As I dive deeper into doing artwork, the artwork is diving deeper into me, nudging and tugging at ideas and perspectives I lost track of or never knew were there.
Since coming to this prairie land I have sought out and felt the link between land and animal and human. Now as this journey with creating artwork enters the scene it is acting like something beyond connection. The art and immersion into creating it, is like a live yarn that is weaving in and out of the other aspects, leaving its mark on each and touching every aspect at once. There are fresh, wholehearted connections made, – with this landscape, with fellow artists, with my soul and, just maybe, with humanity.
It sounds idyllic and it is. It’s also real in a rough around the edges way, and a bit confusing in the way all new paths are. I’m in a constant tug-o-war lately – feeling compelled to open wider and go with the flow yet shy of it and what it is asking of me. Feeling free to pursue the many avenues and yet pulled to focus and narrow down the direction. Feeling elated for the possibilities and inadequate about handling them.
Continuing my common routine of ranch life shepherding a flock of sheep without the reach for more feels like the easy road. Yet creating art and writing words is a constant pull now, just like the prairie land. It’s there when I’m out in this landscape absorbing one of those big-small moments, reaching for the catch words to etch it in place at least long enough to get back to my journal.
The final piece is solidifying. There is no going back.
