contemporary collage paintings
the process
Leslie Avon Miller

My life flows when I'm in my art.


Jean De Muzio

Monday, January 21, 2013

One Heart Telling Another Heart


Shell Bundle, Leslie Avon Miller







The true harvest of my daily life is somewhat as intangible
 and indescribable as the tints of morning or evening. 
It is a little star-dust caught, 
a segment of the rainbow which I have clutched."



— Henry David Thoreau, Walden


Bundle, Leslie Avon Miller





Art takes all the time I can give to it. And in return I gain the satisfaction of striving, creating, expressing, and knowing what it is to engage deeply. Being an artist is like living in a poem of sorts. I feel so very fortunate to be on this path.


I would willingly give more time to my art.

Bundle, Leslie Avon Miller




But that’s not the way of it for me. I juggle between day job work, home life work and art.  I enjoy most aspects of my day job as I assist lovely folks who are in a predicament. I like people, so being a helper is good work for me. I feel rewarded on the best days and I know less rewarding days come with the territory.


I love our home and take on the tasks which are mine with a willing heart, at least most of the time. I am into the Zen of kitchen work. I find that preparing a beautiful meal is a type of art in itself. I can even find some satisfaction in a folded basket of clean laundry. 

Bundle, Leslie Avon Miller




I don’t think of art as work exactly, more like a sustained endeavor, a quest, a joy. Most of all I love the long hours in the studio, exploring and creating to my heart’s content. Like the waves breaking on a rocky beach, exploring and creating art goes on and on and on in an eternal rhythm. I can’t stop.  I wouldn’t want to.
  

Furoshiki, Leslie Avon Miller






I experience this juggling of activity as a constant dance. If I throw in the laundry while I cook up a meal, I can have the afternoon as studio time. If I can skip out of work early, I can have an hour in the studio before supper time. 

And (here is a favorite) if I stay up late I can make some art after enough of the other things are taken care of. To be fair, there are plenty of times I stay in the studio and get called to supper prepared by my patient and understanding husband. Much to his frustration, sometimes he has to call me several times, as I say “in a minute, just another minute.” That’s another great way to carve out more time in the studio.

 
Bundle, Leslie Avon Miller




A couple of months ago, I read a particularly inspirational blog post which was spot on about the juggle and reward of having both a day job and a creative life. Fiona Dempster called the dance creating an artistic life style. Fiona said



  

I can't quantify how much living an artistic life adds to my life, my experience, my well-being, my pleasure and my joy. It means that we think about art, talk about art, visit galleries, contribute to exhibitions and have art-minded friends who we chat to over coffee. Living an artistic life is full of joy and happiness and pleasure, satisfaction and wonder.  I think continuing to live a life like this will be the best thing I can do. I am also grateful that I have the opportunity - I don't take it for granted for a moment.

~Fiona Dempster




Bundle Box, Leslie Avon Miller




I would add to the list of artistic lifestyle elements the connection I have with artists via the internet, like you dear reader, that enriches my life. Thank you for the conversations we share. It is on line where many connections with other artists are made and enjoyed.



This year I decided to eschew many of the traditions of the holiday season, and focus on the parts I really enjoyed. With this new mantra, I made hand made gifts for friends who would appreciate them. I began to bundle. And bundle. Part of creating an artistic life style is what I choose to do, and what I choose to let go of.


Bundle Boxes, Leslie Avon Miller






It really doesn’t matter how we engage our art and creativity, 
as long as we keep dancing the creative dance.

 
Bundle, Leslie Miller






Our intention is to affirm this life, 
not to bring order out of chaos, 
nor to suggest improvements in creation, 
but simply to wake up to the very life we’re living, 
which is so excellent once one gets one’s mind 
and desires out of its way 
and lets it act of its own accord.


John Cage
  

Paper Bundles, Leslie Avon Miller






The act of painting is about one heart

telling another heart
where he found salvation.

Ai Weiwei
 

55 comments:

  1. I apologize for the odd sized fonts. Blogger has a mind of its own today!

    And how is your juggling act going?

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  2. Lesley I do so identify with your dance -carving out creative time when you have multiple jobs is indeed an art. Most of my life was like that - I juggled family, a retail business while making time for art. Today making art is my daily focus and it is such a joy.
    Love your bundles....and I have had a struggle with Blogger now and again too.

