“Surveyor“– Currently at the West End Gallery
I tried to discover, in the rumor of forests and waves, words that other men could not hear, and I pricked up my ears to listen to the revelation of their harmony.
― Gustave Flaubert, November
I often write here about the need to have one’s voice heard, about how we all have a desire to send our message of who we are out into the world. And I do believe this.
But as important as this might be, I often find myself at this time of the year feeling a little tired of my own voice. And a little regretful, especially after openings or talks where I come away feeling that I spoke too much and didn’t listen enough.
It’s as though there should be a certain balance between the two — talking and listening– and I feel like I am out of this balance. A yin/yang thing, I guess.
I know that I feel a lot better when I listen more and talk less. Maybe this allows the voice of someone else to be heard, someone who may need that more than me in that moment.
And hearing them creates a bit more balance and harmony. For them and for me.
And that feels better because, after all, balance and harmony is what I am seeking with my work.
And myself.
I think that might be the message carried in the piece at top, Surveyor. I see this painting as being about the Red Tree seeking this harmony in the rumor of forests and waves as Flaubert put it, as well as a having a need to communicate with the other distant tree.
Harmony and communication– it falls within the balance between talking and listening.
Okay, enough talking on my part…
Redtree Times 