Go There.

I am not an artist. I just don’t have the talent. I wish I could look at a blank canvas and know exactly what to draw or where to go with my vision but such is not to be.

I was born a consultant of sorts. Meaning I can tell you what works and what doesn’t but I can’t create it myself. My skill set is much more in the performing arts spectrum rather than the artistry of paint, pencil and ink to canvas.I have always admired the art world though with its chic gallery shows and pedestrians lining up to be blown away by the abstracts, paintings and works of their favorite artists.

I used to think one had to possess a certain “eye” for understanding but as of late I realize it is what you make it. If you allow yourself to go there, things tend to take on a whole new meaning.Such was the case when I was doing research for a project and stumbled across the art works of Pierre Soulages.

He was born in 1919 and according to Claire Rosemberg of The Telegraph, is famously known for switching direction halfway through his career to emphasise how light is reflected from the colour black – a concept he calls “ultra black”, or outrenoir. Using thick layers of black paint, he scrapes and digs and etches using bits of rubber, spoons or tiny rakes to create smooth and rough textures that absorb or reject light, subtly changing monotonous black.He recently hosted his own gallery show, at Le Centre de Georges Pompidou in Paris in 2009 and at age 91, is still living and working in a flat in the South of France that overlooks the Mediterranean.(Pierre Soulage’s shadow painted by Klaus Guingand 2005)

When interviewed for his gallery show last year, Pierre said, “It is touching to see 63 years of my work brought together, but I don’t much like the word ‘retrospective’,” he added. “I am still painting, I have works drying in the studio.”

At 91, is that a testament to spending one’s life living out their dreams instead of waiting to pursue them? Perhaps.

Luella says…Dig a Little Deeper.

(all photos sourced from Pierre-Soulages.com)

I love his work. I would never have found him had I not been a bit idle.

Moral of this story, is to take a little more time out for yourself. Stop and absorb your surroundings, breathe, be present and notice the details.

Give that to yourself this Christmas.

Related Articles

• A year of astounding art discoveries (telegraph.co.uk)
• Arman Show in Paris Puts Spotlight on Everyday Objects (intransit.blogs.nytimes.com)
• La Roche House in France by Archiplein (design-milk.com)

Revisiting Old Adages.

I was searching for “new beginning-esque” photos to accompany my simple poem today and came across this dog. It made me instantly happy and I literally laughed out loud. I thought what better way to start this post then by giving that present to you.

The flowers above are blooming even though they are covered in ice and snow. I sort of feel like that lately. I am still job searching and it is starting to get frustrating. I am diligent in my process but lately feel a little less hopeful.

I know this will pass, it will make me stronger, things will work out as they should, everything happens for a reason but still…the waiting patiently process is getting difficult.

I have questions running around in my head constantly. Where is this road leading? How did I get here? Where will I professionally land? The truth is, I don’t know and I won’t know until I know. (See I told you this was frustrating)

I keep telling myself I have to believe there is an opportunity around the corner and that a bright side is coming.

When we were in San Francisco, our great friend Jason reminded me, that it is the times when we are at the bottom, that opportunity and newness spring forth. To further his point he quoted one of his favorite poems by Kipling, entitled IF.

It was so genuine and thoughtful and so I decided I wanted to pass it on to you.

 

 

Luella says…Something Old became Something New.

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run –
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man my son!

-By Rudyard Kipling

♦

 

I leave you (and myself) with the empowerment of patience and hope.

As Al Green said, ‘Keep on, keepin’ on.‘

Related Articles

• Inspirational Words of Wisdom for Everday Situations (suite101.com)
• Poetry Analysis: Rudyard Kipling’s “If” (brighthub.com)
• Live The Dream: We Can All Do It (socyberty.com)