Abstraction and deeper meanings

Art Blossum Magazine recently posted on Facebook some pics of the works of Constantin Brancusi, a Romanian sculptor who "was a central figure of the modern movement and a pioneer of abstraction." I've always liked Brancusi's work but when I looked at the pictures of his art this time, I was suddenly struck with the thought that his work could have been a political statement of sorts and I wondered if that were true.

Constantin Brancusi, Danaid , 1913, Bronze, National Museum of Modern Art

I only did a cursory search on him so I have no idea if he had a political bent or not, however, I was interested in my own sudden ability to see the possibility of his art being a reaction to, or possibly a precursor to a growing cultural mindset of detachment from humanity, such that is echoed not only in abstract art, but in current rising violent crime rates, a high divorce rate, a huge generation gap, and families who are, more often than not, distant, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

Was abstract art really a reaction to and/or statement about weakening human relationships? I recognize that at the technical level abstraction is seen as a method of simplifying down to the most basic components of something in order to experience the beauty of the parts, colors,or form, the expression of a feeling. I get that. But I believe that everyone and everything is interconnected on an affective level. It's that old cliche 'no man is an island' thing. I have come to believe that what I do and say today, determines my future tomorrow. If that is true now, it has always been true. I just didn't recognize it as such. That means that what I did yesterday, and the day before that, and the year before that, has affected my today.

Expressions and methods of creativity, in any field of endeavor in this world, are not only affected by previous or simultaneous acts and thought, but also affect current and future endeavors and thought in a continuous never ending line or circle. Think drops of water whose rings continually radiate out connecting with other rings and being changed in the process. How wonderful a thing that can be! I know. Who thought that after that rather dismal statement in paragraph two that this article is in fact a positive celebration of life being lived to its fullest!

My art has always had deeper meanings hidden within it that I have not necessarily understood at the time of execution. I would discover after the fact a depth I didn't even know was there. It just seemed to be in there, waiting for me to put it on paper or canvas. I have finally come to that place in my life where I at least somewhat understand that urge and have begun to direct it more purposefully and intentionally. And I love it. The writing of this blog is merely an extension of that creative process for me. I am almost in my sixth decade and my life has never held so much joy or promise in so many ways. I am truly a blessed woman.

To live deliberately

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.—Henry David Thoreau

"Civilized" life is so distracting, and the majority of us live reactive lives, merely responding to our environment and the rules and demands of others, rather than living our lives out of our own deliberate choices. That is what Thoreau was talking about here—living life deliberately, which is hard to do when you are so thoroughly distracted that all you can do is react.

I wonder if he is still in the reading curriculum in schools today. I think not.

A friend recently sent me a link to a video that has made a huge impact on my life. It has brought together so much of the information that I've already heard or known, yet didn't have a clue what to do with. This video presents a path to possible solutions. More importantly, it presents real hope.

My hope is that you will take the time to watch the video. It is two hours long, so you'll need to set aside some time, but it is well worth it. It seemed to me that Thoreau's quotes above and below are so appropo to what is talked about in the movie.

Synopsis of the movie:  THRIVE is an unconventional documentary that lifts the veil on what's REALLY going on in our world by following the money upstream -- uncovering the global consolidation of power in nearly every aspect of our lives. Weaving together breakthroughs in science, consciousness and activism, THRIVE offers real solutions, empowering us with unprecedented and bold strategies for reclaiming our lives and our future.


As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.

You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.

As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.

Our life is frittered away by detail ... simplify, simplify.

Be not simply good; be good for something.

There is no more fatal blunderer than he who consumes the greater part of his life getting his living.

I think that there is nothing, not even crime, more opposed to poetry, to philosophy, ay, to life itself than this incessant business.

You can read more quotes by Thoreau and others at BrainyQuotes.com

Focus on Love

The following was posted on Facebook by Women’s TEA TIME :

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there--fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge--they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaking suspicion...love actually is all around. Love actually."

‘Mean is just so much LOUDER than kindness’ that it distracts us, causing us to focus on that which is not lovely or loving.

Seems that when you distill it all down, this is what all the ‘positive’ pics and encouraging words are trying to say--the bottom line so to speak. It’s about focus. What if more people consistently focused on ‘whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report’?

What if the population stopped rewarding the news media for the sensationalism and the media’s focus on the horror stories, all in the name of keeping us informed, of course? Is it possible to stay informed without focusing on the negative, nasty stuff? Things being what they are, I kind of doubt it, but I can wish, can’t I?

