nightscape, Monotype of the Day #400

Day 35 of Year 2

Most of my work depicts an internal landscape even when it looks like a traditional rendering of the external world. I have had an exceptionally busy week. The noise from the grit and grind of life sometimes drowns out the inner voice an artist needs to hear to work. When that happens, an image of emptiness and quiet like this one is salve to a disordered mind. It acts as promise of what can be and also a remembrance of that deep interior spaciousness that allows the creative flow to come through. Images can hold the power to change and reorder energy. Many times it doesn't matter whether an image is "good" or "successful" as an independent work of art. A working artist will make hundreds of images. Some of them will be successful in terms of color, composition, etc., some will be successful because the change their maker even if visually they are not as strong, and some will do both. This is why I try to reserve judgement while working. Later after the work rests I can see more clearly what type of work it is. For tonight, it is enough to see and experience the empty space in this piece and to feel it shifting my internal landscape to a more peaceful place.

When I Met My Muse
By William Stafford

I glanced at her and took my glasses
off—they were still singing. They buzzed
like a locust on the coffee table and then
ceased. Her voice belled forth, and the
sunlight bent. I felt the ceiling arch, and
knew that nails up there took a new grip
on whatever they touched. “I am your own
way of looking at things,” she said. “When
you allow me to live with you, every
glance at the world around you will be
a sort of salvation.” And I took her hand.

the artist is at peace, Monotype of the Day #388

Day 23 of Year 2

So today I had someone advise me to stop writing posts with my images. They had never looked at my work, they just thought writing about art is boring. I was irritated, I won't lie. ☺️ You have to develop a strong backbone to be an artist in the world. So many opinions, most from a place of trying to help, but some that try to pull you down and control. I planned to make a piece titled "the artist stands up for themself", but as you can see the ink and the Artist (with a capital A) had other plans. The artist (with a small a), that's me, had no choice but to follow along. Some images are instructions to the artist. This one is demonstrating a place of peace and emptiness that comes from detachment. Art is a calling and I do what I must. Once a finished piece leaves my hands though, my job is done. The world is encouraged to have it's opinions, but an artist must hold the space for more work to flow through and not get distracted by the judgments of others. xoxo

the artist holds space, Monotype of the Day #383

Day 18 of Year 2

I have a lot to deal with, everybody does. Sometimes though, the amount of time I use each day to manage my illness feels overwhelming. This forces me to make conscious and wise choices about how to spend the rest of my time. I am grateful to be reminded not to squander time but to live. It's tricky though because when your body isn't cooperating, your mind can begin to box you in too. You can easily create more limits than your physical state requires. To hold that space open, to have fear but act anyway, is a muscle that must be worked everyday. So much of life is about the space and freedom we allow ourselves in our own minds. I know I have physical limitations and an illness, but I have never thought of myself as a sick person.

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

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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.”

inner landscape, Monotype of the Day #371

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Day 6 of Year 2

This week has been incredibly busy, very little empty time. It's so hard to work without that silence in my life. Next week I am going to slow things down, without that space its really hard for the creative flow to get in. I have the feeling that I haven't fully honored my sacred contract to work this week. It's not just about being in the studio, it's also about caring for yourself so when you work you are present and ready. I know it's not my job to judge my own work, but I feel this week's prints reflect the lack of space.
I didn't start this monotype until about midnight so there's no time to rework it. I really love the concept, but I haven't hit it yet. There's a feeling I get when an image a right that I don't have. I'm not a huge fan of this flesh tone either. I almost never use it. I think I will try a different approach tomorrow. This print is much bigger than most of my others. I included a pencil for scale.


Praise Them
by Li-Young Lee

The birds don’t alter space.
They reveal it. The sky
never fills with any
leftover flying. They leave
nothing to trace. It is our own
astonishment collects
in chill air. Be glad.
They equal their due
moment never begging,
and enter ours
without parting day. See
how three birds in a winter tree
make the tree barer.
Two fly away, and new rooms
open in December.
Give up what you guessed
about a whirring heart, the little
beaks and claws, their constant hunger.
We’re the nervous ones.
If even one of our violent number
could be gentle
long enough that one of them
found it safe inside
our finally untroubled and untroubling gaze,
who wouldn’t hear
what singing completes us?

xoxo

sunrise, Monotype of the Day #365

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One year! And something totally different again, a sunrise, full of optimism. It's been quite an adventure of late in the studio. I have no idea at all what will come out. One year of prints everyday without fail through all my ups and downs, through hospital stays, trips and grumpiness, feels like a big occasion. But I'm treating it like any other day, a chance to get down to work and see what will happen. Tomorrow I'll be back in the studio again. Year two, day one.

