A stray thought...

and like a friendly dog, or a little lost kitty, i just grab ahold of it and start giving it food and water and a nice blanky to rest on.

"The only places we really fit in are the ones we make for ourselves." says the voice in my head.

That's it, my thought. Where it came from, I don't know.

I'm off to feed this thought and get it a cool drink, and a nice little throwrug for it to rest on.

Hope everyone is doing well on this hot summer night.

worth writing about...

I was lucky, and had a little bit of everything today (well, except art making, but I did gather some stuff for tomorrow). Plus, bonus- bad thunderstorms this evening after supper, and lightning struck just behind the kiln. I was standing on the deck beneath the eves looking right at it, saw the bolt and fireball and the concussion from the BANG! rocked me back. Now that's something you don't get to see every day. Gives a human a little reminder about their place relative to Big Nature.

the stuff of good days

a little work
a little play
a little rest
a little love
a little laughter
a little art
a little food
a little drink
a little sound
a little silence

Hope a little finds you today...

any given moment inside my head...

looks something like this:

cleaning out the cobwebs

Time to do a little rethinking and redesign.

I've been blogging for about 2 years; always small ponderings, in 3 different locations. I remember when i started i was going to call it "small ponderings: searching for truth in 20 words or less". Well, that didn't happen so much.

Looking back, most of what I write, while sincere, is just a bunch of thrashing about, trying to get to the (a) point. Rarely successful. Re-reading, I find it kind of tedious and maybe a little pretentious, and that is SO NOT me (or at least not how i see myself...ok, maybe I'm a little tedious, but not at all pretensious). I pick a piece at random, read it, and then think "so what and who cares?" The things I like the best in my blog tend to have the least words. I like to look back and see artwork, unexplained, unjustifed. Take it for what it is, or isn't.

I write a lot about trying to find a wholeness in life, how to reconcile and weave all the parts and pieces into a full cloth. I'm beginning to think maybe that's unrealistic; maybe better to shoot for a harmonious acceptance of all the fragments equally and let them be what they will. Seems like that might be a much more enjoyable situation than constant churning.

Also, I love a good story. I love reading them, I love hearing them. I'd like to be able to write them, 'cause i see them frequently, but it just doesn't seem like a strength of mine. Same with poetry: Gary Snyder, Paul Reps, the Chinese and Japanese nature poets and haiku artists- that's what I aspire to, that degree of clarity and the ablity to paint a picture with just a few words. Again, not my strong point. This is not self judgemental in the least, I think it's an accurate observation. If you want good stories and good writing, you should read the people in my links. They do it much better than me.

So, I'm thinking, after this post, much less words. Maybe more pictures of what I'm working on. I have a dear friend who said once, "don't tell me, show me..." Not bad advice. Sometimes words get in the way. So, more showing.

One of my fundamental beliefs about artmaking is that it's more important to do it than not. Whatever the media. To do it, and not get stuck and labels and expectations and response. More doing, less thinking, less talking, less writing. So I thought I might practice what I preach.

Paraphrasing Danny Gregory: "Do I, in fact, suck? And does it matter?" My answers are: probably so and probably not.

It's more important to do than not. So, here's to the return of doing.

Hope everyone is well and has a great evening!

Paused...

for reflection.

Hi ho, hi ho...

it's off to work I go, but not before listing my ever-changing suggestions for how to keep a smile on my face and song in my heart while being a working artist in this carnival world:

1. Start where you are
2. Work with what you have
3. Slow down
4. Pay attention
5. Cultivate a sense of humor and an appreciation of irony
6. Take naps
7. Drink water
8. Remember that control is an illusion
9. Be flexible
10. Show up on a regular basis
11. Add color in unexpected places

Have a great Sunday, wherever you are.

A Post from the Front...

A rare, "at work" post today...just to maintain my sanity and sense of humor.

