Boro, hand painted rice papers, acrylic, 2009I am leaving for another visit to Kyoto very soon. My first visit was 2 years ago, in 2009. When I returned I began a new series of collages. The above collage was my first one completed after my visit. I know I have posted it before but I decided to include it here, because my first visit to Kyoto had a huge influence on my current body of work. I now approach my collage work like I work in my Zen gardens... like placing stones in the rock gardens.. with an eye towards balance and unity and rhythm and simplicity. Now I am going to Kyoto again.
I call my greenhouse my Zen house. It is part of me-- an extension of my art, my interests, my collections, my aesthetics.
In front of the Zen house is my collection of bonsai.
Inside the Zen House, is a corner with no plants, but some of my bird nests and rocks ...and containers that I love.
Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. --- Steve Jobs
The above bird nests are new additions to my greenhouse this summer. The round rocks are from a beach near Port Angeles, Washington.
The above weather vane is a new addition. It is a metal rabbit that has moss for "feet".
There is a door. It opens. Then it is closed. But a slip of light stays, like a scrap of unreadable paper left on the floor, or the one red leaf the snow released in March. --Jane Hirshfield
I love to collect bird nests, and bird cages... but empty bird cages. And rocks...."We work in the dark. We do what we can. We give what we have. Our doubt is our passion, and our passion is our doubt. All the rest is the madness of art. -- Henry James
I am going to Kyoto with an open mind. I have no idea what to look for, or what I am looking for but I know that important journeys begin that way.
And you wait, await the one thing
that will infinitely increase your life;
the gigantic, the stupendous,
the awakening of stones,
depths turned round toward you.
-- Rilke, The Book of Images
that will infinitely increase your life;
the gigantic, the stupendous,
the awakening of stones,
depths turned round toward you.
-- Rilke, The Book of Images
32 comments:
I wish you find in Kyoto that "something" you don't know yet, that special "something" you are not looking for but that you'll recognize when encountered...
Thank you for your advise on my visit to Kyoto last year; following your tips made the visit much more memorable, and for ever associated in my mind with you and your art.
I have butterflies at the thought of your trip to Kyoto because I know you will come back with wonderful photos, artifacts, experiences and ideas to share on your blog. The piece at the top is one of my favourites. I added this quote by Hermann Hesse to my Tumblr blog this morning.
“A longing to wander tears my heart when I hear trees rustling in the wind at evening.”
Happy wandering, Donna!
I wish you very inspiring and peacefull trip to Kyoto...
maybe you can find some wonderful kezo paper to your work...
my best regards
magdalena
Hi Donna
I hope that you have the most wonderful trip to Kyoto. The city is such a treasure trove I am sure you will come back enriched in many ways.
May you awaken many stones.
Happy days
Delwyn
D-one can't fail to find some inspiration in Kyoto - but with your eyes and your Zen approach I am sure you will find so much more. Enjoy and be transported. B
I wish you a wonderful journey and look forward to the stories...
Donna please enjoy your trip and know that we , the envious, await a report on all you see and do! I hope the weather is wonderful and Kyoto is full of delightful surprises.
As always for post has left me with a serene feeling of awe for what the day will bring.
have a great trip and come back refreshed and full of new ideasx I love your Zen greenhouse and every time l visit with you, l come away calm and relaxed. If only l could fit one in my flat!haxxlynda
ps..please not change of blog address
http://chocolatelifeandjazz.blogspot.com
is now my main blog.
xxlynda
Donna -- Thank you for the tour of your incredibly lovely yard and Zen house -- I'm transported! As always, your quotations are appropos and I especially love the one from Steve Jobs. Safe, creative travel wishes are sent your way.
As you know, I love your little Zen house! Another beautiful tour, filled with harmony and beauty.
Have a wonderful trip. So wise to go completely open. I look forward to hear of your magical, inspiring journey. Go, fill your well with new things! We look forward to what flows from the well on your return.
haave a wonderful journey. all that you make is so beautiful. More beauty to come. glad your bird cages are empty. i dont like to see caged birds. bon voyage.
Your zen house is like a visual meditation. What a beautiful place you have created.
I wonder what your open mindedness will bring you in Kyoto?
Safe journey Donna.
Wishing you a safe and inspiring journey. I look forward to hearing all about your trip and seeing the evidence on your blog and in the art that you create when you return.
il y a une âme du japon dans tes créations..
I know you will have an interesting trip. I love Kyoto, we hope to return in a year or so, Look forward to what emerges after you return.
Your zen gardens and your zen house with the red-orange door seem here as a taking-off point for you. Have wonderful journeys, be safe, be inspired.
roxanne
Wonderful, have an inspiring journey. Love the Zen house.... and all the collections. The bonsai collection looks beautiful. Do they live in the greenhouse in winter?
Love your Zen greenhouse!
I wish you a wonderful trip to Kyoto and I'm looking forward to hearing all about your journey.
Take care!
Thanks for the peek into your "Zen house." It's beautiful - and must be all the more so with sound and smell and touch as well.
Wishing you a very good voyage. I believe that what we're looking for and what we find come from within and without simultaneously.
Have an inspiring trip to Kyoto.
I am looking forward to seeing what you are inspired to do with all that you breathe in there.
I love the top collage.
Very nice atmosphere in your Zen house ! Have a good trip to Kyoto.
Mireille
Beautiful! Have a great wonderful journey!
Just wonderful !
A lovely wander through the garden and the zen house Donna - thank you. I wish you a wonderful, uplifting and quietly inspiring trip to Kyoto - it is a place to return to...go well.
and
we await the "depths turned round" for you...
inspirational awakeners carried with you
from Jobs, Rilke, Hirshfield, James, and the comments from LAYERS followers left here.
( and, i recall "mr. donna watson" commenting 2 years ago that he'd be going with you the next time. )
no doubt you are journeying by the time i saw this. travel well, as barry writes, and bring back stories and more to share.
Lovely Post! Have a great trip
Di
Donna, I fear I late wishing you a wonder filled trip, you are probably there having an amazing time. Look forward to seeing and reading about it. And I love your gardens and nests. Such a beautiful world you have created. Thank-you.
I hope that you're having a very inspiring time in Kyoto, Donna. The presentation of your Zen house and the texts you chose to accomany the pictures are a real symphony of beauty, silence and fantasies.
I am sure this stay in Kyoto will give you and your art new energies. And I look forward to seeing some of your new works!
I'm looking forward to your discoveries... I enjoy how you view life.
Love the bird nests.
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