Natural Tapestries
Thoughts on The Creative Process
Tanzania, 2010 |
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Learn to say “Jambo,” (hello) and you will be greeted with a wide smile and “Karibu,” (welcome).
Tanzanians are filled with dignity and beauty, warmth and politeness. There is the obvious charm and allure of Elephants, Giraffes, Rhinos, Wildebeest, Zebra, Ostrich, Warthogs, Monkeys, Hippos, Cats, not to mention the over 1,100 species of colorful birds. But, for me, it was the Tanzanians that made this visit a life-changing event. Despite the constant challenge to make ends meet, these beautiful people dance, sing, paint, carve, and live their lives in grace and appreciation.
Our guides exemplified these characteristics as they led us through such wonders as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, complemented by other stellar parks, roadways, and villages. But, be forewarned “polepole” (poh-lay-poh-lay, “slowly, slowly”) is the way to go. While it is tempting to want it all, it is best to explore a few destinations in-depth instead of running all over the place – frenetic and exhausted. This “slower” pace allows time to sit on a rock and shift into another life and time.
Tanzania is an ancient land but a young country. It is worth it to go polepole, as you don’t want to miss its rich history, the textured tapestry of Tanzania’s ethnic diversity, the Maasai’s tenacious defense of their pastoral lifestyle and culture, the lush woodlands, the tawny savannas, the semi-arid desert or the land that often seems so biblical that you would not be surprised to see Moses appear in some thicket or Adam and Eve hanging out beside a Baobab Tree.
Polepole and you won’t miss the juicy meat of the sweetest mangoes I have ever enjoyed or Mount Meru in apricot twilight, or a family picking coffee while singing, or a Maasai woman passionately choosing colors for her traditional beadings. It is all a visual, auditory and cardiochrome pleasure.
I want to go back for more as it is now in my blood, and will do so again in 2012, with Dee Ann Pederson (who just organizes everything to a “T”). Let me know if you want to join us.
I’ll be anxious to hear the Tanzanians say “karibu tena”, (welcome again).
Tanzanians are filled with dignity and beauty, warmth and politeness. There is the obvious charm and allure of Elephants, Giraffes, Rhinos, Wildebeest, Zebra, Ostrich, Warthogs, Monkeys, Hippos, Cats, not to mention the over 1,100 species of colorful birds. But, for me, it was the Tanzanians that made this visit a life-changing event. Despite the constant challenge to make ends meet, these beautiful people dance, sing, paint, carve, and live their lives in grace and appreciation.
Our guides exemplified these characteristics as they led us through such wonders as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, complemented by other stellar parks, roadways, and villages. But, be forewarned “polepole” (poh-lay-poh-lay, “slowly, slowly”) is the way to go. While it is tempting to want it all, it is best to explore a few destinations in-depth instead of running all over the place – frenetic and exhausted. This “slower” pace allows time to sit on a rock and shift into another life and time.
Tanzania is an ancient land but a young country. It is worth it to go polepole, as you don’t want to miss its rich history, the textured tapestry of Tanzania’s ethnic diversity, the Maasai’s tenacious defense of their pastoral lifestyle and culture, the lush woodlands, the tawny savannas, the semi-arid desert or the land that often seems so biblical that you would not be surprised to see Moses appear in some thicket or Adam and Eve hanging out beside a Baobab Tree.
Polepole and you won’t miss the juicy meat of the sweetest mangoes I have ever enjoyed or Mount Meru in apricot twilight, or a family picking coffee while singing, or a Maasai woman passionately choosing colors for her traditional beadings. It is all a visual, auditory and cardiochrome pleasure.
I want to go back for more as it is now in my blood, and will do so again in 2012, with Dee Ann Pederson (who just organizes everything to a “T”). Let me know if you want to join us.
I’ll be anxious to hear the Tanzanians say “karibu tena”, (welcome again).
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On courage and inspiration from others…
Promise me you’ll always remember:
You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
Christopher Robin to Pooh
A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.
William Shedd
Courage is resilience to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.
Mark Twain
In this life we cannot do great things.
We can only do small things with great love.
Mother Theresa
Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible it is yours.
Ayn Rand
Courage is grace under pressure.
Ernest Hemingway
Promise me you’ll always remember:
You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
Christopher Robin to Pooh
A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.
William Shedd
Courage is resilience to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.
Mark Twain
In this life we cannot do great things.
We can only do small things with great love.
Mother Theresa
Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible it is yours.
Ayn Rand
Courage is grace under pressure.
