After a week or so of plus seven temperatures (almost jean jacket weather), a heavy snow descends. A night of tossing found me retreating to the red couch where I watched the snow fall. If you lie down with your head in front of the window it looks like the snow is going to fall on you. Almost. I dream of a house by the ocean with green smells, wave noises and birds flying overhead.
I miss the birds. But they will find me again curled up in the purple hammock.
***********
I read in "Learning by Heart" that the root word for "amateur" comes from the latin "amare", meaning "to love". It implies that when we approach the things we are drawn to naturally we do it from a genuine place, a place of love. The place of openess where anything can happen. "When we pursue a thing for love, we are free to fumble and make mistakes. The couse of our work may not run smoothly, but we are open to possiblities, embracing everything we have contact with."
We must strive to approach the work as an amateur. Sometimes that can be difficult because the brain wants to save us from failure. "RETREAT!" it yells, "you are pearched precariously close to disaster." That may be true. I recognize that I still struggle greatly with embracing the hard bits. But I know for sure that i AM learning something. I AM growing.
Open to the possibilities (amidst the fears).
Posted by kerismith at February 10, 2005 09:54 AMRain is coming-more like a downpour and not stop!
Posted by: Maggie on February 12, 2005 10:44 PMIt's cold out here at the edge of the continent in Nova Scotia. The North Atlantic is pretty wild and the waves and wind was crashing and bashing our little house all night long.
Love your bird and tree!
Posted by: Lani on February 12, 2005 04:17 PMKeri,
so so true!
I love your little birdie with its striped tree :-)
It radiates a happiness and warmth and one can hear the little "chirp,chirp".
Why is it that artists are drawn to birds I wonder.
Carpe diem,
~tine.
right on sista
Posted by: Kim on February 11, 2005 07:37 AMIt's been in the mid-70's here in Southern California. Pretty nice, I must say.
Posted by: terence on February 11, 2005 03:52 AMKeri,
I wish that I could write a comment that would somehow come close to the loveliness that your post has invoked within my consciousness. Suffice it to say that I have been pondering this concept all week, perhaps all my adult life. I say ADULT life, because the idea of just doing what comes naturally, doing what you love, is obvious to a child. I have also been resting in the awareness that anything can happen. Growing up nestled close in the arms of a very loving but VERY overprotective mother, I was always told..."Be Careful!, Anything Can Happen!!!"...as in car wrecks, malaria, financial doom, etc... True. But on the same note, good things can also happen...and do. Things like...falling in love, landing a killer job, the kindness of a stranger, book deals, meeting your hero, finding twenty dollars in the pocket of an old pair of jeans...and yes...even a bird finding you in your hammock on a spring morning after a long winter.
Good things HAPPEN!!!
Thank you Keri, for happening.
I should have warned you the snow was coming your way, the same thing happened here. One day I was out with a sweatshirt on, washing my car and detailing it, the next day I was out using the snowblower on the driveway and sidewalks! The following day it was still snowing but started to melt. I was none to happy that I hadn't even driven my car (a black Pontiac Grand Prix) after I had washed it, before it was covered in slush again. My inside Ontario sources keep me posted as to the weather there and you do seem to get everything we do here, just a few days later.
Your site has continued to inspire me just to "do" and not think about which direction I am going. I am heading in some surprising directions already. Thanks!
Posted by: Maggie on February 11, 2005 12:12 AMI received my first journal from Exlibris Anonymous! Thank you soooo much for sharing!
Posted by: Pinky on February 10, 2005 07:12 PMIsn't it such a shame that the word amateur has come to have shades of derision in its meaning. Amateurs do what they do for the love of it. Our western society is so focused on the money that can be derived from an activity that amateurs are seen to be a bit strange. How sad!
Posted by: Robyn on February 10, 2005 06:10 PMYou must not like wine. Otherwise you would certainly have known the meaning of amateur.
Posted by: eliane on February 10, 2005 05:30 PMThat illustration is so cute! I'm jealous.
Posted by: Katey on February 10, 2005 02:13 PMRama told me the same about the word "amateur" but I'd almost forgotten. Thank you for reminding me! xoxo
Posted by: christine on February 10, 2005 12:58 PMKeri,
I'm working my way through your book "Living Out Loud" and I'm really enjoying it. Thanks for being a reminder to be CrEaTiVe!
I live on an island w/ the ocean at my fingertips all the time. I sometimes forget and take all the beauty around me for granted. But the ocean is heavenly. The smell of the salt in the air, the sound of the fog horn when I go to bed, the noise of the seagulls.
I must go - b/c you just inspired me to go and approach my work openly and willing to "fail".
Also - do you do cards with your artwork on it?