Funny how pearls of wisdom plop from unexpected places.
"Game of Thrones" has just begun on cable tv,
and it's the full fantasy epic with rival families,
talking wolves and annoyingly passive princesses.
I am half watching, more interested in Tumblr than what is on TV.
One kings' son is a dwarf, drinking and
carousing his way through life, exempt from princely duties,
and another kings' son is illegitimate,
bearing it's shame and walking beneath a shadow.
They meet.
The dwarf begins to taunt illegitimate Jon :
"And you, " he says, " you're Ned Stark's bastard,
aren't you? Did I offend you? Sorry. You ARE the bastard, no?
Let me give you some advice, bastard: Never forget what you are.
The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor,
and it can never be used to hurt you. "
Jon the bastard," What the hell do you know about being a bastard?
"All dwarves are bastards in their father's eyes. "
It was an "Aha!" moment.
Maybe you already have this one under
your belt and in your groove, but..
my dusty armpits became armour.
My bingo wings flap proudly like a flag.
Why despair over something you cant change?
Wear it with pride and it's weakness becomes a strength.
Applying this idea to that wretched Underbelly arts program
I was not accepted for,
months ago, not that I hold on to grievances much and why yes,
I do have a digestion problems - how did you know??
I am that middle aged artist who applied for Underbelly
amongst hundreds of Gen Y applicants.
This makes me brave, unconventional and unique.
Not only that, but unlike a current public art trend,
I choose warmer, non digital materials,
analogue, old school,
no animation,
or electrical intervention.
Not even an on switch.
"But remember always that the true self is never a fixed thing....because the true self is always in motion like music, a river of life, changing, moving, failing, suffering, learning, shining. That is why you must freely and recklessly make new mistakes-in writing or in life-and do not fret about them but pass on and write more....and do not try to be consistent, for what is true to you today, may not be true at all tomorrow, because you see a better truth."
by Brenda Ueland from
If You Want to Write
I guess I will just ramble on about groove
a bit.
Random thoughts, trying not to reinvent the wheel,
more anecdotal and narrative, than any real pearls.
So you can have some company on the road,
going, "Oh yes... I have been there, nod nod"
or add your five cents worth.
Please.
My creative "spine" as Twyla Tharp calls it, is contained in this quote.
The desire and motive for creating stems from a sweet childhood time
spent blissfully making silly things.
Now they are blissful silly things on Etsy.
We don't change much.
"Game of Thrones" has just begun on cable tv,
and it's the full fantasy epic with rival families,
talking wolves and annoyingly passive princesses.
I am half watching, more interested in Tumblr than what is on TV.
One kings' son is a dwarf, drinking and
carousing his way through life, exempt from princely duties,
and another kings' son is illegitimate,
bearing it's shame and walking beneath a shadow.
They meet.
The dwarf begins to taunt illegitimate Jon :
"And you, " he says, " you're Ned Stark's bastard,
aren't you? Did I offend you? Sorry. You ARE the bastard, no?
Let me give you some advice, bastard: Never forget what you are.
The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor,
and it can never be used to hurt you. "
Jon the bastard," What the hell do you know about being a bastard?
"All dwarves are bastards in their father's eyes. "
It was an "Aha!" moment.
Maybe you already have this one under
your belt and in your groove, but..
my dusty armpits became armour.
My bingo wings flap proudly like a flag.
Why despair over something you cant change?
Wear it with pride and it's weakness becomes a strength.
Applying this idea to that wretched Underbelly arts program
I was not accepted for,
months ago, not that I hold on to grievances much and why yes,
I do have a digestion problems - how did you know??
I am that middle aged artist who applied for Underbelly
amongst hundreds of Gen Y applicants.
This makes me brave, unconventional and unique.
Not only that, but unlike a current public art trend,
I choose warmer, non digital materials,
analogue, old school,
no animation,
or electrical intervention.
Not even an on switch.
"But remember always that the true self is never a fixed thing....because the true self is always in motion like music, a river of life, changing, moving, failing, suffering, learning, shining. That is why you must freely and recklessly make new mistakes-in writing or in life-and do not fret about them but pass on and write more....and do not try to be consistent, for what is true to you today, may not be true at all tomorrow, because you see a better truth."
by Brenda Ueland from
If You Want to Write
I guess I will just ramble on about groove
a bit.
Random thoughts, trying not to reinvent the wheel,
more anecdotal and narrative, than any real pearls.
So you can have some company on the road,
going, "Oh yes... I have been there, nod nod"
or add your five cents worth.
Please.
My creative "spine" as Twyla Tharp calls it, is contained in this quote.
The desire and motive for creating stems from a sweet childhood time
spent blissfully making silly things.
Now they are blissful silly things on Etsy.
We don't change much.
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Beautiful beautiful sofites.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful beautiful pontifications.
Isn't it wonderful how television can sometimes surprisingly throw little pearls of wisdom at you, even when you're not watching but just happen to be in it's presence. My one from the other week was on something my beloved was watching, a quote from George Eliot "It's never too late to be who you might have been."
ReplyDeleteThank you for your courage. You're an inspiration to another middling woman with dusty armpits that hasn't been as brave as you, yet.
