“Sacred space and sacred time and something joyous to do is all we need. Almost anything then becomes a continuous and increasing joy.

What you have to do,

you do with play.

I think a good way to conceive of sacred space is as a playground. If what you’re doing seems like play, you are in it. But you can’t play with my toys, you have to have your own. Your life should have yielded some.”

Excerpt From

A Joseph Campbell Companion

Joseph Campbell

Well this sums it all up. I’ve always wondered about my preference for solo experiences.

My life has yielded phases where I’ve been in the “studio”. Athletics, Art, Dance, Horse, Music ; place and time where I go inward and seal off the external interruptions. As I move through the years I may change the focus but the need for the sacred remains constant.

How do you know if it’s a sacred place?

Like Joseph writes, there has to be play. This one is tricky especially when the “public” is involved. As an artist, I think it’s essential to stay in play mode and not let the outside in when painting. When I look at my best work, it’s when the session has been one of total play. Freedom. These energies are picked up by the viewer and connection is made.

How I love my torch! Fire. Liquid. Alchemy. As I look back at my various “studios” I see there are tools which create the environment. I recently was a guest artist for 4 high school classes. After the Q&A I began the demo. Out came my torch, a griddle, the paints and a panel. In two seconds I created a sacred space. The students gathered around and there was silence. Our little campfire of stories to unfold.

What are your thoughts about sacred space and time?

Leave a message by clicking on the post title which takes you to my website. Scroll down to the message box and leave a comment!

XOXO,

Francesca

Part 2 next week!

Last week when I posted about that wonderful Picasso painting, a friend followed up by asking me what was the title of the painting. I was so taken by the painting I forgot to find out the name! By then, I couldn’t remember on what site I had found the image but it was in my Photo Album.

I remembered hearing that there was a way to search Google using images. So I searched Google about image searching in Google; I know strange. In a blink of the eye I came across this item.

Google Reverse Image Search

It looked promising and simple. My requirements now with technology is that it needs to be simple, straightforward and free. Check, check, check.

I followed the instructions and pulled the Picasso image from my Photos Album and dropped it in. BAM! Up came the name of the painting and all the articles I could ever want to read about it. Which I did!

Femme Accroupie, (Jacqueline). Painted in 1954

Did you know he painted that piece when he was fresh in love with his final lover and eventual wife Jacqueline? And that she shot herself the day after he died many years later? Or he was greatly influenced by his great friend and rival Matisse?

Why do the stories make it even better?

He painted it quickly and in one afternoon. I can see him there in his shorts, striped shirt and cigarette burning in the ashtray. Or maybe he smoked after. And where was she? If you look carefully at the photo you’ll see the unfinished painting resting on the easel.

Power pose. Going to work on that too.

XOXO,

Francesca

PS: You can read more about this work from the Christie’s website.

PPS: It’s kind of fun to search your own work too!