JULIET'S MUSINGS

  AS KINGFISHERS CATCH FIRE... As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame ; As tumbled over rim in roundy wells Stones ring ; as each plucked string tells, each hung bell's Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name ; Each mortal thing does one thing and the same : Deals out that being indoors each one dwells ; Selves - goes its self ; ' Myself ' it speaks and spells, Crying 'What I do is Me :  for that I came. Gerard Manley Hopkins

  A few days ago I had a bit of a revelation - one that I think I've had before, but this time it went a bit deeper.... It was about the denial of self.  If you're christian, you will know well the scripture where Jesus says 'Deny yourself and follow Me'. Being someone who wanted to be all out for God and become closer to Jesus in my life and ways, I tried to put this into practice for many years. I also lived in a christian community for nearly 20 years where there was much teaching on holiness and self-denial.  But it was mixed with a cultural practice that subjugated women and elevated men, the church and 'building the kingdom' above all else.  Everything in life bowed the knee to maintaining 'the brotherhood', which had slowly devolved into a controlling, empire building, cult-leader-led church. Within that setting, I learned to deny everything that was uniquely me, anything that didn't fit into the paradigm I was in, all opinions, most self expr...

  What do you see when you look at this painting? I was trying to express a few things about my life through the use colour and texture and wasn't unhappy with the result...but I was thinking... I don't think I'm on the 'autistic spectrum' but I'm definitely on the 'Artistic Spectrum'! Here are a few symptoms - check and see if you are a fellow 'sufferer' : D you can be depressed when a painting is not going well and joyful when it is kind of hold your breath until the next inspiration comes you suddenly stop when walking along (causing people to bump into you!) because you've seen a sight you want to capture for a future painting you find yourself analysing colours you see around you, ie 'that's Payne's Grey' or 'that would be Cerulean Blue'! you get inspired at the least expected moment, sometimes not in keeping with the social situation you're in - a bit embarrassing for people with you! you can stare at a paint...