reflection, Monotype of the Day #767

Day 35 of year 3

This monotype is several days of ghosts printed on top of each other and a final layer made tonight. The photo doesn't capture all the subtlety, but gives you an idea. I love working with ghost prints because artist materials and ink in particular have purpose and desires of their own. A ghost print is one step removed from the hand of the artist and it allows the ink to express its own unique vision. The ghost is always a revelation and the ink usually behaves in unexpected ways.

The relationship between an artist and their materials is central to most art practices and similar to any relationship an artist might have with a person. It's taught me to listen, to curtail my desire to control, to support and respect another's vision, and to lay down my own ego. In general, artists have a deep, almost mystical, connection to the material world which is cultivated through this partnership. We have the ability to see the innate potential in the physical world, creative energy pulsing everywhere and divine purpose waiting to be expressed. It is thrilling, a grand adventure without ever leaving the studio. #gratitude

boat fire moon ghost & the slumber, Monotype of the Day #735

Day 364 of Year 2 (Actually Day 4 of Year 3)

Two prints tonight. The first is the ghost print from last night which I liked it so much, I didn't want to put another layer on. The second, the slumber, is a ghost print from a reject. Ghost prints are the ultimate ego deflater. The print I worked hard on was a mess, but the ghost is better. That is the ink's work not mine. Much of the history of art is filled with big egos, Dali, Picasso, Duchamp. But I find making art to be a gentle stripping away of ego. The more I work, the less of me is there. On my best days, I am like a glass filled with clear water. An idea arrives like a drop of ink slowly spreading until it colors the water completely and comes pouring out.

the key to listening, Monotype of the Day #647

Day 277 of Year 2 (Actually Day 282)

This print has beautiful subtle color but you can't see much of it in this picture. Not every work is internet friendly. So my mind automatically goes to, should I post it? Is my goal to succeed at social media or remain true to my monotype of the day project? My first allegiance is to art and I will not let an outside force dictate or change my work. A large part of this project is to capture whatever happens each day without judgment and help reveal the ups and downs (both inner and outer) that are part of the process of being an artist. It would be easy to augment this piece to look better on screen but it would suffer and I would be changing to the work to please someone else. The act of dulling artistic vision has an insidious effect on an artist. Slowly, change after change, and an artist begins to lose the uniqueness of their voice. This monotype a day project has forced me to learn to stand my ground. So many times photos have not done justice to the work. But, like so many other things in life, I have learned this is just a spiritual muscle that must be built. So I post this image today and hope that sometime you might see the original in person. My love to all those who are sick or suffering. xo

below the surface, Monotype of the Day #643

Day 273 of Year 2 (Actually Day 278)

Something is ready to shift in my work, but it's below the surface. I can feel it bubbling just out of reach. Often when I hit a rough patch, like the last few weeks, it's because something old needs to crumble to make room for something new. It's uncomfortable to say the least. No one likes to make work they don't feel good about. But every artist will tell you this common experience: they hated their work at the time but looking back, they find it was actually okay and sometimes even good. Our way of seeing is shaped by judgment and expectations. Our inner world has to shift and our narrow sight has to open to bring work to the next level. Change is uncomfortable, letting go of expectations and desires can be painful. But a deep embrace of whatever discomfort we are going through brings deep transformation and healing. This healed energy is what comes through in the new work and elevates it from the old. I know this will come. Patience Sybil, patience.

the keyhole takes a ride, Monotype of the Day #597

Day 227 of Year 2 (Actually Day 232)

Today was my closing, it was wonderful and I am so grateful to everyone who came out. What an amazing experience my show has been! Tonight's print is a quick demo I did during the closing. I'm not in love with it. But as I said during my artist talk, it's not for me to judge. My job is making, let everyone else do the judging 🙂. Right now I am so depleted I can't even think, so until tomorrow. xoxo @clerestoryfineart

cocoon, Monotype of the Day #493

Day 127 of Year 2 (Actually Day 127)

Deep change happens beyond the comprehension of the mind. This is why it helps to surrender and trust. When the mind cannot understand something is afoot. The studio is a microcosm, trusting in the process here helps me trust out there in the world. The Artist trains me (an artist) everyday in my studio. This builds spiritual muscles that inform and change the way I lead my life. The result is my small "a" in artist keeps shrinking. The more it shrinks the happier and more empowered I feel. It's a beautiful sacred process and I am grateful to have a chance to pursue this work in the studio and in my spirit.