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    1. I hold a vision of a retirement filled with art making, like you!

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  3. des petits paquets qui contiennent l'esprit créatif!..

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  4. Leslie,
    the bundles are jaw droppingly good.
    No more words.

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  5. beautiful bundles, beautiful bundles of words and quotes! Your words are both humbling and inspiring, says she who doesn't work a day job and fritters away so much time and whines sometimes. Puts it all in perspective.

    And housework, I get such satisfaction out of cleaning and tidying! the zen of home keeping for sure!

    And yes what a fortunate life to have and good internet friends and companions such as you, to keep company with along the way.

    I always look forward to your posts

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    1. Hi Carole: I think frittering time is incubation time for fruitful endeavors! Thanks.

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    2. I've got frittering down to a fine art.

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  6. Beautiful words Leslie - I feel quite uplifted now - those bundles are intriguing

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    1. Hi Rosie: Good to see you. Uplifted is good. ;o)

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  7. the paper bundles are wonderful

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  8. I love your bundles too........and as for the dance.......most of my life I'd been frustrated by it. I blamed everyone in sight for my lack of focus and time. In the beginning it was my family, my sibs.....who drew on my artwork....and worse...and left in my care.....then it was my husband(s) and son who I felt took me away from my artistic endeavors. And the awful jobs I picked. And now that I have distance from all my frustrations, I see it's ME and LIFE. I used to call it 'starting and stopping'....until my wise friend named it 'cycling'.....as in cycling through and around, never stopping. Or at least that's what I think she said. The point is that it's all important. I feel lucky now, that my life is full. Full of family and relationship and love....and I need to get a grip that what I do is important. Then 'they' who tend to 'stop' me and distract me will know and respect that too. I'm just sorry it's taken me a lifetime to realize it. I also feel blessed to life an art full life.

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    1. oops typo. I feel blessed to LIVE an ART full life.....yes I do. ox

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    2. Yes, cycling happens for a good reason! Like a field laying empty to renew itself. It is a blessing to to live an ART filled life!

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  9. your bundles are joy, pure joy.
    i love the way you dance
    with your creativity.
    thanks for the sweet inspire,
    Jennifer

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    1. Hi Jennifer. Thanks. Creativity is a dance I must dance. You too I imagine.

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  10. As the thankful receiver of some of your natural bundles, boxed bundles and paper bundles, I know you gain so much joy in your act of artful creativity outside of your work and home-- and you freely share with your art buddies.

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    1. Hi Donna: Yes, there is a great deal of enJOYment in "making".

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  11. My heart lifted when I saw your new header and today I find this post that is a joy to read. Life as an artist is indeed like living in a poem. I haven't mastered the zen of housework yet and truthfully I don't think I ever will but it makes my art life even more enjoyable.... and precious. I do admire the way you approach your life of dayjob, housework and art. LOVING the paper bundles tied haphazardly with string! Stacked layers of deliciousness! My finger is quivering above the pin button :-)

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    1. Hi Robyn: Well, I must say the Zen of housework is here as part of my life, and then there are other days...
      I almost always would rather be making something. ;o)

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  12. I love your boxes and bundles, why cant I make them!

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    1. Hi Penny: Why not give bundling a try! I suggest you start with something you have a lot of...it takes a lot of paper to make a bundle. I added some cardboard layers to make the bundle thicker. Its enjoyable!

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  13. Living artistically while folding laundry is indeed a wonderful skill, I just wish I had it! But I have to agree that art permeates many of our actions, consciously or unconsciously.
    Your bundles are delightful, how lovely to receive such a thoughtful parcel.

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    1. Thank you Suzie. As Robyn Gordon says "when I am not creating art, I am thinking about it!"

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  14. Your bundles are stunning.
    It's true that living an artistic life is infinitely rewarding - though can be an awkward juggling act as well.
    I smiled at your calling to your husband "just one more minute." Last night as my boys were waiting to be tucked in, I was in the middle of a collage, and kept calling "just one more minute." We are indeed lucky when the people in our lives understand and appreciate that this is a dance we must do in order to be who we are.

