beginning, being, reaching
082 • 8/11/2025
Sidewalk Surprise: Sometimes an evening walk turns out to be more than just an evening walk.
A couple of years ago, and friend of mine and I were taking an early-evening downtown walk and came upon a sign that read, “Create Original Art & Sell it for Charity.” Since my friend is actually a painter I turned and told her to go ahead.
“Only if you go,” she said. Well, the challenge was on!
I had never (artistically, that is) painted anything. Never put brush to canvas. But I was motivated to step out of my comfort zone, whatever that was. I had no idea what to paint, but maybe that was good. I didn’t have to think about it!
We both walked into the store where we were met by a “greeter.” She asked which one was going to paint. We pointed to each other. I thought I might as well get it over with and went first.
Standing at the table with a selection of brushes and paints in front of me, I froze, before my friend handed me a brush. I looked at the brush; looked at the paints and began.
The square came first. Then the cross. I thought it was finished. Not!
I knew it needed more so I selected a color and merely started painting lines in the square. I was beginning to enjoy the effort. As a photographer I do know that when you think you are finished, it is usually only the beginning.
I have known many artists and have read many books on the creative process. Most of what I have read and in discussions with those artists have centered around them “taking a moment.”
I am pretty sure I wasn’t consciously thinking about that while I stood there with brush in hand, staring at what I had done. The image was OK, but not quite there.
I looked at the brushes and saw that the brush I had used for the greenish color was sitting beside the image. On a whim I picked it up and swept the bottom right corner with a flourish. It was done. I was done!
The greeter asked me how long I had been painting. I looked at my watch and said, “About 30-minutes.”
“You should paint more,” she said.
Image: Sidewalk Surprise. ©Tim Anderson
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Please pass this along to others of like mind. We do need to spread the positivity around! Know that I will be working hard to make the starter better with each issue. It will come into your inbox at 8am, each Monday morning, free or paid. Comments are always welcomed! Enjoy!
“I really didn’t have much to teach. I didn’t even believe in it. I felt so strongly that everybody had to find their own way. And nobody can teach you your own way…. in terms of art, the only real answer that I know of is to do it. If you don’t do it you don’t know what might happen.” Harry Callahan
The Power of Kindness: From Dream to Reality: Orly Wahba takes us on a personal journey; from the dream of a young child to change the world through the power of kindness, to the obstacles and challenges that helped her transform it into reality. ©Tedx/Orly Wahba (I went through more than a dozen videos and clicked on this one, the last one. The story is familiar but Wahba puts teeth into by recounting personal stories. Stick around to the end and you will discover how to move a mountain, even now!)
10 Lessons on the Creative Process: Well even if the name isn’t familiar, you’ve certainly heard his influence on the creative process as a legendary music producer.
I'm fascinated by Rick Rubin's approach to the creative process. He’s described his role as a 'reducer' rather than a producer, aiming to strip things down to their essence. I’ve just finished reading his book The Creative Act: A Way of Being. In a nod to that, I have reduced the book down to ten of my favourite tips on the creative process. ©Ian Sanders/Rick Rubin. (I have already been through this transformative book several times. Each time I open the book I discover a new gem!
Shadow & Light Magazine Archives: Kamil Vojnar:
“Here I am.
Writing about myself.
Believe me, that was not part of the plan!
I hoped someone else would do it … writer perhaps?
The real writer!
You know, the proper article. Review, little essay, an interview.
That would make me look good! My work profound! Far-reaching!
Like everybody else's!
But the writers! They bailed out.
The time was tight.
And there was no money in it.
And you know, you get what you pay for.
Because, if you ask me, I prefer pencil, brush, camera… or knife, if it comes to that.
Anything you can leave your mark on with.
But words, they float around, weightless and slippery.
They comfort, they hurt. Then they run away, transparent like water.
Because, if you ask me, I prefer music.”
©image: Levitation/Kamil Vojnar (Many years ago this photographer jumped onto the pages of Shadow & Light Magazine. I had seen his work at an opening and immediately searched him out and asked about putting him in. After that initial placement I have kept a “side-eye” on him, getting him to commit to another acceptance in the current issue. Take some time when visiting his site. There is definitely much more there than meets the eye!)
Poetics: Tim Anderson, We Know Her: I will let this poem speak for itself. Let me know what you think. I am pretty sure you know someone like the artist depicted.
We Know Her
We know her
the one who turns
this way and that
as if hearing something
we cannot hear
and seeing
and seeing
even more
we cannot see.
We know her
as one who lives
in a different world
an existence
of imagination
of whimsy
of remembrances
and forgetfulness.
We know her
as she blends colors
and lines and markings
to complete a work
we cannot see, yet
but there is a thread
from one corner
to the other
that serves to connect
what is not visible
to the wayward eye.
We know her
when the canvas is
almost finished as a drop
of coal black color
steals a spot
as if there was
nowhere else to go.
©Tim Anderson
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