I'm back

November 26 - December 6 stitching.

The research and writing of my dissertation has consumed me for nine months. I kept notes on a zillion books in these plastic duo-tangs. I made outlines and talked to myself in five black hard covered blank books. The wall in my home studio helped me a lot. Now that the thing is outta here I can return to my self.

HELLO MAKING! GOOD BYE just thinking about it.

Emily Kame Kngwarreye

Untitled, (awelye) 1994 acrylic, Emily Kame Kngwarreye

Huge side track from my essay as I recall how much I love contemporary acrylic painting from Australia. The most acclaimed artist is Emily Kame Kngwarreye.(1915-1996)

Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s fabulous abstract paintings have been cited as probably the most striking ever made during the twentieth century. She lived close to nature and did no acrylics until she was in her late 70's. Centuries of philosophical theory, art galleries full of modern art: she knew nothing of them. However, during less than ten years at the end of her life, she made pared down, raw, large colour field paintings filled with organic and repetitive hand made marks that absolutely carry the viewer away. They stop our breath.

Utopia panel, 1996 acrylic, Emily Kame Kngwarreye


I've poked her work into my 8000 word disseration. Paintings like these make me question all this book learning.

The Aesthetic of Simplicity

The Aesthetic of Nature


There is a rhythm of the seasons

There are cycles of time

There are open spaces

There are natural processes

Textures

Sounds

Feelings

Smells

Fire

Water

Air

Grass, leaves

Birds

The weather

We cannot control the weather

Learn acceptance from that

Learn truth

Everything is connected to nature


I have begun to write, really write, my dissertation. My tutor is encouraging me to try writing at least one chapter in a poetic manner. It's harder than it seems.

metaphysics of the ordinary

"Avoid the use of unnecessary notes" Jean Sibelius, (Finland) "When I take everything away, I have the feeling that I can find a place of repose and I can absorb the universe within me" Tetsuo Fujimoto (Japan) "I tell you, the more I think, the more I feel, that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people." Vincent Van Gogh

Agnes Martin

Agnes Martin in the early 60's, photo by Peter Moore

"To feel confident and successful is not natural for the artist.
To feel insufficient, to experience disappointment and defeat in waiting for inspiration is the natural state of mind for an artist.
As a result, praise to most artists is a little embarrassing.
They cannot take credit for inspiration, for we can see perfectly, but we cannot do perfectly.


Many artists live socially without disturbance to mind, but others must live the inner experience of mind,

a solitary way of living."

Agnes Martin