Day 135 of year 3
“Sometimes I need
only to stand
wherever I am
to be blessed.”
― Mary Oliver from Evidence: Poems
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Day 77 of year 3
My printing plate is literally falling to pieces but somehow, miraculously, it keeps producing monotypes. I had planned to try my hand at making a new plate using gelatin and vegetable glycerin instead of the one I get at the art supply store, but the supplies never arrived. I began to get irritated so I tracked my package only to find I had never placed the order. Everything was still sitting in my cart. I chose to laugh. Every moment is a choice, not so much in the physical world, but in the mental world. How will we choose to meet the moment? With excitement, acceptance, peace or with irritation and upset? It's up to us. I write this to remind myself of the lesson I learned while in the hospital last year and throughout all the years of my illness, happiness can be an inner choice not a set of situations in the world. Poem below the title.
Halleluiah
By Mary Oliver
Everyone should be born into this world happy
and loving everything.
But in truth it rarely works that way.
For myself, I have spent my life clamoring toward it.
Halleluiah, anyway I'm not where I started!
And have you too been trudging like that, sometimes
almost forgetting how wondrous the world is
and how miraculously kind some people can be?
And have you too decided that probably nothing important
is ever easy?
Not, say, for the first sixty years.
Halleluiah, I'm sixty now, and even a little more,
and some days I feel I have wings.
From Evidence https://amzn.to/3n4ezT8
Day 68 of year 3
Day 800, that's a nice number! I spent the day making color prints. Most of them will end up as under layers for future black ink prints but I liked this one. There is a special kind of freedom in making work you know will never be seen. It's a good way to oil the cogs so to speak. It loosens you up and relieves you of internal judgements. I haven't done this in a long while and it felt really good. (Poem below the title)
Where Does the Temple Begin, Where Does It End?
By Mary Oliver
There are things you can’t reach. But
you can reach out to them, and all day long.
The wind, the bird flying away. The idea of God.
And it can keep you as busy as anything else, and happier.
The snake slides away; the fish jumps, like a little lily,
out of the water and back in; the goldfinches sing
from the unreachable top of the tree.
I look; morning to night I am never done with looking.
Looking I mean not just standing around, but standing around
as though with your arms open.
And thinking: maybe something will come, some
shining coil of wind,
or a few leaves from any old tree–
they are all in this too.
And now I will tell you the truth.
Everything in the world
comes.
At least, closer.
And, cordially.
Like the nibbling, tinsel-eyed fish; the unlooping snake.
Like goldfinches, little dolls of goldfluttering around the corner of the sky
of God, the blue air.
From Why I Wake Early https://amzn.to/3mAFLII
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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
Day 7 of Year 3
Another Mary Oliver poem today.
Thirst
By Mary Oliver
Another morning and I wake with thirst
for the goodness I do not have. I walk
out to the pond and all the way God has
given us such beautiful lessons. Oh Lord,
I was never a quick scholar but sulked
and hunched over my books past the hour
and the bell; grant me, in your mercy,
a little more time. Love for the earth
and love for you are having such a long
conversation in my heart. Who knows what
will finally happen or where I will be sent,
yet already I have given a great many things
away, expecting to be told to pack nothing,
except the prayers which, with this thirst,
I am slowly learning.