Xx
Hmmm, "wear it like armour and it can never be used to hurt you" love it.
ReplyDeleteLove the softies too, every stitch adding interest.
Claire :}
Love this, I am an aging new artist too and there aren't many places for us new oldies to shine but you are doing a great job.
ReplyDeleteI love you..always have.
ReplyDeleteI am addicted to Pinterest...big time.
You just keep doing what you do best. Your creations are filled with detail and so much love. Have fun! Blessings, Tammy
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly 'brave, unconventional, and unique'. What I love about you, and your work, is that you take traditional 'women's' crafts and make them new. Make them art. This generates questions about so many of our assumptions. You are a philosopher: the Socrates of the stitch. Those at Underbelly weren't ready for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're old school. While I have respect for the digital and slick, there is really no comparison with the soul of the materials you use. I know those fabrics and pieces are infused with textures, smells, memories, (and your hands) that give them a unique spirit. It comes out in the photos and I know it is even stronger in person. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteKeep on marching! you are doing a fantastic job of being "you". your new critters are delightful and most appealing. thanks for showing us!
ReplyDeleteI like this a ton, Denise. I like how you are a magpie, picking up shiny wisdoms when you see them. When I was a child I was one for making little plays or pageants, telling stories and dreaming that my dolls were warriors. I will look for the twist, the riddle, the path. Thank you dear dear heart.
ReplyDeleteYou're gorgeous, brave, mega talented as well as all of the wonderful, true, accolades and credits your fellow bloggers have bestowed upon you!!!
ReplyDeleteAll of which clearly demonstrates you're way tooo marvellous for anyone's Underbelly!!! xo.
These are so cute and pretty and magnetic.
ReplyDeleteWell, figuratively speaking...
BRENDA UELAND!!
you always surprise me pleasantly.
I wish, even though one isn't supposed to say I wish in this day, but I wish I had found art earlier. That's not to be said, but there, I said it. Fewer years with it. But it's me, so really, it's as old as I am.
Love your tactiles better than the slick and shinies!
Kiss Hound for me?
Great with beautiful and lovely colors !
ReplyDeleteLove from the Netherlands ♥RINI♥
Don't get me started on Game of Thrones! While I haven't seen the TV show yet, I started reading it back in 1997 or so, and just started the fifth book this week---after waiting for it's release for five years! It's one of the best written series of it's type out there...and a bit of a spoiler: The annoyingly passive princesses do *not* stay so passive, trust me!
ReplyDeleteAnyways, good to see you embracing your "bingo wings!" They help you fly above the rest!
First, may we speak of Tumblr. There are vast parts of the electronic world about which I know nothing...your Tumblr photos have me light-headed on my way to a full-on swoon. I will see what more I can learn about how to be able to comment, etc.
ReplyDeleteMy wish - I hope we still get to use that word - is to see the bigger picture, which is not always easy, sometimes not possible as quickly as one would like. That includes knowing that when we are turned away from one thing, it is because we are meant to go in another direction. You have always, as long as I've known you, seemed particularly skilled at finding your own path. I often think one may well have been called to be the first at something and, as such, will not find anything around us to match our vision. You KNOW. xo
Not getting accepted to that show, or any other thing, means there is something better waiting for you just around the corner. It'll happen, just wait and see.
ReplyDeleteLove Twyla. And your work too.
I just found your blog and am so glad that I did as it's beautiful and inspirational. I love the way you write and your creations are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteDenise, what a wondrous and inspiring posts. Every single piece you have created is suffused with love and care and tenderness, whimsy and real beauty because not only is your soul laid bare, but your imagination is too. The Ben Okri quote is a stunner. Your soft creatures are so moving to look at--and how wonderful to imagine feeling them, touching them, getting to know you through them even more by the essntial-to-humaan-beings touch.
ReplyDeleteYou are wonderfully armored and yet one of the freest, most unencumbered artist-child. Picasso says it takes a lifetime to be a child again. But you always kept tight to your child's self hand--and look where she has led you.
Splendid, gorgeous, art that brings joy. Thank you.
lovely words :)
ReplyDeleteAll things can be turned for good... Sometimes not getting what we want gives us renewed strength and we are far more fortunate as a result...
ReplyDelete(I say this to myself also)
Your creations are beautiful and if a panel didn't dig it C'est la vie...
Brenda Ueland is my total guru and has been for the last twenty years or so.
ReplyDeleteShe is the one who gave me the courage to be my own silly self and to teach lots and lots of kids to be brave and delight in creating with their own voices.
Gosh, we are on the same page a lot, I think.
She is so wise and so kind and so encouraging and a bit bracing too....
I have had 5 copies of her book and press it upon people.....and never see it again.
Do not feel sad and rejected. Their loss truly.
You are so splendidly creative.
oxox
I love your creations, they are quirky and unique. I think you are so brave putting yourself out there, that is a lot more than some of us ever do. Don't worry about rejection for whatever reason you weren't right for that program, these things happen for a reason and I'm sure there is a bigger and better opportunity waiting right round the corner for you, there just has to be you have too much talent for there not to be....
ReplyDelete