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More and more, I am coming to believe that gratitude is a life-changing attitude. Gratitude invites me to be attentive to the present moment - the people around me; the story which envelops me. Gratitude is transformational - it dissipates covetousness, greed, envy, jealousy and regret - and replaces these with a heartfelt and profound joy in what is and in what I have. Questions I often ask myself - what is art for? who is art for? how does it better humankind? is it a valid way to use this one life I have? is art a selfish endeavour? is it inclusive or exclusive? who gives value to art and artists? Opportunities for meditation and inspiration and creation surround us. We simply need an attentive attitude; a willingness to pause and to explore; and times of quiet to allow ideas to gestate. A virtual visit to a contemporary textile art exhibition. It is so important to nourish the artist's soul. Julia Cameron recommends a weekly artist date, where the muse is acknowledged and nourished. Visit a museum, gallery, interior design shop, a nursery or rose garden, an art supply shop, a fine book shop or the library, an art house movie theatre, the beach or river bank, a craft market or a farmer's market, op shops or the recycling centre ... the list is endless and rich in possibility. Take time to pause, to wonder, to absorb, to explore. I find terms such as 'Just did it' and 'Under the radar' inspirational. There is a wonderful sense of people being comfortable in heir own skin, not seeking validation or affirmation or success or happiness vicariously through others. No 15 minutes of notoriety. Simply being and doing. The fun you can have with the help of your friends; limitless imagination; hours of practice; amazing problem solving skills; a sense of fun and adventure :-) Just imagine if we applied all these to our everyday activities - what a magical world it would be! And if we applied this type of creativity to resolving some of the world's environmental and hunger problems ... one can only hope. |
Liz PearceI am a doll-maker; a doll interpreter; a doll activist, perhaps, using this medium to reflect on the human condition. Archives
August 2020
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