Category Archives: Blog
The Genius
The word for “beginning” or “origin” in Greek is genesis. Its root appears in other words like geneology, genes, gender, and genius, referring to being born from a certain source. For a number of years, I have been musing about … Continue reading
Van Gogh Exhibit at the Denver Art Museum, 2012
The Vincent Van Gogh exhibit at the Denver Art Museum is it’s curator’s dream to show Van Gogh’s development from novice to mature artist and affirm his profound influence on generations of artists and art history itself. It took many … Continue reading
The Starving Artist
Why is it that artists, more than almost all professions, have struggled so much to get paid for their work? This is a question that has occupied me since I went to college to learn about art. At that time … Continue reading
If a Tree Falls — Reflections on the Nature of Art
“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” This philosophical question, often debated by beginning philosophy students, poses fundamental questions about observation and the nature of reality. Not … Continue reading
Happy Birthday, 2012!
‘Tis the season of transition, fa la la la la, la la la la! In running out the clock on 2011 and preparing for the coming year, the increasing tension of longer nights and shorter days here in the northern … Continue reading
Ekphrasis Anyone?
I have written very few poems in my lifetime — maybe six or seven completely polished poems. Knowing this, you might wonder what led me to sign up for two poetry classes five years ago — it was the class … Continue reading
Journaling Dreams
How do I journal my dreams? Start by keeping your journal and a pen next to your bed. In the morning, when you first wake up, immediately write down what you remember about your dream. Then date your entry with … Continue reading
Too Critical of Your Writing?
When I first began to establish an ongoing writing practice, I would sit on the tall stool at my kitchen counter and try to write a letter to a friend…“Dear Jane…How are you doing in your new house? Have you … Continue reading
What a Writer Can Learn from an Artist
I recently got some tips on how I might become a better a writer by observing an accomplished watercolor painter in her studio: Know the Tools of Your Craft As I watched this painter work, she told me all the … Continue reading
Observation Journaling Can Make Your Writing Come Alive
Do you like walking in nature, watching team sports, or hanging out with your friends? When doing so, how much attention do you pay to what’s happening around you? If you want to be a good writer, staying present in … Continue reading