Guinea fowl feathers float around
in almost every room of our house.
I can't resist picking them up
when I'm out walking.
I'm dotty about the spots!
White spots on black...
Black spots on white ....
.... spots, speckles and dots in nature
and in art.
Mathias Goeritz
Eunice Kim
With Thanks to the Field Sparrow,
Whose Voice Is so Delicate and Humble
by Mary Oliver
I do not live happily or comfortably
with the cleverness of our times.
The talk is all about computers,
the news is all about bombs and blood.
This morning, in the fresh field,
I came upon a hidden nest.
It held four warm, speckled eggs.
I touched them.
Then went away softly,
having felt something more wonderful
than all the electricity of New York City.
Great post, feathers are so elegant, and your choice is wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletedotty indeed
ReplyDeleteyes
I am...
love this Robyn
as always...
xox - eb.
Gorgeous picks, I'm a huge fan of Leslie Millers work.
ReplyDeletegorgeous pieces....another spot on post Robyn! i adore those feathers too... remind me of snowflakes since no two are ever alike..how lovely to have them floating around your home!
ReplyDeletethere is something happy and mythical and wondrous about spots. a beautiful gathering of some of my favorites artists. all starts with one gifted spot.
ReplyDeleteOh Robyn - I love all this work with dots and am especially pleased to be introduced to Patti Roberts' work.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with Mary Oliver (yet again)that the cleverness of our times is indeed uncomfortable...except I am happy for computers because that's how I get to see your engaging blog posts.
Gorgeous gorgeous!! I love every piece. I'm reminded of braille and wonder if any of these pieces might have a tactile quality. The poem is a gem. Thanks
ReplyDeleteSpots, glorious spots... in so many gorgeous creations.
ReplyDeleteI am loving having my two guinea fowl and waiting to collect feathers, we are away at the moment, in cold and damp Melbourne, aching fingers!
ReplyDeleteI am a dot and feather fend myself. Working on a piece with many dots at the moment. Lovely post as always. xoxo
ReplyDeleteBig smile here :) . . dots, spots, and speckles . . all part of the "circle" family! Such a variety here. Would love to see the 2nd Mathias Goeritz in person.
ReplyDeletei love the feathers of Guinea foul.
ReplyDeletei was fortunate to be in South Africa a few years ago,and i collected many Guinea feathers.
they are perfection, aren't they?
Everything fits together, so calm and beautiful, like the dot in the end of each sentence.
ReplyDeleteA mesmerizing collection!
ReplyDeleteRobyn,
ReplyDeleteI just love your blog! I love be introduced to so many amazing artists. Oh, Mary Oliver, she's incredible. Thanks!
I *wish* I was more successful with dots. When done right they can anything.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful group of artists. From your early Tumblr I can attest to your adoration for things of dotty natures.
ReplyDeleteAm lost into Mathias Goeritz--his bio shows that he did his PHD on a man who did a lot of army portraits. What a shift in life, in process he takes to work in the modernist way. Love these here.
You are Good, very good.
a delightful and beautifully curated collection. thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh, Robyn, I'm swooning with all these possibilities for the humble dot!!! What amazing work you've shared and I'm so honored to be included as well. Much exploring to do with these artists....thank you once again!
ReplyDeleteOh, all so gorgeous, so interesting!
ReplyDeleteDonna's collage looks as though it were created specifically FOR the Oliver poem. Just wonderful.
Off to check the unfamiliars,,,,thanks Robyn!
Mary, thank you!
ReplyDeleteeb, you are the best kind of dotty :-)
I thought you would enjoy this post.
Kathryn, another fan here! Leslie's work is so beautiful.
Lisa, spotted feathers are particularly striking aren't they?!
Henrietta, happy, mythical and wondrous indeed!
Leslie, I'm surprised you are only just discovering Patti's work. (Patti of Missouri Bend Paper Works blog). Look for her on Pinterest too!
When I read the poem I did think to myself .... except for computers!
Annie K, Mathias's pieces do look tactile and of course Patti's beaded work makes me want to touch it.
Jo M, they are rather yummy aren't they?!
Penny, you must be looking forward to guinea fowl chicks. There are about fifteen chicks that wander over from our neighbours garden. (Keep those aching fingers warm).
Annie C, I'll pop over to see your dotty piece soon!
Jann, yes I would also love to see the Mathias pieces in person. I found one of his rope murals which I'll post on Pinterest.
Rebeca, I'm smiling at the thought of you collecting guinea fowl feathers in South Africa. It's a small world!
iHanna, "like the dot in the end of each sentence" .... I like that!
Hi Kim! Enjoy!
Chris, another Mary Oliver fan! Glad you enjoyed the post.
red-handed, yes dots can be striking. Wishing you luck!
Mansuetude, blush...you really are too kind. Thank you! I'm really enjoying Mathias's work too.
Anca, thank you!
Patti, it was difficult to choose from your dotty creations because there are so many that I love.
Babs, Donna's piece is beautiful isn't it?! I have a soft spot for speckled eggs.
R, thank you again for a wonderful post of art, words, new artists to discover.. I have been 'dotty' for dots a very long time. thank you for including my painting.
ReplyDeleteyes, it seems we have all gone dotty as it were, oh well we are in good company, and thanks for the wide variety of artists to discover...
ReplyDeleteOh, a subject near and dear to my heart! Dotty indeed.
ReplyDeleteLove so many of these, Robyn.
Always find pleasure in dots... something so central to us humans... the urge too make dots! Enjoyed your selection Robyn ...seeing the way that urge arises visually!
ReplyDeleteI'm reminded of the childlike fascination with imagining infinity... it was kind of thrilling and scary to realise things could go on and on...
Dots always get me thinking of that!
S
R-when I saw the post title I thought it was going to be about the state of mind of most of we artist types - given our collecting etc etc - we certainly appear dotty to a lot of folk. Thanks for sharing the collection- the feather is my favourite. Go well. B
ReplyDeleteLove the dots, and the poem. I love when people can express simplicity so elegantly.
ReplyDeleteThis will be me swooning with delight. No idea what it is, but I am obsessed with dots ... thanks for making my day!
ReplyDeleteloving the simple and intricate patterns...hail to the dot ever fresh and fascinating.
ReplyDeleteCome to think off : "Catch dotty a fish" ;-)
ReplyDeleteAll so beautiful (a fellow lover of dots)....but my favourite is that guinea fowl feather, my absolute favourite!
ReplyDeleteMathias' work is wonderful.
Jacky xox
I never knew dots can be this gorgeous. Dots can really make a piece of art attract a lot of attention. Like that feather on the first photo.
ReplyDeleteI also love dots and use them in some of my images. This collection is stunning, Robyn! You have good taste. :-)
ReplyDeleteIndeed, I am inspired by people with good taste :-)
Delete