THE JOURNEY by David Whyte
Above the mountains
the Geese turn into
the light again
Painting their black silhouettes
on an open sky.
Sometimes everything
has to be
inscribed across
the heavens
so you can find
the one line
already written
inside of you.
Sometimes it takes
a great sky
to find that
small, bright
and indescribable
wedge of freedom
in your own heart.
Sometimes with
the bones of the black
sticks left when the fire
has gone out
someone has written
something new
in the ashes
of your life.
You are not leaving
You are arriving.
"And you? When will you begin your long journey into yourself?" - Rumi
"This painting was done a few years ago, it turned my art into an inward search in an effort to express not what was in front of me but what is inside. Everyone has an internal compass, it has no needle to guide, you only know you are heading in the right direction when it just feels right" - Dan McCaw
Read "The Journey" by Mary Oliver here.
Such a meditative set of work to ponder.....I love every one and the sense of space they hold. Thanks. Lots of interesting links to keep me out of mischief as well!
ReplyDeletesuch a beautiful post, the paintings of Jeanie Tomanek take my breath away, she speaks so deeply & with such grace about how it feels to be a woman & gives a great a sense of hope for how to walk more lightly on our fragile planet as do all these artists and poets you have shared here, thank you!
ReplyDeleteReally so very interesting to see how different people interpret the concept of journey so differently, in both words and images.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for this. Love the paintings that show a hound as companion on a journey. Since coming to Australia, the Mary Oliver poem has been a touch stone for me.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think that what you come up with are a bit close to home!
ReplyDeleteLove the Jeanie Tomanek paintings.
Alice Vander Vennen's work is very inspiring and I love the Rumi quote. You just keep the surprises coming, Robyn!
ReplyDeleteAll great examples and each artist has their own unique way of expressing travel. Lovely work.
ReplyDeleteLovely, everything. I found myself really drawn to Anne Moore and Alice Vander Vennen. I am off to search the links.xoxo
ReplyDeleteI have been contemplating journeys recently. This really was perfect for me. Thanks!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Pamela
RICH AND DEEP--Just like I like it and here is one for you in return:
ReplyDeletehttp://mscomfortzone.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-we-feel-most-has-no-words.html
I love the paintings of Jeanie Tomanek, they have an ethereal quality (have long admired her work). And that wonderful poem and the works and words of Dan McCaw ... wonderful journeys.
ReplyDeleteJacky xox
Hi Annie, did you see the violin key assemblage in the last post? That got me pondering about the things people collect.
ReplyDeleteMo Crow, I'm glad you mentioned the hope in Jeanie's paintings. When I first discovered her work I thought some were a little gloomy but the more I look at them (and love them) the more I feel uplifted by them.
Seth, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many different aspects of the journey I could have brought into the post, but I was trying to keep the post short ...ish which is difficult to do when I find so many amazing images.
HHnB, my little hound is sleeping at my feet as I type. They are such sweet companions.... well some of them are :-) The other one is digging to Australia outside my window. The Mary Oliver poem is one of my favourites too.
Penny, so many of Jeanie's paintings hit the nail on the head for me.
Deborah, did you notice the piano bits in some of Alice's pieces? More amazing found objects put to good use!
Ro, glad you enjoyed the post.
Annie, so little time and so much to see :-) Enjoy!
Hi Pamela,... physical journeys, creative journeys, spiritual journeys .... there is much to contemplate. Glad this post found you at the right time. xoxo
Ms, I followed the link and listened to the poem several times..... and then went searching for more. Thanks so much for the introduction.
Jacky, I've just discovered Dan McCaw's work and am so enjoying it.
Jacky,
Love the way Mary Oliver can invite one into difficult things so beautifully... the images by Nadine Byrne really intrigued me to see more.
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying your weekend Robyn...waving across the ocean between us here in the southern hemisphere!
Robyn - these images and words are just what I need this morning! I plan on returning and following each of the links. Love this work. Thank you for the inspiration.
ReplyDeletexxoo
Gorgeous pieces of work but I find Jeanies artwork especially powerful.
ReplyDeleteMary Oliver has a gift
ReplyDeleteI love the Tomanek pieces - of course, the dogs probably have a little to do with that as well! :)
ReplyDeleteYou don't put a post on very often these days, Robyn - but goodness me, when you do - the images you choose are just wonderful.
