Friday, April 5, 2013

GATHERING STILLNESS

Gathering Stillness by Robyn Gordon. 

 My word for 2013 is stillness.

A dear friend of mine suggested that we check  in with each other every week or two via email, to refocus on our chosen words. Sometimes I forget to check in but ever since we decided to do this little exercise I have found that I am able to maintain my focus, unlike other years when I've forgotten my word within days. Doing this with a friend has made all the difference. Even when it seems that all is chaos around me I am able to find moments of calm in my day. I am gathering stillness and it is affecting my art.

Gathering Stillness by Robyn Gordon 

"Have you ever heard the wonderful silence just before the dawn? Or the quiet and calm just as a storm ends? Or perhaps you know the silence when you haven't the answer to a question you've been asked, or the hush of a country road at night, or the expectant pause of a room full of people when someone is just about to speak, or, most beautiful of all, the moment after the door closes and you're alone in the whole house? Each one is different, you know, and all very beautiful if you listen carefully."  -  The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster


Angel by Omar Galliani. See more here.

Linda Vachon. See more on Linda's Flickr photo stream here.

Road Trip by Carole Leslie. See Carole's blog here  and website here

From Stillness by Heidi Hass Gable. See  more images here

 Center by Intao. See more of Intao's work here.

 Brian Ferry. See Brian's work here.

 River of Grass by Matthew Hillier. See website here


Resting by kerrdelune on Flickr. See more here.

paulus.iosephus on Flickr. Click here.

"In the midst of movement and chaos,
keep stillness inside of you". 
- Deepak Chopra

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76 comments:

  1. Jeane MyersApril 5, 2013 at 8:43 AM

    beautiful images and sentiments, but the best images are of your work - so rich and yes, feels like it is gathering stillness xox

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 1:20 PM

      Thanks Jeane. She is hanging on the wall near my computer and is setting the tone to my days.

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  2. Marianne HallApril 5, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    I LOVE this word. Thank you for calling in my 'center' today.

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  3. Mo CrowApril 5, 2013 at 10:24 AM

    Ah Robyn... sinking into the stillness here with your serenely carved face & all the careful beadwork alongside the way you pull words and images together, your posts are an art in themselves!

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 1:23 PM

      Thanks so much Mo. Doing the beadwork each evening was particularly meditative.

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  4. Caterina GiglioApril 5, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    this felt so zenful to me Robyn... peaceful and if there was a way to post without words, i would have.... : )

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 1:24 PM

      Cat , I'm so pleased you found the post zenful and peaceful. Thank you.

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  5. ZenDotStudioApril 5, 2013 at 10:40 AM

    I love the writing on stillness and especially resonated with "the stillness after the door closes and you are alone in the house"! One of my favourites!

    Your image is so sweetly serene, yes you have captured stillness.

    I love the idea of having a word and I think I know just the friend to share this with. I'm a little late into the year but it's never to late for a good idea!

    Thanks Robyn for including my "Roadtrip"

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 1:30 PM

      It's never too late to start, Carole.
      Your painting had a calming effect on me from the moment I saw it on your blog so I'm happy that it is hanging in my blog "gallery" :-)

      Delete
  6. Helen SmithApril 5, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    Beautiful. And 'The Phantom Tollbooth' is still one of my favourite books some 40 years after I first read it.

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 1:33 PM

      Helen I haven't read the book but I've been looking out for it since reading the quote.

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  7. mansuetudeApril 5, 2013 at 11:51 AM

    She is Absolute. Beautiful marriage of color and glowing.

    That image "Center" looks a lot like my world today, the clouds over water, little light, doing an awe provoking dance inside me (except for the dishwasher's little hummmming, all is sill.

    Thanda! Thanda! One for you and one for "her" x

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 1:37 PM

      Thanks M. Center is such a beautiful photograph. While preparing this post I was thinking about one of your quotes about lingering in stillness. I wrote it down in my quote book some time back.

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  8. SweetpeaApril 5, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    It's seems like you are in a very good spot indeed, Robyn ... and these examples are everywhere I might want to be, too, so I thank you for that. As for your beaded splendor up top, that is the very finest mantle ;>] (but of course you know I am biased).

    Lovely to visit here ~ as always.
    Christi

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 1:43 PM

      Thanks Sweetpea. This post was very therapeutic for me.

