Often I sit for periods of time in my comfortable reading chair, staring out the window at the falling leaves, more gradual now that the trees are nearly bare, and at the river, moving sometimes slowly, sometimes swiftly. I contemplate the beauty and elegance reflected in the spareness in the landscape at this time of year. I have a sense of envy and desire for that spareness in my life, even as I cling to all the objects that surround me. Isn't it odd how, at least in my own culture in which I am fairly well embedded, we spend our lives in pursuit, in accumulating the stuff of modern life, objects of adoration, the things we believe we may one day use. And one day, or maybe over an accumulation of days, we find that there is a large part of us, mostly kept secret from true awareness, that would love to be unburdened of it all.
Perhaps it comes at the time of life when we are confronted with aging parents, also with a houseful of "stuff" that will have to be dealt with. This aspect of life casts a kind of mirror on our own lives....at least it does mine, as I look about the house, the closets, the storage area and wonder where all the stuff came from and why it's still here. There are times when I would truly love to be rid of it all, but I am quickly overwhelmed and close the door once more.
In my mind, there is a large empty room, painted white, furnished only with a simple wooden writing desk and a chair. The table sits alone in the center of the room, facing the one wall with a window quite off center and to the right, where the sky changes from morning sun to evening sunset. I would write, read and draw there, if I could and I would just "be". It's a dream, I know, but it gives me the space and emptiness I sometimes crave....from being too busy, juggling too many things and being so easily overwhelmed.
I'll keep you posted on new work as it develops....in the meantime, this little accordion folded drawing found its way into my Etsy shop today.
Hope you have a great week! Would love to hear from you!
I share this white room dream with you
ReplyDeleteyes, just being and watching the sky shift
It's nice to have those secret retreats inside ourselves....thanks for your comment!
DeleteMy family and I moved to Charleston, SC, last winter and we are renting our Pennsylvania house furnished. We took very little with us -- favorite art and photos, clothing, one set of family wedding china, one half of our books. And now, once again, I feel cluttered. Where DOES this stuff come from. Many walls are still bare here. My husbands wants to fill them up. I want them bare for now. While, I know I cannot work in a barren room, every time I go into my studio, I feel the need to push away at all of the things.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck in finding your new direction.
Hi Kim...great to hear from you! I hope you like Charleston....I spent a fair amount of time there especially during my high school years when I lived in Columbia, SC. I know it is quite different than Pennsylvania (having gone to the south from Pittsburgh, PA myself!). Hope you are enjoying the freedom from "stuff" and finding the energy and creative drive you need there! Thanks so much for commenting!
DeleteI know that dream as well! This time of year, I often imagine I'm sitting there looking out to the sky when I do my writing. I love your new piece.
ReplyDeleteHi Annie....great to hear from you! Thanks for the comment on the piece. Hope you are enjoying some quiet-looking-out-the-window time....have a happy holiday season! All the best, P
DeleteI well understand your minimalist dream... When I first got divorced, I had let my ex have all the furniture, and my living room was empty. I really liked to go and sit in there sometimes... "Book of Lost Time" looks beautiful...
ReplyDeleteHi Sharmon....thanks for sharing a comment. I'm sure your empty living room was somehow bittersweet, but probably like a fresh start somehow...a kind of fullness in the emptiness! Glad you like the Book of Lost Time....thanks again! Best wishes!
ReplyDelete