Friday, January 30, 2015

Connections

Dreams, cold wax and oil paints, by Donna Watson

"Every thing is raw material.  Everything is relevant.  Everything is usable.  Everything feeds into my  creativity.  But without proper preparation, I cannot see it, retain it, and use it."
--- Twyla Tharp

 image arranged by Donna Watson

"Do stuff.  Be clenched, curious.  Not waiting for inspiration's shove or society's kiss on your forehead.  Pay attention.  It's all about paying attention.  Attention if vitality.  It connects you with others.  It makes you eager.  Stay eager."
--- Susan Sontag

image arranged by Donna Watson

"I do believe in the everyday sort of magic --- the inexplicable connectedness we sometimes experience with places, people, works of art and the like;  the eerie appropriateness of moments of synchronicity; the whispered voice, the hidden presence, when we think we're alone."
--- Charles de Lint

 image arranged by Donna Watson

"The beauty of a fragment is that it is still supports the hope of brilliant completeness."

 image arranged by Donna Watson

"Stop thinking about art works as objects, and start thinking about them at triggers for experience."
--- Brian Eno

 image arranged by Donna Watson

"If we look carefully we can find a thread that links it all together--- links our dreams and the stories on the news, links the trivial, the mundane, the sensational.  There is a thread that is our collective destiny, and it is inside each of us as well as in the world around."
--- Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee 

 image arranged by Donna Watson

It doesn't have to be 
the blue iris, it could be 
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn't 
a contest but a doorway
into thanks, and a silence in in which
another voice may speak.
--- Mary Oliver

24 comments:

Paris Rendez-vous and Beyond said...

Really beautiful post Donna.

Says it all. Little gems of wisdom!

Now off to vote (Queensland elections).....would rather read your blog tho!!! Something about politicians....praps they should read your blog too.

R

Tammie Lee said...

lovely and inspiring images.
the quotes were a joy to consider.

thank you ~

Sue Marrazzo Fine Art said...

What great quotes and ideas. They made me think! My mind was in overload = ) thanks!

Velma Bolyard said...

yes, donna, i hear it, "go and make things!"

Valerianna said...

Wonderful images and words. And Mary Oliver always amazes me. With such simplicity and authenticity, she just hits it.

Magdalena said...

Thank you Donna for reminding me to be in now, to see, to hear.

artpropelled said...

A great way to start my day! Thanks Donna.

Jennifer said...

I always love your posts. They're a feast for the senses yet very calming and thoughtful - thought provoking as well. Thank you.

George said...

I love this post, Donna, love your artwork, love your approach to creativity, and love the inspirational quotes.

Caterina Giglio said...

a very zenful post... thank you...

Peggy said...

Nothing like waking up on a Saturday morning to one of your post. Looking forward to your Portland workshop in March. Can't wait to meet you.

kathleen Botsford said...

so lovely and calm. I agree, perfect way to start the day...

Jo Murray said...

You have some wonderful toys to play with, and don't you do them justice!

ELFI said...

ces tampons sont un outil formidable de créativité..

Barry said...

D - of course what would resonate with me is do stuff and pay attention - they little things count - thanks for sharing and the reminder.B

india flint said...

resonates here too. it's what my work is about, paying attention...

Ruth said...

I love the last few lines of the Mary Oliver - 'a silence in which another voice may speak.' You've brought together some beautiful words and images.

Fiona Dempster said...

Such a lovely gathering and harvest of thoughts and intentions Donna - I really like the fragments quote in the middle in red -is that yours? Thanks again for quiet beautiful spot to stop in a busy world.

Go well.

Judy Shreve said...

I am always calmed and inspired by your posts. Your beautiful artwork and quotes work so well together. Thank you!

Teri said...

These remind me of what Elizabeth Bunson is doing now. I bought a box of her "stripeys" last year too. Maybe there is a beach on every coast that they exist on...I'm going to have to keep my eyes ooen! I love the way you have placed everything so poetically.

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susan bowers said...

A beautiful collection of quotes and images Donna. All of them found me nodding and soaking in the words but I had an automatic smile when I read 'remain eager'. That really rings true for me because when the work becomes a chore and not something we can't wait to make or explore, it doesn't feel the same. I am a little in that place at the moment and looking forward to grabbing hold of that eagerness again ....

Bridgette Guerzon Mills said...

That Brian Eno quote really struck something in me- thanks Donna.

Emma said...

Lovely, slow breath is what it's all about. Beautiful pieces.