Thursday, July 14, 2011

Gardening as parallel practice



Recently a fellow artist friend gave me the May '11 issue of Art in America to share an article on parallel practices called, "Artists in a Parallel Universe." In it, a panel of artists were asked (in February at the College Art Association conference) to discuss their non-art related activities when they aren't making art, those that feed their art practices. One of the artists, Vija Celmins, turns to gardening and calls herself an "avid weed-puller." While reading this I thought, hey I do that too, I pull weeds as a respite from studio work. However, this summer rather than being in a dry spell as the article addressed, I am thankfully making art. Perhaps I find pulling weeds to be even more informative during this busy time. It is a practice in which I don't have to make decisions. I know what stays in the ground and what goes into the compost, there's no second-guessing. With weeding there is a set task to do, and once it is done something has been accomplished. This is a great encouragement when minute and large artistic decisions leave my mind feeling like soup.
From this parallel practice I also bring back to the studio the recognition that having a drawing going at all times is vital for me. The above drawing is one I am working on this summer. On the table it waits, so I add a group of lines first thing of a morning or paint on at the end of the day. A little bit at a time. Not all at once. Like weeding, one plot at a time.

3 comments:

  1. What a cool concept. I realize that I did this parallel practice today but slightly different. I was feeling stuck and frustrated with my kids... so I picked up my Felcos and thinned the lemon tree. The tree looks much better and I feel calm, happy and open to whatever came next. Whew.

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  2. I'm not at all surprised that Vija Celmins turns to gardening. I've always liked her. There is something about the simple manual nature of gardening that opens mind space. I miss it. Little by little seems to be working well for you.

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  3. I've been thinking a lot about weeding lately, so I really appreciate your words above. I used to dread weeding. But it's inevitable so I'm trying to embrace it as part of my life of a gardener. I really like your approach of not having to make decisions, I feel the same way. If I try, I can make it a meditative experience. And the satisfaction of having accomplished something really does wonders for the soul.

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