Maybe that is why so many cling to and defend the Christmas holiday, because for a little while they can pretend that everything is okay, or at least could be okay, for a little while. They can take a short break from the over-abundance of ugliness in the world and focus for a bit on the good things like kindness. Maybe that little bit of relief is sufficient to counter the overwhelming stress of the previous year and give us hope that next year will be better. Illusions can be very powerful, especially when they engender hope. Hope is a very powerful thing. But to get to that place of hope in our minds, we have to first change our focus. And so we come back to the beginning--focus. What will we choose to focus on?

Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things. - Philippians 4:8

A Different Time or Place

 

Part of the reason for doing this blog was to have a place to showcase my art work as well as be able to philosophize. Actually, I love to do both, and combining them makes me very happy. Hence, the artwork with a message. Hopefully, it will touch your heart as well. If I can get even one person to stop and think just for a moment, I will have accomplished something. That works for me.

For the philosophy part:

I can honestly say that I spent a rather large portion of my life wishing things were different or that I was different, not realizing that I was foolishing spending way too much time living inside my head or inside books.Same thing. It was all escapism. Nowadays people seem to prefer tv, computer or video games. The ills that plague the human race run bone deep. I'm not being pessimistic here, just realistic. In order to successfully deal with a problem one must recognize and acknowledge it first, don't you think? I had to recognize my thoughts and behavior before I could change any of it. Of course, this is a life long process. A journey. I love adventures! Don't you?

A bit about the technique for the art piece:

The background for this picture was an experiment on regular tissue paper. I first somewhat haphazardly spread some gesso on the tissue paper and let it dry. I sprayed several colors of alcohol inks using some stencils/masks to add some interest and added some more gesso on top of that. The circles were done on coffee filters using sharpie pens and alcohol and then both spraying and dripping alcohol inks on. I dried the filters in between layers.

I then took pictures of them, manipulating them in Gimp on the computer, and finally putting them together in Publisher. The quote was one I found on Facebook.

I plan to use the actual tissue paper in collages on canvas so I'm getting more than double duty out of all of the pieces I'm painting. Much of my inspiration of late has come from videos from YouTube. I subscribe to a number of channels. I've learned a lot there. It's fun to try out new techniques. I will share some of my favorites from time to time. Today I want to share Jennibellie's channel. Jenny has videos on lots of different techniques that anyone can do. She also as a +blog you can find here. She interviews different artists about once a month which are very interesting.

Advice to a child

Musings in Wonderland Magazine,  recently shared this question:  If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your self as a creative child? Part of this I shared with them but it got me to thinking and so I expanded it a bit and decided to include it here.

Knowing what I know today, these are the things I wish someone had told me during my childhood.

Face your fears. Don't run from them. They are not nearly as scary as you think they are. Accept that pain comes in everyone's life, then let it go. The pain only lasts for a little bit then it goes away.

Forgive yourself first. Love yourself first. You have infinite value and worth just because you are you. Believe it. Then act on it.

Don't give up on your dream. You can make good choices. Just do it. It's okay to make mistakes. Everyone does. Just learn from them and move on. It doesn't make you less of a person. You don't believe other people are stupid because they make mistakes. Neither are you stupid because you make mistakes.

Use your brain. Be aware of your thoughts. Monitor them. Control them. You are the only one who can control your thoughts. Choose your thoughts like you'd choose what to wear for a special event. What you think really does matter. Believe it.

Balance the time you spend thinking about yourself with the time you spend thinking about others. You do not live on this planet by yourself. Everything you think, do and say affects others way beyond what you can know or understand. Look for ways to be of service to other people. Helping others makes them and you feel good about yourselves.

Follow your passion. Protect it. Nurture it. Work at being enthusiastic about your passon and don't let others squash it. Find people to be around who encourage you. You are building your future with what you do today.

And most of all, remember that life is a journey to be lived one day at a time. Enjoy today as best you can for that is what you have to work with. It is enough.

If you will read this everyday, seriously thinking about it until it becomes part of your thinking, it will help guide you on your life journey.

What would be your answer to that question? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Thoughts on Quantum Theory, Philosophy and Art

"The story I am writing exists, written in absolutely perfect fashion, some place, in the air. All I must do is find it, and copy it."

— Jules Renard, "Diary," February 1895

Did Renard know about quantum physics theory back then? I don’t think so but the quote applies nonetheless. Napoleon Hill wrote that every word that has been spoken is in the atmosphere around us as energy and that we somehow tap into that energy for our own use. In fact, he says we direct it with our choice of words. Words have power long after the moment they are spoken or written.

This is not a new theme by any means, but it is certainly an often overlooked thing in our mundane, everyday lives. We're too busy living, i.e., putting out fires, to have time for such esoteric, philosophical issues. Bullshit my other half calls it. The philosophical knowledge and understanding that I so thrive on is a burden to him, unimportant and useless information. To me it is the air I breathe, the sparkle and joy in life. How is it that some people want to know these things and others could really care less? Perplexing.

