« June 2006 | Main | August 2006 »
July 23, 2006
Nature's Balance & Ours
She comes with a treacherous speed down the hill as she gives fast chase to a rather large cafe; the mother desperately trying to protect her baby.
I watch this footage on National Geographic, with my mouth slightly open in awe and apprehension in the same moment. The Grizzly mother had the Buffalo cafe in her mouth, trotting up the hill to her cubs. The narrator is speaking of the entire scene as it continues, reminding us that this was an event that has only recently come back to the park... Yellowstone National Park. The title of this show was “Thunder Beasts”.
Earlier, there was footage of a pack of Wolves following the large herd of these American Bison. There was a thick snow on the ground, as the narrator told of how the Wolves have the advantage in these conditions. They hunt from down wind, moving in circles and using all their cunning skills, to hopefully bring the food back to the pack.
Again, the viewer is reminded that this scene was not part of the park for more than a century, until these animals were reintroduced back into their natural habitat in recent years. They quickly fell back into their roles with each other and all their necessary, instinctive methods came to the surface.
I thought about this... so many years since the Buffalo and Wolf have interacted in such a way. This was Nature’s check and balance for these creatures, and so many others depended on just how these two existed... or not.
These animals rapidly took on what was to be done, as if each of them were given a memo... OK, this is your role... you chase this guy who weighs a ton, and he runs and protects his young, often kicking you.
Even in it’s brutality, it really does makes sense.
The Wolf and the Buffalo had the ability to restore this inner knowing, living it to survive. Each species manages to maintain a reasonable group size, not exceeding what can be sustained... it works with the purist balancing system Nature has to offer.
My thoughts now come to us. How do we Humans interact... since we have voluntarily or not, misplaced ourselves? Aren’t we supposed to be living our role in nature, also, maintaining a balance? What is that role, and what do we do to restore it?
We carry on in our big cities with our fast, gas eating cars and our costly, wasteful lifestyle, barely looking up to see what birds may be living in the occasional tree left standing. The reprocushions are trememdous, as global warming manifests with frightening speed.
Oh, I am part of this, too. This is not a mud slinging contest, but more a stepping back and looking at how we might reintroduce ourselves back into a balance... back into Nature. I am not talking about all of us moving into the woods and building log cabins. There are far too many of us, and far too few woods.
If we just recycled more, took steps to clean up our act, and do it with real conviction, this would be a start. Every time I see another commercial about some throw-away product... “It’s so convenient, just use it, and then, throw it away!” Yeah, but where does it go, and for how long, if ever, does it take to break down?
What have we lost in our misplaced world that we have created? Perhaps, if we look at the recent past, we will see a people who lived in harmony with all life around them. Those who understood this perfect balance, and knew their very survival depended on it. These, being the Native Americans, who were also, like the Buffalo and the Wolf, nearly driven to extinction in this country’s recent history.
If we fail to see the imbalance that we as human beings have created, Nature will simply take her coarse, without much effort, and more than likely, without us.
We think ourselves so sophisticated that we recently realized we needed to reintroduce species back into our national parks for the balance to be restored, and yet, we still don’t see ourselves connected to this picture. It is as if we are outside of the image... outside of life itself. How can that be possible?
I often feel like I need to pinch myself, so that I may wake up, because it feels like I am in some kind of science fiction movie. There are deep thinkers who often have referred to this existence of ours as ‘The Dream’. This might explain how we can so easily remove ourselves and forget what should be known. If we search our hearts, we will discover it there.
We need to reconnect; reintroduce ourselves back into the picture... back into Nature. Just like those ancient animals we observe, with the instinctive ‘knowing’ to create the balance and live in Nature’s harmony.
I believe there is hope for us, but we must open our eyes and see where we have been, where we are now, and where we are going. If we ‘know’ we must live here on this precious Earth, then, we will need to find within ourselves the ‘knowing’, in order to survive... to restore the balance around us and within ourselves.
I pray this truth will awaken us, and bring the love and harmony so desperately needed.
Posted by kay at 06:47 PM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2006
Always An Artist
As I sit here and gather myself a bit, I realize I have been on a rather fast moving cycle lately. It’s spinning makes me a little dizzy, but I know that many of my efforts in the past have lead up to this moment, and this is generally very pleasing.
When one purposely causes this motion to happen, it obviously is part of some purpose, or goal. I have been working with real intent on my art for the past seven years, and some of these things I have set into motion are simply showing results.
It was these past seven years that brought to the surface my gift’s purpose. A voice... a strong visual communication. It has often been said that artists and poets should always be observed to see what is really going on.
