Drift Into the Unknown
Earlier this year, a beautiful email made its way into my inbox. The kind that makes you smile and thank the universe for bestowing little gifts.
I was approached by a poet who was collaborating with a musician to create videos on You Tube. Her poetry would be read aloud to music and she was looking for artwork to accompany the pair, making their duo an artistic trio.
I felt like I was in a waking dream...
"Bottom line, your work suits the feel of the album--dreamy, playful, resilient, unflinching, full of paradox---all poems honoring the dark."
***
My annual goal list has proudly spouted My artwork on a book cover for years! This was also the one goal that I didn't actively pursue for multiple reasons, one of which was the confusion and uncertainty around...how or where do I even start?
As part of my daily meditation practices, I started asking for help from the universe for assistance to come to me, instead of me always being the one to do the cold calling. Considering my past career in sales, I feel a bit like I've paid my dues. That isn't always how life works and I'm at least thankful I have the skills to go that route when necessary.
But something magical has started happening these last couple of years. Perhaps it's all the hard work to get to this point in time; opportunities (plural), such as this, have sought me out. All I can do is beam gratitude back out to the ether and continue doing what I love.
As a big believer in the 80/20 rule, which applies to SO many things, it's 80% mindset and 20% action when manifesting one's dreams.
***
During one of our zoom calls Rosemerry generously offered to write a poem inspired by my artwork. I requested a poem for this piece, Drift Into the Unknown, which she was also drawn to, even selecting it as the album cover for her collection of poems titled Dark Praise.
One of the great joys of being an artist, is not only creating art that speaks to another, but sitting back and watching how other's life experiences shape their perspective and response to the work. It's different for everyone.
So here it is, Rosemerry's words, weaving in luscious visuals, new meanings and emotion through her poem - After the Full Moon Knocked.
After the Full Moon Knocked
By Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
When she opened the door,
she could not have known
how the winds would enter, too,
how soon the sands of loss
would blow across the hearth
until drifts filled every corner,
rising in every room,
rising until she knew
this door would never close again.
All she had wanted
was to let in the light.
She could not have known
how the sands of loss
would bury the shovel,
bury the broom,
bury even her will to believe
she could ever again
lock out the world.
How gently now they hold her,
these silken dunes she once
tried to exclude.
She curls into their drifts like a nest.
So easily now the moon enters
spilling shine across the sand.
No longer needing to knock,
it offers her all the light it has.
Rosemerry has quite the list of accomplishments. She teaches and performs poetry for several retreats and programs, has presented on Tedx Talk, co-hosts a podcast called Emerging Form, has written several books, co-leads writer's circles, is a wife, mother, gardener and all around beautiful human being.
The first video from our collaboration has been released, titled Teach Me the Dark. You can watch it here. Her album, Dark Praise will release on July 14th, but you can pre-order it here.
You can learn more about her on her website Word Woman.
For those of you who would love a daily dose of poetry in your inbox, you can subscribe here.
And for those interested in seeing our collaboration, stay tuned, and/or subscribe to either, or both, of our newsletters. More to come! But in the meantime, you can listen to my interview on Emerging Form about the Business of Creativity.
Interested in adding Drift Into the Unknown to your collection?
Behind the Scenes - Drift Into the Unknown
What I loved about Kolmanskop, this abandoned diamond mine in Namibia, was equal parts the sand seeking refuge inside the walls creating these surreal playgrounds AND how preserved the colors and details of architecture remained after the passing of more than a century.
This particular room was painted this gorgeous shade of blue. Stenciling adorned the top of the walls for added decoration. While inside, I felt very much like I was sitting beside the ocean with the wind gently blowing sand across my face.
From the series, Certain These Clouds Go Somewhere, Drift Into the Unknown is the only one without the digital addition of clouds. The sandblasting of paint, over time, created variations of waves, cloud-like, if you will, on the walls.
I do often manipulate colors in my works, using a palette that best fits with the composition. But there was no need with this particular space. The colors were perfect, and the other room, even darker and more mysterious than this one.
I learned later that our guide had returned to Kolmanskop and photographed a very beautiful, but very poisonous snake, perched on one of the dunes INSIDE one of these houses. How very glad am I that his discovery was NOT on this trip, as I pranced around barefoot, lying down on the sand and oblivious to everything else...which is what happens while I'm in the zone.
I seriously hope he placed that snake there...probably not. You can check it out here.
Most often...ignorance is truly blissful!
Interested in adding Drift Into the Unknown to your collection?
Feel free to share this newsletter with your art lover friends. Leave a comment. Drop me a line. Until next time.
0 Comments