Finding the spine - the big why

Legwarmers in Rundle Mall, Adelaide 2009.

Now maybe this book
is new to you
or maybe it isn't.

the thing is, she talks about "spine".

This section was read,

re read,

pondered,

and ruminated over.
The chapter chewed over
like literary cud.

Spine....

Spine......

I think I get it.

It's the soul of the work.

The catalyst
that keeps you creating.

The original source of energy
that sparks the process
and when referred to lights up
the piece again and again.
It keeps you on track.

It's your personal narrative.

Finding your spine is an adventure
into inner space.

It's the big why.

Iris wore a wig

It's the story that runs through
everything like lifeblood,
and threads it up so well -
no one can really imitate you.

If you're not sure what your spine is,

take a look at past work
and see what jumps out.
I'm pretty sure everyone has one.

Poem and Sonnet

That's how I figured out mine.
Here's what Twyla Tharp says:

"The spine is the statement you make to yourself outlining your intentions for the work. You intend to tell this story. You intend to explore this theme. You intend to employ this structure. The audience may infer it or not, but if you stick to your spine the piece will work."

But you never tell your spine,
it's intangible, like spirit.

"Rhoda slept better after that"

It's felt throughout the piece,

it's the ephemeral glue.
Spine, like a living being, is on the inside.

Love cafe in Camperdown - the best breakfasts

Finding your spine
may be the most powerful thing
you do as an artist,
but you wont waste
precious time and energy
on stuff that isn't spine
once you've spotted it.

Knit in Sydney Park

My artistic orbit was more like
the asteroid belt in Star Wars
than neat little moons dancing
round a blue space body.


I accepted projects I thought were me.
They dragged and groaned and griped.
I was not in planetary alignment.

things I hoard

When spine came, the artistic orbit
wobbled less on it's axis,
narrowed and focused and came into being.


And here's the magic:
Once you have spine,
it flows through the hands
and into the object.



The hands know what they are doing,
because they are in line
with the heart and soul.



"Once you accept the power of spine
in the creative act,
you will become much more efficient
in your creativity.

You will still get lost on occasion,
but having a spine will anchor you."

Knit in Newown Park with dog ear.

All that ruminating pays off.
Recently in the shower
(where all the best ideas happen)
the spine arrived.

A four or five word phrase
that sums up
the entire reason
I create in the way I do.

Ha! I said to myself in the shower

Ha! said dog who was listening politely by the door.

So now it may be your turn.

Is your story oozing from every creative pore?

Sonnet with Poem at the back

It is, you know,
Have a look.

It's there.

More quotes from Her book

"Spine, to put it bluntly,
begins with your first strong idea."
" Having a spine lets me know where I am starting
from and where I want to go."
" It keeps me on message,
but it is not the message itself."