This is so true, and so beautifully written. You have the gift of finding the right words out of the stillness of your practice that that makes this so resonant. I was sitting, drawing, trying to find my way back into ordered calm having gone down with 'flu and being unable to function even as I normally do with chronic illness, and this just quietly took me by the hand and led me to where I needed to be. Truly a lifeboat! Thank you.
I loved to read this. Both about the process of your work and also your thoughts on working with your hands, that truly resonates with me. In my home country Norway, a brain scientist just issued a warning about schools cutting down on lessons in carpentry, crafts and arts, due to reduced funding. He says that studies find these subjects are the most important for brain development. To be a brilliant mathematician you also need to learn to work with your hands.
That's absolutely facinating Tove. I've heard about similar research concerning music in schools, how it improves learning outcomes across the board when music is placed central to the curriculum.
Thank you for the tip on Craftland. I just downloaded it on Audible and so looking forward to it. I have never been crafty (or good with my hands) but I'm fascinated with making, esp the traditional crafts. A lot of meditation was going on in daily life, back in the day!
I think so, Kalle. When I spend time with archaeologisits, of which there are many here in Orkney, I learn from them about how our ancestors must have spent so much of their time making things. Maybe making and singing or telling stories or cracking jokes - we only have evidence of what they made, not the songs they sang or the stories and jokes.
Quite relatable, Kalle. I’ve never been an artist in any traditional sense. For years I managed small construction projects (guiding the actions of others) and in the process learned skills by watching the tradesmen/women on my projects. Puttering some might call it!
How nice to have a commission, lucky someone! Reading your words about your process makes me think it must be like an act of meditation. A thing I find almost impossible - but then I thought about the time I spend making and realise it’s much the same. Yes there are decisions to be made, but the mind is fully concentrated. Look forward to reading James Fox’s book. I’m listening to it on Radio 4, but I’m sure there’s so much more in the book itself.
I so completely agree: “Words like ‘spiritual’, ‘prayer’, ‘meditation’ are so loaded with unhelpful baggage”. I also have avoided them for years, they seem to be loaded with (in the context of today) a sense of self importance and ego. But this doesn’t mean that the ‘medieval’ sense of them isn’t a parallel dimension. I perhaps prefer words like ‘appreciation, wonder, compassion, tenderness, contemplation and rumination’.
A lovely post! So important for the arts but also life in general. It always makes me sad when crafts get lost. My uncle learned the shoe making and repairing craft from my paternal great granddad and unfortunately even back in this time he wasn't able to make a living with it anymore so did other work for his main income).
I'm reading very late... was in Japan in February and a big chunk of March (fitting with the crafts topic somehow). (And had to unsubscribe from almost all the substacks I paid for until I have work again!)
It was so beautiful! I had Aomori as my last place before going back to Tokyo. Already early March but still sooo much snow (I had booked a rural onsen and I had a bit of a roundabout way of getting there, one day later than I thought so my plans didn't work out as planned (I managed to not notice that the train I was going to take was a Shinkansen that had only reserved seats (got to Aomori too late to take the local train to get to the place to take the shuttle bus in time.....)) - so long story short then missed out on going to see the art places! But the Onsen was absolutely worth it. Such a beautiful area and great people too :-)
A simple question in response to your words, your art, your crafting, your hands, your heart, your invitation...
What day of the week do you open your zoom room for the shared work space.
I am called and intend to be with you one day soon.
And thank you Sam. You were the first sub stack writer I ever subscribed to. I always appreciate being brought to Orkney through your writing and generous sharing.
Good day Samantha! I’m always heartened to read of your current art endeavors. The steps involved, from the inception (for creating the commissioned art work) fascinated me. Barring some mental failure I’ll no doubt take vivid memories of you to my end days. From “The Clearing” to your settling on Orkney Islands, to your detailed descriptions of your art, and winning recognition for your art at juried exhibitions in Edinburgh at the Scottish National Gallery, my neurons hold those treasures! As always, Samantha, I wish you the very best for your artistry and your life.
Patron of the Arts - Artist - Pablo Quentino Ralpho " Rango " D'Art-Ford ( My Pen Name for him )
For Reference I OWN ALL BEUKS I QUOTE
Few Beuks from MY Cleadon ( Reference ) Library :-
The Case for working with your Hands
Matthew Crawford
-
Celtic design Knotwork The secret methods of the scribes
Aidan Meehan
-
Leaded glass work ( 1933 )
Ralph Mollet
-
Leatherwork ( 1946 )
Pitman
-
My Blog developed into Informing my Public so they can Search Online or Libraries once they know the Author & Title. All the Bar Maids ( Bar Tenders !!! Says Dragon Lady ) & Accountant Ladies Love my Beuks Sooooo Much they decide to Keep Them for EVER !!!
Songs are a " Bonus "
-
Ivar Gabot
-
Philosopher Pauper and a Poet
-
" The Empress that doth Opprezz " Ninety Song Songbook available on Request ( For Artists & Poets ) on Excel - Index Jump to Song - Jump back to Index - Set to Print by Song
This is so true, and so beautifully written. You have the gift of finding the right words out of the stillness of your practice that that makes this so resonant. I was sitting, drawing, trying to find my way back into ordered calm having gone down with 'flu and being unable to function even as I normally do with chronic illness, and this just quietly took me by the hand and led me to where I needed to be. Truly a lifeboat! Thank you.
This makes me so happy to hear, Deborah. Go gently. Flu really knocks the stuffing out of you.
I loved to read this. Both about the process of your work and also your thoughts on working with your hands, that truly resonates with me. In my home country Norway, a brain scientist just issued a warning about schools cutting down on lessons in carpentry, crafts and arts, due to reduced funding. He says that studies find these subjects are the most important for brain development. To be a brilliant mathematician you also need to learn to work with your hands.
