Friday, July 18, 2014

Letting go

With Dad safely on his spirit journey I asked myself, "Now what?" I deliberately did not try to rush back into things too quickly. I wanted to sit with the moment, the memories, the quiet. It wasn't long, however, before the normal day to day stuff called attention to itself, but I rebelled. Rather, it seemed important to restore, to respond to my own spirit and needs which branched out into this:
 and this:

and that: Hand printing with the real objects-the study.
 
 
And yet something was still working at the edges of the "letting go." So, I let go of his clothing and made Tibetan flags. They flutter now in the copse of trees near my land bound crannog.
Quietly the muse stepped into the space with new inspiration for the materials recently "let go" by grieving family of Marie, a weaver and artist, friend to my friend. Maria was a consummate collector of paper making fibers and rusted objects. Many things magically found their way to me? Was it magic or by design? 
 
Together, the muse and I, with Maria on high, created a sculpture that signifies some of my recent lessons. I call it - "It starts with the hook".
 
The hook (hard to see), is innocent like a question, but it's not. Grating thoughts (grater) quickly follow. This naturally puts a wedge in between oneself and others. It makes one either feel like you have been pulled through a key hole or you are screwed (drill bit). For sure it is the devil's work (pitch fork tines).  I understand it is all about the E (energy) but when thoughts gather force the M (momentum) can overtake the situation. I understand now if you don't get the thoughts under control the emotions will grind you up (like a meat grinder) and life will spit you out!  Okay sculpture, remind me if I forget.
 
With rusty hands I let go of "those" thoughts and think of new ones.
 

 
Paper and pellon, a collaboration and sharing moves the letting go process into a new form.
 
And yet...
There's more personal 'letting go' to do.
I go to the places where the past is buried deep. 
I immerse myself in it.
It is the right time to do so.
I sort through all that has been cherished and saved for years and years.
I am reminded of what was,
and then with a knowing,
I let go.
I take a photo and wonder if it can't all go? If not why not?
Or do you do let go of as much as you can, stage by stage?
More pondering.

The practical side of me says - throw out all that watercolor paper? Eeeech such a waste. I imagine repurposing some of the discards. Okay... I will make an effort to make something out of one sheet to see if it is even possible. If not, then out it goes!

But, I must say, it hasn't been all hard work this past month. There have been good times. High Tea at Low Sea was a wonderful event. Perhaps you would like to see what that is all about: http://veritetacoma.blogspot.com/   Making the handmade gifts for those who made it happen brought out the whimsy. It is fun to play with child-like abandon with no limits on your creations.


Immersed in the waters of Goodwill we feel the oneness and we are thankful.
May your circle always be open, with someone always reaching out.
 
What was made is now ready to be 'let go.'
May the momentum of good feelings follow.