new work, 2010
A Book of Silence, by Sara Maitland, is an exploration of silence. The author found herself falling in love with silence. She explored the cultural history of silence, the importance of silence in religions,and its use in artistic expression. Could it be, that in surrounding our self in silence, our listening and looking becomes enhanced?"As time passes, I increasingly realize there is an interior dimension to silence, a sort of stillness of heart and mind which is not a void, but a rich space." Sara Maitland, A Book of Silence
All rock photos were taken in Kyoto, Japan October 2009
All rock photos were taken in Kyoto, Japan October 2009
"All things are symbolic by their very nature and all talk of something beyond themselves."
Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton
"Stones have always been associated with the eternal and the ageless." Mark Peter Keane
The Art of Setting Stone
The Art of Setting Stone
What is it about stone that attracts me? Is it the surface textures? the subdued colors? the timeless feel of eternity? The effect of time on stone is so slow, almost discernible. The mystery, the history of the stone fascinates me. When I look at stone I see the natural stains, the cracks, formations and surface textures. How can I incorporate this mystery, this seeming silence into my artwork?
STONE by Charles Simic
I have seen sparks fly out
When two stones are rubbed,
So perhaps it is not dark inside after all;
Perhaps there is a moon shining
From somewhere, as though behind a hill--
Just enough light to make out
The strange writings, the star-charts
On the inner walls.
47 comments:
charles simic:
stealer of stone hearts and mine, it seems.
keeping company with stones
is keeping company with eternity, from such a distant place that
still resides in me.
we hear it in silence,
we feel it in stones~
and you release it in this gathering of images and ideas!
Stones and silence, sort of like water and wet. Just seems to be an inherent quality. I think because stone is so impervious to the passage of time, silence is the natural way it expresses it's impassive response.
Yet that silence calls loudly to some like yourself. You've obviously caught a glimpse of that shining moon.
Very nice contemplative posting...
Beautifully expressed and presented! I, too, have a love affair with stones. On the professional side, I was a geologist for several decades and loved learning how rocks originate and alter with time. But, even from the scientific perspective I could appreciate the beauty of them. As an artist, even more so.
Silence...how I love silence. It takes a rather long time to get to the silence I enjoy. The place of voiceless conversation... I depend on in art making.
For me stones hold the very same silence.Thank you for this subject and the lovely quotes.
Mary Ann
I crave silence more than sound most of the time - especially this time of year .... lovely post
I think rocks hold creation in them
and they are silent about it
how could I not be drawn to them?
loved this post
Thankyou for this. I have been sweeping up leaves this morning, so came back to say that your post stayed with me and I 'looked' at the rock that surrounds me here, really looked. Such colours!
As I age I crave periods of complete silence. But need to come back to beloved people afterwards.
such a beautiful post. the thoughts, the photos. Very interested in this Maitland book. Her name sounds so familiar. I am at this moment experiencing profound silence. I live alone. And now that my neighbor/brother is gone for 3 months, I am alone on a dirt road in the snow and middle of nowhere with two silent cats. They rarely meow. My chance to experience myself in isolation and silence.
Love the photos too. And I think I've before said I adore Kawabata and read most of his books a number of years ago.
Your posts are always an artwork in themselves in the way you put them together, the words, ideas and pictures. Thank you, suki
I curse the snow when I have to drive in it; but find that the snow blankets the earth in more than whiteness. It creates a blanket of silence. Silence draws me like nothing else.
Your post was a lovely reminder of how special silence is.
Oh what a beautiful collage, Donna! Exactly what I needed today. It seems like aeons since I worked in silence and I'm hankering for it. A few days would be good :-) I'm loving this post .... and the rocks .... they are silent yet they do speak to me.
A Book of Silence has been on my wishlist for over a year now..... time to order it I think.
I'll be thinking of you both this weekend! Lucky ducks!
Your stone photos are exquisite! Ah, yes, silence. Is there any sanity or creative power without some time spent in silence?
Beautiful, thoughtful post Donna. Thanks for introducing me to Charles Simic.
True silence is very hard to achieve and after Christmas festivities, something I crave!
Your collage brings peace. So does silence.
Greetings Donna,
Another wonderful post and I appreciate you sharing your latest book with us.
I have always felt that was more to be heard in silence and in the spring of 2008 I wrote in my notebook the following three lines:
In randomness there is order
in the unseen there is beauty
in silence there are voices . . .
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Egmont
Love the new collage.
the light inside the stillness...
I've also been exploring this idea of stopping to listen..what better place to go than to a stone!!!
you show us how much there is in what is not always apparent
thanks so much for the super black bean soup recipe. it does sound easy. I've made black bean soup starting from scratch (the hard beans) but this one so easy will try it soon.
Stones, rocks, pebbles whatever the size or name I am attracted to this aspect of our earth. The attraction has been long and deep and I suspect it comes from my explorations as a child. I'm also a lover of silence, quietness, etc. With your beautiful painting at the beginning this has been a wonderful post for a snowy Saturday morning.
