Saturday 27 July 2013

The Legacy



"The difference between the man who just cuts lawns and a real gardener is in the touching, he said. The lawn-cutter might just as well not have been there at all; the gardener will be there a lifetime".

Ray Bradbury - Farenheit 451.

Beyond the 'must do's' - making a living, keeping the bills paid, taking care of yourself - there's the things that really count -  when we enable ourselves and others to give and share something that truly enriches life, here and now and, hopefully, for after we're gone.




Sometimes the 'must do's' can become so burdensome that they can blur or blind us to those higher joys. I've certainly been finding that lately, as life has become more arduous. There are times when the sigh into the moment reflects the 'groan' deep within caused by the frustration of lack of resources or the loss of ability to be as aware and as responsive as you used to be. It can all simply seem too much, so it's wonderful when you encounter a moment which makes a difference and reminds you that you can make a mark and enrich the world.



I had another opportunity, on two occasions, to work with Auerlie this month, and both were a sheer delight. Not only was it wonderful to create some truly satisfying art, but it was great to be discussing all manner of subjects with another artist who is clearly thinking about what it's all for and coming up with some sensible answers.

We spent one afternoon working in the nearby woods - it was too hot to walk too far, so we worked at a couple of shady spots on the river and in between two key sessions, had a break for lunch. As we sat and discussed creativity, Auerlie shared how she was so delighted to be creating such a rich collection of images of herself at this moment in her life, and how much joy it brought - hopefully not just now, at this moment, but in future years, when she will be able to look back and delight in those photos, recalling the times that the images were made.

One of the wonders I often enjoy now is accessing the catalogue of work in the last decade and recalling the fun and pleasure of meeting so many people and working together to create something for others to share. It matters, I think, because it says so clearly that we can engage with life in a fashion that says 'this is meant to matter' - we are carried away by the richness of such moments.





We are not simply to make a living - to punch our ticket and silently vanish into the earth... to do so would be to truly impoverish life. By sharing deeply of the richness that is here and now, making that something which can genuinely endure, we truly outlive ourselves. That is our real potential - to take the splendor of life, to express to each other and ourselves, the true significance of today.



Morning Glory, Tangled and 'And, Rest'. Model: Aurelie Anais. Photography by Howard Nowlan.