Ernest Hemingway
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Thoughts on The Creative Process
January, 2010 |
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With respect and admiration for Viridiana Chávez Bautista
Un Regalo/A Gift Inspiration arrives when we least expect it. This month I was privileged to share a wonderful adventure in Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca in Southern Mexico with a small group of photographers who, like me, will be forever changed by this area’s incredible beauty and spirit. While photographing in one of the indigenous colorful and exciting markets, a young Zapotec woman of beautiful Indian ancestry approached me. Her English was good and she introduced herself as “Viridiana” and asked if we were interested in the traditional weavings of the area. Open to the experience, I asked our guide to take our group to Viridiana’s studio. Through bumpy dirt roads, we arrived at a modest studio, treated to local mescal, and received with warm Mexican welcomes. |
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Viridiana is part of a young weavers’ cooperative in a small Zapotec village, 15 miles south of Oaxaca. The co-op maintains the custom and values that began in the valley of Oaxaca as long ago as 500 BC. Foot-pedaled looms, dedication to natural dyes, traditional spinning wheels and yarn drying naturally in the sun all symbolize a weaving process that is both time-consuming and very laborious.
Viridiana is committed to protecting the environment while preserving ancient and traditional methods. She transforms raw wool into works of art using natural materials including madder root, cochineal (an insect that lives on the red juice of the prickly pear cactus),indigo plants, tree bark, nutshells, pomegranates and flower petals. The rugs are Teotitlán’s heart and soul - its “alma y corazón”. Viridiana’s work is her heart and soul and a creation of communal happiness for those around her. She is not looking for riches or fame. Rather, her goal is to share the artistic talents of her community and family with the whole of Mexico and the rest of the world. 10% of profits of all rug sales are donated to Pro Mujer, ProMujer.org, a non-profit lending organization providing livelihood, credit and business training to women throughout Latin America. |
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Living in a culture that has been so oppressed and forced to live in poverty, Viridiana is an example of turning your face to the sun and not concentrating on bad or wrong or inadequate. She is not absent of fear, but is on her path – overcoming fear. She is singing the song that she was born to sing.
With Viridiana’s industriousness and courage, she will be the hero of future generations in her valley. I know she will be my teacher whenever I feel trapped and her inspiration will offer music and song to my own creative dance. That is her gift, her “regalo”, to me. Viridiana can be reached at viridiana_loom56@hotmail.com, and she is working on a web site. |
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On courage and inspiration from others…
Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Christopher Robin to Pooh A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for. William Shedd Courage is resilience to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. Mark Twain In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love. Mother Theresa Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible it is yours. Ayn Rand Courage is grace under pressure. Ernest Hemingway One can never consent to creep when one feels the impulse to soar. Helen Keller |
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On Art and Courage…
Much of making art is celebrating beauty but it is also about having courage.
We need courage to deal with disappointment and failure. Robert Kennedy said, “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” If we’re only photographing to get perfect shots, we miss the lesson of ‘practice’ and fail to experience the opportunity of learning who we are as artists and creative souls.
It takes courage for us to view art as a verb – an unfolding process that directly emanates from our heart, rather than seeing art only as a noun - the final product. When we regard art as a noun, we set out with goals and preconceived notions. We are blinkered and closed to potential magic and possible gifts. But when we risk having art become a verb for us, we find our unique and special vision. We light our own fire and dance to the music of our own dance.
Courage takes many forms. One of the hardest things for us to do is to hold our art out for others to judge. It’s hard enough for us to hear that gaggle of judging voices in our own heads, happy to tell us all about the rotten quality of our work. But it is important to share our art, without worrying about the delusion of perfection.
This is great advice, yet scary to put into practice. However, this year I took a chance. With the urging and encouragement of fellow photographers, I submitted images for the North American Nature Photographers Association 2010 “Member’s Showcase”. NANPA prints the judge’s choices in an annual journal called ‘Expressions’.
When I received notice of my inclusion into ‘Expressions’, I felt proud to be part of such a remarkable community of creativity and talent. I was also humbled because the judges received almost 4,000 photographs - an incredible array of wonderful images.
As we travel on the creative journey, we all know how many ‘delete’ buttons are pushed and how many “if only” sighs are heard. As I look at my images accepted for inclusion, I am struck by how eclectic and diversified they are. My roots began in macrophotography and, although this is still my love, I have learned that only by taking chances can I grow as an artist and a person.
And, while we know that there is a universal need to seek approval and to be validated, we don’t want to put power into the hands of judges. But from my experience this year, I’ve found that we can “achieve greatly” if we challenge fear by revealing and sharing our art with others and by not expecting perfection in every image.
I’ve learned that courage requires us to let go of safety and that is also how we stay authentic. We can travel without a GPS and not worry about getting lost. None of us always knows the answers or how to be the perfect artist, but we can move beyond what might feel comfortable and safe, and know that this is an integral part of growing and unfolding.
Acceptance is a savory treat and I am grateful for having my images included in NANPA’s ‘Expressions’. But it remains my goal to search deeper still within myself. As I travel along on my path, I will always remain appreciative and in awe over all that there is to celebrate in the world – be it a frog’s toe or butterfly fishermen in fog.