My workdays consist of creating an environment and atmosphere where other people can realize their dreams and explore their potential. You might think it's exciting and fulfulling; mostly, it's dirty laundry, trash removal, and a lot of cleaning.

The best way I can describe it is by paraphrasing a Guy Clark tune:

" I'm talkin' bout a circus man,
I'm talkin' bout 3 rings
like 4 or 5 clowns in a washing machine..."

Give me one of those cool tophats, and a whip to crack, and I'm set...

Hope everyone has a good weekend, I'm off to herd cats...

My Hero for the week, maybe the year!

I think this would be someone worth knowing:

Matt

This world needs more artists, poets, singers, and wild uninhibited dancing in places near and far. Says me. Be sure to watch the dancing videos (links on his menu bar).

And since there's fireflies dancing in the meadow, I'm going to join them.

Have a great weekend!

(thanks to Lisa for getting me started chasing this dude down)

Monday Evening

Lots of work, the day is used up, mind is dull and ready for bed so not many words. Which I suppose is a relief to both my readers. In lieu of rambling pontification, I offer up the latest dabbles for you review and comment.

Hope everyone has a good evening and a pleasant tomorrow. Maybe the next entry will find me a little more communicative...

Shift in Time

Well, maybe not so much, but a lovely and unhurried day. Finally! This is the first day in weeks that I haven't felt beat upon by small people with big sticks. After getting going this morning and taking a short dog ramble down the hill, all the joints loosened up from yesterday's dragging and lifting and hauling and mowing, and by cup of coffee number 2 things were looking pretty good.

Today's activities included some painting (I seem to be doing a lot of it these days enjoying it immensely) reading and writing a few emails, contemplating dragonflies, and spending most of the day outside on our shady deck, with at least half the pet population, a few birds, and a good many hummingbirds present. Snacks here and there, a smidge of reading, and all seems pretty much right with the world.

Tomorrow is back to work, another long stretch. I think my goal will be to try to keep my head as empty as it is now, and for the love of all that is good and holy (or bad and unholy, depending on your preference) stay slowed down and try not to get so wound up. I think I must be prone to internal agitation, which can be stimulated by the smallest thing, then it feeds on itself. Not good. Gotta remember about position. Feel free to remind me of that the next time I start complaining, which if recent history serves as an example will be about Wednesday.

Hope everyone has a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon and evening. Maybe I'll post an image or two later. I even recorded some of the hummingbirds at the feeder (audio). Maybe I'll edit that down and do something and post it. Anyone want to hear a hummingbird close up and personal?

Ah, lazy Sunday. Pretty sweet, eh?

Position

The day has been spent working outside, mowing, roadwork, etc. Hot, humid, dealing with old fashioned heavy metal equipment, and now I'm a tired puppy. Clouds are rolling in, sure to thunder in a while.

Did some art yesterday, will photo and post later. I shot video a couple of days ago to work up for todays blogpost, just looked at it with the intent to edit, and it was awful, so that falls by the wayside. And not much time to do anything this afternoon as we are having someone up for dinner, so I need to get cooking in a bit. Just need me a few minutes of downtime, feet up, maybe doze, and some iced coffee and i'll be good to go.

I'm reading Yoko Ono's biography these days (Yoko Ono: YES) and it's very good. A smart, strong woman, underestimated and undervalued for her contribution to art and the exploration of human creative potential. She was quite the thinker too, I'm pleased to find out. Getting lots of pithy words, phrases and ideas to ponder over time. I offer up this quote for today as it rattled me pretty good, and seems to apply to how I've been thinking/feeling, and maybe others will find it helpful or inspiring too:

" Position is a way of changing life- not by changing life itself, but by changing how you view it."- Yoko Ono

Something to think about while working gravel in the hot sun...

Have a great day!

Friday Morning

Sun's up, birds are singing, hummingbirds are buzzing and the Ponderer is back on track (or as much as I ever am).

Last night, oh blessed SLEEP! And I am a new man. Another night like that and I'll be changing the world. Or at least my world.

