Sacred Spaces

Maria writes…

I was just chatting with Molly about the importance of having a comfortable, safe place to tangle. I’m talking about a place that’s protected from annoyances. For me, that would be computers, TVs, radios, phones, or loud noise. I have a place like that at home: my office/studio. My desks are always set up and ready to tangle all that life throws at me each day. Lots of my tangling lately is related to designing classes, teaching, blogs, newsletters, project packs, etc.

But, sometimes, when I want to do some serious tangling, I leave the house in search of a quiet space. My absolute favorite spot is in a museum or library and sometimes an old church. I often walk around, with my journal in hand, and armed with pen, pencil, and a tortillon, and maneuver my way around greatness. Yup.. surrounded by paintings, statues, tapestries, antiquities, and (wait for it!) a type of silence that is marvelous. It’s not void of noise, rather, it is filled with life and joy and gentle whispers. I find that better than absolute silence, which can be annoying to me.  

I love the way I feel in a museum... like it is my home away from home. I occasionally find a nice bench or chair in the center of a gallery. No one cares what I am doing… they are there for their own needs. I could draw like that for hours. Or, until Rick comes to get me when he is done taking pictures or analyzing photos or art. Of course, he absolutely needs to show me what he has found to be so interesting, and I happily indulge.

 

But, until then, I sit in the museum surrounded by impossible brushstrokes, compositions so emotional you can’t describe them with words, or the looks on peoples’ faces as they face their own affections, ones they could not find anywhere else.

I believe my drawings, when I am in these spaces are “more” than any others. My lines seem to be guided by otherworldly beings, perhaps artists, that live there in the art on the walls. When I look back on these images in my precious book, they soothe my soul.

Do you have a special space, a place where your art seems to thrive? Tell me all about it… all the little details.

We loved reading all of the isms that you all shared on last week's blog. There are lots of wise words cataloged in those comments! The winners of last week's giveaway are Linda Friedly, Pam Hartz Miller, and Rashmi Agarwal. Please email help@zentangle.com with your current mailing address and we will get your gifts in the mail ASAP!