From burweed
By Kobayashi Issa, Trans. Stryk and Ikemoto

From burweed,
such a butterfly
was born?

From Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter https://amzn.to/2XpvtyM 

the transfer, Monotype of the Day #460

Day 94 of Year 2 (Actually Day 95)

A larger sheet of paper would have been useful here. I wanted to do more with the second plate but alas, no room. Maybe tomorrow. This image was printed 3 times. 1, the hand, 2, the hand again with the left over ink from the first print, & 3, the person holding the finger. Printing is so magical, you never know exactly what anything will look like once ink hits paper. It teaches detachment. If you really love an image, it's difficult to take that leap of faith and print a second or third layer over it. So you must reserve judgment. This is one of the most important rules in the studio.

Raga
by Denise Levertov

The fluteplayer
can’t be seen to draw breath,
doesn’t even
part his lips. But music
flows from the
wooden flute, a river
of honey over-
flowing the honeycomb.

From Sands of the Well https://amzn.to/2pmQyNG (To see the bonus content posted with this on my patron page checkout www.patreon.com/sybilarchibald)

echoing hands, Monotype of the Day #416

Day 51 of Year 2

There was a lot of activity tonight getting my son prepared to go back to college. I had less time than I'd like for tonight's print so I worked on my smaller plates. As an artist it's important to accept the ups and downs and not get thrown by the downs. Last night was such a high and all day I looked forward to my studio time, but it was much shorter than I expected. If you are married to product and outcome, these little disappointments can grow into major frustrations. If, instead, you strive to be fully in the process, when the world doesn't conspire to give you what you want it's just a hiccup because tomorrow is another day. And on the plus side, at least I got the reflection and plate reversal right. Now that I conquered that hurdle I have a choice of which way to do it. Take that dyslexia! 😊

inner landscape (2), Monotype of the Day #372

Day 6 of Year 2

Again I am reminded that it's not for me to judge my work, judgement only gets in the way. When I put up yesterday's print I felt it was a failure. But more people than usual commented on it and I am happy for the reminder that worrying about product over process is a rabbit hole. It's easy to disappear down that hole and be distracted from the real work at hand. It is impossible that every piece an artist makes resonates with them. Some pieces come though for other people, some pieces are energetic messages almost like a pill meant shift or wake something, some are just clearing out old to make room for new. In a way, it's hubris to demand each work be masterful or even complete to an artist's satisfaction. It's trying to control a process so deep we can't know it's true purpose. Knowing this is freedom. An artist only has to listen to the inner Voice to know when to stop. All pressure to create perfect works of art is gone. Trust the process and what is meant to come will come and some will be perfect. With tonight's piece, my inner voice is telling me there is something else that wants to be said that hasn't come though. Thankfully tomorrow is another day!
I've posted this poem before, but it is too perfect for this piece. (It was also the inspiration for my earthen vessel sculpture series many years back. You can see it on my website : www.sybilarchibald.com)

Within this earthen vessel
by Kabir, Trans. Rabindranath Tagore

Within this earthen vessel are bowers and groves, and within it is the Creator:
Within this vessel are the seven oceans and the unnumbered stars.
The touchstone and the jewel-appraiser are within;
And within this vessel the Eternal soundeth, and the spring wells up.
Kabir says: “Listen to me, my Friend! My beloved Lord is within.”

by the light of the moon, Monotype of the Day #359

Interesting, I'm still learning so much with this new ink. This was a blue black ink that I mixed and the paper turned it green. That's the adventure of making art. You never know what will happen. Happy surprises abound!

