Is that not an extraordinary looking man? I am mesmerized by his face, as if he were real. He isn’t. He’s painted by a digital creator under the name @creolexhibit, a self described “mystical fine artist.” I don't even know the gender of the artist but I do love the work, which I found on Instagram. I look into the faces of the people in these digital paintings and they tell me stories, entire and full blown.
Re my last sad post, I'm mostly fine now, at peace with my Uncle Al's passing, because what a fine and joyful life he had for 97 years. And my girl seems okay for the moment (fingers crossed the wind didn't change as I wrote that) so I'm just engaging with the work that is in front of me to do and letting that take over my consciousness as much as it can.
I traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to do interviews, got back last night, and as much as I agonized about the trip beforehand (eye roll, because don't I always agonize about showing up), it felt warm and rich and connected and gave me lots of new material to dig into. I have to say I'm "in it" now, this new manuscript I have been contracted to achieve. I don't know how good any of what I'm writing is yet, but I do wake up each morning eager to get to my laptop so I can continue, and that it definitely a sign that the story is beginning to live inside me, with random thoughts about what I should do in a particular paragraph, or a particular section, occurring anywhere, anytime. I love when that starts happening. Oh I have a far, far way to go, but I'm on the road, or in the water, depending on which metaphor for long journeys you prefer.
To answer your question. Yes indeed, dear friend. Thank you for sharing this moving art work.
ReplyDeleteYour loving family and all the elements of your creative process are an ongoing inspiration.
Thank you, dear am.
Delete'the Land of Art' is what my husband called it when I was immersed in something. I would be here physically but not cognitively. Creating must be immersive, I think, for it to happen at all.
ReplyDeleteellen, I know what you mean about that immersion. It's kind of a high when it happens, really.
DeleteI do love the digital artwork and the jigsaw looks fun. I always have a jigsaw on the go, and at the moment life is quite hard so it's nice to just fit pieces of cardboard together to create a picture.
ReplyDeleteLL Cool Joe, I know you understand the meditative aspects of puzzling, loving the medium yourself. I hope things get easier soon.
DeleteI love that you do a puzzle while you are thinking/writing the new project. It's a wonderful way to find the connections, even when the pieces that are hard to fit at first.
ReplyDeleteRobin, it's true, a puzzle reminds me that one piece at a time, if you just keep going, eventually the whole picture comes into view.
DeleteYou are so right about those digital portraits. They have stories. In fact, the one of the man reminds me quite a bit of a friend of mine from high school. HE had a story for sure and I was recently very saddened to hear that he died a few years ago. He made a huge impression on my life. Such a good, kind man. Such a very strong man.
ReplyDeleteAnd well- it would appear that the juju is upon you. Is that okay to say? I know it's not magic. It's YOU. But in some ways, your process is magic and I love that you can depend on it and are learning to trust it more and more.
Such a beautiful post.
Mary, dear one, you see the stories in people's faces because you are so open to the world, a double edged sword I know, because sometimes it can feel like having no skin. And juju is a fine word. May it fully claim me!
DeleteI like how you compare your writing to putting together a puzzle. Explains the process perfectly!
ReplyDeleteEllen, you're right, it really is a connected process, the puzzle scaffolding the more open ended drafting of a story.
DeleteThat IS amazing artwork, and I'm surprised it's digital when it seems so much like painting. I know exactly what you mean about lying awake and thinking about what to say in your writing -- I used to do the same as a reporter. (And sometimes still do when I'm thinking about my next blog post!)
ReplyDeleteSteve, isn't the work beautiful! It stopped me scrolling for sure. And then I had to examine all his artworks, mostly portraits, every one of them exquisitely rendered.
DeleteThey are mesmerizingly gorgeous. Insightful, comparing your writing to a puzzle piece.
ReplyDeleteSandra, I often wish I could make art like that. It's stunning to me that anyone can.
DeleteI love the portraits. Their deep and thoughtful expressions are beautiful. What are they thinking? The writing process is a very creative process and when you strike a stride everything comes together. All the puzzle pieces fitting perfectly is rewarding.
ReplyDeleteSusan, what are they thinking indeed. The artist just commented below!
DeleteGood news! Our public library has ordered a copy of Belonging. Looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteAm, that's wonderful news! Thank you!
DeleteIndeed, beautiful people. I am glad to read about your enthusiastic work approach. It will be thrilling to see the finished work.
ReplyDeleteSabine, the finished work feels very far away time wise, and yet before we know it, I will be on the other side of this, impossible as it feels right now.
DeleteHi (waves) thank for acknowledge my post on your platform. Appreciate the love. -creolexhibit
ReplyDeletecreolexhibit, it's so very cool that you commented! I love your work!
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DeleteOmg I just noticed my typo (thanks for acknowledging**)....you're welcome. Stay blessed and continue writing. :)