Art begets art, don’t you think?
Of course, we may disagree on the definition of art. But I find the more I notice, the more I notice.
The more I write, the more I photograph, the more I dream.
The more I read, the more I feel, the more I write.
When you open up — even just a little — to noticing and noting, you are actually working your art muscle.
What I say is not new. It’s not an original thought. Many more experienced at attracting art have said it before I just did.
But I notice it happening to me.
I see poetry in my photographs, and color in my poems. The art of one lends itself to the other, and suddenly I feel as if I am getting somewhere.
It’s not that I am a constant rushing stream of good art. Some of it is just purge.
Pages filled with strike outs.
I look like this sometimes.
But then I laugh at myself. At my #selfie.
And I share it with you.
And my nervous heart strengthens a bit when you laugh along with me… in the knowing fully that you understand I’m half joking.
* * *
There’s something that gets in my way, though.
Thinking. Too much thinking. About getting somewhere with my art.
This, too, I notice.
It’s like that moment when I realize I am lucid dreaming and I know if I think too hard about it, I will wake up. So I try not to think — just breathe, I say — but this in itself is thinking.
POP!
Out of the dream.
Or, more simply, it’s like losing your cross-eyed stare once you finally become aware of the 3D image in a Magic Eye design. I see it! You cry. Then,
POP!
Back to staring at blurry peacock feathers.
What’s the real magic trick?
Minding your thinking, I suppose.
Noticing it, yes, but allowing thoughts to float away as easily as the 3D Magic Eye design.
Blur it away on purpose.
Master this, and become a Master.
A very nice post about how perception develops Over thinking affects us all. My book comes out on March 19th and I’d love you to let me know what you think 🙂
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Very exciting! Where is it available? Add a link please
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Art and the eye of the beholder. I think we don’t take enough time working our eye. We’re all too busy to stop. It looks like you’re doing great with yours, Jen.
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Thanks, Andra. Starting to pay attention more. Wish I was walking with you right now!
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Reminds me of John Gardner’s fiction lessons on staying in the narrative dream . . . that once you’ve let the reader out, it’s done. Lots of stress for the artist!
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Oooo I like this piece, Jen. Over-thinking – the devil in our time. We seem to have lost the pleasure of taking things at their face value – enjoying what hits the senses without analysing, rationalising and processing everything to the nth degree don’t you think. Ummmm – too much thinking, m’thinks can really get in the way
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This post really spoke to me, thank you! Over thinking is something I have always struggled with. I like what you said about opening yourself up – I believe that is key: opening your heart and opening your senses, taking notice and taking note. That is doable!
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