Relationships

I concentrated this morning so deeply that I forgot to turn my music on.  It’s hard to believe, looking at this photo, I’m sure.  The piece is developing with more interest than you can tell here.  When I came up for air, I was pondering what pulls me into such a deep and wonderful place.  

It’s the color relationships.  I love planting one color against another, making one place whisper quietly while another pops.  I’m thinking ahead a little about what I ultimately plan to do with each area of the composition but at times, I’m simply enjoying what colors do together or to each other.  

I think creating art is probably that simple.  I’m sure writers love stringing words together and beautiful gardens begin with a bit of moss.  I met a man recently who bought a piece of land and goes outside every morning with his sleeves rolled up.  He digs, researches, examines, transplants - with joy.  He stops to drink a cup of coffee and look up at the trees.  The piece of land is changing very, very slowly — and I have a feeling it will be stunning some day.  No doubt, he’ll know every stone, bunny, and wildflower on it.  He’s building a relationship. 

Valuing the simplest elements of what we do is where the peace is.  I think by slowing my pace over the last couple of years, I’ve rediscovered that.  Rediscoveries take patience too.