October 17, 2011

The Box Collector

An artist is someone who is constantly searching for containers in which to put ideas and observations.
        I myself have an obsession with clean, empty cardboard boxes. It never occurred to me until tonight this connection to my drive for an organizational principle. One works from the outside inward. Where there is a structure, the words (or images) flow into it. Most often, finding the empty vessel is the hardest part of creativity.
        But the creative urge itself remains a mystery. It is more than psychology, but often soiled with it. It is more than observation, but dependent on it. It has long been unresolved whether great works of art transcend the personality. Like a candy bar left to melt on a sunny window ledge, I tend to believe talent cannot be extricated from the person with whom it is involved.
        I do not believe very many artists have been consistently good, and I do believe some wonderful things come out from humble places.
        No package is ever completely tidy.

October 12, 2011

Full Moon

We carry such a brave weight each day, like a lead vest. The other night I saw the full moon from my garden, and I just collapsed into tears. So many loved ones lost, so much sadness. And the tranquil, stately light of the moon shining down on my living shoulders, bathing the hydrangea and the stones of the walkway. So beautiful and sad.