gliding, Monotype of the Day #446

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Day 80 of Year 2 (Actually Day 81)

I really wanted to make a tree in this boat tonight. It wouldn't come though so, I submitted to the direction given. I hope (and sense) this boat is headed somewhere important. It's definitely on the move anyway. Movement brings change which is the essence of life and especially life in the studio. Why are we here if not to embrace life?

Autumn Moon
By Basho, Trans. Stryk & Ikemoto

Autumn moon,
tide foams
to the very gate.

From Zen Poetry https://amzn.to/2nvqejW

tree, Monotype of the Day #445

Day 79 of Year 2 (Actually Day 80)

Something is unfolding here. The fiery boat is evolving. I am looking forward to seeing where this will go.

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

Tunnel of Love, Monotype of the Day #444

Day 78 of Year 2 (Actually Day 79)

I'm sort of obsessing on this fiery boat right now. It's meaning is not clear to me yet. I'm also using a smaller plate (8"x10") and that makes the experience of working more intimate and focused. There is less space for distraction and overworking. Switching it up is a necessary part of a healthy art practice. Ruts lead to droughts. Wishing all those who celebrate a very healthy and sweet New Year. xo

burning, Monotype of the Day #443

Day 77 of Year 2 (Actually Day 78)

Gitanjali 37
By Rabindranath Tagore
I thought that my voyage had come to its end at the last limit of my power--the path before me was closed, that provisions were exhausted and the time come to take shelter in a silent obscurity.

But I find that thy will knows no end in me. And when old words die out on the tongue, new melodies break forth from the heart; and when the old tracks are lost, new country is revealed with its wonders.

From Gitanjali https://www.amazon.com/Gitanjali-Collection-Laureate-Rabindranath-published/dp/B00E329VWO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=3CZMIOSLAXSGO&keywords=gitanjali+by+rabindranath+tagore&qid=1569731906&sprefix=Gitanjali,aps,206&sr=8-9&linkCode=sl1&tag=artofthespi-20&linkId=792da1d92aa91214ced575ea7d2e3c19&language=en_US

Untitled, Monotype of the Day #441

Day 75 of Year 2 (Actually Day 76)

When you have a chronic illness, so much of life is waiting, holding on to and idea or plan until the proper time to hatch it comes along. (I am slowly collecting every Jane Hirshfield book. She is amazing!)

This work is paired with "A Room" by Jane Hirshfield from The Lives of the Heart

Read it here: https://www.ronnowpoetry.com/contents/hirshfield/Room.html

https://amzn.to/2n9tdO4

crack already, Monotype of the Day #440

Day 74 of Year 2 (Actually Day 75)

So many things are cooking in the studio I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Because I am still recovering from my trip to drop my son at college, I am resting more than I'd like. Recently a friend told me that even with all my health challenges, I get more done than many people. I'd like to believe it's true, but it's hard to feel it when projects that could be moving forward quickly inch along. Everyday, I press forward with my work. Some days it's easy and a joy, and some days it's by sheer will alone anything gets done. Still the minutes on difficult days add up to hours over all, things move forward, and I am grateful. I know that the flow of work carries me forward. Some parts of my stream are wide and slow and some narrow and fast. Patience and faith in process are what is needed.

Sonnets to Orpheus (Book 2, XXIX)
By Rilke, Trans. Barrows & Macy (Link to book below)

Quiet friend who has come so far,
feel how your breathing makes more space around you.

Let this darkness be a bell tower
and you the bell. As you ring,

what batters you becomes your strength.
Move back and forth into the change.
What is it like, such intensity of pain?
If the drink is bitter, turn yourself to wine.

In this uncontainable night,
be the mystery at the crossroads of your senses,
the meaning discovered there.

And if the world has ceased to hear you,
say to the silent Earth: I flow.
To the rushing water, speak: I am.

From In Praise of Mortality: https://amzn.to/2lhW3eS

stepping out, Monotype of the Day #439

Day 73 of Year 2 (Actually Day 74)

A new color ink came in the mail today. A sort of rose madderish red. It's always fun to push myself with something new. It got in the way of my flow tonight though. I felt stuck in the middle of this print which isn't common. I like this concept but I think it needs another draft. I hope it comes again tomorrow so I can work it some more. The past few weeks have been so busy. That combined with working some of my larger pieces for my show in January has limited my time in front of my printing plates. I hope to get a larger block of time this weekend to really let things unfold. Sometimes I'll make three or four versions of the same image until I hear it sing. It's like an internal harmony or vibration that comes through and you know you've hit it.

The Granary
By Dorothy Walters

I Know,
you want to speak,
you hovering overhead,
waiting.

All right, I say,
let the words come.
Let them flow
like grain from the granary bin,
streaming in torrents and waves,
rushing to return
their gold to the sun.

From Marrow of Flame (Such a wonderful book of poetry!) https://amzn.to/2mwOEIK

in the fire, Monotype of the Day #437

Day 71 of Year 2 (Actually Day 72)

Quatrain 568
By Rumi


The human shape is a ghost
made of distraction and pain.
Sometimes pure light, sometimes cruel,
trying wildly to open,
this image tightly held within itself. (from Open Secret, Versions of Rumi, Trans. Moyne & Barks https://amzn.to/30HpDcj)

Helping Hand, Monotype of the Day #435

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Day 69 of Year 2 (Actually Day 70)


I'm feeling super stressed out, so when I went to make my print tonight I had an image in mind to express that state. Instead, what came out was an image of support and gentleness. This is an example of how these prints are both an offering to viewers and an intimate conversation between myself (the artist) and The Artist (source of all creativity). I feel the support demonstrated in the print now, that energy is in me. I did however, wipe the ink on tonight instead of rolling it. That's a very satisfying physical motion that helps express the stress away. xo

I surrender, Monotype of the Day #434

Day 68 of Year 2 (Actually Day 69)

The ink on the plate from last night print was seductively calling me all night. It had business still to complete and was not about to be wiped away. So, I used as a base for tonight's print. There's something so satisfying about using every last drop of ink on a plate. Such a busy day must be off to bed. More tomorrow. xoxo

reflecting pool, Monotype of the Day #433

Day 67 of Year 2 (Actually Day 68)

Tried to keep it relatively simple tonight. I've been cleaning the studio for a visit from my gallery director Kathryn McGuire. As much as I think most cleaning in the studio is counter productive, it was nice to work in a less chaotic space. I guess, as with everything, balance. A little cleaning every once in a while can bring a new perspective, but let's not let things get out of hand. I still kept all my scraps of paper and left my palette gunky, I'm loving the texture it brings. 😊 I mention this all because, every artist's fantasy is to spend their days in the studio making artwork. I think that's what most people picture when they think of us too. But the truth is so much of our time is taken up with other things, paperwork, filing quarterly taxes, social media, ordering supplies, shipping, responding to inquiries, framing, and my favorite thing, studio visits. We work our butts off. So to all my artist colleagues, I salute you. Keep up the good work and know you matter! xo