It's good to love stones& rock when you live on an island that is affectionately referred to as "The Rock":)
Donna -- what a wonderful posting this is. Your new work possesses a delicacy and strength--beautiful! I am going to track down Maitland's book (thanks for that); love the quote by Kawabata, an amazing writer. I am currently reading Ellen Meloy's The Anthropology of Turquoise and she writes, too, of her love of stones -- I highly recommend it!
Neva's quote from Charles Simic is the perfect addition for this post and your collage speaks of silence and calm, beautiful piece. Thank you for sharing it.
I just amazoned a copy of Sara's book to a close friend, Jane Dunnewold. Many of her pieces of artcloth also give you pause for silence.
Thank you for the images and the book info.
Hi Donna,
Your love affair with textures is anything but silent in your new piece and the convergence of pieces near or at the 'golden mean' speak volumes! What is the size?
Lovely post. There is something special about stones.
Silence is a wonderful thing to experience..We learn so much more about our self.
Stones, you just have to love them.
Katelen
Wonderful post, all of it. The quotes, your observations and thoughts and the book. I like the concept of silence being a 'rich space' instead of something that is empty.
Such magnificent shots of the stones. It must have been so special to see these in person. A beautiful collage as well!
Your new work is a beautiful combination of textures, lights and darks. Your elegant stone photos reveal a stately and serene presence that speak for the ages. The messages of silences are everlasting.
(I gmailed you to thank you for your comments on my blog, but it bounced back. I do so appreciate your kind words.)
Lovely collage Donna and beautiful post too.
I made a "quiet" artist book once, that lead to a series of quiet pieces...it was a necessity to do at that time. Almost like meditation. I often refer back to those pieces, when I have the need. Will look into that book by Sara Maitland too. :)
The restful negative spaces around art is the silence, defining what is there to be heard so much more...
Wonderful post. I too am drawn to rocks and not just as bones in a garden. They are alive in their dense gravity.
I find peace in silence but also in the overstimulation of music. ADD I am sure, sometimes.
Going to Saks to buy a waxwig....
I just love coming here! Thanks for having such a peaceful and inspirational place to visit.
Hi Donna,
Thanks for another beautiful, thoughtful, and inspiring post. The Book of Silence sounds interesting and I will look for it - silence and solitude are difficult to cultivate in this over-busy world. DZ
exquisite collage.
Wouw Donna,what a beautiful,inspirational,informative,tasteful and creative place you have here, like invitation to a fine gathering,thank you for this and for your visit to my world,thanks to Ken too! Wonderful to walk around here.Have a nice day,greetings Aleksandra
I feel a beautiful reverence here...
Hi Donna;
as always your work and writing bring me to a peaceful place. Having been a single woman until age 46. Only to inherit a large growing family that now contains 22 grandchildren. A portion of which are continually in and out of our home... well lets just say I am in the process of renewing that relationship with silence as often as I can. I find this post very intriguing. Plan to order the book. Thanks for sharing.
thanks too for stopping by and letting me know that since the format of my new blog is so different (even though I run it through blogger) I needed to make sure people know how to post there. TEAWINGS is sort of my note book where I store "stuff". I will keep it open and occasionally post there too. But at this point I am much more interested in keeping a blog centered on art and papermaking.
Hope to someday meet you in person (perhaps on one of your trips to NYC)
Blessings,
Rosalind
PS: the work is absolutely beautiful.
What a beautiful and inspiring post. I just love coming here, you always have such wonderful things to share. Your photos are amazing! Enjoyed the visit today...
I love your new collage, Donna!
Stones are the natural historians, recording the passing of time, in their layers. Maybe because some, such as granite, come forth with such force, violent, aggressive and and thundering, they have made their verbal statement and seek the silence. Others like sandstone, use silence to build their form, unobtrusive and sedate. A lesson we may all learn, to use silence to inform our work.
Your new piece speaks of calm.
Ah, you've chosen a favorite but almost-forgotten poem of mine. Thank you for reminding me of that one.
I believe I need to read that book about silence. I was once at a retreat where we practiced silence and it was a rich experience.
The quietude of your new work "speaks" to me.
Hi,
This is my first visit to your blog (I came here via ZenDotStudio) and , well, wow.
My Dharma name is Seok Jeong. That's Korean and means (as in the Chinese characters you can hopefully see here) 'Upright Stone'.
So, wow, instant spark there.
Thank you.
Marcus / Seok Jeong
Thank you for posting your wonderful photos of the Japanese stone creations.They bring back so many memories. Your collage echoes the simplicity of them. Serenity. Beautiful.
Great shots of the stones...I am very intruiged by the book of silence..what an interesting concept...It gives me an idea for a class.. thanks for the inspiration...
XOXOrly
Dear Donna,
After reading your wonderful post, I purchased and just received Sara's book....can't wait to dive into it. Also, sending one to Jane. Thank you for such an interesting and thoughtful blog.
Best to you.
Silence and stones. Your thoughts, words and quotes are serene, like the quietness inside of us, if we listen. Beautiful post. roxanne
just beautiful post, Donna so serene and the eternal nature of stone for me creates a sense of security. thank you for this.
Beautiful post & the pictures if you stop enough at them are able to bring to you a sense of stillness. Each and everytime I have slowed down enough to let silence touch me, I have been gifted. It is so beautiful that you just dont want to come back. Thank you for this beautiful post.
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