Weekly Quick Collage: Yellow-legs in Manitoba Slough

Yellow-legs in Manitoba Slough

collage, 7 x 5.5 inches

The love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyond reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only paradise we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need, if only we had the eyes to see ...  No, wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, as vital to our lives as water and good bread.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    ~ Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire

It is only when we are aware of the earth and of the earth as poetry that we truly live.

                                                                                         ~ Henry Beston, 1935, Herbs and the Earth

Drawing Challenge: Cocoon

This week's drawing challenge, hosted by Patrice, is COCOON. An fascinating concept to me, since much of my art has transformation, or metamorphosis, as a continuing theme. A cocoon is something that protects and provides safety as that process takes place, until the new, transformed being is ready to emerge.

Chrysalis I

I am currently in a particularly transformative and difficult period of my life. Major change is always a challenge for me; it feels safer to cling to the status quo, to stay where I am rather than venture into new territory. For many of us, change is scary.  For me, it is a struggle not to let that fear rule my life.

Chrysalis II

I recently read a truly moving and inspiring post about fear on Crystal Neubaur's wonderful blog. Her writing on the subject is both eloquent and thoughtful; it gave me some important insights and made me feel less alone.  I strongly encourage you to read this wonderful piece here.

One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do.                                                            ~ Henry Ford

There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.                                                                                                 ~Anais Nin


Head over to Patrice's beautiful blog to see more interpretations of COCOON.

Drawing Challenge: Sixes and Sevens

"Sixes and sevens" is a phrase I've heard, but never really gave much thought to.  When I found out it was this week's drawing challenge, I just had to look it up; inquiring minds like mine want to know. According to Wikipedia, "To be "at sixes and sevens" is a British English idiom used to describe a state of confusion or disarray."

The origin of the phrase seems uncertain, but here are a couple of theories:
"The phrase probably derives from a complicated dice game called 'hazard' ....These [originally five and six] were considered to be the riskiest numbers to shoot for ...., and those who tried for them were considered careless or confused."  Wikipedia goes on to say that, "A similar phrase, "to set the world on six and seven", is used by Geoffrey Chaucer in his 'Troilus and Criseyde". It dates from the mid-1380s and seems from its context to mean "to hazard the world" or "to risk one's life". William Shakespeare uses a similar phrase in 'Richard II': "But time will not permit: all is uneven, And every thing is left at six and seven"."

It's Not That Easy

mixed media, 6.25 x 5 inches

I think I understand what it means to be "at sixes and sevens".  About a year ago, I was forced to take disability early retirement, due to stress-related health problems that wouldn't resolve. I don't want to get too serious here, but my whole life suddenly seemed upside-down and backwards. Everything was  uneven and out of balance. I struggled to find some meaningful shape or form to fit my life into, some way to rise above the 'confusion and disarray', and still do at times. I spent a long time 'at sixes and sevens', but am finally starting to make some sense of it. Making art continues to be one of my saving graces.

" All great changes are preceded by chaos."                                ~ anonymous


To see more interpretations of the "Sixes and Sevens" theme, visit our hostess Nadine's blog, tinyWOOLF.

Drawing Challenge: Shinrin Yoku

Shinrin Yoku is something I do a lot, though I hadn't known those words for it until Veronica named it the theme for her drawing challenge.

Shinrin Yoku is a Japanese phrase that translates as "forest bathing."

" A forest bathing trip involves visiting a forest for relaxation and recreation while breathing in volatile substances, called phytoncides (wood essential oils), which are antimicrobial volatile organic compounds derived from trees... It has now become a recognized relaxation and/or stress management activity in Japan." (Wikipedia, Forest bathing)

Also called "forest medicine" and "forest therapy", shinrin yoku has been promoted by the Forest Agency of the Japanese government since 1982.

It turns out that scientific evidence supports the idea that spending time in a forest is good for your health.

 "A  2007 study by researchers at Kyoto University's Graduate School of Medicine found that 'forest environments are advantageous with respect to acute emotions, especially among those experiencing chronic stress. Accordingly, shinrin-yoku may be employed as a stress reduction method, and forest environments can be viewed as therapeutic landscapes.'" ("Shinrin-yoku:The Japanese Art of Forest Bathing" by Stephen Robert Morse)

 Here I am, shinrin yoku beside the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park.

My favorite  place for shinrin yoku is at Shabo-Mekaw, our 60-acre tract of gorgeous forest in Lewis County, Kentucky.

It's the perfect place to let go of my stress and just be in the moment, letting the forest 'bathe' me in its peace and beauty.

Being there never fails to calm me and give me a fresh perspective on whatever problems I may be facing. Somehow, spending time with a huge, ancient tree makes my worries seem insignificant.

So thank you, Veronica, for introducing me to the wonderful concept of "forest bathing."



To see other interpretations of shinrin yoku, go to Veronica's wonderful blog for all the links!

Invisible Influence

Invisible Influence

collage, 7.25 x 6.75 inches

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which  kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would not otherwise occur."
                                                                   ~ W. H. Murray, The Scottish Himalayan Expedition



"When we are writing, or painting, or composing, we are, during the time of creativity, freed from normal restrictions, and are opened to a wider world, where colors are brighter, sounds clearer, and people more wondrously complex than we normally realize."
                                                                                                     ~ Madeline L'Engle

Weekly Quick Collage: Biosphere

Biosphere

collage, 4 x 5 inches

“The question is whether any civilization can wage relentless war on life without destroying itself, and without losing the right to be called civilized.”

                                                                                                         ~ Rachel Carson


“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”
                                                                                                     ~ Theodore Roosevelt


“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed."                                                                                                                                 ~ Mahatma Gandhi   

When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.

                                                                                                                ~ John Muir

Weekly Quick Collage: Reverie

Reverie

collage, 8.5 x 7.25 inches

Down near the bottom

of the crossed-out list

of things you have to do today,

between "green thread"

and "broccoli" you find

that you have penciled "sunlight."

Resting on the page, the word

is as beautiful, it touches you

as if you had a friend

and sunlight were a present

he had sent you from some place distant

as this morning -- to cheer you up,

and to remind you that,

among your duties, pleasure

is a thing,

that also needs accomplishing

Do you remember?

that time and light are kinds

of love, and love

is no less practical

than a coffee grinder

or a safe spare tire?

Tomorrow you may be utterly

without a clue

but today you get a telegram,

from the heart in exile

proclaiming that the kingdom

still exists,

the king and queen alive,

still speaking to their children,

- to any one among them

who can find the time,

to sit out in the sun and listen.  

                                                                                           by Tony Hoagland