Lately I’ve been thinking about Georgia O’Keeffe. Some years back, there was a retrospective of her work at the Brooklyn Museum. Not only were her paintings on display, but her wardrobe and many other personal effects. I didn’t know she was such an accomplished seamstress. There were many surviving pieces left that were made by the artist, such as delicate silk blouses, skirts, and dresses. But then again, I should not have been so surprised, creative people tend to be “multi-lingual” in the language of the arts.
I don’t always like to describe someone as complicated, I really do think it’s overused. But I do think that Georgia was deep and complex. Some of the writings suggested that she was a bit aloof and perhaps selfish. That surprised me also. But then again, should it? She was, above all, human, and like the rest of us, a mix of good and not so good. Why I’ve been thinking of her lately is because of her great desire for solitude, and I think that solitude lead her to her painting style. Although I’m personally a collage artist and maximalist to boot, I can’t help but admire her way of distilling form, structure, and her environment down to the bare minimum, almost to its essence. That was seen in her personal style also. She was able to get rid of the external noise, in her case she left to go to New Mexico, so she physically removed herself, and simply listened to what her surroundings were trying to tell her. So I’ve been finding myself wanting and needing that inner solitude for my own work, inner because I can’t just pack and leave. Georgia managed to paint, draw, sew, photograph, and live her life fully. The one characteristic of her New Mexico home was that it seemed to be very quiet. With the many artistic facets she was able to pull off, I do wonder how one is able to produce high value work consistently. I think it’s a question that many creatives ask. I believe it comes from solitude, listening, and most of all TRUSTING yourself. In another post I asked whether a creative should stick to what they’re known for, and ultimately I didn’t think so. If Georgia had done so, she would not have created such beautiful clothing, such striking photography, and cooked simple, innovative, and delicious meals that are considered way ahead of their time, with ingredients from her own garden. She became an example of how solitude, that state where you are alone, but not lonely, guided her actions to live a fully creative life. For those of us who cannot simply relocate, her life can still serve as a reminder that it’s important to listen. Actually, you should listen.
I was really busy this past week making things to sell, but in the process, I was ignoring my sense of inner solitude. I was on autopilot. Which really kinda burns you out. I didn’t stop to listen to my inner voice: that voice that says there are other creative things that not only need my attention, but feed me as a person, that round me out, make me whole. There were plants to water, stews to make, clothing to sew. And maybe now that I’m thinking about it, maybe some creatives are able to produce high value work fairly consistently because they recognize that perhaps there isn’t just that one thing that defines you. They approach life’s facets with the same heart, tenderness, and devotion that these things deserve. The very facets that make us whole. Honestly, they’re all pretty important. I love creating art just as much as I love taking care of my plants. I love to make a pot of soup as much as I love to put together fabrics for a new frock. These facets I think of in terms of tributaries that lead to the river that satisfies and sustains who I am. And this is important: doing one over the other shouldn’t make you feel guilty, on the contrary, if one thing needs your attention, you’re only answering what’s being asked of you by that inner voice who knows you so well.
Georgia wasn’t always alone, even when she was in New Mexico. But she was aware that occasions called for her to be alone, to engage in solitude. The amazing thing is look what she was able to produce, and look what kind of life she was able to live. Great things can come from solitude, leading to self reflection, self awareness, and strength. but only as a result of listening.
Thank you for stopping by
Jos
