Slow down and observe, which goes against the grain of furiously doing and keeping busy. The part that I find distasteful is the striving, which is pure ambition and goes against the creative process. I try to keep this in check.
The birds are always singing, no matter the weather. It was raining here in Toronto this morning and the birds were joyous gathering the seeds. They know something we humans don't. Something essential and important.
Thank you, Perry. I was so enamoured by this little wren who sat so perkily showing her feather, which I thought might be a thrush?
I confess with life's other pressures, I forget that my painting is also meant to be my solace and time for peace. It sometimes takes a while for that to happen. That song sums it up so well, "Let the morningtime drop all its petals on me..." I hope the rain soon eases.
Thank you so much Deborah for a beautiful piece of writing and sharing thoughts and artwork. Just returned from lovely Suffolk and lovely to re-live again discovering Mary Newcomb.
I am so sorry my reply to you yesterday seems to have disappeared, so I will try again!
Thank you very much for your lovely comment, I am pleased that you liked it. Mary Newcomb captured Suffolk so well and I have just managed to order her monograph from Suffolk libraries. Her work is beautiful and poignant. I am glad you had a lovely holiday!
These are gorgeous prints and paintings! And photos! I used to make woodcut prints, but have been considering Lino cut lately. I have been wanting to get back into printmaking for awhile, it is as you said—soothing to the brain. I love your cards and I hope you hands continue to strengthen and heal! Thank you for sharing your beautiful art and thoughts on slowing down and enjoying the process!
Thank you very much for your lovely message. I really enjoyed making them and missed the process very much. Hours would slip by carving! I hope you return to it, it is such a therapeutic thing to do.
Another refreshing post. Those print samples look fantastic and its great to hear you are making progress, it must be so difficult to contend with hands that simply wont do what you need. I cant imagine.
It is hugely frustrating. I have been to see a specialist hand person this morning, who was lovely, but is was very dispiriting. I really hope some improvement can be made. Thank you, David.
Reading this did precisely as promised — it created a slowed-down, restful, and nourishing pause just when needed. Thank you for the text and images — both are wonderful.
Your lino prints are gorgeous. I am sorry to hear you have trouble with your hands too. It's is such a nuisance when you can't get hands to do what you want them too.
I am so pleased you liked them! I felt like a big hurdle to step over. Yes, it is so frustrating when your hands don't oblige. I am hoping they soon settle again. I take it that you struggle with it too? If so, I am very sorry.
My hands are definitely heading that way but I think it’s very common in the quilting/knitting world especially. We all just soldier on through don’t we because to stop completely would just make it worse.
I am sorry to hear that. It doesn't make things easy. Mine started in my 40s. It was annoying then but it's getting troublesome now in my early 50s. I just keep thinking about Matisse and the art he created when he was older and had arthritis - LOL.
Hands, honestly, did we ever think they’d play up as they do and how wonderful that you are finding ways to overcome it all. The prints and paintings are beautiful, I’d be thrilled to have achieved just one of those in a lifetime! Your approach feels spot on Deborah. I’m in the Land of the Unfinished here and have had to give myself a jolly good talking to about not starting anything new until I at least clear the decks...the problem is there’s just so much out there that we all want to do/make/read. I’m sensing this is an age thing too.
I certainly took them for granted and I am determined not to let them stop me. I am seeing an occupational therapist tomorrow for the first time and hope they they will be able to offer something too.
I am so pleased you liked the prints and paintings. I agree that there is so much to do and discover and it is hard not to get pulled down rabbit holes - I am very guilty of this! I think it is partly time's winged chariot again as it does make you realise how much you want to do! Thank you for your cheering comment and for reading it.
What a wonderful lesson, Deborah. “Ought” and “should” are such judgmental terms. Judging the self is anathema to creativity I think, and as you said it can surely make us lose sight of the joy in the process.
I am so glad you have the new press and the physical therapy enables you to enjoy making prints again.