To courage, passion, desire and light!
Namasté, from my light to yours,
Nancy
Much of making art is celebrating beauty but it is also about having courage.
We need courage to deal with disappointment and failure. Robert Kennedy said, “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” If we’re only photographing to get perfect shots, we miss the lesson of ‘practice’ and fail to experience the opportunity of learning who we are as artists and creative souls.
It takes courage for us to view art as a verb – an unfolding process that directly emanates from our heart, rather than seeing art only as a noun - the final product. When we regard art as a noun, we set out with goals and preconceived notions. We are blinkered and closed to potential magic and possible gifts. But when we risk having art become a verb for us, we find our unique and special vision. We light our own fire and dance to the music of our own dance.
Courage takes many forms. One of the hardest things for us to do is to hold our art out for others to judge. It’s hard enough for us to hear that gaggle of judging voices in our own heads, happy to tell us all about the rotten quality of our work. But it is important to share our art, without worrying about the delusion of perfection.
This is great advice, yet scary to put into practice. However, this year I took a chance. With the urging and encouragement of fellow photographers, I submitted images for the North American Nature Photographers Association 2010 “Member’s Showcase”. NANPA prints the judge’s choices in an annual journal called ‘Expressions’.
When I received notice of my inclusion into ‘Expressions’, I felt proud to be part of such a remarkable community of creativity and talent. I was also humbled because the judges received almost 4,000 photographs - an incredible array of wonderful images.
As we travel on the creative journey, we all know how many ‘delete’ buttons are pushed and how many “if only” sighs are heard. As I look at my images accepted for inclusion, I am struck by how eclectic and diversified they are. My roots began in macrophotography and, although this is still my love, I have learned that only by taking chances can I grow as an artist and a person.
And, while we know that there is a universal need to seek approval and to be validated, we don’t want to put power into the hands of judges. But from my experience this year, I’ve found that we can “achieve greatly” if we challenge fear by revealing and sharing our art with others and by not expecting perfection in every image.
I’ve learned that courage requires us to let go of safety and that is also how we stay authentic. We can travel without a GPS and not worry about getting lost. None of us always knows the answers or how to be the perfect artist, but we can move beyond what might feel comfortable and safe, and know that this is an integral part of growing and unfolding.
Acceptance is a savory treat and I am grateful for having my images included in NANPA’s ‘Expressions’. But it remains my goal to search deeper still within myself. As I travel along on my path, I will always remain appreciative and in awe over all that there is to celebrate in the world – be it a frog’s toe or butterfly fishermen in fog.
To courage, passion, desire and light!
Namasté, from my light to yours,
Nancy
There are times on a creative journey when we feel famished – when we develop a voracious appetite for connecting to the world and for expressing our art. It is spring and we are lucky. This is the season when even the most passionate appetite can be satisfied.
It is that time of year when a lush banquet is set out before us. It is all so delectable – this profusion of beauty that is running amok. It is in the colors, the flowers, the light, the beaches, the birds – the air. It is a photographer’s dreamtime, and for this photographer, there is an intoxicating feeling when I think about the bounty of possibilities.
With so many choices, it is easy to become overwhelmed and to devour it all without really tasting. A gourmand – a sensualist, doe not hurry the process. We must remember to slow down – to take little bites – to savor the pleasure while finding ways to meet the cravings.
We are and should be craving. However, we cannot show up for beauty if we haven’t experienced it or lived it. It must come from within and be part of who you are. “I am part of all that I have met,” said Alfred Tennyson. You are part of all that you have met. Be sure to introduce yourself to beauty and make it an essential part of your daily ritual. Allow yourself experiences that will add to your life and will create in you, the person who knows how to appreciate and embrace beauty.
As creative souls, we are alive and wanting. When I am hungry, I search for that which will feed me. While everyone has different tastes, I am fed with the beauty that is found in poetry, music, books, flowers, rocks, water, good food, conversation and love. You must seek out and keep good company, knowing what and who will nourish you. You must pursue that which will keep you alive and sustained on a creative level.
Of course, every person has a different perspective on how to define nourishment. There is chocolate, strawberry, banana, pralines and cream. There is Beethoven, Lucinda Williams, and Louis Armstrong. There is shrimp and pasta, tofu and steak. It really doesn’t matter what the substance. It matters only that you know what feeds you and that you make sure it is part of your diet and way of living.
Give yourself permission to find the richness you need for your survival. It is necessary and is the absolute prerequisite for a creative life. You cannot expect to create if you aren’t living creatively.
Without provisions of beauty to feed us, we lose our passion. Without passion, we are mechanical robots, and produce art in a style that is mechanical. If we aren’t receptive to the vital energies that light our fires, we are opting to live in T.S.Eliot’s, The Waste Land, where you know only a heap of broken images. This is a dead and dark and neglected landscape – one void of beauty.
