Heartsong Studio

Waiting for a Sign.

Have you ever noticed how a work of art which really speaks strongly to you , can seem to vibrate before your eyes ? A sort of tingly thing that almost follows you around the room ?

But as we pass the Winter Solstice, your perception isn’t quite so fresh and receptive somehow. You’ve become a bit jaded.

Your eyes might dim down a little in viewing art, as though they’ve had too much to eat and drink.

At this time of year, it’s almost as if the world were waiting, holding its breath. Waiting for a certain sign. Waiting for the sun’s return.

Does it bring out the pagan in you ?

It’s a slow motion version of the ocean’s tides. Right at the change, when the nadir is reached at low tide, it does seem as though everything stops for a split second.

But it never really stops.
There is constant motion even in the stillness before a storm. Between the storms, nature is gathering up her energy.

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On the surface, nothing seems to be going on.
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This is reflected in any artwork you do. It’s also reflected in what you see. Have a look at something outside in nature which seems to be completely still at this time. Try to x-ray it, feeling with your eyes to sense what is taking place deep within the heart of this dormant, living thing.

Everything in existence is in constant change, growing and disintegrating, then growing again. Even the tiniest particles inside a stone. Just like the sea’s tides, they are moving, swelling, withdrawing, rocking.

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There is motion in stillness.
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Though your artwork may look on the outside as if nothing is happening, totally still, asleep, in fact things are growing inside you.

Like an ordinary egg which appears to be inert, lots of changes are happening inside, in the dark. You are incubating creative expression to emerge in its own good time.

Knowing you are being productive in your resting, might reduce any tendency to feeling guilt at doing nothing on the outside. All the time you seem to be resting, you are also rejuvenating your mind’s eyes.

Your heart will let you know when it’s time to crack the shell, to let it out, if you listen to your heart’s whispers.

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What will emerge ?
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It’s always a surprise. That’s the thing about surprises – they aren’t predictable. No matter how much on top of things in your world you think you are, like every other creation, the birth of art is a mystery.

When a new birth comes for your art-making, I hope you will be a devoted parent. I hope you will nurture the new direction, however slight it may seem, and honour its appearance.

Let it show too. How will we know what you’ve made until you show us ? So don’t deprive the world of its part in sharing your artistic process. It had a major part in its creation.

The world needs your emerging expression. You are, after all, totally unique.

We’re all waiting for a sign. Some subtle sign that begins perhaps with a tiny stirring inside the heart. . .

Heartsong Studio and I wish you a vital and happy New Year !