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  9. ValeriannaApril 5, 2013 at 2:31 PM

    That's a good word for the year... yes... and I see how it is working withing you and coming out into your work. My words for this year am reviewing steadily for some reason. I have three. Gratitude, generosity and honoring. I could add stillness, its so where I'm at. Have a great weekend, Robyn!

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 1:45 PM

      Lovely words, Valerianna. There are quite a few of us who have chosen the same or similar words.

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  10. Velma BolyardApril 5, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    very good piece, robyn.

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  11. AnonymousApril 5, 2013 at 3:03 PM

    i like the friendship's promise to one another...and seeing how this word has made it way into your art.

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 1:47 PM

      The internet has made it so easy to make connections with like-minded people. I'm very grateful for my blogging friends.

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  12. Gwen BuchananApril 5, 2013 at 5:22 PM

    So very calm. I can feel it a way over here. beautiful peace.

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 1:49 PM

      Thanks Gwen. What did we do before the internet?! Sharing art was never this easy.

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  13. Lisa at GreenbowApril 5, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    My word is FOCUS. It does take some stillness to focus. Love all of these images. Your lady with all the beads is in herself a stillness with a focus to keep all of those beads still. Namaste.

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  14. WimApril 5, 2013 at 7:17 PM

    Your sculpture with the white robe steals the show Robyn.

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  15. Sue Marrazzo Fine ArtApril 5, 2013 at 9:27 PM

    What a DrEaMy post!

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  16. ebApril 5, 2013 at 9:45 PM

    listening
    always

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  17. Lynn HollandApril 6, 2013 at 12:03 AM

    The hum of a plane in the air always bring me into stillness and I hang suspended in the moment

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 1:53 PM

      Being near water... the sea or a stream... always lulls me into stillness.

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  18. DebrinaApril 6, 2013 at 4:43 AM

    Mmmmm....feeling calm and still after reading this post thanks Robyn.
    Love your latest wood sculpture: a nymph of stillness!
    Debs

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 1:56 PM

      Likewise... I was very taken with your keepsake box. Glad you are getting back into creating them.

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  19. The Weaver of GrassApril 6, 2013 at 7:48 AM

    How I agree with this idea of stillness Robyn - and how wonderful stillness is whenever it comes and in whatever guise.

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 2:02 PM

      Indeed... and I'm learning to appreciate even the small moments rather than hankering for long stretches of quiet time.

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  20. AnnieApril 6, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    Robyn, Your work is beautiful, I love this piece. All the images here are lovely.
    My word is close to yours, calm and peace are my words for the year, stillness works well with them.
    xoxo

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 2:04 PM

      Annie, thank you. I'm so pleased you love this piece. I carved her in memory of my daughter, Bron.

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  21. Leslie Avon MillerApril 6, 2013 at 11:28 AM

    Ah, I am breathing in the freshness of stillness like a vital nutrient. Your beautiful totem exudes calm and serenity. She is well accompanied by the companion images you have so carefully chosen. Wishing you more strength of stillness. ;o)

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 2:06 PM

      Thanks Leslie.
      We are obviously craving more quiet time :-)

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  22. Jann GougeonApril 6, 2013 at 3:23 PM

    Stillness is where I am reminded of who I am . . beautiful totem and images

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 2:07 PM

      I love that ..... "Stillness is where I am reminded of who I am".

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  23. BarryApril 7, 2013 at 2:52 AM

    R-beautiful work; and stillness itself such a magic place to be - beyond quiet and beyond being - just still. Thanks. B

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 2:18 PM

      Thanks Barry.It is indeed a magic place to be.

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  24. Fiona DempsterApril 7, 2013 at 3:30 AM

    How wonderful that you are spending time with stillness this year and your word is holding true for you. I look at those images d want to print them all out and stick them up behind my computer where I can see them. They do wonderful things for my heart beat...I like your totem too! It seems as if each and every bead is drawing stillness towards her...

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 2:24 PM

      Fiona, I can't believe that this time last year I was so stuck. This year is very different and I'm sure that doing the exercise has helped me break out of the usual creative doldrums I experience after Christmas.

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  25. Sophie MunnsApril 7, 2013 at 5:14 AM

    There is a marvellous dignity, humility and strength in this totem of yours Robyn...!
    How wonderful to be finding a way with another to hold that space that is bringing a quiet focus you desire. Beautiful accompanying images!

