It is interesting how realization comes.
Sometimes, a realization blindsides you, leaving you surprised and blinking in the bright light. Unable to move for a moment or two, from the shock of it.
Other times, a realization comes upon you as a gentle knowing. There is a subtle nod of “yes, that’s right” as the idea slips from unconscious hints to conscious understanding. It was there all along.
In the last couple of weeks I’ve had a softly growing realization of the feeling I want to create with my art.
I want my art to create a pause. I want it to create a space, a brief moment, in a busy life to allow for a deep breath. I want my images to give a gift of greater awareness, a chance to notice the world in a different way, and connect with heart and soul.
No small feat, right?
But as I’ve looked at my Photo-Heart Connections over the last months I see this theme of “pause and breathe” in so many of them. This is what my heart is telling me I need to do, for myself. This is what my heart is telling me I need to share.
This is what other people have told me about my work for a while, regardless of subject or process. I’ve heard the term “contemplative” used. I’ve heard other descriptions, but the one that stuck with me most recently, the one that nudged this desire into consciousness, is my friend who told me my work allows him to “take a deep breath.”
So there is nothing new here, just my conscious realization that I want to cultivate this feeling. I want to seek this. I don’t want it to be one in ten or even one in two. This is what I want my work to be about. I may not always get there, but it will help to have an idea of where I am going as I create.
It’s a subtle transition, from
capturing my experience of the world around me
to
creating an experience from the world around me.
A shift from passive to active. A shift from unconscious to conscious.
I breathe deep, and exhale a gentle realization.
. t’s been fascinating to watch your photography evolve over the past few years, Kat. How wonderful to have such a clear vision of what you want your art to be. Your vision of creating a space to breathe brought yoga to mind: stop, breathe deeply, and bring yourself to the present.
Yes! Art and life intertwined… I just started practicing yoga again too.
My goodness! What a beautiful post! And it is exactly in alignment with a realization that I have experienced in the past few weeks. Wow…very cool! Keep up the good work!
How cool! I love to hear when others find themselves in the same place. We are not alone on this creative journey.
I am thinking similar thoughts about what I want to do, you are much more confident in your eloquence! I find you inspiring…
Thank you Miriam! I’ve been jotting phrases down on sticky notes as they’ve come to me about what I want to do. Today I just made them complete sentences. 🙂
Oh Kat, what a wonderful realization you’ve come to about your art. It’s been inspiring to see the path you’ve taken and your photography does exactly what you describe.
Thank you so much Joanna, I love to hear that!
I look forward to seeing this “breathe deep” theme develop more fully in your creative work. You have a path–now follow it! 😉
Thank you for the encouragement!
This is quietly brilliant.
I hope you can breathe and contemplate thru creativity.
I really like the way you’ve created with the dandelion. So oft the intent is to be super sharp, focused, detailed with this subject. How refreshing to take it in the opposite direction.
Absolutely a beautiful post — one which creates a ‘pause’ in my day to read and ponder. Art for me is all about pausing – sometimes removing ‘me’ from the ‘real’ world that is passing by outside my cocoon. Immersing myself in my own ‘play’ and that of others is one of the greatest blessings I have in my life. Thank you.
I Love this post. You’ve put into words where I’ve realized, bit-by-bit over the past year+ where I’m at and how I want to proceed with my creativity. I have been subconsciously processing a ton of info, memories and beginning new practices.
Again, I will tell you how inspirational you are for me and that I enjoy, appreciate and admire you and your work.
Thank you so much for your wonderful words of encouragement, Laurie. I’m glad we are on the same path!
What a beautiful insight, Kat. It reminds of the “gap”, that pause between thoughts, where you can be right here, right now-and just breath.
Oh, yes! Wonderful connection to that pause between breaths. Thanks for making the analogy.