Touchstones

Touchstones …
” : a test or criterion for determining the quality or genuineness of a thing ”
(merriam webster dictionary)

From my sketchbook,

     7 October 2024

      heavy fog and dew
7am with some color in the foliage
the hickories are this weeks’ show stoppers
but the edges of everything are become brittle.

          Talismen – Touchstone
groping for guidance – for reassurance
chased by fear popping up around unexpected corners and in between dreams which warp relentlessly
from problem solving and revisiting childhood houses into nightmares battling with mutating monsters
all of whom start out as benevolent strangers.

          In the thick and soul clenching morning blanket of fog I reach for my talimans
the objects which I have within reach in every corner of this studio
imbued with meaning only I can treasure
afraid they may lose some of their power if revealed
or that I will in the telling.

          Organic – dynamic – keepers of the story
do I dare let them tell their own.

15 Nov

     This feels right – and strong
and deeply authentic
when in doubt – go home

     Meeting the Muses where they are
and leaning in

Perfect November day
cloud cover
newly bared branches

OK now
a better approach
light and moonlit

TALISWOMEN
TALISWOMAN
TALISMAN

Painter’s Notes Post Scriptum –

Unable to land on the best use of the “working title” of Talismen/women ? The objects surrounding and influencing the creative sphere are contributions from every corner and gender along the path. So, I referred back to these original sketchbook notations for some clarity and it would seem that the Muses had worked that out from the very start…Touchstones.

The little quotation taped to the bookshelf was attributed to Leonardo DaVinci as the last words he wrote, “perche la minestra de fredda”…loosely interpreted as, “Whatever, the soup is getting cold.”