Out of the Darkness Into the Light

2015 Out of the Darkness Project

http://the100dayproject.com/2015-out-of-the-darkness-project/

This project begins on the Winter Solstice and ends on the Spring Equinox.  Start date is December 21st, 2014 – ending date is March 21st, 2015.

We realize the start date is just around the corner.  This project, however, will be structured a bit differently from the Community 100DayProject.

The Out of the Darkness project invites you to study, document, journal, create, practice, explore, make, observe, or initiate something new each week. This is meant to be a weekly hands-on visual, written, or audio interpretation of whatever interests you during the 13 weeks between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.  Whatever will help bring you out of the darkness….

Rules: there are none.

Guidelines…if you want some structure or an assignment:

• Center your project on one theme – it can be a broad as you like.
• Commit to doing something hands-on at least once a week.
• Keep it fresh, let it go where it takes you.
• Flow is the key word here.
• Don’t get caught up in quality

• Consider this a first draft in the creative process.
• Relax your standards and expectations.
• Find a buddy or start a group to share your experience with.

And So it Begins!  I have had an idea for a body of work since September, but have not had time to dive in.  I have been gathering vintage circus images and material.  I am intrigued with the idea of "running away with the circus"...especially when school was starting in September!  I have been thinking about an epic journey of a girl or woman who is running away to join the circus.  Along the way she meets many characters:  a talking crow, a swarm of bees and a bee charmer, and murmurations of starlings.  I am thinking about doing some writing to accompany these images.  I am loving the weekly progress of the project.  Weeks are better time increments for me than days.  Maybe by the end of our journey the girl will find her place in the circus or wherever the journey will lead her.  

Elegy: We end where we began.....

And so we end where we began.  I feel in an odd way that this is a funeral of sorts for my 100 day project.  Fade out...Sunday day 97 or so.  I have had successes and failures.  It has been enlightening and humbling.  Thank you very much for the opportunity to participate in this social movement.  I look forward to spreading out my work and doing some post-production.  I also look forward to the next 100 day adventure.  

Today I’m flying low and I’m

not saying a word
I’m letting all the voodoos of ambition sleep.

The world goes on as it must,
the bees in the garden rumbling a little,
the fish leaping, the gnats getting eaten.
And so forth.

But I’m taking the day off.
Quiet as a feather.
I hardly move though really I’m traveling
a terrific distance.

Stillness. One of the doors
into the temple.

-Mary Oliver

half way through the 100 day project

through day 40

watercolor pencil and photos on experimental watermedia papers...some charcoal too.

Resurrecting old ghosts: days 27-32 100 day project

100 day project

Ordinary Everyday Moments: “Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are”. Memories held most sacred…Marianne Williamson. I am both curious and scared to begin the 100 day project. I have a mobile studio, due to my schedule and commute. I will be using photographs as a springboard. Photography was my first love and continues to bring me joy. The process of being in the moment and looking outward is my oxygen.
I have files of words, collage papers, and substrates to use with the photos. Also drawing and painting materials. Sketchbooks and boards will be my substrates. Time of work will depend on my schedule. I will be able to put more time in on weekends and revisit the week’s work. 100 pieces, 100 days. This is a way to make my moments “in between” tangible and physical…to work with them beyond the making of the images…post production.