Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Window of Opportunity





So I'm designing an installation for this window in the Walker Terrace building on Congress Street. The painting on exhibit now is the work of MECA graduate and painter Patrick O'Rorke. (The painting is made up of small pieces of painted wood. He uses beautiful colors and these photos do not do it justice).

You can see why I want to do a diptych, the way the window is divided. I like the idea of making a piece about nature for the city. Not that Portland is a metropolis or anything. But I must say that I sleep more soundly in Woolwich with the woods all around my house. It gets deeply quiet there. Here in town there are noises all night long - sirens, street cleaners, the occasional loud drunk, raucous seagulls...
I dreamt last night of a slim young man with curly hair who invited me to dance with him. I felt reluctant but he was so encouraging and he beckoned to me. We got into a promenade position and we raised off the floor and were soon flying! I moved into some extreme dance positions like a ballerina as he held me aloft. I realized that we were hanging by some strong fishing line (I've been re-reading Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions and she speaks of feeling sometimes like she is connected to God with a length of fishing line). I felt like Wendy flying with Peter Pan. We even flew over a small figurine of Tinker Bell and I laughed out loud. I felt loved by this person and I trusted him completely. I felt so joyful, high and free. I asked him his name: he said it was Branch.

I took those pictures of branches yesterday to use in making my prints...

Do you believe in Spirit Guides? I've read about them, and after a dream like this, I have to wonder...

2 comments:

Rob S. said...

What a great spot for your display!

I am unsure of the spirit guide thing. I had a similar dream a few years back, and I journaled it as I was still doing the Artist's Way at the time. I've reread it since, and it can be interpreted in a number of ways. That's what makes it hard to know - what's the correct interpretation? And does it matter?

Anonymous said...

sometimes a snake is just a snake and sometimes flying is just flying! dreams do have many many meanings. i see this one as a subconscious "yes martha, you're on the right track" for the bird/branches thing i want to do with my prints.
i did a bit of the artist's way. that's a good book to open up again every so often. filled with great quotes and art cheerleading support!