From Thirst https://amzn.to/2CulGl1
Day 365 of Year 2 (Actually Day 5 of Year 3)
I do want to take a moment to express gratitude to all those who have supported me in this project over the last two years. My family, friends and art besties, I hope you know how much you mean to me. You have made my work possible. My talented and amazing studio assistants, thank you for you hard work. Those of you who have purchased work, come to my shows and open studios, commented on my posts, and supported me on Patreon or otherwise, I can't thank you enough. This beautiful world has conspired to make my work possible and I am deeply grateful. Love Sybil
Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees
,the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
Day 350 of Year 2 (Actually Day 355)
“And now I understand something so frightening & wonderful-
how the mind clings to the road it knows,
rushing through crossroads, sticking
like lint to the familiar.” --- Mary Oliver, Blue Pastures (found on Good Reads)
Only 15 days to two years of this monotype of the day project! It's time to reassess. Where do I go from here? Continue, stop, or reimagine? Some days I think of expanding this project to include other types of work like painting or sculpture, more of a daily art post. Other days, I want to keep the stream to monotypes because this project is like a daily journal and I enjoy seeing my progression over time. A few months ago, I was looking forward to stopping at two years, I felt frustrated and blocked. But I stayed through that intensely uncomfortable feeling and now I know I must go on. The idea of stopping feels like tearing a piece of my life force away. I would love to hear your suggestions / thoughts on how to proceed from here. Continue with monotypes or expand to more types of art? xoxo
Day 346 of Year 2 (Actually Day 351)
This is the ghost from yesterday with a couple of new layers. I've gotten into the habit of ghost printing every plate and using it as an underlayer for the next day's print. Because of this, the prints are feeling like a continuing conversation rather than individual pieces. I'm enjoying listening to them talk as the days unfold, one piece adding understanding and meaning to the last.
I Go Down To The Shore
By Mary Oliver
I go down to the shore in the morning
and depending on the hour the waves
are rolling in or moving out,
and I say, oh, I am miserable,
what shall—
what should I do? And the sea says
in its lovely voice:
Excuse me, I have work to do.
From A Thousand Mornings: https://amzn.to/2BkaKWL
Day 276 of Year 2 (Actually Day 281)
Posting early tonight, well before midnight! I've been at this project for one year and nine months. It's hard not to repeat poems from time to time, but some poems are a joy to repeat.
Thirst
By Mary Oliver
Another morning and I wake with thirst
for the goodness I do not have. I walk
out to the pond and all the way God has
given us such beautiful lessons. Oh Lord,
I was never a quick scholar but sulked
and hunched over my books past the
hour and the bell; grant me, in your
mercy, a little more time. Love for the
earth and love for you are having such a
long conversation in my heart. Who
knows what will finally happen or
where I will be sent, yet already I have
given a great many things away, expect-
ing to be told to pack nothing, except the
prayers which, with this thirst, I am
slowly learning.
From Thirst https://amzn.to/2XImpYh (This was my first book of Mary Oliver poems, a wonderful introduction to her work.)
Day 266 of Year 2 (Actually Day 271)
Poem below the title. Note for my Patreon.com subscribers, Patreon is down tonight. I will post as soon as I am able. xo
Can You Imagine?
by Mary Oliver
For example, what the trees do
not only in lightning storms
or the watery dark of a summer’s night
or under the white nets of winter
but now, and now, and now – whenever
we’re not looking. Surely you can’t imagine
they don’t dance, from the root up, wishing
to travel a little, not cramped so much as wanting
a better view, or more sun, or just as avidly
more shade – surely you can’t imagine they just
stand there loving every
minute of it, the birds or the emptiness, the dark rings
of the years slowly and without a sound
thickening, and nothing different unless the wind,
and then only in its own mood, comes
to visit, surely you can’t imagine
patience, and happiness, like that.
From Devotions https://amzn.to/2nlMY5J
Day 229 of Year 2 (Actually Day 234)
Wow, I just realized tomorrow will be day 600! That feels like a significant milestone to build on. And speaking of building, tonight's print is built on the ghost ink from last night. I couldn't bring myself to wipe the ink off. My exhibit started to come down today. I wasn't sure what to expect. I somehow thought I would be sad or upset but instead I'm excited. I have so many projects to look forward to including a large walkthrough tunnel. Can't wait to be rested up enough to get to work. We have another couple days of breakdown and then I'll need some rest, but the future looks bright.
What I Have Learned so Far
By Mary Oliver
Meditation is old and honorable, so why should I
not sit, every morning of my life, on the hillside,
looking into the shining world? Because, properly
attended to, delight, as well as havoc, is suggestion.
