When I was out walking this morning, I remarked to myself what a pretty view I was taking in. I was on a hill; what I could see was broad. I know there are many days where I do not capture this landscape even if I am walking along the same path. If I am with my children, for example, the perspective gets very intimate. What I see is only relative to this bubble we are in. If I am thinking of the future and projects I am working on, I tend to look up more and can see far and wide. There are also days when I am just admiring as many details as I can: flowers, birds, people and things. It is my opinion that it is a good thing to have an awareness of the different perspectives we have to see the world. Moreover become aware that we can choose to change how we see the world around us. Now there is an interesting thought to put into practice. We can always find something good to reflect upon. It is just a matter of deciding to open our eyes to what is really there, not just our expectation of the world around us.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The arrival of spring
I do enjoy the crunch of dry snow under my feet and the purplish light of those short winter days but would gladly invite into my life a gig that takes us to a warm place for January and February. However with spring the garden is always a source of inspiration. After the cold slumber of winter, awakens life everywhere we look. We see proof that life is renewable, that something is being transformed even when we see nothing above ground. We even see how "whatever we sow in the ground must die before it is given new life" as the seed you sow is not what comes out of the ground but a new creation entirely.
Well that's it isn't it: creation, orchestrated by God. We are part of that. Somehow our ego allows us to presume we can be great creators too. Maybe we can. I had a wonderful teacher, Kenny Werner, who attempted to get us to be a vehicle for the music that was already within us. It is based on the ability to let go of our ego even for just a few moments and allow the creative force to come through us. I have had that experience on occasion. There are nights when you couldn’t hit a wrong note if you tried. Where everything comes out sounding amazing and the feeling is connected with something greater than me.
A few nights ago I went to see Andras Schiff play three Beethoven pieces at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He was alone at the piano. His years of study, practice and dedication combined with talent were our guarantee that each piece would be rendered justly. As I am a visual person, I always like to watch the performer's faces. I took out my little binoculars and set my eyes upon the artist. I saw it. With my own eyes I saw the expression of pure joy radiating from his being, coming through the music. All his enjoyment within the moment brought me to elation. Even as I sit at my computer and return to that memory I feel all of that beauty fill me up. Was that creation? Was it the vehicle for creation?
From many sources I am told to seize the day or more precisely enjoy the moment I am in. So I go out and admire what new life is emerging in the garden. I open the screen so my son and I can touch the buds and tender leaves on the lilac outside my window. I spend more time laughing and do my best to find compassion within my self for all of those I meet. A new me is emerging after the darkness of winter? To quote Paul Johnson author of Creators, “It is a privileged life no matter how hard and arduous a process it may be.”
Well that's it isn't it: creation, orchestrated by God. We are part of that. Somehow our ego allows us to presume we can be great creators too. Maybe we can. I had a wonderful teacher, Kenny Werner, who attempted to get us to be a vehicle for the music that was already within us. It is based on the ability to let go of our ego even for just a few moments and allow the creative force to come through us. I have had that experience on occasion. There are nights when you couldn’t hit a wrong note if you tried. Where everything comes out sounding amazing and the feeling is connected with something greater than me.
A few nights ago I went to see Andras Schiff play three Beethoven pieces at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He was alone at the piano. His years of study, practice and dedication combined with talent were our guarantee that each piece would be rendered justly. As I am a visual person, I always like to watch the performer's faces. I took out my little binoculars and set my eyes upon the artist. I saw it. With my own eyes I saw the expression of pure joy radiating from his being, coming through the music. All his enjoyment within the moment brought me to elation. Even as I sit at my computer and return to that memory I feel all of that beauty fill me up. Was that creation? Was it the vehicle for creation?
From many sources I am told to seize the day or more precisely enjoy the moment I am in. So I go out and admire what new life is emerging in the garden. I open the screen so my son and I can touch the buds and tender leaves on the lilac outside my window. I spend more time laughing and do my best to find compassion within my self for all of those I meet. A new me is emerging after the darkness of winter? To quote Paul Johnson author of Creators, “It is a privileged life no matter how hard and arduous a process it may be.”
Friday, April 3, 2009
Penny for your thoughts
What would our world be like if Picasso or Rembrandt or Van Gogh could not have paint? What if Mozart had not had access to a violin or piano, Shakespeare no pen, paper or the ability to write? All evolved culture has defined itself through art. Museums display exhibits of civilisations past where we find art and paintings and sculptures and writings and letters and beautifully hand crafted pieces of furniture.
Today the majority of artists can not live from their art. Hordes of actors, musicians, painters go out into the world to get the day job that allows them to feed themselves and their families but kills their creativity. Ah the catch 22 of it.
Farmers have this great thing it is a tax credit just for being a farmer. The government recognises that being a farmer is hard and important so they give them a break right up front. No such thing exists for artists yet would we survive a day without art? Furthermore half the time people think we spend our time doing nothing. People don’t realise that if you have managed to scrape an existence in this world as an artist then you must be good at something. There are many who don’t manage and are very good in art but not in business.
Not so long ago I was sitting at the bar having a drink on my break with my accompanist and the bartender. We were chatting about the artist thing. My companion pointed out that we could do his job tomorrow but it would take years of practice for him to step into our jobs. People heard music and gathered around. We played requests. We kept the patrons entertained. Yet at the end of the night chances are the bartender went home with more in his pockets than we did.
Today the majority of artists can not live from their art. Hordes of actors, musicians, painters go out into the world to get the day job that allows them to feed themselves and their families but kills their creativity. Ah the catch 22 of it.
Farmers have this great thing it is a tax credit just for being a farmer. The government recognises that being a farmer is hard and important so they give them a break right up front. No such thing exists for artists yet would we survive a day without art? Furthermore half the time people think we spend our time doing nothing. People don’t realise that if you have managed to scrape an existence in this world as an artist then you must be good at something. There are many who don’t manage and are very good in art but not in business.
Not so long ago I was sitting at the bar having a drink on my break with my accompanist and the bartender. We were chatting about the artist thing. My companion pointed out that we could do his job tomorrow but it would take years of practice for him to step into our jobs. People heard music and gathered around. We played requests. We kept the patrons entertained. Yet at the end of the night chances are the bartender went home with more in his pockets than we did.
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