Day off (YAHOO!). Some stuff to be made this morning, lunch and stories at the local diner with a couple of elderly friends, then home for more artmaking, and probably a little life maintenance before a late afternoon nap. "Sans souci, sans presse..." Or something like that.

Small projects to post, maybe this evening. Trying not to cloud the air with words. Right now, enjoying a bit of coffee and clarity in the morning light. So sweet!

Have a great day!

Today's Episode

Today's witty, informative, entertaining, engaging and enlightening post has been pre-empted by multiple vehicular mechanical failures (3 to be exact) which occupied my limited energy and attention this afternoon. We should return to our regular inconsistent schedule of posting tomorrow.

Until then, I hope everyone has a great evening. And tomorrow: Yea, FRIDAY!

Do I hear an AMEN???

Perception and Balance

Easily lost, hard to find.

A couple of days off, desperately needed for mental and physical health and well-being. Needing to slow down, chill out, make art, relax. First steps taken today. A slow and unplanned day, quiet coffee and walk in the morning, a little artmaking, some writing, snacking, napping, drinking of the sacred nectar of the agave in the twilight, and shrimps for supper. A good day, a good beginning to rest and recovery.

There is life mainteance to do (mowing, sawing, laundry, always laundry...) but it can wait. Right now the important thing feels like breaking the cycle of "doing" at high speed. To sit and listen to hummingbirds, watch the way rain splatters on the old deck boards, and see how many colors of purple can be found within a stones throw of the porch.

Sample of the today's art:




I did this, it was a little bit confusing, so I ripped it apart and it made more sense...





some of it ended up here





another part here...



More to come, but i'm in no big hurry (for a change).

Hope everyone is having good days and nights. Hasn't the moon been crazy cool lately???

And how it's feeling this afternoon...

Reality....








Dream...


Me and Lucy are going for a walk, then back for a nap. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

This from last Sunday

A few minutes of downtime this afternoon, preparing for the weekend's work. So here's what I did last Sunday, which I was going to write about at length, but that ain't gonna happen. So, feel free to make up your own story. It will certainly be as good as any one I could tell...

Ok, so I know it's Thursday....

And there's yet another big gap in my posting. Well, whatcha gonna do? Best intentions and all that. Long work days (and nights) have pre-empted posting of Sunday's blissful slow day of art making, and I have two things in the works to edit and post as soon as possible. But not now, for it's off to work I go, and tonight is an event night (auction) so I'll be late and tired returning to the roost again.

I guess it's just that time of year, I need to look back at last summer and see if I was this erratic. Probably. There's no lack of ideas and inspiration, just energy and time. No different from most folks I imagine.

It's been raining hard all night, lush and green and cool on the top of our mountain this morning. Oh how lovely it would be to linger up here for the whole day, reading and napping and being slow. But that's just a daydream (for now) and there's work to be done.

Off to it. Hope everyone is well and having ooodles of summer fun! More from the mountain soon. (I wonder if I would be more consistent just doing weekly episodes of this blog...and then there's my whole itching to redesign it anyways....ah...there goes my mind, awhirl on 17 different tangents...)

Monday morning sun peaking over the ridge,

Seen through the haze as I look out my window. It's going to be hot in the hills today.

Made some stuff this weekend, I'll post pics and stuff tonight hopefully. I'm about to dash out for work. Which will be wide open and demanding on time this week- a very late night tomorrow (4th of July is our biggest community event), Thurs night late because of an auction, then working all weekend to get ready for the next group of students arriving Sun. evening. The wheel keeps turning. The trick is not to get rolled over by it.

Hope everyone has a great day, and in case I fizzle out like a wet firecacker and don't post for a bit (slacker that I am) a fun holiday.

Other stuff I do

Clay work. From last year's firing. I only fire once or twice a year, usually around Thanksgiving and then sometimes before March. I brought all these out to photo for something else today, and figured if I say I make stuff, I should show it.