Sunday
Dec192010
New Big Shoes
December 19, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: Marcie 
I suppose when I think about it..it makes perfectly good sense.
Line. Shape. Form. Color. Balance. Order.
Trained as an architect – I often think of myself as a one who has been condemned to a life of visual dissatisfaction. A constant need to arrange and re-arrange..to make order out of disorder..to create aesthetically pleasing and balanced space. A never-ending quest for that perfect orchestration of individual elements that when combined together create symphonic harmonies.
It’s almost visceral. A physical feeling that comes from within. When it’s right..it’s so very right. A static ballet. Every object planned and placed so as to balance out another.
It’s that time of year. To pause. To reflect. To look back at what was..and look forward as to what this next year might be. It’s been a year of change..of stretching and growing in ways and directions I never would have imagined. Old shoes..sitting idly..waiting to be worn again. New ones..to try on and wear. The titles ‘daughter’..’mother’…’sister’…’wife’ and ‘friend’. Still hold true. ‘Architect’…’swimmer’…’yogini’..and ‘dog-lover’. All mine to own. And with a recent invitation to be represented by a gallery – I am trying on new shoes. Big ones. These ones entitled ‘artist’.
Without any credentials..experience or higher academic degrees – I find myself wondering how it is that I’m going to fill such great big new shoes. What is an ‘artist’? What are the requirements? How is it that I’m supposed to ‘be’??
The dictionaries say: An ‘artist’ is one who creates art…whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination…who is a follower of a pursuit in which skill comes by study or practice.
And I say back: Is that really me?
Never have I been one to make New Year’s resolutions..to use that defining moment as one to institute change. For me – those kinds of absolutions are bound to fail. Change happens when it’s ready. When I’m ready to take that leap. To jump. To fall. To pick myself up again and again. To re-create. There is no time like the present..and now seems like the best time of all.
Here I am – finding myself entranced and intrigued by the arrangement of simple objects. Suspended in space. Of color. Of light. Of balance and form. It began as an experiment. Having been gifted 2-dozen pears..and unable to possibly eat them all – I thought I’d set them up and photograph. See where it may lead..and where I might go. It’s a different sort of meditation. Mindfulness. Careful placement and organization. Combining colors and shapes and forms. Balance. The permutations and combinations are endless..and that pursuit of perfect dance of elements both stops me dead in my tracks..and propels me forwards. More..more..more. It’s not yet ‘there’. Not just yet.
As I enter into this new year – I am finding myself surprised by how the oh-so-familiar..has transformed itself into something different and new. The same words..but a new language. A new vision…and an old voice.
In the end – it’s what I believe it’s about. Recycling ourselves. Discovering how the different parts and pieces and lifelong passions – can be re-ordered..re-combined..re-formulated into something unexpected..yet something that is really so obvious and predictable and so much the same. That same passion and energy I’ve thrown into my ‘work’ for so many years..is now showing itself up differently in this.
In one little ‘still life’ project. I’m studying. I’m practicing. I have new big shoes …and a whole new year up and coming to fill them.
Reader Comments (20)
great composition, great idea too
First of all congrats on your being represented by a gallery! Such a great achievement. I really love your colors and 'order'. You're and artist because you made something beautiful out of 2 dozen pears! No kidding! That's being creative! (Well, you could have made several pies and send them over to Italy - but that's another story...). Great read.
This is my favorite read...this morning! What a beautiful piece about discovery, enthusiasm, wonder to inspire all of us who wake up with shoes and questions and a camera.
I will share this on Facebook, as I always do, and I know you will have little choirs of applause all over the map from people who have ventured forth into uncharted waters with glee.
There is nothing to add to what your wrote--you said it all and said it well. But, I'll try to add something: You can add to your roles that of "writer." Your description of the still life photos you have been taking recently is perfect! They remind me of your Venice images. Thanks for sharing. :-)
Marcie, such exciting news! and please add to your many titles that of
encourager and supporter of others, even with so much going on in your life you still pay attention and that is such a wonderful quality to have. I think this will be an interesting year ... Have fun!
You walk through the world with the mindfulness of an artist. The more you share, as in the gallery opportunity, the better the world becomes. Congratulations and thank you.
So the fruit on the chair is the idea of 'artist' and the lemons are your other titles lined up looking toward the artist fruit, the chair representing your architect self. Will the art fruit come down to you or will you have to figure out a way to get to the chair with the art fruit. Or...
It could just be fruit on a chair and fruit on the ground.
Are you a libra?
Cheers, eb
This series, Marcie...the whole thing...is actually very awesome to me. I can picture it in classrooms of every age all over America (the world?) because it elicits resonance. You go, Girl! 2011 will probably blow you away...and us with you.
writer, you definitely have to add writer. You!!! Go girl.
Self re-invention -- such a great way to live.
Congrats again on the gallery - that's so cool and I'm a tad bit jealous. Not jealous enough to work on the same, however. :) I love the idea of a study in still life, with the recurrent use of the pears. A pear pie, does sound kinda good, however. Now go learn to walk in those new big shoes!
firstly big congrats on being represented at the gallery, that really is great news and a fab start to the year!!! lots to look forward to there :)
i remember, years ago, when i started to take pictures again...after being part of a community where i had not been known as a photographer before. it was quite something, like having a label suddenly where you had none before. it was that and being 'a horse woman'...another thing i had not been known as, and most recently 'a pianist'..
well there you go, i was just thinking what labels could i fall under, hmmm not sure...and there are three :)
Such an exciting thing...to have your images in a gallery. Wow. Congrats on your accomplishment!
And I agree with what others have written...you must add WRITER to the list. You are an amazing writer! :)
YOU can do it! You already ARE an artist...this is just a confirmation..keep up the creativity that is your middle name. Looking forward to more inspiration...you make us all better at what we try to do! Bonnie
Congratulations Marcie! Oh so exciting. And you are an artist at heart, through and through.
Congratulations on your new big shoes! I am anxious to watch you on this new journey. You've already grown so much in just the short time I've been following... I love the photo with this post!
Marcie, this is fabulous. So often this year we have seemed to be traversing the same path. I was just thinking the other day about the resolution thing, how I never make them, wondering why, whether or not I should.
And you are an artist. Your writing is just as artful as your photography.
your list of who you are and who you are becoming reads like a poem of life ..yours going forward with such amazing plans and wonderful opportunities .. I cannot think of someone more deserving ..happiest holiday and such an exciting new year ahead...blessings
Congratulations on the gallery representation!!!
You ARE an artist -- it's a gift that you have. Your training comes from observation, practice and experience.
I sometimes think we in the photography world often hesitate calling ourselves "artists" -- but in reality we truly are. We put our own personal artistic vision into our images. I dare say that if a series of images from our collaborators were posted anonymously we would recognize your work immediately. You, as do others in our group, have a unique style and vision that can't easily be duplicated or copied by others.
I see now that I should have read your post before writing mine ;-) Well that's what happens sometimes...