Sunday, October 05, 2008

Flourish

Funny how what may seem like insignificant and unrelated events add up to spur some thought on a particular subject matter.

I have a makeshift kitchen in an home office space in our home (due to a kitchen remodel under way as you may know). So, a bottle of Chardonnay was finished off. I save the corks. The cork to be saved came with me into my bathroom as it was on the pathway from point "A" to point "B". I assume I stopped to brush my teeth and had set the cork down on the countertop. And then, I noticed the word on the cork.

"Flourish"

Wow. Now, that's a nice word, when you think about it.

"To be at the peak of development."

It speaks of what is and what can be. Given the right set of circumstances, all living creatures are able to flourish.

What is it that you need to flourish as an artist?

Hmmmmm...tough one, huh?

Rhetorical question, y'know! And, how will you know that you are at your peak of development? Another rhetorical question.

But, I welcome your dialogue! It would be interesting to explore from different perspectives.

For myself, I'm not even sure what it is I need to flourish.

I think freedom. Freedom from the incesant inner critic. Freedom from what sometimes feels like the shackles of responsibility. Freedom to do what I want without a care. Freedom from fear of outcome. Freedom from the worry of what am I going to do with this when I'm done?

So, perhaps with our giving ourselves more freedom, we can flourish...

8 comments:

d smith kaich jones said...

What incredible timing - I have been mulling this over for the last several days. Truly. And how wonderful that you noticed the cork, that you paid attention to its little message. Yes, yes, YES!!

What would it take? For me, I think time. Steiglitz gave Georgia O'Keeffe a year - he totally supported her for that time, and it made a difference. A year! What a gift. Of course, what she did with that year was up to her, but I think he knew she would make something of it.

TERRIFIC post.

:) Debi

Laurie said...

well how about these other definitions of flourish...

1. To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive: The crops flourished in the rich soil.
2. To do or fare well; prosper: "No village on the railroad failed to flourish" John Kenneth Galbraith.
3. To be in a period of highest productivity, excellence, or influence: a poet who flourished in the tenth century.
4. To make bold, sweeping movements: The banner flourished in the wind.
v.tr.
To wield, wave, or exhibit dramatically.
n.
1. A dramatic or stylish movement, as of waving or brandishing: "A few ... musicians embellish their performance with a flourish of the fingers" Frederick D. Bennett.
2. An embellishment or ornamentation: a signature with a distinctive flourish.
3. An ostentatious act or gesture: a flourish of generosity.
4. Music A showy or ceremonious passage, such as a fanfare.

I think I can better 'flourish' as an artist in some of the other definitions of the word. I probably won't ever know when I've arrived at the highest peak of my development as an artist because I believe there is always going to be more that I can learn or develop in as an artist.

Great post though, Paula! I love it when we have those little 'coincidental' revelations that make us stop and think.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Great dialogue, Debi and Laurie!
I did see all the different definitions for 'flourish' in the dictionary (which also included the description for calligrapher's embellishments). I narrowed it down to the one that triggered all the thought.
And, it seems that Steiglitz gave Georgia that freedom I spoke of, doesn't it? And she gave herself the rest of the freedom that was needed to make that gift whole. We had a 'bring your art' to our association meeting tonight. I loaded up a bunch of images in my Ipod that I thought would give a feel for the scope of my work. The slide show contained 268 images. Staggering when you see it that way.
So, the way I see it, we ARE flourishing. We just forget to look at it that way, huh?
Thanks for the dialogue! Very insightful!

Anonymous said...

like debi i thought.."hmmmm...how apropos is this topic?" rhetorically speaking of course. i could follow you list of what you feel you need to flourish and many of those on my own list are suspect. i am not like georgia o'keefe. i don't believe i would make particularly good use of a years worth of time. i would first have to overcome some of those fears or at least makes some in-roads. i do soo love the cork though and your sharing it with us paula!!!

Leau said...

Good morning, I love this post and the comments. I'll just add, I don't care how you define it, I know how it feels when it is happening to me and I love it! Want to do whatever it takes to keep it happening. Could flourish be a goal? smooches

Annette said...

I think florishing is the ability to reach deep and bloom, even when the odds seem against you. It is finding the strength within, regardless of the freedom available. Florishing is a beautiful word.


a thought -- use the cork as a begining and do a photo collection of what florish means.. or an art show? ohh no.. I am plotting again!! stop meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

laurel said...

What a fabulous cork! And a great thought stimulus. I can't imagine reaching a peak because there is so much to learn and experiment with. To flourish I need to dedicate more of my free time to creating rather than my usual inactivity when I get home from work. And the weekend is always a fight with obligations and things that need to get done for daily life. I need to make it more of a priority and winning the lottery would really help. ;-)

Jaime said...

Such a thought provoking post....and to think it came from a cork! How wonderfully observant and reflective you are.
I want to walk away from this post and absorb it...let that word *flourish* seep into me and see what comes of it throughout the day.

Wonderful post
xoxo

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