I suppose we all have a place in our hearts, perhaps from childhood or another life time that makes the heart ache when you think about it. A place that has a strong pull but is sometimes too painful to think about because you know you can't go back. I learned to love nature in such a place. When I feel a connection to all the things that live and grow in the countryside I also feel a connection to the farm I grew up on.
I find this poem by Pablo Neruda particularly moving.
Lost in the forest, I broke off a dark twig
and lifted its whisper to my thirsty lips:
maybe it was the voice of the rain crying,
a cracked bell, or a torn heart.
Something from far off: it seemed
deep and secret to me, hidden by the earth,
a shout muffled by huge autumns,
by the moist half-opened darkness of leaves.
Wakening from the dreaming forest there, the hazel-sprig
sang under my tongue, its drifting fragrance
climbed up through my conscious mind
as if suddenly the roots I had left behind
cried out to me, the land I had lost with my childhood --
and I stopped, wounded by the wandering scent.
- Pablo Neruda
One-of-a-kind artist book by Jill Hubley. Click here
Gorgeous collection of pieces Robyn!
ReplyDeleteLove the book with wooden pages and the wonderfully satisfying textural surfaces of Gonzales work.
Hope all is well in your part of the cosmos!
Thanks Sophie. The texture in that first piece is amazing! All is well here. A rainy weekend to keep us cool.
DeleteThat poem is beautiful, I can see why you love it. Beautiful assortment of nature inspired pieces, I'm a big nature fan.
ReplyDeleteEvery week I look at the beautiful art I find for my blog posts and feel very lucky that I can do this.
DeleteYes, those scents or the slant of the light. The call of the mourning dove at a certain time of day. All can take you to where you don't want to return.
ReplyDeleteThe art is beautiful. All of these pieces speak to me. Make me want to see more.
Hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
Lisa, looking at your journals I can see how much you love nature. Have a great week!
DeleteYou always find the most beautiful images and poems and stories to share with us - but I really connect with this post. Nature pulls at my heartstrings as well. I will be back to visit each artist's webpage. Thank you.
ReplyDeletexx00
So glad you enjoyed the post Judy. You are living in the perfect environment to enjoy nature on your doorstep.
DeleteThe nature table fantasies of my childhood just came true. Ax
ReplyDeleteI did LOVE our nature tables in Class i and ii. So many fond memories!
DeleteYour posts are always inspiring Robyn. I'm taking a Cas Holmes workshop in April when she visits here, I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteOooo I'm envious Ro! Enjoy the workshop and let us know all about it in April.
DeleteI shall ring my friend G and tell her to look at these Robyn as they are absolutely fantastic. Is it really your birthday today? It is my son's birthday today too.
ReplyDeletePat, it's not my birthday but I cannot get that little message off my Face Book profile..... which is confusing quite a few people including myself :-)
Deletel'artiste textile est absolument extraordinaire, son art me touche!
ReplyDeleteYes the quilt by Cas Holmes is beautiful!I've added 2 new links for her website and blog.
DeleteRobyn, This is a beautiful post. I love Eric Gonzales' work so much and have seen it in person, so wonderful. And that quilt! xoxo
ReplyDeleteAnnie, how wonderful to see Erik's work in person! It must be even more amazing seeing his work face to face. The texture really speaks to me!!
DeleteI think nature is a jumping off point for so many of us in our creative endeavors. Also a place to recharge, to take solace; so many things. What an amazing collection of work poem included. The inspiration and design sense that nature offers us is truly amazing. Thanks for the morning smile!
ReplyDeleteDoing this post felt so nourishing to me that I realize it's time to go out into the mountains again to replenish. So glad you enjoyed this post Carole.
DeleteNature, the ultimate muse.
ReplyDeleteThank you for another inspiring collection of works Robyn.
I am very inspired by this collection too!!
Deletethanks, robyn.
ReplyDeletei see a couple of sites to check out.
there are such things that cause me to stop and feel the good remembered,
even as it comes with the heartache.
It's a strange feeling isn't it?! The push and pull of memories.
DeleteTo be bound by nature- is very Zen-like. Since nature is all around us, memories are also tied up and bound to nature. The Neruda is very poignant and deep. and all the artists featured are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSome things are so hard to describe but Neruda said it all in his beautiful poem.
