20 Comments
Oct 30Liked by Samantha Clark

Thanks, Samantha, for providing the opportunity to learn about the actual execution of your work as well as the mental/spiritual influences which you translate into visual art. I’m always grateful for your taking time to call out from The Life Boat. We here in the US mess with our clocks, as well as minds, next week end in most of the states including Florida. “Falling back” adds another hour of darkness to my mornings, an unwelcome result. “Cutting my day in half” resonated with my heart. All the best, Sam.

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Thinking of everyone in the US this next week or two as you navigate your way through the choppy political seas.

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The quote attributed to Confucius, “May you live in interesting times” refers to today’s interesting times. Boredom is gaining appeal by the minute. Thanks, Sam.

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Boredom is the state I have always rejected, but never, until your sharing, so fully understood. You continually help clarify creative ideas and I thank you. Also, looking for your coworker zoom information. I’d like to join you sometime soon.

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Hi Laurie, thank you! Be great if you are able to join us! Just click the link at the end of the post to join at 3pm (GMT) or go to this page for info and link: https://lifeboat.substack.com/p/the-life-raft

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I love the bird footprints in the sand. What bird was that, where is it now?

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Dotterel, I think!

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Oct 30Liked by Samantha Clark

Makes me want to rush down to look at the sea shore... but I'm in the middle of London today. Instead i shall contemplate the beauty of connectedness in nature you describe so eloquently. Thank you

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Say hello to that big old river Thames for me!

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"Eventually, you learn to let it all just come and go." Thanks for sharing a little of your creative practice with us, Sam. This was a calming and inspiring read.

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Thank you Caroline!

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Oct 31Liked by Samantha Clark

I loved this essay so very much. Immersive emergence is such a beautiful way to look at boredom and repetition. I’ve been writing an essay on the value of monotony recently (will post on Sunday!) and how the process of needle-felting sculpture (also relentlessly repetitive like your creative practice) saved my life when I lost all sense of stillness because of a vestibular disorder. Opposite to your description, the stillness I found was outside and around the constant perception of movement within. But the entry point, the same: magnanimous monotony. 💛

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Oh I very much look forward to reading that on Sunday, Kimberly!

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Oct 30Liked by Samantha Clark

I love this painting so much! I covet it. Best description of boredom vs artist I've ever read.

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Thank you Siobhan!

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Oct 30Liked by Samantha Clark

"I see that these paintings are also ‘about’ seeking a fragile balance between structure and chaos, planned and emergent."

In painting as in life.

Appreciated your meditation on boredom and all the attitudes that rise up in us as we work, and live. Carving out a little distance from all that chatter is so helpful.

Congrats on the larger format pieces Samantha. A good stretch! 👏

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I'm wondering now if 'boredom' is quite the right word - it's more a feeling of restlessness, impatience rather than the flatness or dullness of 'ennui'...but what's certainly true is that boredom gets interesting when you really examine it. Thanks Baird, I'm looking forward to seeing all fur together in a gallery, as my studio is only big enough to have one of them out at a time!

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I like the word "agitation" as a basket term for all those gnarly feelings bubbling under the surface as we (try to) work.

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Seeking a fragile balance - a beautiful phrase I shall carry with me in my seemingly chaotic life, presently filled with things domestic which I’m constantly ‘doing for others’. Oh to be ‘bored’ in my studio for a whole day. Excited that these paintings are coming to Edinburgh - means I’ll see them in real life!

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Oh That's great Liza! I hope you find a little space of your own some time soon...

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