I've been thinking about writing this for a month. (So, now I realize that it must be a challenge for me to write about joy and fearlessness.) A month ago I went to see the Danish band, Mew -- for the second time -- and I'm still carrying the feeling of open-hearted inspiration. It's inspirational to see and hear such fearless creativity, such honesty and adventurousness in art. My brother, who is a drummer and went to the concert*, too, called me a day later to say, "thank god there are people in the world making music with such honesty and emotion!" He said he was grateful that he was a musician and grateful that I make paintings and grateful to all of the other people who struggle to put their creative work in the world. So, I was thinking, why be grateful? I'm grateful, too, because art, music, literature, any inspirational, creative work reconnects me to a feeling of aliveness. Being joyful, alive, and open-hearted is the way to be...but it can be elusive. And you have to be a little bit fearless.
I've also learned about fearlessness by picking up a new hobby: ice hockey. It's not a sport for the faint-hearted (which I am at times -- I've even fainted in the past -- but not during hockey...phew). For me, playing hockey is all about fear...and speed...and fear of speed. I never took ice skating lessons before, so it's pretty difficult to be fearless when I put on those skates. But, that's exactly why I love it. (not to mention all that great gear!)
Last summer when I went to hear Joan Snyder speak about her work at the Danforth Museum of Art, someone in the audience made reference to her fearlessness as an artist. (I thought to myself, "o.k., I love her work, so I'll try fearlessness, too.") It's not easy. But skating with a bunch of fearless, powerful women and listening to Mew for inspiration and reminding myself to experiment in the studio...all of these things help. And they also lead to some moments of pure joy.
For some more on fearlessness read Mira's List: P.S. Be a Horse, Not a Tiny Fearful Thing.
* my sister went to the concert too -- and, dancing to Mew with my brother and sister on either side of me was a big part of the pure joy!
I've also learned about fearlessness by picking up a new hobby: ice hockey. It's not a sport for the faint-hearted (which I am at times -- I've even fainted in the past -- but not during hockey...phew). For me, playing hockey is all about fear...and speed...and fear of speed. I never took ice skating lessons before, so it's pretty difficult to be fearless when I put on those skates. But, that's exactly why I love it. (not to mention all that great gear!)
Last summer when I went to hear Joan Snyder speak about her work at the Danforth Museum of Art, someone in the audience made reference to her fearlessness as an artist. (I thought to myself, "o.k., I love her work, so I'll try fearlessness, too.") It's not easy. But skating with a bunch of fearless, powerful women and listening to Mew for inspiration and reminding myself to experiment in the studio...all of these things help. And they also lead to some moments of pure joy.
For some more on fearlessness read Mira's List: P.S. Be a Horse, Not a Tiny Fearful Thing.
* my sister went to the concert too -- and, dancing to Mew with my brother and sister on either side of me was a big part of the pure joy!
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