earth and his earthly being, and become only half real, his movements as free as they are insignificant.” The unbearable lightness of being, Milan Kundera
I’ve been feeling much lightness these days. Weightlessness. Working alone brings a certain sense of invisibility that I can appreciate. It is not that I feel removed, but that I am engaged in a way that defeats my physicality. It is as if I were an intense piece of music filling the room only with my vibration. Jazz, for sure. Intense. Passionate. Also romantic. Think piano, sax, cello, violin, harp. Think sweet improvisation. Think music that is ecstatic up to a point, and then, makes you weep.
These must be the chaotic yet harmonious patterns that I am creating, as I go about this new way of living. The grooving and being suspended in mid air, right up against the sharp silence in between tracks. For each high note, a sound that lingers, but soon, dissipates, unseen, like the process of creation.
I’m trying to find my own rhythm.
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My friend Brene also wrote a post on lightness and weight that you must take a look. She blows my mind with her incredibly articulate writing. She will soon be doing a read-along, discussing her fascinating book about Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power. if I were you, I wouldn’t miss that either.
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And you? Any images or ideas you want to share about your state of mind?
Archive for March, 2009
Lightness of Being
Links & Tea or Irish coffee today?
Irish Luck, Muir woods, 2009.
You are in luck today! In order to celebrate St Patrick’s day with you I’m going to share the lovely work of some folks who are supporting creatives like us, that no longer want to work for the ‘man’ and that are striving to live off of our Arts and Crafts.
Have you heard of Handmade Nation?
If you’ve ever shopped for crafty goods on Etsy, Paper Stitch, DaWanda, etc, designed mugs or shirts online and participated on local craft fairs in your area, then join the club: You are part of the “Handmade Nation”.
Visionary and filmmaker Faythe Levine traveled 15 cities and interviewed numerous highly creative individuals in their studios and homes, documenting what has emerged as a Contemporary Art movement that marries “historical technique, punk culture, and the D.I.Y. ethos”. She then selected 24 makers and 5 essayists who work within different media and who have been sharing their processes and talents through websites, blogs, boutiques, galleries, and craft fairs, to be part of a book and a film that will enlighten us all. The Handmade Nation book and the documentary film feature photographs of the makers, their work environment, their process, their work, as well as discussions on how they started and what motivates them.
Now, I don’t know about you, but being part of a movement like this gets me all giddy! And to get insightful tips from artists and designers who are “forging a new economy and lifestyle based on creativity, determination, and networking”, sure sounds useful, especially considering we are all facing challenging times.
Aren’t you excited to have first grabs at this delicious cocktail of crafty information?
The movie premiered in San Francisco last week and is now traveling through Australia, USA, Canada and more. Check the schedule of screenings on the sidebar of her blog.
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On that same crafty note, check the exciting ‘Dialogue Podcast Series’ from the lovely entrepreneur, Erin Loechner, at Design for Mankind.
The first video in the series is about Balance, which I think we can all relate. (It is just so reassuring to know we are not alone…)
And the latest one is about Finances. It talks about the fears we all are facing in the current economy, and it flashes out tips from successful indie artists for how to stay afloat.
So grab a cup of tea (or dare I say a beer today?) and enjoy! :-)
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At last, I know this is such a tricky icky subject… But if I may ask…
How are you handling the situation, your dreams and your businesses in these uncertain times? Hope you are hanging in there with hope.
Wishing you the best luck with it all ~
Romance & Fantasy
photograph by Denise Grunsteins, Camera Link.
It’s another glorious Monday and I’m feeling ultra romantic and inspired by the work of Denise Grunsteins.
photograph by Denise Grunsteins, Camera Link.
Represented by Camera Link, Denise is one of the most well known and respected Swedish photographers. Her images are intense, deliciously colorful and highly artistic.
For some reason they remind me of a Fellini film ~ Julie of the Spirits (introduced to me by my friend Mermaid) ~ a kaleidoscope of dreams and fantasies, with quite a fashion sense!
photograph by Denise Grunsteins, Camera Link.
And don’t you also feel like playing dress up and having a garden ‘tea party’ in celebration of Spring?
Would love to know what is inspiring you this week.
Please do share your thoughts and links.
