Art in Nature (January 17th) …
January 17 – Art in Nature: Today’s task involves making art in nature … Go to a nearby park or field or wooded area and sit for awhile (It helps if this space is one of your personal “favorites”). Notice the different facets of the environment there – the trees, the leaves, the stones, the dirt, the grass, the water, etc. Now find a space that seems to “call out” for beautification and, using only the natural materials nearby, make some “Nature-Art”*. It need not be seen by anyone else; only intended to further the Beauty of that particular place … After you are finished, make a statement of humble Thanks as you depart.
*If you wish, watch the DVD “Rivers & Tides” beforehand for inspiration.
The recent winter storm here in Wildwood made this task quite the fun one today. Much of the snow that fell a few days ago was still on the ground as Nooka and I went into the woods to make our art.
As we walked, I kept in mind the work of Andy Goldsworthy, the “nature artist” who inspired this activity. To make his art, Andy simply uses whatever Nature provides him —
sometimes sticks …
and sometimes stones,
sometimes flowers …
and sometimes leaves.
His works often seem to reflect the theme of “The Hero’s Journey” – the Trek we all eventually make to a rediscovery of our True Selves, and the many portals through which everyone must pass along that sometimes dark and always challenging Path.
These thoughts inspired me to think of the many pilgrimages I have taken during my life – including the Pilgrimage that is my Life itself.
To honor the same, I paused on my walk and created the following temporary sculpture – entitled “The Road Within”. I used some stones I found nearby and placed them gently on the snow in the middle of the trail.
It will be interesting to see what the deer and the wild turkeys and the rising temperatures do to it over the next few days. In the meantime – in this perfect moment, it – like mySelf, is complete.
"A pilgrim knows that, even while traveling in circles, with Love he cannot ever go astray."
"A pilgrim wanders in devotion to Love; becoming a perfect reflection thereof."
"A pilgrim never returns from his Journey, & yet in every moment he heads Home to Love."
See You when I see you …
… and until then, Be Now!
Scaughdt
;