Sources of Inspiration

There are endless sources of inspiration out there and we don't have to look far and wide to find them.  The above picture is one of Isaiah Zagar's mosaics and living dream. Zagar took dilapidated buildings on South Street in Philadelphia and made them into Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.  What struck me about this artist was this:  you can see and feel the true essence of who this man is, past, present and future when you stand in his sculpture garden, or tour the city to see 40 years of his many creations blossom in the most unexpected spaces.  Although I don't want my walls filled with mosaics (well maybe just one), I truly admire Zagar's courage to create his surroundings and life's work with a genuine heart.  Many of his works incorporate silouettes of his wife Julia, who is obviously a part of his being. And of course, he was influenced by many other artists/people along the way.

This adventure left me wondering if I am living my life according to the essence of who I am..........what is the essence of who I am.........who inspires me and who is a part of my being?.............

 Then I came across this quote in Julia Camerons book The Artist's Way -A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity 

                         

                               "You are lost the instant you know what the result will be."  Juan Gris.

So having the "answers" to those questions, I gather is pointless.  The essence of who we are is about the journey we chose:   who we allow to influence our journey and what we make of our journey.  Although I am influenced by negative experiences, I cherish those who have touched my heart in large and small ways and poetry allows me to frame this.  I'm guessing Zagar feels a similar satisfaction when viewing his mosaics.  I am lucky to have my mom, who I cherish for teaching me the meaning of love with an inexhaustible list (volumes) of loving deeds, actions and lifestyle.  And I cherish her mom for the quiet love she taught throughout her life.  I wrote this poem in memory of my grandmom's enduring love for my grandpop, even long after he was gone.

Goose Girl

This spoon chases lops of carrots,
potatoes, celery, and beef,
round the copper bottom pot,
and steam billows towards a
single, hollow stratum between
these apartment walls.


Green cold bottles of 7up
are still to the left in the icebox,
salt and pepper
to the right of the stove.


Today I changed the placemats
for fall,
two tan woven squares,
two brown wooden rings surrounding
two fabric napkins,
laden with crimson berries
and the rich ginger tones
of autumn’s grace.


In the evening,
I pop open the tin for a raspberry candy,
and savor and sway
on the wooden rails of my rocker,
which always return my pushback.

Fridays I go on to pin up my hair
and dust the curio.
Goose Girl looks down on her pleading darlings
with compassion.
Singlehandedly
she remains undaunted,
year after year,
clutching her secret bouquet behind
her back.

I am so fortunate to have such monumental influences in my life, but I also try to appreciate someone or something every day, even tiny doses of inspiration.  Cameron's book encourages you to recognize and nuture your creative self, which is present in all of us.  She advises to journal each morning and seek out your creativity by taking yourself on "artist dates".  For me, setting a little time aside each day reflecting, journaling, meditating or writing poetry makes the world stop rushing by so quickly.  I am greatful for others who teach and nuture creativity.

This week I am treading into new "creative territory".  I visited a local art store and brought myself some colored pencils and sketch pads and a "how to draw with colored pencils" book.  I could never really draw, but Cameron advises us to challenge our inner critic... and so I'm trying not to say "never".  Try your hand at something new and creative.  I hope you share your adventure here.

Thanks Denise for sharing the Magic Garden site and thanks Mare for sharing the Artist's Way with me.