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  15. that line from Ai Weiwei...spot on. as are the bundles.

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  16. The bundles look like they were created with so much love and affection. Beautiful.

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    1. Yes, lots of love and affection. Thanks for stopping by Kathryn.

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  17. Leslie- Thanks for sharing your words, the words of others and most especially, your wonderful bundles! I imagine the care and love with which you gathered and layered each one perhaps thinking of its recipient. I am sure that they were much appreciated. I look forward to your posts.--Julie

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  18. oh Leslie,
    you have bundled up
    my heart
    in your quiet bundles
    bundling
    being
    truly
    one of my favorite things
    the act
    of gathering
    and binding up
    together
    the bits and the pieces
    is a balm
    and a mantra

    bundle on...

    xox

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    1. Hi eb! You are so right - a balm, a mantra, a meditation. Thank you.

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  19. I see a deep relationship between these bundles and the nests in your last post, Leslie. Stacked and wrapped and bundled together. Gathered and woven like the bits and pieces of our lives.
    I've been going through boxes of painted papers today, treasured papers that I need for the work I do, but they're almost overwhelming, on the verge of Too Much. Your idea of bundling and passing the little treasure on to someone else may be my answer. Thank you.

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    1. Hi Jo: Oh, I can imagine all the beautiful bundles you could make. I know they would be very "Jo." I would love to see them.

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  20. i just love what ai weiwei said. and how you wove it into your bundle of a post.

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    1. Hi Vlema: Yes, the salvation we find in art is so deep. A touchstone. Thank you.

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  21. I love your wonderful bundles. They're hiding secrets and untold stories...

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    1. Hi Eric: Thank you. Yes, bundles contain so very much more than pieces of paper. I think that's part of the intrigue.

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  22. Ah! Leslie... Vos paquets à peine retenus avec une simple ficelle, ils parlent, parlent.
    Ils racontent, à leur manière, une vie de femme sensible et active. Généreuse et discrète.
    Comme un murmure qui se joue des distances, qui trace son chemin jusqu'au coeur!

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  23. Mystery and intrigue are a part of these bundles for sure....I can't imagine a place that these bundles and boxes wouldn't be appreciated and loved. Juggling home, art and job has its wild moments...keeping all three up in the air so to speak. Love this post...very thoughtful...thank you!

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  24. Leslie - your bundles are truly beautiful, keepers of memory and reminders of beauty. Thank you for thinking of me with this art-full life. I find it is the window through which I see the world, the way I experience it and the way I choose to move through it. Art helps guide choices we make about so many things -it fills our days in many ways - thinking about it if not doing it; finding rewards in just staring at beautiful pictures at the end of along work-work day; it is a wonderful addition to my life. For which I am grateful. Go well...

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  25. I strive to find the creative in all the dimensions of my life and can actually get through formerly under appreciated tasks with renewed vigor....but I do need the studio/art time. It is the hub that keeps the wheel turning. I do relate to this post very much and thank you for it.
    The bundles are wonderfully intriguing and beautiful.

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  26. Your whole post is a bundle of A Beautiful life.
    and I adore your little nests from your last post...













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  27. Your "Bundles" entry was a joy to read, to view! So very thankful I took some time to visit -- Thank you!

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  28. I have come to your blog a few times though I don't think I have ever commented, this post is so beautiful I had to tell you. I too juggle my art around home and work, I have become a hermit because I always seem to need time to paint :-). I say no to many outings and parties because I always just want to be painting. I am a bit free because I have no partner (just furbabies) and I work for myself so I can limit my hours.
    Thank you for this wonderful post. And wonderful art, the bundles are lovely.
    xoxo

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  29. Always uplifting words and images . . "the zen of housekeeping" . . what a wonderful way to look at that task!

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  30. These bundles are like little miracles. They are filled with beauty and scraps, possibilities and history. I love them all.

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  31. Your bundles sing to me! I found your blog through Robyn's blog Art Propelled and wanted to share with you that YOU INSPIRE ME! I haven't blogged in a long while but I am always being inspired by others blogs. I have been looking at the little daily being in the moments and experiencing life. I just wanted to let you know that in this vast world of the internet you touch people you don't even know.
    Thank you for that!
    Dawn Wilson

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