The runaway experiments with printing on paper have left behind stacks of results. I’m constantly looking for ways to use them. A kind friend artist Linda Powers introduced me to the world of gelatin printing, and I can’t stop playing.
Today I made a mini book with chain-stitched spine using the colorful prints, some embroidery floss, a random sunflower I had once doodled.
UNBLOCKING BY BLOCKING
The pages were colorful, but they lacked words. I wanted to exorcize my block by selectively blocking someone else’s words. I culled out paragraphs and quotes from PUNCH magazine to do this.The altered meaning inspired a play with poetry.
I blocked out part of what a chef called Charlie quoted about a childhood memory. The resulting words came out this way. “I remember passion and thought they gave it away to me for free, and I went home to my family.”
But what did Charlie really say?
Here’s his quote noted by the magazine.
“I remember how the person at Sigona’s didn’t know what passion fruit was and thought they were rotten,” he says now with a smile. They gave it away to me for free, and I went home to make a passion fruit tart for my family.”
Here’s an unaltered poem I am writing from my stream of consciousness arising from selecting someone else’s words.
SPIRIT
I remember I remember
For long as I can remember,
a passion burns within.
I looked at my parents
and thought
they gave it to me.
I looked at kindred souls
and thought
I got it from them.
I looked at movers,
I looked at shakers,
I looked at doers,
and thought
they gave it for free.
Catalysts
all of them..
I traveled hither
and I traveled tither.
I went home
to my family
to see
the spark
and
igniter
were actually
within me.
It strikes me now that passion is never given away but it’s shared. With sharing and acceptance come growth. So I create, hopefully inspire, and continue getting inspired.
Here’s a quote I altered. The slow mindfulness I experience with creativity made these words pop among all others. “It’s nice to slow everything down and bring it back to the truth. It’s good for the soul.”
This truth in slowness exists everywhere. Whether it is taking the time to smell the roses or appreciating the moment, this truth is good for the soul.
Oh, her quote was about slow cooking and soul food.
This one is an altered quote from Lindsey in the magazine who makes organic granola bars.
If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, it is the importance of community. Virtual ones have mushroomed everywhere only because creatures have a pressing need to connect. “I’m hoping to find my way more. I love meeting the people and forming those relationships most satisfying.”
Yes, it is most satisfying to meet others and form new relationships.
The current time has blurred many a path for many, but I’ll find my way back to community, strengthen old relationships and forge new ones.
Here’s the original quote. “I’m hoping to find my way into more farmer’s markets in the coming months. I love meeting people I sell to and forming those relationships.”
I call this Great Joy
“When I go out, I love the confidence when someone describes but I don’t like to feel bombarded. When it comes to talking, it’s natural for me.”
This altered quote brought out my chatty spirit and curiosity with knowledgeable discussions. I do find great joy in this. Yet, I can fine-tune the self. I realize I don’t like being bombarded. It gives me an opportunity to extend a courtesy not to bombard others. I choose to allocate more time to active listening and be that much better off.
The original quote by chef Charlie refers to his interest in giving details about the dish he serves with the right balance. “When I go out to eat, I love the confidence when someone describes the dish but I don’t like to feel bombarded. When it comes to talking about food, it is natural for me.”
I call the next block, “Showing Up!”
Taylor is a baby name specialist. I’d have skipped through the article if I were not looking for a snippet to alter. It’s interesting how an ascribed baby name can play a part in influencing the grown individual’s persona.
The magazine author quotes,”Just as her grandmother’s diagnosis ushered in a new opportunity, her passing also created space for Taylor’s interest in childbirth and spiritual and energy healing.”
My altered quote,”A visit ushered in a new opportunity,” reiterates the importance of showing up. It acts as a counterbalance to isolation. Showing up is not just turning up at a venue physically, but being there to do one’s part to help self and others. Showing up is to take on something new and finish it. It also is taking responsibility for things that did not go right. I constantly challenge myself and show up by completing my task. I try to give back to those who show up for me. When I show up, it automatically ushers in a new opportunity.
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