Artist, Chester Arnold, in his Studio
This poem is about a problem–my problem. My office, writing space, is also my would-be art studio. And here’s the problem. I’m a perfectionist (borderline OCD?) and can’t write in a chaotic environment. I long to paint, but can’t endure the mess.
Today for dVerse Poetics, Grace prompts us to write to the amazing photographic display/art of Emily Blincoe. Her arrangements appeal to me for their organization, color, implied texture and pattern. In response, I share with you my (not-too-poetic) dilemma.
Art is Messy
I uncap each tube,
inhale deeply, feeling creativity
seep into my body
through the sense of smell.
Lay them out, then,
one-by-one,
color wheel-like:
red-orange-yellow
green-blue-purple
and all the shades
in-between.
S-t-r-e-t-c-h
that canvas
tight, tight-tighter yet.
Sort brushes
by number.
Drop cloth, easel,
light source.
Perfect.
Uncap tube.
Inhale emptiness.
Thank you, Emily, for sharing your beautiful work.
Photo: Emily Blincoe
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
Unique take on the citrus colors. I really enjoyed hearing your artist’s perspective. Lovely.
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Cool take on citrus photo…like paint on a palette! But that painful emptiness can fill a sterile office as well as a chaotic one, I’m afraid 😉
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Oh, I didn’t see that ending coming….pow.
This brought back olfactory memories of my grandmother’s art supplies.
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Ah yes, the negative space, emptiness, the blank page, canvas, or blackboard, & yet, it all begins with one color, one line, one word, as we kick our creativity into gear, I love the process. With drawing or painting, I have to see something concrete in my mind, but with words/poetics, often I can let a free form dictate itself.
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I like this. I’ve had a space like that, not chaotic with paints but with yarn, and all the little bits I thought I caught… No, they still blanket the carpet with colors and textures. Messy indeed.
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i think creativity, as a whole, is messy. 🙂 that’s what makes us stand out lol
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I love the process and progression that pulled me through this poem. Nicely written.
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I can relate to the fruity photo as an art project, too. The colors are many and fit into the rainbow, yet when we get right down to it, the canvas is empty until we get started painting ( or writing)…we have to do the work from the idea and it’s not as easy as it seems.
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Oh, Victoria, I am so with you on that one! I am also borderline OCD and since my study is the only space I can control in the house (with the children being anything but tidy), I faff around for ages before I can start on something substantial. Then again, perhaps it’s just procrastination and excuses.
I love the way you describe that meticulous preparation – and then that moment of inhaling nothingness.
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Victoria, I love this poem.
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Oh Victoria 😀 this is absolutely stunning a rendition ❤️ I so adore the idea of “feeling creativity seep into my body through the sense of smell” and the image of inhaling emptiness is just divine ❤️
Lots of love,
Sanaa
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Oh that dilemma… we crave the order and yet we only see emptiness in the end… sometimes in the arrangements I will only see the background…
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oooh. the last line is sooo beautiful and calming and soothing. it’s like a beautiful period to such a lovely poem!
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Par excellent poem. Love your dilemna. LOVE the last line…inhale emptiness. Splendidly Zen. I can smell the paint and the turpentine in this.
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I think you summed up the creative dilemma well!
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I love how you started out…first by being orderly, and then that punch line:
Uncap tube.
Inhale emptiness.
I agree with you on art being messy but its fun too ~
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That’s a lot of citrus. I love the arrangement and the poem. xo
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OH! I love that last line! So much. “Inhale emptiness.” WOW. I feel this way about the page, too, sometimes.
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