Shibui

A watercolor artist friend of mine signed me up to a twice-weekly newsletter that I am really enjoying. The newsletter's author, Robert Genn, is an accomplished artist. As well, his style of writing is thoughtful, intelligent and wide-reaching. This is more than a newsletter for the painting artist, but is an insightful, thought-provoking, teaching newsletter that covers all spectrum of the creative. I've learned so much, including terminology that apply to arts of all kinds.

Like "shibui." From Mr. Genn's May newsletter "Shibui is a broad term that can mean irregularity of form, openness to nature, roughness of texture, and the naturalness of daily life. Also known as Shibusa, it refers as well to the Japanese "Seven aspects of being," which are simplicity, implicitness, modesty, silence, naturalness, roughness and normalcy. It's seen in raku pottery, architecture, folk crafts, haiku, gardens and painting. Shibui is worth thinking about no matter where you are or what your art."

Sharing this particular newsletter topic with my road trip buddy, Carroll, she began lamenting that she had zero artistic tendencies. I vehemently disagreed. She is a fabulous cook, putting the term "shibui" into play with each dollop of cream or sprinkle of herb. Rarely does she use a cookbook, choosing instead to pull culinary masterpieces together from what's in the cupboard on any given day. She does this successfully day after day with yummy results. THAT is artistic, as are her cottage gardens that are delightful paintings of blossoms sprouting up randomly and sporadically through flagstone pathways. Man...can you get any more artistic than that? I think not. Cooking and gardening are shibui in action.

Had I known of this term before I might have titled my blog "Shibui." Many of you are aware of the inner struggle I'm having with whether to keep my blog random or reign it in to one subject. However, Life blesses me with so many lessons each day that I just can't hold it all in. One day I'm compelled to write about a family member and another day some bold insight comes to me during a walk and I have to share it. My thought process is irregular in form. Obviously, I'm extraordinarily open to nature. I'm drawn to roughness of textures, whether tree bark, surfaces of stones or pollen covering a bee's legs. These details and patterns tell a deeper part of nature's stories and reflect the naturalness of daily life.

My blog is an artistic outlet for me. Blending music and photos with writing feeds a need deep within my soul. Further, communicating with like minds and meeting people around the world deposits another layer to my personality and character. My blog shall remain random and will remain Giraffe Head Tree as the concept of shibui will always be in the back of my mind.

If you are interested please do check out The Painter's Keys and sign up. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Peace.

Inside

"Inside my head's a box of stars I never dared to open."

Sting

I grew up knowing in my heart that I was not creative. Shy, submissive, quiet, wallflower - that was me. Creative people got attention and I was uncomfortable with attention. Fast Forward to Today. As much as I enjoyed my childhood, I am really enjoying my age. No, not the new aches and pains but the freedom from caring what people think and a joyful sense of Self as I embrace my creative side. The sense of fear has been replaced by a sense of utter joy. Writing, photography, graphic arts, blogging, gardening, cooking, parenting...breathing.

It didn't happen overnight nor did it occur in a vacuum. I had a lot of help. Key were my parents who loved me and launched me with all the resources they had at the time. My father taught me to appreciate the wilds of nature while through my mother's eyes and ears I became aware of the smallest flower, a songbird's heartbeat and the sound of cicadas. They're still here for me. Throughout my journey of growth teachers and bosses granted me opportunities and encouraged me to create. Today, my friends give me wings and help me find my true path, my husband is my cheerleader and main support, and my daughter pushes me to try new things. Music releases my inhibitions and certain artists speak to my very soul. Sting, Chris Botti, Dominic Miller - whose works you hear on my blog - are keystone artists in my life. Life is good and I am creative.

"Outside the stars are turning."

Thanks, Sting.

Change

"Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts." Arnold Bennett

A good friend recently shared with me her need for change in her life, to which I replied "me, too." She and I are so much alike. Similar ages and stages, similar unmet needs, similar ponderings.

I'm at a point in life where I know I need to make some changes, but am unsure of the direction. Neither journaling, blogging, praying, photographing or even drinking too much wine have offered enough insight to date. There is a fear involved when one begins to think of change in their lives, which is why I chose the quote that I did today. Whatever I choose to do to bring one or more positive changes in my life will indeed cause drawbacks and discomforts in some capacity. It sounds odd, but this quote struck home this morning. The knowing ahead that upsets will occur grants me some sort of ease. I'm better prepared, maybe. It's the flow of life.

It think change is rather like this tree you see above. It has changed over time, as evidenced by it's crooked trunk and random branches. The tree is not perfect but I was drawn to its stark, uneven beauty nicely silhouetted in a morning mist. This tree teaches me that one can change, endure the discomforts and still come out beautiful and happy in the end.

At least, that's what I see.

The Lake

"A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. The fluviatile trees next the shore are the slender eyelashes which fringe it, and the wooded hills and cliffs around are its overhanging brows." Henry David Thoreau

I love living on water. The sights and smells and noises have become part of me. This place has given me inspiration, unleashed creativity and catapulted me out of myself, revealing the spiritual well within my soul. I cannot imagine another place that fits me better than here, on the water, surrounded by nature.

Gratitude

Things for which I am grateful for today:

Sunsets that bring me to my knees

Soft river waters

Fishy smells on summer days

Mayflies

Cacophony of cicadas on muggy evenings

The thrumming of passing barges that match my heartbeat

Songbirds

Good friends who "get me"

My good health and sharp senses that allow me these pleasures

My mom

...not necessarily in order.