I want my imagination back.
— Martin Shaw
Acrylic & ink on paper © Laurie Doctor Sketchbook
It’s easy to forget that even in this burning turning world, we are part of a vast imaginative field. Even in the midst of a multitude of transactions, all happening in spite of crisis and devastation, there are things that nourish the imagination, things that are out of reach of AI. I am thinking of poetry, dreams and reverie — all of which awaken imagination and creativity. Staying current with the dream world – where gift-images come unbidden and tell us something about what direction to walk in — can change everything, even the world.
Line Practice | Acrylic & fine point pens | Book page © Barbara O’Neil
Line | Mussel shell, acrylic & ink | Book page © Reina Katzenberger
Acrylic, collage, watercolor & ink | Book page © Eileen Boniecka
Book page | Blind contour drawing | Graphite, watercolor & china marker | © Kay Johnson
Imagination belongs in the field of things that cannot be taken. Imagination is food for our world. Imagination does not abide by clock time. Imagination cannot be taken, but it can be smothered by an overload of external images and information. The field of imagination needs to be seized, watered and fed. The earth needs us, offers itself to our imagination; all the plants and animals, stones and trees, and all the people are thirsty. Imagination counters a culture that fosters self-indulgence, personal ambition, money and position, above integrity. The direction is all outward, and that is unstable ground. Anything that can be measured, bought or sold is considered of more value than the magnificent mystery that this world was ever created, and is, still.
Being a creator, a maker, brings us back to the mystery, to being near what matters.
Book cover © Katie Barnes (left) Book cover © Judythe Sieck (right)
Book cover © Maggie Woods (left) Book cover © Kathy Honea (right)
Book cover © Roz Barhaugh (left) Book cover © Lyn Hart (right)
I have returned from a long journey. When I think about my time away — teaching three workshops and then studying poetry with Marie Howe (who has recently won the Pulitzer Prize for her latest book: New and Selected Poems) — well, when I am back at home and inviting reverie (even saying no to things that I love, things that are on my calendar) — I reflect on the teaching and the poetry as ways I cultivate imagination. This is my aim and my hope for my students: to re-ignite imagination, to flame creativity. My classes are more an atmosphere than a map, but my job is, as William Stafford once said, “In the end, to be envious of their work.”
It’s not possible to do what I want to do, to celebrate properly the work of almost 50 students, but I hope to give you, as always, a glimpse. I love seeing the range of their work — from beginners to professionals, all using the same tools:
© Rachel Waters Photography with contributions from Erin Rigney
Book cover | © Dana Jacobson Book page | Watercolor & ink | © Marcia Hocevar Book cover | © Elise Lerner
Book cover © Lynne Durham Book page | Collage, watercolor, ink and acrylic | © Laura Wainwright
Book cover | © Wendy MacPhail~Brigham Book page | Watercolor, acrylic and ink © Deb Jones Book box and spine | © CJ Locarro
Coming Events:
Here are four questions I am thinking about:
• Where do the deep dreams come from, the ones that tell you something you didn’t know you knew?
• What grows self-confidence, I mean the kind that doesn’t fade with criticism or crisis?
• What gives you courage?
• Where is your allegiance, and how is this reflected in your action?
I’d love to hear from you.
Featured Artist:
This month’s artist is Ann Langston — she adds such elegance, beauty and experience to our library of artists, blending a background of fashion design, illustration and painting. See more of her work here:
© Lodge Barn | Ann Langston