We are struggling with heat and no rain… so while your garden is drowning mine is parched. What a pity we can’t divvy up the weather between us.
Between us we could have the perfect balance, although the forecast now suggests that a prolonged dry spell is on the way!
It is very tricky, when you know that it is also providing an income, not to feel you have to come up with the goods every time you pick up a pencil! I need to keep telling myself that it is also the refuge and not to beat myself up quite so much - not easy!
Yay to a new press! Your cards look so lovely, and I’m so glad that you have been able to do some linocutting again. I think these prints are perfect as cards.
Your paintings are so beautiful, I really do love them too.
And gosh yes, I often am full of ‘shoulds’ with regards to artwork and keep thinking of the next thing I’m supposed to be doing. So this is a helpful reminder and so maybe today I’ll be able to be more relaxed and absorbed in the moment.
I’ll check out all those great recommendations too. Have a lovely summer solstice. Xx
Thank you very much, Cally. The press was a huge investment and I really wondered whether I had done the right thing...but, fingers crossed, I will be able to use it for other ways to print too. We do beat ourselves up, don't we? Today is the perfect day to take a more relaxed approach to things. ( I wrote this when you commented, but it seemed to jump to the wrong place, so I am trying again!xx)
Slow down and observe, which goes against the grain of furiously doing and keeping busy. The part that I find distasteful is the striving, which is pure ambition and goes against the creative process. I try to keep this in check.
The birds are always singing, no matter the weather. It was raining here in Toronto this morning and the birds were joyous gathering the seeds. They know something we humans don't. Something essential and important.
Thank you, Perry. I was so enamoured by this little wren who sat so perkily showing her feather, which I thought might be a thrush?
I confess with life's other pressures, I forget that my painting is also meant to be my solace and time for peace. It sometimes takes a while for that to happen. That song sums it up so well, "Let the morningtime drop all its petals on me..." I hope the rain soon eases.
Thank you so much Deborah for a beautiful piece of writing and sharing thoughts and artwork. Just returned from lovely Suffolk and lovely to re-live again discovering Mary Newcomb.
I am so sorry my reply to you yesterday seems to have disappeared, so I will try again!
Thank you very much for your lovely comment, I am pleased that you liked it. Mary Newcomb captured Suffolk so well and I have just managed to order her monograph from Suffolk libraries. Her work is beautiful and poignant. I am glad you had a lovely holiday!
You’re so talented 😍 If I was ever going to take up anything artistic, I’d love to try printing and printmaking ✨
Thank you☺️ It is such a satisfying thing to do, I am sure you would love it!
These are gorgeous prints and paintings! And photos! I used to make woodcut prints, but have been considering Lino cut lately. I have been wanting to get back into printmaking for awhile, it is as you said—soothing to the brain. I love your cards and I hope you hands continue to strengthen and heal! Thank you for sharing your beautiful art and thoughts on slowing down and enjoying the process!
Thank you very much for your lovely message. I really enjoyed making them and missed the process very much. Hours would slip by carving! I hope you return to it, it is such a therapeutic thing to do.
You have inspired me and reminded me how much I miss it, too. Thank you and I’m so happy that you’re back at it.
That is great to hear! I look forward to seeing what you do x
Another lovely reflection on the creative mind. We all need to take heed & slow down. Lovely too hear you read the post too.
Thank you very much. I felt very uncomfortable reading but hopefully it will get easier!
Another refreshing post. Those print samples look fantastic and its great to hear you are making progress, it must be so difficult to contend with hands that simply wont do what you need. I cant imagine.
It is hugely frustrating. I have been to see a specialist hand person this morning, who was lovely, but is was very dispiriting. I really hope some improvement can be made. Thank you, David.
Your thoughts are a balm. Thank you for sharing them, and your creative work. It's all so beautiful.
Thank you so much, what a lovely thing to read!
Your thoughts are a balm. Thank you for sharing them, and your creative work. It's all so beautiful.
Your comment was a balm too, so thank you very much.
