A good week for looking back and moving forward. A neighbor told me of old friends still coming to town to do workshops together. Lee and I would have them over for dinner and share what we were making. The neighbor told me they asked after me and then proceeded to talk me into going to visit them. I thought of all the excuses I could to not go…just stay home and leave the past in the past. It had been maybe fifteen or more years since we were together. Lots happened in those years. But I went anyway (in spite of myself). Naturally, I got involved with the students projects. Old habits of teaching and listening surfaced. The person who bought my house came in to visit a friend and we caught up on how they were doing. I am so grateful they love the house so much. I spent over an hour catching up with them and making a slight agreement to come back next week when one of them is assisting a class on natural pigments. It was a good visit. And here we are. Sally, Sandy and Ida.
I also went to the writing group at the Hiawassee Library called Shut Up and Write, an international organization that encourages just writing, no reading, no critiques…just write for an hour and go home! Each time I go, I find I have an interesting bit of writing when I leave. Preoccupations with getting old have dominated, but also an open mind to other ideas that need to get written down before I lose the will or ability. I played with the poem about Ralph and his neighbor a bit more to get the rhythm right. The poetry group enjoyed it. Now I am starting on the next picture of drawing into the negative space between Eucalyptus leaves. It is fun to do the drawing first and then write the words that a child can get caught up in.
The Dimming S. Webster
The light is leaving.
A soft mist seeps along the edges
of what I am trying to see,
what I wanted to talk about.
Words stumble out
in barely heard whispers
of feelings rushing
to beat the silence
of darkness.
The negative space drawing reminded me of two books I made several years ago. I have found them and am considering publishing through Amazon so they are available again. Last time each one was printed and assembled at home. Most went and were sold to Australian friends. So far I have not found the original drawings but have been able to photograph the pages of my copies of Lost Time and Down the Rabbit Hole. Originally the Rabbit one had no words. I counted on the “reader” to follow the story of a spiteful farmer seeking the rabbit who only shows kindness in return. This next time I will add a minimum of text so it can be read aloud as the images tell the story. Both were illustrated using chemically rusted papers leaving evocative spaces for drawing in my ideas of the story. Here are a few of those drawings.
Lost Time
Down the Rabbit Hole.
Later today I will search for the original drawings and get some proper photos of them to resize and adjust contrast.
I have way too many papers left in my stash. Somehow, like most old artists, I thought I would use all the things I brought with me. No, I am not. And furthermore have no interest in making more things that take up space. I have been thinking of just the right person to hand them off to. My writing and drawing in sketchbooks is enough for me now…that and having a nice drink before dinner.
Well, at least there are more pictures in this post than last week. Now off on the search for old drawings. Which reminds me, my pregnant hairdresser will be getting the last poster I made many years ago called, ABCs in the Woods.
Okay, enough.
Til later….