DeleteGreat collection, my favorite here is the Neruda poem.... for obvious, foresty reasons!
ReplyDeleteObvious forest reasons..yes :-)
DeleteI need to de clutter, it is a time in my life when I should, but every walk sees me bringing home another shell, another leaf or stone, all precious reminders that one day I may not be able to do this.
ReplyDeletePenny, I would worry about you if you stopped bringing home the precious reminders.
DeleteOh my!
ReplyDeleteIt's all so wonderfully lovely.
Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed the post :-)
ReplyDeleteR - so many ways to be inspired by nature - we but copy and reproduce really. Thanks. B
ReplyDeleteIndeed..... and some artists magnify what we would miss otherwise, making us more aware.
Deleteechoing donna, how can we NOT be bound by nature? your selection of the marking folks make honoring that inspires. karen kunc's books are some of my favorite things.
ReplyDeleteMy heart races when I look at Karen's wooden books .... well only on the web. I imagine seeing them in person would be amazing.
DeleteWonderful collection of work here--
ReplyDeleteFiona's rock collection with the open spaces for more exploration makes a smile. Nature opens all the sensual doors, and so many memories; in some way we too are Nature, not separate thinking bodies but of the whole, and we mirror the seasons, we flower and seed and have fruit. One Love.
I never tire of Fiona's work. There's a simplicity and freshness about her images that captivate me.
DeleteThis post is inspiring! Thank you Robyn and thank you for the introduction (for me) of Cas Holmes work...I visited her website and truly love her work!
ReplyDeleteOhhh I'm so glad you have discovered Cas's work, Mary Ann. Enjoy!
DeleteThe past and the places that inspired us and taught us are so deeply twined together. Though we can't go back, they made us who we are, and bittersweet memories are better than a void. Beautiful post: the art and poetry are well matched. Wishing you peaceful dreaming, Robyn!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruth. Yes those memories are deeply entwined in who I am. I often wonder just how much I have been influenced by them.
Deletethese are just so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the post!
Deleteoh my so much gorgeosity in one place, Fiona work and the organic sculptures... amazing .. all this AND Neruda... sigh
ReplyDeleteGorgeosity indeed :-)
DeleteThank you Robyn for sharing such uplifting art and for giving me such inspiration.
ReplyDeleteKnowing you are inspired makes my day.
DeleteWithout nature, life isn’t Life... The same as without art :-)
ReplyDeleteAt least for me and I am sure for you too Robyn!
Life would be pretty boring without nature and art wouldn't it?!
DeleteI keep coming back to that skeleton leaf!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it is so beautiful.
DeleteThat is one powerful poem! And I am amazed at the different styles, techniques, approached and media that different artists have used to capture a similar theme.
ReplyDeleteThe poem really speaks to me. So often a scent will trigger a whole sequence of memories.
DeleteDear Robyn what a moving poem and your words have moved me as well. Beautiful art, I love Fiona Watson's pieces.
ReplyDeleteroxanne
Isn't it beautiful, Roxanne?! .... and Fiona's work has captivated me for years. I love the simplicity of some of her images.
Deletei like these black Rock.... Nice
ReplyDeletei absolutely adore pablo nerudo and that poem is among my definite favorites. it makes such a wonderful companion to the beautiful woks you have showcased here. i LOVE fiona watson... but didn't know it until this post. thank you so much for that!
ReplyDeletexx
Oh good, I enjoy it when readers discover new artists through my posts! I LOVE the Neruda poem too.
DeleteI am just treating myself to a stroll through your blog and just had to comment here. There are not many things I really want to own these days, but last year (and it was after this blog post but I hadn't seen it) I saw a cast bronze chestnut in a gallery in Norfolk and fell in love with it. After much research I discovered it was by Mark Hall. I couldn't afford it but I've never stopped thinking about it. It was even nicer than the one here..beautiful oxidised (?) edges to the shell..a real gem.
ReplyDeleteHi Jackie, Mark Hall's pieces are striking aren't they?! A simple subject transformed into something quite magical. It must have been great seeing his work face to face.
ReplyDelete