THE ARTFUL GARDEN: Rothko

THE ARTFUL GARDEN

"The Artful Garden" is a metaphor suggesting how we can sow seeds of creative ideas. Gardens start with small seeds, much like ideas and art. They both need to be fed, nurtured and loved in order to thrive. This "garden" is a safe place to be both inspired and inspiring to others. It is a way to share who you are and promote forward movement within your life. A way to realize that you are not alone. Please join our "conversation" any time by posting your thoughts, questions and ideas in the comment section of
"the garden."

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Rothko

I was sitting at Bluff Point the other day painting, thinking and writing. For some reason the Mark Rothko paintings that I saw at the Tate Modern popped into my head. Later that day I was reading Natalie Goldberg's, Living Color and she was talking about his work. As if that were not strange enough, I was led to an artist’s webblog who referred to the PBS series talking about Rothko and the paintings at the Tate! I was very moved by these paintings and sat in that room for a long time soaking them up. I remember taking notes about the color and trying to decide which one I liked the best and why that was. I was so small in comparison to the paintings and wondered what it would be like to paint on that big a scale. I think that I would find it intimidating, although these paintings seemed so intimate to me when I was there.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...: I have been noticing comments that connect to feeling small in comparison to all things around recently. I have been reading Zahir and Paulo Coehlo's articles. I have been trying to figure out the next steps of my path.

School has begun and so a new line of music has begun as I live with a new group of children in our classroom. I am looking for ways that help them explore themselves while at the same time developing an "usness". I found this poem. I have decided to put it up in the classroom with post-its and the question "What do you think?" I suspect it will speak to some of the children, while other just pass it by.
What do you think?

Who Am I by Felice Holman
The trees ask me,
And the sky,
And the sea asks me
Who am I?
The grass askes me,
And the sand,
And the rocks ask me
Who am I?
The wind tells me
At nightfall,
And the rain tells me
Someone small.
Some one small
Someone small
But a piece
of
it
all.

I guess my challenge is to find my piece and put of forth fo all to see. How does one capture the glory and grace of a sunrise in words? That is how I feel in the energy of a flowing classroom. Those are the words I wish to find and share. Perhaps soon.; September 2, 2007 at 4:20 AM
Tina said...: Thank you Brenda for sharing that poem. I will put that up in my studio where I have other inspirational items. I have read The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo and was wondering why he has influenced you? I would like to hear more about him (is Zahir his daughter?).

I do also see this feeling of being small in many people's posts and often in Laura's posts. I wonder Laura if this feeling will inform your next step as an artist. Since recently returning to your painting (I am not suprised at all with your return to Rothko:) I wonder how this feeling of your place on this planet will translate in your paintings.

I am also wondering if we can share images of artwork on this blog as another aspect of seeing what people are up to in their creative movements?; September 2, 2007 at 1:22 PM
Danielle said...: Brenda- i really like that poem as well. I think that part of me is struggling to figure out how I fit into the bigger picture. When I was teaching, it was more clear to me, but now that I am no longer in the classroom, I am struggling to find that place. I am looking for something that I can do with my time outside of work that will not only leave me feeling satisfied, but might possibly do something for others as well. I have a guilt of not teaching anymore, but at the same time, being a classroom teacher came with a lot of stress. I am truly enjoying my stress free evenings, no papers to correct, and not coming up with discipline plans that probably won't help... but I now have a void to fill with my time. This blog has been great for me to sort some things out.