Can one be passionate about the just, the
ideal, the sublime, and the holy, and yet commit
to no labor in its cause? I don't think so.
All summations have a beginning, all effect has a
story, all kindness begins with the sown seed.
Thought buds toward radiance. The gospel of
light is the crossroads of -- indolence, or action.
Be ignited, or be gone.
From New and Selected Poems https://amzn.to/2TuZhJ3 found on
http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/O/OliverMary/WhatIHaveLea/index.html
Day 224 of Year 2 (Actually Day 229)
I had a revelation tonight about the meaning of the keyhole in my work. I will write it up soon with a print. For now I have family in town for my closing reception Saturday so I will keep it short. (I am not sure if I've posted this poem. I'll have to do a listing one of these days. But in truth, beautiful poems are a rare beauty and bear repeating.)
Thirst
By Mary Oliver
Another morning and I wake with thirst
for the goodness I do not have. I walk
out to the pond and all the way God has
given us such beautiful lessons. Oh Lord,
I was never a quick scholar but sulked
and hunched over my books past the
hour and the bell; grant me, in your
mercy, a little more time. Love for the
earth and love for you are having such a
long conversation in my heart. Who
knows what will finally happen or
where I will be sent, yet already I have
given a great many things away, expect-
ing to be told to pack nothing, except the
prayers which, with this thirst, I am
slowly learning.
From Thirst https://amzn.to/37WO5tS
Day 222 of Year 2 (Actually Day 227)
Still playing with gluing cut paper down before printing. I used a thicker paper than last night to form the ladder. It's an interesting effect, but I'm not a huge fan of this one. That's ok though, there's a learning curve which I adore. When it comes down to it, I love learning something new with all the ups and downs so much. The place where there is discomfort or perceived failure is the place to chase. There's something there but you can't see it yet. So fun, so invigorating.
Mysteries, Yes
By Mary Oliver
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds
will never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the
scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.
Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
“Look!” and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.
From Devotions : The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver
Day 197 of Year 2 (Actually Day 202)
I feel was too careful with this one. Tomorrow I am going to do a number of smaller sketches to loosen up again. I wanted this image too much and my need curtailed my flow. It's exciting though, this is the first time a key has actually gone into a keyhole in my work.
The poem is just one stanza from a poem that is too long to post here, though I encourage you to look it up and read the whole thing. (You can find it here: https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/O/OliverMary/HaveYouEverT/index.html) xo
Have You Ever Tried to Enter the Long Black Branches (excerpt)
By Mary Oliver ".....
Who can open the door who does not reach for the latch?
Who can travel the miles who does not put one foot
in front of the other, all attentive to what presents itself
continually?
Who will behold the inner chamber who has not observed
with admiration, even with rapture, the outer stone?
......"
From West Wind https://amzn.to/2Ua2qjm
Day 156 of Year 2 (Actually Day 157)
Experimenting again with these more muted tones. It's a fun change and feels really different while working. And, in the spirit of change, I am trying out a new time for posting my daily print: the early evening rather than between midnight and 2AM. I must get more sleep! Posting late only keeps me up. Let me know how this works for you. I may try a few different times until I find the right rhythm. Habit is important, but it's also important to mix it up every once in a while. It shifts the energy and creates new possibilities. Habit makes us feels safe and secure, but rigid things break. So I will keep my daily monotype practice but be flexible with my midnight habit.
NOTE: For those of you who are not night owls, you probably see my daily print the next day so this will seem like two prints in one day! Tomorrow look for my daily print in the evening, not the morning. Again, let me know how this change is for you because I may readjust. xoxo (Poem below the title)- the artist feels
Three Things to Remember
By Mary Oliver
As long as you're dancing, you can break the rules.
Sometimes breaking the rules is just
extending the rules.
Sometimes there are no rules. -
From Devotions . https://amzn.to/2PWonP0