Expelled from the womb as a bundle of around 100 trillion cells, our tiny body brings along a generous genetic tome of ingredients for traits that dance together in a myriad of potential formations – depending on chance and circumstance. The process of sequencing and mapping the tome of an organism is immeasurably more complex and unpredictable than sensational media articles tend to suggest. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_misunderstandings_of_genetics
Add inherited family models and cultural traditions – blessings and curses – this bundle of potential is compelled to fit into a given coat that eventually becomes too tight, or the colour is off, the material too heavy, and most likely the design clashes with our sensibilities. In short, the coat can conceal our potential and our essence, even to us.
The Wounded Angel – Hugo Simberg
The challenge lies between two extremes: to squeeze into the coat or to alter it – and therein lies beauty – the full scale of our different stories unfolding. We want to engage with the world, find a medium that communicates our unique myth – through being, play, work, service, music, dance, images, words, creating or dismantling ideas and objects. We crave for the ‘aha,’ the recognition, for symbolic understanding, and purpose.
The worst trials often sculpt the deepest processes. We deprive ourselves when judging those who don’t fit the norm, as demonstrated in this video about the Outsider artist, Judith Scott. Her works are exhibited in The Museum of Everything. When late in life she was welcomed in a creative space, Judith discovered a language for her inner history, her myth, and prayer. She devoted herself to wrapping up things, protecting things, keeping them safe and secure. Like many artists through whose very personal process shines the universal, she made psychological and spiritual sense of her genome.
<p>Video from <a href=”http://www.karmatube.org”>KarmaTube</a></p>In case the embedded video won’t show – it’s a great site: http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=3563&utm_content=buffer59550&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer
We’re all artists. Becoming a unique human being is a phenomenal creative achievement. In a culture that measures people against a uniform blueprint of perfection we easily lose sight of the unique perfections arising from within individuals, from within us.
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The story of Judith Scott reminded me of a few lines from a Sufi prayer by Hazrat Inayat Khan …
… Oh thou – life eternal –
we seek thy loving enfoldment …
Course of Mirrors 
Surely the truest art comes from oblivious freedom not to think beyond its creation, nor depend on anyone for its endorsement. Tragic life, but enviable creativity.
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Hitting the node. It’s what moves us. In terms of recognition, from inside our deepest selves or mirrored by others – time is malleable. The greatest blessing is the creative freedom to do ourselves ☼
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A lovely post. 🙂
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Thank you, Sophie.
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;D
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Great post. I do admire your way with words. I’m currently taking a course on drypoint printmaking and our teacher is urging us again and again not to be intimidated or even greatly influenced by the work of others, but rather to choose subjects and processes that are meaningful to us, for whatever reason; as you say, to find “symbolic understanding, and purpose”.
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Thanks for popping in. Saw your last post and left a comment. You found a wonderful garden. Love the water colour/graphite.
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As a human being, I am a work in progress myself.
Beautiful post. Thank you.
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In progress – the beauty of us. Thanks Viv.
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Beautiful, as ever!
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Thank you, Katia.
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Nice reading about you
Thanks for visiting my blog. Be in touch. Browse through the category sections, I feel you may find something of your interest.
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Thank you Ajatao. Your site is inspirational.
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thank you so much dear
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