Thank you for this story. What an amazing artist. I can't imagine her being unhappy with her work for twenty years! Your thoughts about the woman in the gallery fiddling with her phone really went straight to my heart and reminded me of how I feel when I'm with many people in nature, who pass by incredibly beautiful things without notice. I want to say, can't you see this? This beautiful, fleeting, ephemeral flower or this striking butterfly. It really breaks my heart.
Beautiful tributes, Samantha! There is something about a person whose work embodies something of our own crystalizing sense of what is ideal/perfect that serves as a north star and illuminates the path we are on and carries us forward and deeper. We are and should be forever grateful for their sublime influence.
Love this Sam also find the whole concept of art mothers (and grandmothers !) really powerful too- totally relate to occasionally feeling that intense reaction to works that somehow speak to our soul. Always divine to see Vicky’s Birsay work glowing- and reminding us no matter how far away of the genius loci of the place!
Thank you for this story. What an amazing artist. I can't imagine her being unhappy with her work for twenty years! Your thoughts about the woman in the gallery fiddling with her phone really went straight to my heart and reminded me of how I feel when I'm with many people in nature, who pass by incredibly beautiful things without notice. I want to say, can't you see this? This beautiful, fleeting, ephemeral flower or this striking butterfly. It really breaks my heart.
We live so much of our lives in distraction. It's nothing new, but it does seem that our gadgets only culticate this lack of presence.
Samantha, indeed they do! I have to work really hard at times to escape from the screens.
“I painted for 20 years, and I didn’t like the paintings.” — Agnes Martin
And yet she persisted until the paintings were beautiful to her. Talk about a hero’s journey. 🌱
Beautiful tributes, Samantha! There is something about a person whose work embodies something of our own crystalizing sense of what is ideal/perfect that serves as a north star and illuminates the path we are on and carries us forward and deeper. We are and should be forever grateful for their sublime influence.
Indeed so Baird. Whenever I feel flat or discouraged, I turn to their example.
Love this Sam also find the whole concept of art mothers (and grandmothers !) really powerful too- totally relate to occasionally feeling that intense reaction to works that somehow speak to our soul. Always divine to see Vicky’s Birsay work glowing- and reminding us no matter how far away of the genius loci of the place!
The waves are still rolling up the Birsay shore...and will be here on your return!