From my little book some wise words about the god who intercedes the poet’s thoughts and gives him inspiration. This man in my opinion looks a bit of a wide boy I would not trust him quite so much.
Deus da aquele que tem
O santo merecimento
Quando o dom se entrelaça
Nas células do pensamento
O poeta brota os fluidos
Com expressão e talento
God of mine who has
The holy worthiness
When the gift is intertwined
The thought of cells
The poet springs fluids
With expression and talent
My god doesn’t sit about on a cloud in heaven waiting to answer my prayers (or wear dark glasses) but often I feel someone somewhere brings me hope and timely provision, for that I give thanks my deus of good fortune.
Wednesday in memory of brave Mother …
As you know a I have small collection of Cordels and this week my daughter bought a couple more to add to the collection.
One, I will treasure, it is the true story of Claudia De Silva Ferreira a mother of 4 who was fatally shot in police gunfire during a military police operation on March 16, 2014 in the Morro da Congonha favela.
My daughter lives in a favela along with many thousands of key workers of the city, like Claudia who worked in the local hospital. They go about their business daily, never afraid of their neighbours and should not live in fear those who are supposed to keep them safe.
So a little over a year later it would seem this unstable situation has not yet improved, innocent people remain vulnerable and at risk. So today I remember Claudia and her family who are still grieving her loss.
Weekly Photo Challenge … vivid
No deep and profound diversion from this weeks weekly photo challenge and more likely, no photographic genius for me today. My garden is beginning to blossom … and these vivid little gems are a joy!
Monday and a book or two
Books are part of me, with my family, my work, art and my depression, I cannot imagine being without them. I am always on the lookout for something new (or old) and helpful.
While looking for something inspirational, a month or so back I was recommended among others, two that have become favourites.
The first is the Magical secrets about thinking creatively by Kathan Brown. There are 13 secrets and Kathan uses them as ways to think about etching and its place in contemporary art world. However, they could be applied in any aspect of creativity, in the studio, at home or in the workplace. I don’t mean that the studio or the home is not a work place but that even someone, in a role at work that doesn’t proclaim creativity, is in the very place where Kathan Brown’s methods can be observed and earning a living might become more enjoyable.
For instance ‘Secret 11, Take yourself lightly, having a sense of humour and not seeing yourself as the centre of the universe’
The second, Van Gogh’s letters ; the mind of the artist in paintings, drawings and words, 1875-1890 edited by H. Anna Suh. The title is as it is, I dip in daily and plan one day to read it from cover to cover. The letters are written to his brother Theo; more than 700, cast a revealing light on an artist and his work that was largely disregarded in his lifetime; yet is priceless today.
I looked for a quote and hour later … Ho Hum…
He writes to his brother (1884) ‘I can safely claim that since your last visit I have made progress in the technique of painting and in colour- and this will improve still further. It is the first steps that count in painting; later on it is more compliant, and I have some trumps still in my hand. And I believe that I can play my trumps.’
Oh dear I wish I had some trumps … !
I also recommend these books, although I do have one regret, neither is small enough fit in a pocket or small bag; so will difficult while travelling.
Silent Sunday …
On Saturday … complicated or not?
I am between art teachers; my previous teacher is moving house and her studio, that has been my haven and lesson space for two years, is now removed. I have found a new teacher but our ‘lessons’ will not begin until later in the year. This change was expected and gone according to plan; had it not been for the move I would have found a new teacher at some point. So the the break is for the best. However, as you know I do have a complicated psychological disorder that does that manifests in various and painful ways.
‘Management’ is required, so some sort of balance can be maintained between abject self-pity and self-congratulatory bull-shit. For the most part this happens and I have good and healthy lifestyle and commendable results.
However, this morning I am inclined to the negative end of the spectrum and speculate: ‘Why me? Why is life so complicated?’
So here I am, the bright sun rising over the chimney pots, my neighbours beginning their day, looking at this week’s works with printing ink and stencils and some with oil paints. Methods and /or mediums I have not used before. I am pleased with the results but the drying time has been a little tedious. But I am thinking; ‘Has that been such a bad thing?’
The procedure has be meditative and pleasant, a good outcome all round especially as I began to write this blog post the world was seemingly so complicated … Thank you for listening.
Friday’s snapshot from Special Collections …
I don’t usually reblog during the day but I have some interesting added information ….
I don’t know too much about this little book of Psalms from the Finzi Book Room in Special Collections at University of Reading … it is just so tiny at 2 x 3 inches. A perfect book, published in 1708 with traditional leather binding, an engraved image and gilt edges to the pages in perfect proportion. This is much as I know; it is readable but not easy in poor light so perhaps it was not made for normal use.
I can add some new information from I think a very reliable source and I quote “Certainly interesting – although I’m not sure I can add too much information. It is certainly associated with the followers of John Calvin. It might be a copy of the Genevan Psalter, which first came out in 1539. It’s intended for use as a hymnbook, containing metrical versions of the biblical Psalms and possibly…
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Friday’s snapshot from Special Collections …
I don’t know too much about this little book of Psalms from the Finzi Book Room in Special Collections at University of Reading … it is just so tiny at 2 x 3 inches. A perfect book, published in 1708 with traditional leather binding, an engraved image and gilt edges to the pages in perfect proportion. This is much as I know; it is readable but not easy in poor light so perhaps it was not made for normal use.
I can add some new information from I think a very reliable source and I quote “Certainly interesting – although I’m not sure I can add too much information. It is certainly associated with the followers of John Calvin. It might be a copy of the Genevan Psalter, which first came out in 1539. It’s intended for use as a hymnbook, containing metrical versions of the biblical Psalms and possibly some other stuff”
Alphabe Thursday … C is for Cordel
I have a little collection cordels and looking forward to finding some more. Cordel literature from the Portuguese, literatura de cordel, means ‘string literature.’ So called because they are displayed on strings with pegs.
They are popular and inexpensively printed booklets containing folk tales, poems and songs, which are simply published and sold at fairs and on street corners in northeast Brazil. I managed to find some in Rio, especially in areas where northeastern migrants live.
Wednesday’s Wood Engraving …
I made myself a promise this weekend. I have been busy and neglected to practice wood engraving. When I began a couple of years back I was keen and had some lessons but overtaken by recent events I haven’t practiced as I should. So I have begun again, trying to do some every day; at least during the summer when the light is better and kinder to the eyes.
Here is my latest attempt , some sunflowers that have featured in some other images over the last few months …
Coat Hanger Doll's House 