I have been an artist all of my life. As a young child and all the way through collage, my art was the main focus. I had many opportunities and much recognition for my abilities to capture anything visually. It all seemed so clear. I was an artist.
But life changes... all of the time, really.
As a young woman leaving collage and starting a new job, my social life took the front of the line. After a few years, a few relationships, and many paintings, I found myself married, and nine months later, having my first baby. Once again, my priorities changed. Being a mother was life’s biggest surprise, for me. I didn’t know I could love so much.
My painting moments were scattered over these years. Another baby and a divorce played into the mix, making life even more full, and not without many humbling struggles.
I sometimes reflect on all of this, just enough to realize that all these things we live through are part of what develops who we are and what we do now.
I use to worry about my art. I felt I left it behind, and that I neglected a gift I was given. But there was no neglecting. Life was happening, and all those experiences I lived and grew from were so much a part of my becoming the person and artist I am today.
How can one really feel from the heart if this heart has not lived?
Time is never wasted, even in it’s cruelest moments.
I never stopped being who I am. I was born an artist and have always been living it... I just didn’t really know this... until now.
Posted by kay at 09:13 PM | Comments (0)
July 07, 2006
Opus
A few nights ago, I wrote a word on the paper laying beside my bed. I have been keeping something to write on ever since I decided to try and remember my dreams, and on this night, this one word came to me in deepest sleep. So much so, that upon awakening, I was curious about why this word appeared, and what did I see in my dreams for me to awaken just enough to put this simple word to paper.
Opus. That is the word and the name my son gave to the cat who came into our lives through a place he worked. A cat hospital, where it was clear from the beginning that the cat bonded with my son.
A lady brought him to the hospital, saying that she witnessed him being hit by two cars. After the doctor X-rayed him, all that was found was some scratches and the remains of some small bird in his stomach.
After a few weeks of trying to locate his owner, my son brought him home to join our family of animals, among which were two other cats. Eventually, and without much trouble, they all learned to find the peace to live together.
He is one of those cats, unusual to say the least, for his friendly and charming ways. So pleasant and undemanding, and often funny, especially as he interacted with some of our dogs. They had a very special understanding.
Nearly 8 years have passed. Every morning he tries to follow me as I start out for my walk. I have had to put him into the house on many occasions so he would not be with me on this walking journey. I am touched each time to know he would like to accompany me, as I realize it would not be safe for him.
For the past two mornings, we have had a tremendous amount of rain. I have missed my walks, and have not been home much, due to many things that have come into my schedule. I thought about Opus, and did wonder why I hadn’t seen him... even with all the wetness, he manages to show himself. He wasn’t a roamer, and usually was seen lying somewhere on the front lawn, or driveway, often with another cat.
That smell that is unmistakable came to my attention the night before. The next day, it was stronger and I felt a small animal had met it’s death. I got into my car to pull away, when I saw him... on the side of my house, so still... laying there.
After a possible two days, in heat and rain, his body was ravaged by nature taking it’s course. I was stunned. I first sat back in my car for quite a long while... thinking many things.... how, and why?
Feeling confused, I left the house to go sit in a coffee shop, and thought about telling my son. Then it hit me. With the tears on my face, I went home and dug a hole a few feet away from where his remains rested. Covering him gently with the dirt that takes all of death’s children, and always manages to replenish the living in the same act.
I planted a sweet potato vine there, for Opus. The word that came to me now shows it’s clear meaning. We will miss him dearly.
Posted by kay at 02:05 PM | Comments (0)
July 02, 2006
Blue Jay Dreams
Birds are increasingly having an effect in my life, and recently, in my art.
After the influence of the nesting Blue Jays in my front yard this past spring, and their fledglings growing before my eyes, I naturally developed an attachment to these birds.
The now young adults live around the area of my house, and one seems to visit me at my office window. He sings... which I believe I have never heard from any Blue Jay before. I know they probably all do at some time or other, but the usual sound I hear is their recognizable cawing, which seems to happen often when some animal such as a cat is too near.
I have just completed two pieces, “Blue Jay Dream 1” and “Blue Jay Dream 2”.
I have a great respect for these birds. As I watch them and all the other birds that come into my area, I begin to see a whole new world. The more I allow myself to observe, the more I see, of course.... how simple.
Being part of the nature around us is so crucial. It enables one to know how connected we really are. The Native Americans knew this well. The interacting with nature was an important part of gaining wisdom and essential for sustaining life.
The animals are our teachers, if we care to watch and learn.
This woman interacts with the Blue Jay... he is part of her dream world, and this is a sacred connection for her.
Posted by kay at 10:59 PM | Comments (0)