As I look back over the year I feel such intense gratitude for all the changes this project has brought to my life. I've grown as an artist and a person. The constant wash of creative flow through me has worn away so many rough edges like a river smooths a stone. I've felt the immeasurable power of showing transform my life and open opportunities and connections. I have formed a deep faith in the value of working. As those of you who follow me regularly know, I had a difficult spring with 3 hospitals stays. It was working that carried me through, even as fever and an operation pulled me down. Touching the creative flow healed me and brought me back to life. Over the course of this year, I've had an intimate, life changing conversation, artist to Artist (the source of all creativity). It has been profoundly private and also more public than anything I've ever done- two opposites almost mystically coexisting in one moment. I've experienced great beauty, sorrow and joy while working and now I am filled with gratitude. My profound thanks to everyone who is following my journey and all the support I have received from you. The comments, likes and sales mean the world to me. If you are not a commenter, know that I feel and value your support. Although I would still be in the studio without you all, your presence this year has made everything so much sweeter and you are dear to me. A special thanks to Barry Echtman, without whose support so much would remain undone and all my artist friends!

As once the winged energy of delight
by Rainer Maria Rilke, Trans. Stephen Mitchell

As once the winged energy of delight
carried you over childhood’s dark abysses,
now beyond your own life build the great
arch of unimagined bridges.

Wonders happen if we can succeed
in passing through the harshest danger;
but only in a bright and purely granted
achievement can we realize the wonder.

To work with Things in the indescribable
relationship is not too hard for us;
the pattern grows more intricate and subtle,
and being swept along is not enough.

Take your practiced powers and stretch them out
until they span the chasm between two
contradictions… For the god
wants to know himself in you.

———————

See you tomorrow

xoxo

the artist and the moon, Monotype of the Day #346

Tonight's print is a bit of a surprise for me with it's simplicity and muted colors. I had intended a flash of red tearing through the moon but I found myself unable to follow through in the end. The print said no. I had the good fortune to visit the National Portrait Gallery this weekend and I was inspired by the subtleties of of many of the pieces. I mixed up a grey and this is what appeared, and with no birds! There is an emptiness and spaciousness here that bodes well- the vessel emptying in order to be filled. Silence is hard to come by, but I found some earlier and it made all the difference in this print. PS I decided to post print details every few days. This a compromise between the yes details people and the no details people 🙂 Click in the photos to see the details at their correct size.

On this summer night
by Jusammi Chikako, trans. Edwin Cranston On this summer night

All the household lies asleep, And in the doorway,
For once open after dark,
Stands the moon, brilliant, cloudless.

xoxo

self-portrait on the occasion of my birthday, Monotype of the Day #339

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On my birthday, I thought a self-portrait would be appropriate. Birthday's are a good time for self reflection. It's been a tough year filled with challenges and transitions, but I'm pleased to report I'm still here, happily working, and feeling grateful. The obstacles of this year have helped me grow and softened and opened my heart. Difficulties can be an opportunity for growth. My feeling is, if I have to go through it, I might as well use it as a vehicle for internal transformation. I want to make my dark pits into mines for gold. I want to be the hero of my story, not the victim. Of course, this is not always an easy thing to do and it is made immeasurably easier by the support of my friends and family. I've said this before, but would not be here today without all of you. My gratitude knows no bounds. xoxo

Love After Love
by Derek Walcott

The time will come
when, with elation,
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door,
in your own mirror,
and each will smile at the other's welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread.
Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

the artist at rest, Monotype of the Day #296

To say I have moved a lot would be an understatement. Every 1-2 years since I was 18 until about 5 years ago when we finally settled on this house. Now, my husband refuses to move (and can you blame him? 😊 ). I have the itch to go again but I'm breathing through it because I want to spend my packing time as studio time instead. But through all my moves, I've lost some precious books including the one by the poet below. Thank God for the internet. I can still find some of my favorites, though not all. My next sale will go to replacing some of my collection. Anyway, tonight's monotype brought this poem to mind.

Love came and emptied me of self
by Abu-Said Abil-Kheir, Persia 10th century

Love came and emptied me of self,
every vein and every pore,
made into a container to be filled by the Beloved.
Of me, only a name is left,
the rest is You my Friend, my Beloved.

xo

the artist is held, Monotype of the Day #261

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Mystics describe a transformative state called the Dark Night of the Soul. It is a moment when life is complete chaos and everything is going wrong. We feel utterly lost and abandoned by the divine. But rather than being lost, mystics believe this is the moment when we are actually held closest to the divine. We are lodged deeply in divine reason which seems like chaos to the human mind, so close to the divine that you are literally blinded by the Light. All appears in darkness and no path forward is clear. This state is necessary to transform and breakdown old structures and beliefs that stand in the way of growth and change. It is the undoing of the ties that bind us to our easy habits and well worn ruts which hold us back. It is the way of the artist to embrace and surrender to change.