Passion is a virtue, not a self-indulgent nihilism that some might encourage you to believe. Expressing your need to live creatively is merely honoring yourself. Creativity runs in your blood – you must take care of its needs.
Feed yourself - laugh, feel, weep, dance, and create. You must feast on that which nourishes your palate and indulges your senses. Surrender to the philosophy that possible banquets are everywhere if you are open to see them and mindful to experience them. When you live with passion and embrace beauty, you awaken your poet. It is that poet’s voice who will lead you to visual poems and to your bliss.
When you are following your bliss, you are photographing and living with poetry. The more simple images, the most ordinary subjects, become extraordinary poems. Oriah Mountain Dreamer said in her wonderful poem, The Invitation, …”stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, ‘YES!’” We all need to shout yes and gratefully accept invitations for these feasts and banquets.
Wherever you go, you will be all that you have received and imbibed. You will find your heart and soul in rapturous union of perception and imagination. Your images will be filled with intimacy and sensuousness, resonating from your nourished, blossoming spirit.
So, put on your favorite music and fill your cupboards with all that you love. Don’t save the beautiful china and crystal and that rare bottle of wine. Every day can be a celebration and a party, if you invite yourself to the festival. Enjoy a world integrated with senses. Your life will be ever so delicious!
Bon appetit,
Nancy
It is that time of year when a lush banquet is set out before us. It is all so delectable – this profusion of beauty that is running amok. It is in the colors, the flowers, the light, the beaches, the birds – the air. It is a photographer’s dreamtime, and for this photographer, there is an intoxicating feeling when I think about the bounty of possibilities.
With so many choices, it is easy to become overwhelmed and to devour it all without really tasting. A gourmand – a sensualist, doe not hurry the process. We must remember to slow down – to take little bites – to savor the pleasure while finding ways to meet the cravings.
We are and should be craving. However, we cannot show up for beauty if we haven’t experienced it or lived it. It must come from within and be part of who you are. “I am part of all that I have met,” said Alfred Tennyson. You are part of all that you have met. Be sure to introduce yourself to beauty and make it an essential part of your daily ritual. Allow yourself experiences that will add to your life and will create in you, the person who knows how to appreciate and embrace beauty.
As creative souls, we are alive and wanting. When I am hungry, I search for that which will feed me. While everyone has different tastes, I am fed with the beauty that is found in poetry, music, books, flowers, rocks, water, good food, conversation and love. You must seek out and keep good company, knowing what and who will nourish you. You must pursue that which will keep you alive and sustained on a creative level.
Of course, every person has a different perspective on how to define nourishment. There is chocolate, strawberry, banana, pralines and cream. There is Beethoven, Lucinda Williams, and Louis Armstrong. There is shrimp and pasta, tofu and steak. It really doesn’t matter what the substance. It matters only that you know what feeds you and that you make sure it is part of your diet and way of living.
Give yourself permission to find the richness you need for your survival. It is necessary and is the absolute prerequisite for a creative life. You cannot expect to create if you aren’t living creatively.
Without provisions of beauty to feed us, we lose our passion. Without passion, we are mechanical robots, and produce art in a style that is mechanical. If we aren’t receptive to the vital energies that light our fires, we are opting to live in T.S.Eliot’s, The Waste Land, where you know only a heap of broken images. This is a dead and dark and neglected landscape – one void of beauty.
Passion is a virtue, not a self-indulgent nihilism that some might encourage you to believe. Expressing your need to live creatively is merely honoring yourself. Creativity runs in your blood – you must take care of its needs.
Feed yourself - laugh, feel, weep, dance, and create. You must feast on that which nourishes your palate and indulges your senses. Surrender to the philosophy that possible banquets are everywhere if you are open to see them and mindful to experience them. When you live with passion and embrace beauty, you awaken your poet. It is that poet’s voice who will lead you to visual poems and to your bliss.
When you are following your bliss, you are photographing and living with poetry. The more simple images, the most ordinary subjects, become extraordinary poems. Oriah Mountain Dreamer said in her wonderful poem, The Invitation, …”stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, ‘YES!’” We all need to shout yes and gratefully accept invitations for these feasts and banquets.
Wherever you go, you will be all that you have received and imbibed. You will find your heart and soul in rapturous union of perception and imagination. Your images will be filled with intimacy and sensuousness, resonating from your nourished, blossoming spirit.
So, put on your favorite music and fill your cupboards with all that you love. Don’t save the beautiful china and crystal and that rare bottle of wine. Every day can be a celebration and a party, if you invite yourself to the festival. Enjoy a world integrated with senses. Your life will be ever so delicious!
Bon appetit,
Nancy
