Invoking the Muse?

A couple of weeks ago, I watched I'm Your Man, a 2005 documentary about Leonard Cohen by documentary filmmaker Lian Lunson. http://www.sundancechannel.com/films/500205898
I've been a Leonard Cohen fan since I was a kid, when moved by a fit of adolescent emoting, I wrote the lyrics to his song Suzanne on my bedroom wall. Fast forward some 35 years later, and I'm still a fan, though no longer scribbling on my walls; I paint on panels now.

While watching this beautifully produced film, I was amazed at the wide range of emotional/intellectual responses I had to the performances, the interviews, the poetry being read/spoken, and the storytelling. Pretty intense, with many moments of the film still resonating for me. As I work, I continue to reflect on the poetry and music of Leonard Cohen, and I've noticed subtle changes in my painting process. Letting things happen more instead of making them happen. Paying more attention to the inner places I am allowing myself more access to. Reworking some paintings that I was just sure were done until after I lived with them for a while and until after I watched I'm Your Man. More sensitivity to the nuances and subtletiesof each movement. Mindfulness.

I've not gone so far as to listen to Leonard Cohen's music or poetry while I'm working. I don't know if there is a male muse, but I am allowing memories of certain moments in the film to take up residence. So, time will tell if I have indeed invoked the muse...whoever that might be.

More raw images

Blind Contrast



Smashed Wire



Bucket


These images were sent to me by Michelle Marcuse to be included in my series of what I think of as found imagery. Michelle often focuses her work on the "small overlooked pieces" of daily life. From the group of photos she sent me, I chose the black and white images, finding them especially striking in their austere palette and how that transforms these seemingly mundane subjects far beyond the commonplace.

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

Time may change me
But you can't trace time

Strange fascination, fascinating me
Changes are taking the pace I'm going through


I have found myself thinking of David Bowie's lyrics lately. Ch-ch-ch-changes indeed. I am quite aware of what I'm going through. Here is my bulleted list of transitions:

• I have new a studio that will increase my painting space considerably. It was built this week, on Thursday, August 30. The construction of my outbuilding is complete, but the HVAC needs to be installed, the walls insulated and painted, and the floor covered. I should be able to move in by the end of September. I'm currently working in an 8 x 10 space in a room with a peaked roof which makes the walls about 4 feet high. I can only stand up in the middle of the room, and it's difficult for more than one person to be in the room at the same time. I bump my head frequently. We call it the Nun's Room.
  

• Wednesday, August 29 was my 26th wedding anniversary. I made lobster risotto and we had a nice bottle of wine.
  

• I've been working with oil as a little break from encaustic and a break from the heat. It's been nice. I miss the wax, but I feel like I'm spreading my wings. My work is changing. I'll post jpegs of the work soon.
  

• In less than two weeks, I'll be 50. 'Nuf said.
  

• On Tuesday, August 28, I got my clinical social work license; I am now a therapist with full licensure.
  

• Since February '07, I've been painting full-time. I am now looking for a job. Going back to work will be a big change.
  

• It's the end of summer.

• I've been making some really nice new friends.
  

That's all for now.