A Very Quiet Wow

lynn Guardino on March 14, 2017 at 6:33 am

I hear ya Laurie
I have been doing collages for a few years and have found them to be highly personal. I rarely show them to anyone because when I do, invariably, that person will try to put some meaning into what I have done and the whole thing gets diluted. Doing art, for just yourself, is very stress less and gratifying. Like writing, creating a collage allows you to learn about yourself. I find that my hand just finds the right pieces and I surprise myself.

laurie on March 14, 2017 at 6:47 am

exactly Lynn, exactly. xxx

jen on March 14, 2017 at 6:53 am

i miss you, lets talk soon. And this is fantastic, as always, your writing makes me happy and relaxed – its so good!

laurie on March 14, 2017 at 7:07 am

jenny love….yes. xxx

Jen on March 14, 2017 at 6:56 am

For what it’s worth, you always wow me and I feel the same about my iPhone collages. I think they’re amazing and then there’s crickets or maybe a “huh” but only after I’ve fished for reactions. Ha! DM me yours anytime, I’ll send over mine. ❤

Stephanie on March 14, 2017 at 7:35 am

Oh I love this post so much. There are times we have to play with colors and pictures -to speak with the purely visual voice. This has happened to me a lot lately, too. Maybe they are more like poetry than prose.
The mystery is the beauty in them.
I love your collages.
And I love this handwritten post.
Xxxooo

laurie on March 14, 2017 at 7:50 am

steph….I know you know. xxx

Judith on March 14, 2017 at 8:03 am

I appreciate how tough it is when you get no response to what you put out there. I spend hours creating my newsletter only to find most of my kindred don’t even read it. I spent time feeling hurt, but I have reclaimed that time for more enriching things. I love seeing your handwriting in this post, Laure, and your collages are gorgeous! Guess I need to be more active on instagram to see them. xo

laurie on March 14, 2017 at 8:25 am

judith…yes. xxx

Debra Alber on March 14, 2017 at 8:19 am

The upper most collage- I’d been wondering who the artist was…(doing collage and mm pieces myself and curating the gallery…)
I’m sorry I don’t respond to your work more often. I read it always and am moved.

Randi Kander on March 14, 2017 at 8:30 am

Ok, funny , but when I opened your e-mail and saw the top collage my first thought was “wow.” The top two slices are very painterly and the whole thing is just lovely so soft and the colors balance beautifully. But they are photos? wow.

Suzi on March 14, 2017 at 9:21 am

Dearest Laurie,

Today I have been mulling over some interesting feedback that I asked for, from two different classes of my students. Of course, as solid and centered as I may be, the “suggestions” or “differences” noted are what stand out to me, makes me a little sad. Like I wasn’t perfect.
Just like doubting if your collages are perfect expressions of you. And waiting for the response we want? What if you open a different Instagram account, like for your dog or something, and wow the heck out of your posts. Because ultimately, it is about us being in right relationship with ourselves, yes?
Or not. Maybe all this “platform building” social media stuff, finding new allies, new students, new readers, new collaborators, new inspiration…so purposeful, but somehow it picked up, like burrs from a huge burdock plant…the yearning for connection. To be seen. In order to be seen, we might have to be willing to be not seen on some days, or not 100% wowed?
I don’t know. Just so happy to read you right now.
Total snow day here in the Berks BTW. xo S

Anne on March 14, 2017 at 10:04 am

Laurie, I think your iPhoto collages are brilliant. What app are you using?

Kim on March 22, 2017 at 2:11 pm

YES!….I am sorry I did not give enough wows…;-)…I love them too and am always nodding as I admire…I can’t do that!!!