Great article, Cecil. As I started to read this, I was listening to music. I turned off the music and read your article in (relative) silence. Silence really does help you to focus and center your mind. I can still hear the hum of a busy road about 50 feet from my place, but I can move that noise into the background, and focus on my day's work. FYI, the music I listen to, about 90% of the time, is classical, so if I do have music going, it's playing, low volume, more as background than for pleasure. It helps to focus me as well. Cheers!
Great point Cecil! Love this observation on silence. There is a place for audible distractions. I love music and listen to it all the time (I have very eclectic taste). But when I go out into nature alone with a camera on a photo safari, all my senses are open and receptive to stimuli. I find myself walking and observing everything with my eyes, ears and intuition to see what moves me to take a photograph. If I feel it, I will take a picture. The whole process is a spiritual thing for me. That is the most “honest” place for me in that realm of taking pictures in nature.
Additionally, when I start working on a collage with no agenda other than to create visual relationships on a two dimensional plane that somehow interest me and make sense to me, I also feel that freedom and liberation which again becomes spiritual. I guess it boils down to “the art practice.” That indescribable place in your mind where you are doing what you’re meant to be doing- the place where you are taking what’s available from the universe and making your art.
Another thought provoking essay. I find myself as I get older that I crave silence and get more annoyed at consistent noise (gardeners are one of the worse offenses of this irritation). Decades ago I always had to have some music on in the studio as I worked but the last few years living in this house, I don't want any music at all as I make my art. Sometimes I'll talk out loud as I'm creating and that helps me to figure out things. I've learned to love my solitude but have a dear friend/artist I can communicate with when I have the urge to 'talk art' with someone. And my insomnia is all about the silence as that's when my mind is coming up with all sorts of ideas for new pieces to be created.
Thanks, Cecil. I crave thought provoking articles/essays/videos about art, ideas, inspirations and you provide that on this forum. I too would like to see more people comment on what you write. I'd love a dialogue with others about what they think/feel/create.
When we returned from a visit to relatives in Japan last June, people
Asked what my favorite thing was. I couldn’t think. It took a few days to get back to our time zone. And then I realized-it was the silence. It was so quiet there. Even this-A construction crew was building next to our relatives house; we could see them from the kitchen window, but we heard nothing. And on the trains and in busy stations silence. And restaurants. Quiet. Amazing.
That is a very interesting observation Mim! Thanks for that comment I would like to hear more. I have not been to Japan. Is there an overall culture of Quiet there?
Great article, Cecil. As I started to read this, I was listening to music. I turned off the music and read your article in (relative) silence. Silence really does help you to focus and center your mind. I can still hear the hum of a busy road about 50 feet from my place, but I can move that noise into the background, and focus on my day's work. FYI, the music I listen to, about 90% of the time, is classical, so if I do have music going, it's playing, low volume, more as background than for pleasure. It helps to focus me as well. Cheers!
Great point Cecil! Love this observation on silence. There is a place for audible distractions. I love music and listen to it all the time (I have very eclectic taste). But when I go out into nature alone with a camera on a photo safari, all my senses are open and receptive to stimuli. I find myself walking and observing everything with my eyes, ears and intuition to see what moves me to take a photograph. If I feel it, I will take a picture. The whole process is a spiritual thing for me. That is the most “honest” place for me in that realm of taking pictures in nature.
Additionally, when I start working on a collage with no agenda other than to create visual relationships on a two dimensional plane that somehow interest me and make sense to me, I also feel that freedom and liberation which again becomes spiritual. I guess it boils down to “the art practice.” That indescribable place in your mind where you are doing what you’re meant to be doing- the place where you are taking what’s available from the universe and making your art.
Yes that is how artist communicate with the universe. It is a precious thing. And it works best in quiet solitude.
Another thought provoking essay. I find myself as I get older that I crave silence and get more annoyed at consistent noise (gardeners are one of the worse offenses of this irritation). Decades ago I always had to have some music on in the studio as I worked but the last few years living in this house, I don't want any music at all as I make my art. Sometimes I'll talk out loud as I'm creating and that helps me to figure out things. I've learned to love my solitude but have a dear friend/artist I can communicate with when I have the urge to 'talk art' with someone. And my insomnia is all about the silence as that's when my mind is coming up with all sorts of ideas for new pieces to be created.
I really appreciate your ongoing comments Annette! I wish more people would follow your example.
Thanks, Cecil. I crave thought provoking articles/essays/videos about art, ideas, inspirations and you provide that on this forum. I too would like to see more people comment on what you write. I'd love a dialogue with others about what they think/feel/create.
When we returned from a visit to relatives in Japan last June, people
Asked what my favorite thing was. I couldn’t think. It took a few days to get back to our time zone. And then I realized-it was the silence. It was so quiet there. Even this-A construction crew was building next to our relatives house; we could see them from the kitchen window, but we heard nothing. And on the trains and in busy stations silence. And restaurants. Quiet. Amazing.
That is a very interesting observation Mim! Thanks for that comment I would like to hear more. I have not been to Japan. Is there an overall culture of Quiet there?
Yes. It’s about respect. When we returned and went to a restaurant, noisy, and all I could think was “this is so disrespectful.”