Even though I'm approaching being a sexagenarian, I still struggle with the fact that I am a dreamer in an often mundane world. It seems I've been that way my whole life, although I could not have put it into words like this before now. Maybe I will find a release in the telling.



The image that I use on my social web sites is a self-portrait I did years ago and I can honestly say that at the time of doing that drawing, I did not realize it was a self-portrait nor that it imbodied the 'dreamer' quality that is so me. Most of my art is that way. I do the art in the moment and then find hidden meaning in the artwork after its completion. It's as if my subconscious decides to play a joke on me, the punchline of which, like all good jokes, comes at the end. Surprise!

Secession: Is the Spirit of the South Rising Again?

I've been reading through the material on the recent wave of secession petitions, the last count being 45 with the addition of Alaska. It is important to note that these are all being submitted on the new website the President set up to "hear the people". They are not actual bonafide petitions but they are an indicator of the dissident thinking of a growing portion of the population.

However, the responses to all of this on the internet seem to be overwhelmingly negative with comments to the supporters of these petitions ranging from things like "being spoiled brats" and "sore losers," to "stupid idiots". You get the picture. In light of the preponderance of negative comments displayed, one could wonder if the media is trying to downplay this movement by only showing the negative. It seems to me the naysayers by and large are exemplifying what they are accusing the dissidents of being. Name calling is never appropriate.

One could wonder if the war between the states didn't somehow start just like this--with petitions.

Will President Obama ignore all this? It hardly seems like a very wise choice. If he chooses to recognize the growing unrest within the populace, how will he deal with it? The 'dissidents' are going about this process peacefully and legally at this point. They have a right to have their concerns heard and addressed in an appropriately sober and serious way.

One can't help but wonder if the foreign vultures aren't waiting impatiently upon the fence, avidly looking for opportunity to use our inner squabbling to their advantage. There are consequences for everything. Just exactly how those consequences will play out is anybody's guess at this point, but I hope that the government and those pushing the rebelliousness will give due thought to their words and actions.

Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. - George Santayana

I hold it, that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. - Thomas Jefferson

If we should promise people nothing better than only revolution, they would scratch their heads and say, 'Isn't it better to have good goulash?' - Nikita Khrushchev

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. - H.L. Mencken

The overwhelming pressure of mediocrity, sluggish and indomitable as a glacier, will mitigate the most violent, and depress the most exalted revolution. - T.S. Eliot

It is possible for a single individual to defy the whole might of an unjust empire to save his honour, his religion, his soul, and lay the foundation for that empire's fall or its regeneration. - Mahatma Gandhi

Balloon Surprise

As I was getting my first cup of coffee about 6:30 this morning, I glanced out the window to a balloon landing in the field behind the house. How cool!! I grabbed my camera and began taking pictures. If you've never heard the sound a balloon burner makes, think huge dragon with a severe breathing problem. It's a very scary sound if you don't know what it is. I had let my little dog out to see what was making that strange noise and she of course started barking at it, then she ran and hid under the table on the patio. I let her back into the house and she headed straight underneath the bed, just barely peeking ner nose out to look at me, the little coward! It was too funny.

After landing the balloonist performed a charming little ceremony to show thanks for a safe landing, popping the cork on a bottle of champagne with which to drink a toast. To the side helpers were taking the balloon down.

I found watching the balloon deflate to be very unsettling to me. It lurched like a drunken sailor as the hot air quickly rushed out and cooler air replaced it, allowing the silky, brightly colored material to sink to the ground. Unwieldy and vulnerable as it awkwardly lay down on its side, it seemed dangerously exposed to any sudden gust of wind or other calamity.

You will note the neighbor hasn't mowed the field down yet this year and there is the usual forest of 7-10 ft. tall thistles spread out everywhere. Before deflating the balloon a man was out pulling thistles up in the path of the balloon so it wouldn't land on them and tear it. The whole process was quite interesting to watch, especially since they were close enough for me to hear what was being said. Sound carries beautifully on the clear morning air.

As I was looking at the pictures afterwards, I saw a lesson in the photos and thought I'd share it here. As I pondered the pics and the unsettled feeling I was experiencing, I began to see a parallel to life in this little tableau. God was talking. I chose to listen.

Many people are like that balloon drifting through life blown about by the gentle breezes, putting down here and there. Being up on the heights like that is a heady thing that gives you a whole different perspective on life. And then there's the coming back to earth part where you land in a forest full of thistles, i.e., danger.