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 2:26 PM

      Thanks so much Sophie! I really appreciate that you see these qualities in her.

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  26. Susan HoskenApril 7, 2013 at 6:54 PM

    Robyn, my words this year are stillness and serendipity. I have some art in the kitchen to remind me of the words I have chosen
    susanJOY from australia (met on CCS)

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 2:34 PM

      Hi Susan :-) :-) So good to see you! "Serendipity" ... now that's a great word to have... and of course you know how I feel about "stillness".

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  27. lynne hApril 7, 2013 at 9:54 PM

    oh robyn, she's so beautiful. the very embodiment of stillness...

    xoxo

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  28. Judy ShreveApril 8, 2013 at 8:14 AM

    Robyn - I always love your posts - but this one in particular because it includes your own artwork - beautiful, spiritual, movingly still. And how smart of you to keep your word for the year active. I realized I didn't remember mine and had to go look. . . .

    'gathering stillness' a beautiful sentiment to hold close in my heart. thank you
    xxoo

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 2:38 PM

      Judy, thank you. Lol.... I remember forgetting my word year after year. Check in with a friend to keep your word alive.

      Delete
  29. layersApril 8, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    I have just started a series of collages and paintings called Silence and so your lovely images and quotes and poetry have really spoken to me.

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 2:39 PM

      Donna, I'm really looking forward to seeing your series.

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  30. Blue Sky DreamingApril 8, 2013 at 3:09 PM

    I love everything about this post Robyn! Your piece IS stillness as are the other pieces and words. I also chose 'stillness' and it has become a rich connection and I know my heart is warmed by each still moment that I can hold. I'm so glad you have a friend that has been as a witness...thank you.

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 10:35 PM

      Mary Ann, it amazes me how this is working for me. A daily meditation. I can see how it is affecting your work and the tone of your posts too.

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  31. india flintApril 8, 2013 at 3:47 PM

    i'm thinking you might enjoy a visit here, Robyn...

    http://listeningtostillness.com/about.html

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 8, 2013 at 10:37 PM

      Thanks so much India. I've just spent a good half hour reading Nikki's blog. Unfortunately there is no feed to her blog but I've made a note of it anyway.

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    2. Leslie Avon MillerApril 9, 2013 at 10:55 PM

      Robyn I found a feed on the listening to stillness blog. Maybe she just added it.

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    3. ArtPropelledApril 10, 2013 at 1:52 AM

      Thanks Leslie. I keep trying and a box pops up ... no feed.

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  32. Gaby Bee April 10, 2013 at 8:14 AM

    You always create such gorgeous pieces. Your wood sculpture looks just wonderful...so gentle and wise. Love her!

    Gaby xo

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 11, 2013 at 3:13 AM

      Thanks Gaby, I enjoyed creating her..... both the carving and the many nights threading beads.

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  33. UnknownApril 10, 2013 at 10:36 AM

    Hi Robyn,
    Visiting your blog is such a visual feast - every time! Love your word for the year. A good reminder to me...
    Love how your sculpture captures the theme of this post so aptly.

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 11, 2013 at 3:33 AM

      Hi Karine, glad to see you are taking a break from painting. Wishing you the best for your show.

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  34. SethApril 11, 2013 at 8:07 PM

    Your piece is breathtaking Robyn!

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  35. Anita Thomhave SimonsenApril 14, 2013 at 2:41 AM

    thiought actually I had made a comment..but can´t find it...so I probably just thought of it...your pice is SO good and it reached me immediately....breathtaking...

    from Anita

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  36. ArtPropelledApril 14, 2013 at 3:11 AM

    Anita thank you so much. Have a good weekend.

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  37. PJApril 15, 2013 at 4:35 PM

    Dear Robyn,

    In my experience this piece (the one you made) actually transmits stillness. (I experience that everything transmits its 'state') I am guessing that to create this piece you lost all sense of self in stillness.
    Beautiful.
    Love,
    Patti

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    1. ArtPropelledApril 27, 2013 at 1:49 AM

      PJ, your comment fills me with peace. Thank you. xox

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  38. Sharmon DavidsonApril 25, 2013 at 7:49 AM

    Wow- so many beautiful expressions of stillness gathered together. I especially love your piece; I'd like to stare at it for a very long time, until the stillness becomes a part of me. Brilliant.

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