For all you teachers...good luck with these first few weeks of school. I am sure that all the ideas that are shared here will only help you to become a more thoughtful and reflective person, which naturally lends itself to an amazing teacher!; September 3, 2007 at 11:11 PM
Liz said...: Danielle-
I really identified with your post here. The first year I was not teaching I felt a huge void and almost a bit of an identity crisis. I f I wasn't a teacher anymore, who was I? Ultimately, I came to a lot of realizations. One - it is dangerous to define yourself by your job. And actually it is dangerous to define yourself as any ONE thing... teacher, mother, wife, etc. We are all much too complex for this. And two- I came to realize that even though I was no longer employed as a teacher, I would always be one. There are some things most teachers inately possess... and some of them you mentioned in your post such as wanting to continue to learn and fulfill yourself in your spare time and wanting to still help others. Anyways, I really identified with what you were saying and wanted to let you know my thoughts as it was something I too have struggled with these last few years. Hope you are enjoying your new home!; September 4, 2007 at 4:47 PM
Laura said...: Brenda~I really appreciate you sharing this poem. It was like you were reading my mind by sharing it. Lately I feel like the trees, the sky, the rocks and the sea are speaking to me, especially while I am at Bluff Point. I feel so small, yet so connected at the same time. This is hard to explain so I appreciated when you said "How does one capture the glory and grace of a sunrise in words?" How does one put that beauty into paint or any artwork? This is something that I have been trying to express lately in my own work which is becoming more and more abstract. I think this is why I am drawn to some of the Abstract Expressionists right now. I can appreciate them in a different way than I did before. It is hard to put feelings into words or art. I guess I try to draw from my own unique experience and do my best. You have your own unique experiences and a way of looking at things that no one else has and that is a gift. You have so many gifts to share and I for one, cannot wait to unwrap even one. xoLaura; September 4, 2007 at 5:14 PM
Tomasen said...: Great poem Brenda. I love when these conversations branch out and touch each other. Here is where I think words do work. One book that I would highly recommend is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I have not met one woman, regardless of age or place in life, that has not connected to this book in some way. When I read of your struggles for true identity I think of her words and how they ring true to so many of us.
This is where the smallness disappears for me because we are all small and yet we are not as we are all connected in the greater space of the universe and when we pay attention to those things it is empowering. Go for the big canvas Laura...what do you have to lose? I can almost sense that feeling of freedom and truly not caring when I see that kind of art. What you have to "say" may or may not be that big at times, but what is the harm in trying? Take one piece of it at a time? What is intimidating? You are bold and passionate and I can only see those images being portrayed on your large canvas of life!! And remember how intimate you found that work. Why was that?
Cheers ladies!; September 5, 2007 at 8:20 AM
Laura said...: Thanks Tomasen! I will let you know WHEN I do it. xoLaura; September 6, 2007 at 10:13 AM
Anonymous said...: The thread of these conversations is so rich and soft - I can feel the shawls of comfort we are weaving for each other. Laura you have created such a wonderful community of caring. Thank you.

Tina you asked me a while ago why Paulo Coelho influences me - when I am reading his words I sometimes feel as if they are mine. There are sentences, sometimes whole paragraphs that seem to echo my voice exactly. It is a bit eerie to have myself pop off the page at me. This is different than when I find myself in the pages of a book and am either comforted by sharing the experience or enlightened by discovering a different way to view things. That is what usually happens to me - not so with Coelho. It is a sharp connection with him. I appreciate and welcome how he challenges me to consider and change.

Zahir (the title of one of his books) is an Arabic word the describes the process when something becomes an all-consuming thought. In the story the narrator's zahir is searching for the reason his wife left him while the wife's search is happiness. I related to that - and appreciated finding a way to escape the endless, futile struggle.

At times I find myself labeling each part of me - each role. When I am doing it I feel I need to in order to have a small enough part for me to work with. But when I do that I am always left feeling down. It is a trap - endless labels do nothing but name, define and stop the discussion and the process of discovery. So what I set out to do is actually thwarted by my process. I have to keep reminding myself that I am me. I have to keep reminding myself to listen for my inner song - the one that connects me with the energy of life. I am reminded of that by Coelho - and many, many many others.

I know I could meander on - but I think I'll stop there knowing that is why conversation whether face-to-face or through all kinds of writing is so important to help us grow, maybe even bloom.; September 8, 2007 at 8:25 AM