What a beautiful post again! I love your new cards, and the paintings, and the bird photos too!
Thank you so much, Amy, that is very cheering to hear!
Reading this did precisely as promised — it created a slowed-down, restful, and nourishing pause just when needed. Thank you for the text and images — both are wonderful.
Thank you very much, Maria, I am so glad to hear that.
Your lino prints are gorgeous. I am sorry to hear you have trouble with your hands too. It's is such a nuisance when you can't get hands to do what you want them too.
I am so pleased you liked them! I felt like a big hurdle to step over. Yes, it is so frustrating when your hands don't oblige. I am hoping they soon settle again. I take it that you struggle with it too? If so, I am very sorry.
My hands are definitely heading that way but I think it’s very common in the quilting/knitting world especially. We all just soldier on through don’t we because to stop completely would just make it worse.
Yes, it is so important to keep them moving!
Yes, I have arthritis in some of my fingers. One of the downfalls of getting older - LOL.
Sadly, yes, though mine reared up quite early and seems to have no intention of bowing out!
I am sorry to hear that. It doesn't make things easy. Mine started in my 40s. It was annoying then but it's getting troublesome now in my early 50s. I just keep thinking about Matisse and the art he created when he was older and had arthritis - LOL.
Hands, honestly, did we ever think they’d play up as they do and how wonderful that you are finding ways to overcome it all. The prints and paintings are beautiful, I’d be thrilled to have achieved just one of those in a lifetime! Your approach feels spot on Deborah. I’m in the Land of the Unfinished here and have had to give myself a jolly good talking to about not starting anything new until I at least clear the decks...the problem is there’s just so much out there that we all want to do/make/read. I’m sensing this is an age thing too.
I certainly took them for granted and I am determined not to let them stop me. I am seeing an occupational therapist tomorrow for the first time and hope they they will be able to offer something too.
I am so pleased you liked the prints and paintings. I agree that there is so much to do and discover and it is hard not to get pulled down rabbit holes - I am very guilty of this! I think it is partly time's winged chariot again as it does make you realise how much you want to do! Thank you for your cheering comment and for reading it.
What a lovely, rejuvenating post - and delightful prints!
Thank you very much, I am so pleased you liked them!
What a wonderful lesson, Deborah. “Ought” and “should” are such judgmental terms. Judging the self is anathema to creativity I think, and as you said it can surely make us lose sight of the joy in the process.
I am so glad you have the new press and the physical therapy enables you to enjoy making prints again.
We are struggling with heat and no rain… so while your garden is drowning mine is parched. What a pity we can’t divvy up the weather between us.
xxx
Between us we could have the perfect balance, although the forecast now suggests that a prolonged dry spell is on the way!
It is very tricky, when you know that it is also providing an income, not to feel you have to come up with the goods every time you pick up a pencil! I need to keep telling myself that it is also the refuge and not to beat myself up quite so much - not easy!
Thank you for reading it xx
Gorgeous, Deborah. As ever! I always think of today as the first day of summer, most consoling....
Doesn't it feel like that? It is the perfect midsummer day. Thank you for taking the time to read it.
Always! I loved it.
Another lovely read Deborah, thank you.
Yay to a new press! Your cards look so lovely, and I’m so glad that you have been able to do some linocutting again. I think these prints are perfect as cards.
Your paintings are so beautiful, I really do love them too.
And gosh yes, I often am full of ‘shoulds’ with regards to artwork and keep thinking of the next thing I’m supposed to be doing. So this is a helpful reminder and so maybe today I’ll be able to be more relaxed and absorbed in the moment.
I’ll check out all those great recommendations too. Have a lovely summer solstice. Xx
Thank you very much, Cally. The press was a huge investment and I really wondered whether I had done the right thing...but, fingers crossed, I will be able to use it for other ways to print too. We do beat ourselves up, don't we? Today is the perfect day to take a more relaxed approach to things. ( I wrote this when you commented, but it seemed to jump to the wrong place, so I am trying again!xx)