Details #5- At Odds

My art is currently suffering from a lack of creative direction. Past work has been incredibly meta, leaning into the unsettled feeling of the world. I have a deep belief in balance, movement, and duality, so allowing both/and these last few years has been huge for my vision.
But it feels like my creative posture is getting bad. Or rather, my mind is feeling atrophy sitting in this meta state. We can feel all the hard feelings, but in the end, what are we going to do with them?

I could just be tired. Enough sleep hasn’t come easy, and right now when I take time for art, it falls flat. These two things together make it seem like the world is ending. It’s ridiculous and thankfully I recognize my own bullshit here.

But the fact remains that sitting (with feelings) for too long is bad for you. So, what does standing up look like?

This week, if you hadn’t noticed, I opted to either explore my photography archives or shoot something new, with an intention of detail. SO rather than spend my free time in the news, scrolling, or consuming some piece of new information, a break from the headiness of modern life seemed warranted.

Pardon

Washington State has tulips on the brain this month. I know, I know. "Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking." BUT to keep things interesting, I’ll also leave you with a snippet of Emerson’s Hamatraya. One particular line is pulled out of context and printed on many a mass-produced garden sign, while the rest of the poem is, in fact, quite dark. I recommend you read the entire thing!

“..Where are these men? Asleep beneath their grounds:

And strangers, fond as they, their furrows plough.

Earth laughs in flowers, to see her boastful boys

Earth-proud, proud of the earth which is not theirs;

Who steer the plough, but cannot steer their feet

Clear of the grave..”

Kane

"Dear Wheeler: you provide the prose poems. I'll provide the war."

Recently watched a film I’ve needed to see for decades. Citizen Kane, which, for what it lacked in story, made up for in technical prowess and visual intrigue. Many an art student has gone bananas over this movie, and I do see why. It’s an inspiring piece of work, one that I felt compelled to make something from, hence this fun, quick full focus composite image.