fragile and strong

On my walk yesterday I tried to sink my feet into the asphalt-admitedly it did look a little wavy when I looked down, maybe next time I'll go further?

I was so taken and inspired by the incredible force and strength of this fragile plant, to have the audacity to push the asphalt aside and grow up towards the light. A plant that is so fragile that it squishes and breaks between my fingers at the slightest tug, yet it's strong enough to break stone?

It made me think how the desire, the innate desire to grow drew the will of this one seed up-up-up through the darkness, against reason and probability into another universe. I'm sure many seeds where tarred over and just a few pushed up through the asphalt, what made them unique?

And how is it that I know this plant is fragile and I can break it and I know the asphalt is too strong for me to break?

Maybe what we think we know is what limits us?

Beauty in the cracks

cement, silver foil, clover

Today was my second day painting in the studio.
After working some on the painting, I found myself outside searching for broken and cracked concrete. Staring at broken walls.

I had an intense morning, breathing life.

In the midst of it, I was reminded that beauty can be found between the cracks. The courage to continue growing and living between weighted pressure. Delicate Power.

Someone once told me that we draw pressure towards ourselves, that may feel painful, so we may cut facets into the diamond that we are.

There is always beauty in the cracks.

Planted to die

I am beginning another group of planted paintings. These will be specifically planted to die. The first experimental group was received while living. I was astonished and inspired by the response. Everyone was concerned that they(the paintings) would die, and that somehow it would be their responsibility to keep the paintings alive for ever. Also, it was clear that the belief was that the paintings were only beautiful in this delicate and fresh stage of life. Well, life is always changing and dying is part of life. Its that funny thing we have no control over, just as we have no control over being born.
I am inspired to create another larger group, that will be celebrating the beauty of the plants death; the fragile ghost print they leave, as well as the living impact in my memory from the day to day nurturing activity's. Here we go part #2.
Already, I am a little nervous.
These are planted with flowers, which are not so quick to sprout, they are aprox 7.5" x 9" encaustic, paper, oil, photo transfer, silver foil, and seeds...I will keep you posted:)