That's absolutely facinating Tove. I've heard about similar research concerning music in schools, how it improves learning outcomes across the board when music is placed central to the curriculum.
Thank you for the tip on Craftland. I just downloaded it on Audible and so looking forward to it. I have never been crafty (or good with my hands) but I'm fascinated with making, esp the traditional crafts. A lot of meditation was going on in daily life, back in the day!
I think so, Kalle. When I spend time with archaeologisits, of which there are many here in Orkney, I learn from them about how our ancestors must have spent so much of their time making things. Maybe making and singing or telling stories or cracking jokes - we only have evidence of what they made, not the songs they sang or the stories and jokes.
Quite relatable, Kalle. I’ve never been an artist in any traditional sense. For years I managed small construction projects (guiding the actions of others) and in the process learned skills by watching the tradesmen/women on my projects. Puttering some might call it!
How nice to have a commission, lucky someone! Reading your words about your process makes me think it must be like an act of meditation. A thing I find almost impossible - but then I thought about the time I spend making and realise it’s much the same. Yes there are decisions to be made, but the mind is fully concentrated. Look forward to reading James Fox’s book. I’m listening to it on Radio 4, but I’m sure there’s so much more in the book itself.
Yes, I think you're right Liza, there's comon ground between making and meditation, but making has the added bonus that you get something at the end!
😊
Perhaps not "lucky" but the outcome of all that Sam does to bring her work to fruition.
A couple of years ago, when we were at Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, while I studied the adobe walls, I heard, “We are meant to be makers.”
We are indeed. Did you know that the Scots poet laureate is called the Makar? Poetry is making too…
Thank you. This resonates deeply with me.
I'm so glad to hear this, Michael.
A life shaped by practice, by repetition, by staying with the small and ordinary. Yes, yes, yes!
I so completely agree: “Words like ‘spiritual’, ‘prayer’, ‘meditation’ are so loaded with unhelpful baggage”. I also have avoided them for years, they seem to be loaded with (in the context of today) a sense of self importance and ego. But this doesn’t mean that the ‘medieval’ sense of them isn’t a parallel dimension. I perhaps prefer words like ‘appreciation, wonder, compassion, tenderness, contemplation and rumination’.
Yes, yes, me too John! Thanks for this list of beuatifully grounded words for spiritual things.
A lovely post! So important for the arts but also life in general. It always makes me sad when crafts get lost. My uncle learned the shoe making and repairing craft from my paternal great granddad and unfortunately even back in this time he wasn't able to make a living with it anymore so did other work for his main income).
I'm reading very late... was in Japan in February and a big chunk of March (fitting with the crafts topic somehow). (And had to unsubscribe from almost all the substacks I paid for until I have work again!)
Oh wow, I hope you had a great time in Japan! Did you get to Aomori?
It was so beautiful! I had Aomori as my last place before going back to Tokyo. Already early March but still sooo much snow (I had booked a rural onsen and I had a bit of a roundabout way of getting there, one day later than I thought so my plans didn't work out as planned (I managed to not notice that the train I was going to take was a Shinkansen that had only reserved seats (got to Aomori too late to take the local train to get to the place to take the shuttle bus in time.....)) - so long story short then missed out on going to see the art places! But the Onsen was absolutely worth it. Such a beautiful area and great people too :-)
A simple question in response to your words, your art, your crafting, your hands, your heart, your invitation...
What day of the week do you open your zoom room for the shared work space.
I am called and intend to be with you one day soon.
And thank you Sam. You were the first sub stack writer I ever subscribed to. I always appreciate being brought to Orkney through your writing and generous sharing.
A simple answer - Wednesdays 3 - 4.30pm UK time. Just click the link at the end of the post! And thank you, Heather, for subscribing and reading!
Good day Samantha! I’m always heartened to read of your current art endeavors. The steps involved, from the inception (for creating the commissioned art work) fascinated me. Barring some mental failure I’ll no doubt take vivid memories of you to my end days. From “The Clearing” to your settling on Orkney Islands, to your detailed descriptions of your art, and winning recognition for your art at juried exhibitions in Edinburgh at the Scottish National Gallery, my neurons hold those treasures! As always, Samantha, I wish you the very best for your artistry and your life.
Samantha Clark
Patron of the Arts - Artist - Pablo Quentino Ralpho " Rango " D'Art-Ford ( My Pen Name for him )
For Reference I OWN ALL BEUKS I QUOTE
Few Beuks from MY Cleadon ( Reference ) Library :-
The Case for working with your Hands
Matthew Crawford
-
Celtic design Knotwork The secret methods of the scribes
Aidan Meehan
-
Leaded glass work ( 1933 )
Ralph Mollet
-
Leatherwork ( 1946 )
Pitman
-
My Blog developed into Informing my Public so they can Search Online or Libraries once they know the Author & Title. All the Bar Maids ( Bar Tenders !!! Says Dragon Lady ) & Accountant Ladies Love my Beuks Sooooo Much they decide to Keep Them for EVER !!!
Songs are a " Bonus "
-
Ivar Gabot
-
Philosopher Pauper and a Poet
-
" The Empress that doth Opprezz " Ninety Song Songbook available on Request ( For Artists & Poets ) on Excel - Index Jump to Song - Jump back to Index - Set to Print by Song
-
Bard of Cleadon
-
Barred of SLInked-In
-
ALL Autobiographical & TRUE !!!
-
If I get BLOCKED FOR MY SATIRE - WRITE A SONG !!!
-
Other ( Fellow ) Poet's Thoughts :-
-