094: Every Day
1 Collage - 1 Video - 1 Interview
1.
Collaged Diaries — by
From the Community
I find these tiny collages documenting a person's experience of everyday life not only beautiful but somehow optimistic and life-affirming.
We talk about 'everyday' to refer to ordinary and mundane things - which is fair. Naturally, we don't take note of things that feel comfortable and familiar. And yet, the very fact that every day, we have an entire day to live in... is extraordinary.
Each day is a building block for a week, for a month - a year, a decade, a century. Likewise, every second builds a minute, an hour. But each of these measured 'pieces' of time is also a whole experience unto itself.
These collages, albeit small, are whole and complete, representing and paying homage to the existence of each day.
In her post (👇🏽), she also said something that got my attention, and I pondered over for some time…
I have never been an artist. I paint with words. Writing has a certain structure, has rules and regulations.
Maybe being of a military background this is something I’m used to; the routine, the regime, the rigour?
I like to pepper my parchment with the dedication of loyal letters, forming a battalion of words.
But lately, lately I’ve been distracted by the allure of freedom. By the colours of life juxtaposed against the grain of inky hues. I started this journal back in January, between winter washouts and tenebrous skies, jotting down quotes and crude illustrations, I found something within that led me from my familiar path and opened up a world of polychrome possibility.
It begged the question... what is it to be an 'artist'?
See I would argue with you, . I would insist that you ARE an artist, even (maybe especially) as a writer.
I would also challenge the notion that the structure, rules and regulations of writing make it less of an 'art'. Or that art (of the visual kind) has fewer structures. In any case, the importance (and function) of rules and regulations is also up for questioning and re-evaluation at any given point.
I don't have a well-researched or even thoughtful answer to any of my questions.
But I will assert - based on my feelings and no evidence whatsoever - that you, dear writer, are an artist. It may be imperceptible, but I am not the same person that I was 15 minutes ago when I started writing this post. Most certainly, I'm not the same person that I was before I saw these collages and read those words.
No, I don't mean that I have more knowledge, information or even wisdom - all of which I might gain from reading another 'thought leadership' piece on LinkedIn. I mean I felt moved in my heart and my spirit by something you created. And so I consider your work art, and you a fellow artist.
2.
Sakale — music and video by MEROPE
From the Internet
Something about the collages reminded me of this music video I came across a long time ago.
I guess there's something about this collage of moving images that captures the same essence of 'everyday' for me. There's also something about the tune that's neither happy nor sad... but peaceful. Today just IS.
3.
What Could Have Been — an interview with Paul Auster
From Dreams
On the other side of accepting the present moment... there's the wondering of what could have been.
A few days ago, I had a dream about 'Ferguson' - the main character in Paul Auster's mega-novel '4321'. I don't usually dream of fictional characters, but Auster went so deep into the very minute details of this character's 'personhood' in 4 parallel universes (over 36 hours of audiobook) that I formed a strange bond with him. He's as real as anyone I've ever met 'IRL'.
So it had me think about my own 'every day', and 'what could have been' should any of my 'everydays' been remotely different.
I wanted to share with you the book, but within a few clicks whilst looking for an audio version I came across this interview, titled with the very question I had been mulling. It was too good a 'coincidence' not to follow the flow, so here you are.
And then a few clicks later, I discovered that Paul Auster died in April of this year. I feel a little sad, but mostly I'm grateful. The audio version of '4321', which he narrated himself, accompanied me on MANY long, late-night, solo drives - maybe that's why Ferguson holds such a special place in my heart.
I didn't find a free audio version, but you can get it from Audible. Of course, you can read the paperback...
❤️🔥 THE CO-CREATE SPACE MEMBERSHIP ❤️🔥
Last week, I announced the Co-Create Space Membership. I'm excited about the project, and seeing some of you join live in the community. If you haven't checked it out yet, please do. If you have and you're not interested - just skip by, no worries :).
This membership is a community of powerful creatives who turn vision into reality. It's for artists, musicians, poets, and writers who want to put their work out in the world - with no apology - and be seen and loved for their art.
When I started writing Three Things Weekly, I had a vision of building a community... but I couldn't quite see exactly what that looked like, or what was needed. Two and a half years later, I've come to know certain things. I know that:
🖤 We want community. Creatives (well, humans) are not designed to function in isolation - despite the 'lonely writer' tropes.
🖤 We need accountability and discipline. Turning our creative ideas into reality is something we all want to accomplish, but it can be a long process.
🖤 We cultivate inspiration and curiosity. Creative block is a real thing... but we’re not powerless against it.
🖤 The world needs art, poetry and music... yet these things are not necessary to our survival. Rather, these things are what we survive for. As a society, we have convinced ourselves that art has no 'utilitarian value', yet it's the very thing that feeds our spirit, and connects us all at a deeply human level.
🖤 We want to be seen, valued and loved for our art. And we want to inspire people.
The key to all of that is in having a community of creative allies where you'll find the confidence, accountability and discipline to turn your vision into reality.
Join the waitlist and be the first to know when the doors open. You will get early access and a discounted rate for life ❤️🔥.
I love this? Thank you so much for sharing my work! I’m humbled at your response to it! Your words are so appreciated! X