ReplyDeletelovely poem but the star is the work by Jeanie Tomanek - absolutely magical - I'm an instant fan! thanks Robyn xo
ReplyDeletethe dog as a guide companion into the other side is very old symbol.
ReplyDeletei remember now reading that Mary Oliver poem, and some others to my mother on a walk together through autumn woods. its been a long time...
journey, process... off we all go! :)
Enjoy.
Superb Post, thank you.
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh Robyn,, each work is more breathtaking than the last... my favorite is Jeanie Tomanek...her pieces take one on a magical journey...
ReplyDeleteHow dreamy and mythical is Jeannie's work?
ReplyDeleteI was so drawn to the Night Journey. Some of them are like Tarot cards.
Speaking lots in one image.
R-thanks for this poignant post - so often so many of us are on some form of journey - there are times we don't even know it or know why - and I love the external versus internal journey concept - always resonates with me. Go well. B
ReplyDeletemmmmmmm. yum. Just what I was hungering for. THank you.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and moving, all of it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh my, it's all so wonderful!
ReplyDeletebeautiful Robyn, I'm particularly drawn to "Shadow" by Dan McCaw alot of depth in there.
ReplyDeleteI almost suffocated. I hardly breathe when I look at your posts and I had a few to dreamily look through.
ReplyDeleteWho would have thought that teaching tablets could be so magical?
....and what a journey you have taken me on with these gifted artists.
Robyn--thank you for introducing me to the work of Anne Moore--I enjoyed exploring her website--after savoring David Whytes's poem. You serve up an abundant feast!
ReplyDeleteSophie, I tried to find more about Nadine Byrne's piece but to no avail. Waving back at you :-)
ReplyDeleteJudy S, enjoy the links! Lots more on Jeanie's link.
Kathryn, Jeanie's work speaks to so many of us.
India, indeed... I love Mary Oliver's work.
Heather, follow the link. You will find more dog symbolism in Jeanie's work.
Thanks Weaver, I try to post once a week.
Jeane, Jeanie's pieces speak don't they?!
Mansuetude, yes we all have our journeys... and off we go :-)
Bofis, so glad you enjoyed the post.
Lisa, we could start a Jeanie Tomanek fan club at this rate!
Grrl, I can see why you are drawn to the Night Journey. It's such a beautiful piece!
Barry, since your journey has been a bit rocky of late, I'm hoping it's all smooth sailing now.
Robyn, glad the post was right for you at this time.
Lynn, my pleasure!
Carole, glad you enjoyed the post.
Kim, I'm enjoying Dan McCaw's work too. The link will take you to his blog.
Karen C, I hope you are breathing evenly now :-) Those teaching tablets effected my breathing too!
Hannah, Anne's work is beautiful isn't it?!
Every single beautiful thing here spoke directly to me, for me, Robyn. The Mary Oliver tipped me into tears. I am seeing 'signs' everywhere today. Courage bolstering signs. Thank you for sharing these!
ReplyDeleteKenda, I was hoping you would see this post when you needed to. xxx
ReplyDeleteAlthough the art photos are wonderfully beautiful and inspiring, the words of David Whyte move me to tears. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMaria, I found David Whyte's poem very moving too. Originally I was going to post Mary Oliver's "Journey" but I see it on blog posts often.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat this post is, visually and spiritually. Jeanie Tomanek is one of my favorite artists, and I adore Mary Oliver, but the discovery of Anne Moore and David Whyte made my day. These people remind me of what life is for.
ReplyDeleteSuch a good reminder. David's poem is exquisite isn't it?!
DeleteYou always weave together wonderful artists and images and words with the most fascinating theme.
ReplyDeleteI'm constantly moved by the beauty that artists and writers create. Each time is a wonderful surprise.
DeleteI don't know how I missed this post! Anne Moore is a favorite of mine.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it :-)
Delete"the one line
ReplyDeletealready written
inside of you"...
ahh - David Whyte
and that bright
wedge of freedom...
yes
and yes again...
xox - eb.
"the one line
ReplyDeletealready written
inside of you "....... yes I picked that line out too