To me the thistles represent the presence of sin in the world. It's unavoidable. It's dangerous and threatening. You can pull a few up here and there, but their twins are standing just a few feet away, ready to burst into full bloom and spread their seeds wherever the wind will take them. Seeds of rebellion, violence, discontent, gossip, depression and even foolishness, are like those thistles. You can work at getting them out of your life but there is more just waiting in the wings to take over if you don't stay actively vigilant. The bible says the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

I'm truly not a pessimist, but I like to think I'm a realist. Reality is often very disturbing and some people prefer to remain up in the air above it, ignoring it's very existence. Realists see that as a dangerous position to remain in as it leaves you exposed and vulnerable to any enemy looking for an opportunity to wreak havoc. It also leaves you defenseless. Not a good thing.

It's interesting how there are lessons in every thing around us, how God is constantly talking to us. Unfortunately, we often don't listen because of distractions, busyness, and just plain doubt and unbelief. Few seem to even see the roses anymore, let alone take time to stop and smell them. What a pity.

Your comments are welcome. Please feel free to do so below.

A Change of Heart



Mother is dying. I can't stop it. She can't stop it. And neither can the doctors. Short of a miracle from the Lord, soon she will be gone from this physical world.



Photo by Susan Leslie



It seems the majority of people with cancer linger. That is, they die slowly, bit by bit. My dad died almost instantly of an aneuryism sixteen years ago, and I've often asked the Lord to let me die quickly like that, especially since going through this journey of being mom's 'caregiver' through the last year and a half. It's been a very painful time on so many levels for both of us. I've thought of my own children possibly having to go through something similar with me down the road and it tears my heart apart.

But recently I've had a change of heart.

I would never have understood what I now know without having gone through the last eighteen plus months. The situation has caused me to examine my thinking and my way of doing things and make some much needed changes. The emotional upheaval we have both experienced at times has been shockingly horrible and scary, but without this time and opportunity to work things through, neither one of us would be at the place of peace in which we now find ourselves. We have finally, after all these years, become comfortable with one another. What a precious gift from the Lord! But for the grace of God.

All of this is a reminder that no matter how awful or terrible, how frighteningly scary and out of control a situation may be to us, or how blind we may be to everything but what we are currently going through, the Lord is unceasingly, lovingly at work in the background making all things work together for our good. When we enter into that place of rest in the here and now, we see death for what it is—a temporary rite of passage that moves us from the temporal to the eternal, reminding us that the sting of death truly is swallowed up in victory. Death becomes merely a doorway into that place of continued, eternal, sweet rest in the arms of our Lord. And therein lies our hope.

I am a Writer!

I am working my way through a 15-day course called the Great Writers Series by Jeff Goins and today is day 1. The challenge for today is to declare yourself a writer. You have to believe and declare, and not necessarily in that order.

What we really believe in our hearts plays such an important role in our lives every day. It is out of those heart-held beliefs that we think, do and say; how we respond or react in any given situation. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he," says the Bible.

We need to know what we know but I don't think very many people really do. From my life and observations I think we all live out of a faulty perception of self because it's scary and a lot of hard work to face the things buried inside everyone of us.

I have considered myself an artist but I'm still struggling with believing that I'm a writer, and a very prolific one even if most of it has been unread by others. So, today, I declare myself a writer!! Whoo-hooo!!

What do you believe to be true about yourself? What do you want to believe to be true about yourself? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Quote for the day:
Place your hand over your heart. Do you feel that? That's called a purpose. You're alive for a reason. Don't ever forget it! Don't ever give up!  - Lessons Learned in Life

Introducing Ramblin Susan

I ran the name for this blog by my mother. She thought it was appropriate. I'm not sure I want to delve into why she smiled as she said that. And so, we begin…

We all have perceptions about ourselves and our world and those perceptions are unique to each one of us. I perceive myself as a student of life, a creative individual—mom, artist, writer, photographer, etc.—who loves the joy of discovery and constantly growing into a more well-rounded person. I've been learning about blogging so this is my 'doing' part.

Combining words with graphics is my favorite thing to do. My current project involving those two things is my very own illustrated book of quotes coffee table book. The picture at right is the cover

I love quotes and have been collecting for quite some time now so it was past time to do something with them. There is also a perpetual calendar of quotes project in the works as well, but it's still more in the planning stage.

It's always interesting to see how others perceive us and I'm looking forward to getting some feedback while hopefully getting a myriad of opportunities to meet new people.

One last thought (excerpt from a poem by Marilyn Maciel, called “clothesline”)

i

you

us

them

those people

wouldn’t it be lovely

if one could

live

in a constant state

of we?

some of the most

commonplace

words

can be some of the biggest

dividers

they

what if there was

no they?

what if there

was only

us?