"Called To Presence" by Jim Carpenter, Acrylic on Paper, 9" x 22.5"
"Once the vision is in place, then the life will eventually follow. Be brave, idleheart!"
Being Present & The Idle Heart
Today is day 11 of Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Challenge. I've been focusing on the notion of being idle and using Tom Hodgkinson's book "How To Be Idle" as my reference guide. I'm doing this because sometimes I forget that I am actually retired and I fall into the old habit of thinking that painting full time, which I started 11 years ago for enjoyment, is a job. The idea of "job" eventually takes some of the fun out of it - and adds unnecessary pressure. What would happen if I were to look at my painting as something I do in the luxury of my leisure? What I'm discovering is that it gives me a new sense of freedom, and a new stash of bravery to support risk-taking.
"Called To Presence" is a painting that follows a familiar theme in my work. The long and narrow format is one of my favorites, and to me it is suited for storytelling and for a lineup of figures. What I sense in this painting is the meditative quality of the figures. They look contemplative - present to the world around them - observant. They are idle. Perhaps daydreaming. Meditating.
The title, "Called To Presence," refers not only to the figures in the painting but also to those who take the time to look at the painting and allow it to spark the imagination. Being present, being able to daydream, being idle, is something that is essential for creativity. It is in the idle moments that our imaginations can run free. It is in the idle moments that we can daydream and imagine a world that we would like to live in. And as Hodgkinson points out, "once the vision is in place, then the life eventually will follow." So, idleness is an essential element in a life of creativity. We have to have time to dream.
Jim, I certainly enjoyed visiting your blog. Your paintings are so creative and have almost a dream like quality. Your writing is excellent as well. I am intrigued by the title of the book you mentioned. I love doing the challenge because I get to see so much wonderful art like yours.
ReplyDeleteHi Fay! I'm so pleased that you are enjoying my blog and my paintings! Thank you for your kind comments. I agree that part of the enjoyment of the challenge is meeting other artists and seeing their wonderful work. Hodgkinson's book is worth taking a look at. It is smart - well written - gives some insight into the history of "work" - And it is exactly what I needed at this point. Thank you for your comments! - Jim
DeleteI love your long layouts too Jim. They standout. I love what is going on in the white, on the right side of this. They do seem to be deep in thought. Not disturbing the others. Monks perhaps deep in prayer. Great details in the robes... and a fifth figure, starting to emerge perhaps....
ReplyDeleteSheila! Thanks for these comments. I like your sense about the figure on the right. If you look at the painting as if it were a sentence - or a story line - the figure on the right is where you end up. (More stage theory!) :-)
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