“what have i seen? where have i been? something has spoken to the very soul of me, wonderful, mighty, not of this world. something has called out of somewhere. something in me is trying to answer. it is surging through my whole being, the wonder of it all, like a great river rushing on, dark and turbulent, and rushing and irresistible, carrying me away on its wild swirl like a helpless little bundle of wreckage. where, where?”
from hundreds & thousands – the journals of emily carr
out for a walk this morning in the autumnal paradise that is descanso gardens, with its chrysanthemums the size of saucers, its california buckeye trees heavy with horse chesnuts. squirrels feasting on pumpkins. i fell into the most pleasant trance as i walked under the sun dappled tree canopy.
at night i’m escaping into the landscapes of my books. martha’s vineyard with its snowy woods in winter. the pacific northwest with its deep forests and dark hemlock, cedars, fir.
restless restless. i’m being pulled north, but i cannot go. too tethered to work life. but how i wish i were driving along some winding dark road in british columbia. tall trees rising up on either side of the road. a small strip of midnight sky and a swath of starlight. driving, just driving.
that’s all.
The PNW has a raw and visceral energy and a visual purity that beckons like a siren. If you’re headed up that way, you may wish to pop by Port Townsend, WA – the Victorian seaside artists community that speaks to my soul.
wish I was driving too. To a sturdy little shack with a wood fired stove, and a veranda that looks over a valley.Trees/ Birds/ Rain. Books Journals paints.Maybe some secateurs, a spade and some seeds. Spring here and it 32 degrees today and the dogs got bung leg and men are digging up the gas pipeline. Joy.
Beauty. Beauty. Beauty. And I know that restlessness……….
The only place I have visited in BC is Victoria and only a little of it but I certainly hope to go again. Emily Carr adds to that wish.
Indeed! We Islanders would welcome you to our Island with open arms; where not only do we have dark and winding roads but Tall Trees that scrape the very clouds and catch moonlight in their branches.
Come in the Spring if you can.
and Thank you! for introducing Emily Carr to a wider audience.. Blessings.
looking forward to my visit to the island. so much.
Love everything you do, photo, post, draw, paint. You inspire me more than you will ever know. I want to draw and paint again but am ridden with horrible anxiety for some reason, but I enjoy your blog immensely! Maybe I’ll read a good book.
get out your sketchbook. draw one tiny thing on the page and then tomorrow another and the next day one more. end of the week you’ll have a finished page. it’s what i need to do sometimes and it always works to move me forward. xo
Breathtaking quote from Emily Carr. Love her art and her writing. Just reading a book she wrote where she speaks with her beloved dogs. I’ve read it before, it’s a good giggle. And by the way Miss Moss — if you ever find yourself on one of those dark and winding roads in British Columbia – make sure it’s on Vancouver Island where we can enjoy each others company. Thanks for your beautiful photos. It’s been so grey here, they cheered me. hugs, Donna
donna the quote is a description of how she felt after meeting some artists and seeing their work … which influenced her profoundly. reminds me of how you must’ve felt when you met your dear artist friend and mentor in SMA
Oh how I look forward to your posts, your photography, your eye, your humor & depth/
Thank you ms. Moss. ;o)