Today I had a really lovely studio visit, a nice couple. They purchased one of my favorite prints (I'll post the picture tomorrow) and when they left I noticed I had a huge thick swatch of dark ink on my upper lip. Basically I had given myself a Hitler mustache. Oy, is really the only word that adequately describes the feeling! Of course I was mortified. But then I reflected on the kindness they showed me in not mentioning it. Instead of beating myself up, I took their example and practiced kindness toward myself. The mortification (mostly 😊) turned to laughter. So many times in life we go to self-blame and miss the opportunity for kindness. Kindness really changes everything. Could I have made the same print tonight, if I was still giving myself a hard time? I doubt it.

Poem by Dogen

Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water.
The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken.
Although its light is wide and great,
The moon is reflected even in a puddle an inch wide.
The whole moon and the entire sky
Are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.

the artist has heart, Monotype of the Day #347

I struggled with tonight’s print. It’s been a very busy few days and I found it physically arduous to make. I wonder if you can see that in the print? The ebb and flow, easy and struggle, are part of the process. It’s important that seems impossible to fulfill because it inspires you to keep going during the ebbs. I think of this poem by Rumi which expresses such a gigantic wish for his work:

My Work is
By Rumi, trans. Barks and Moyne

My work is to carry this love
As comfort for those who long for you,
To go everywhere you’ve walked
And gaze at the pressed-down dirt.

How that desire must have propelled him forward and cushioned his downs, and, in the end he did accomplish his goal. The take away is dream big and let that dream carry you like a river safely through the rapids. The artist must keep working and and trust in the value of their own process.

for the birds, Monotype of the Day #328

Some days you just fight with your materials. Maybe it's the humidity or the fact that you didn't clean up enough last time, maybe the ink gods are on the warpath. At any rate, it's a wonderful opportunity to practice surrender. Somethings are just not meant to be and if the artist can let go of what they wanted to happen and let the materials lead the way it may lead to new discoveries. Tonight I learned a few things so, even with a bit of frustration, it was a good night. I can't judge the print without projecting tonight's experience on it so I will trust in the fundamental importance of the creative and let others worry about the result. xoxo

Gathering of Birds, Monotype of the Day #318

I reworked yesterday's image and feel much happier. It was a good night to work. The studio was humming. Sometimes I get overheated under all the lights and need to step into the garden to cool off. Tonight I was overwhelmed by the smell of honeysuckle. I planted it 3 years ago and this is the first season it's had enough bloom for the scent to completely envelop me. It created a moment where everything dropped away and it was just me and the scent and then just the scent- my sense of self briefly, blissfully vanished. It's the same feeling I get when I'm making art. It's funny that to make something so personal, you, the ego, has to disappear otherwise there is no space for the creative flow. It reminds me of a poem by Angelus Silesius from 17th century Germany

by Angelus Silesius, trans. Stephen Mitchell

God, whose love and joy
are present everywhere,
can’t come to visit you
unless you aren’t there.

xoxo

the artist is all hands, Monotype of the Day #288

The Red Wheelbarrow
William Carlos Williams

so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens

Tools make all the difference in my life. Though my hands, my greatest tools, are locked up in knots I never feel that as a limitation when I work. Instead, I feel the push to think outside of the box and find new solutions and tools to accomplish my vision. There is a strange kind of freedom in being forced to abandon the expected and ordinary way of doing things. It frees your mind. It also teaches humility because sometimes tools aren't enough and I have to ask for help. It’s difficult for me accept this sometimes. My art practice is about allowing work to flow through me and, honestly, understanding that I can't do everything on my own softens me. It helps the creative flow come through. How we see things is a choice and so much depends on that choice.

sunrise, Monotype of the Day #280

Not sure how I feel about this one, however it's what came out and tomorrow is another day 🙂 The refrain from one of my favorite Leonard Cohen songs, Anthem, always gives me courage to share images that I am inclined to judge:

Ring the bells (ring the bells) that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything (there is a crack in everything)
That's how the light gets in
-Leonard Cohen

I love this video of the song. He is literally in prayer when he sings and the deep humility and reverence with which he thanks his band... I had the privilege of seeing him in concert and every moment was deeply infused with the presence of something greater and a profound connection to the present moment. Such a special human being, he is missed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4U4lXgvorU