In the Labyrinth

Hiding While Thinking About Writing

I was immediately drawn to these two fabulous images from Finnish artist Samuli Heimonen because they remind me of how I feel when I am in that gestating almost there stage of writing. The first is called "Hiding Place" -- where story hangs out, where my confidence hangs out, where anticipation hangs out. It feels safe, protected, but not closed off which makes it also comforting.

This one is called "With My Own Eyes" and I like this because it also signals that being tucked into a hiding place is not necessarily about being blinded either. The child (like the story, the tender confidence and the anticipation) can still look out from the wonderful mask of a feline head (a lion? a cat? all that beautiful detail on the fur.). There is a glow of light around the head of the child. So I feel better, calmer, when I see these two lovely images. I stop fretting about what I haven't yet done, and enjoy instead the creative process of reflection.

Of his work Heimonen writes: "My works are not about the animal world, but I have wanted to use the animal figure as a metaphor for human hopes, aspirations and fears. For me, animals seem to crystallise in a great way something fundamentally human. An animal or the nature is a mirror which provides an interesting platform to study the human being."

Not a bad place for a writer to hang out either....

When Heroines Write Their Own Stories

Penelope Writes to Odysseus

I am still in awe of these amazing little Medieval illustrations of the classical Greek and Latin heroines of Ovid writing imaginary epistles. Ovid's work was translated into French by poet Octavien de Saint-Gelais, and it so delighted Louise of Savoy (1476-1531), mother of the future king Francis I of France, that she commissioned artist Robinet Testard to decorate a sumptuous manuscript of Ovid with these beautiful miniature portraits of the heroines writing their own stories. Each one is so different ..caught in the unique drama of her life -- some beautiful, some rather violent. (And really...so many bad husbands and rotten boyfriends...) Here's a sample of some of my favorites ...but do, stop by La Folia Magazine and indulge in all the others. All these heroines writing their own stories provides fuel and words for my own characters who are impatient to write down their (mis)adventures.

Medea Writes to Jason

 

Ariadne Writes to Theseus 

 

Hypsipyle Writes to Jason (double rotter)

Sometimes the Best Part About Writing a Book is First Collecting All the Art

I seem to be pulled in too many different directions to get much done on the blog...but one thing I have to say, is how much amazing art I have been collecting to keep my thoughts cooking with the novel. Sometimes, that's the best I can do for a while, build up an interior vision of the novel by falling into unexpected art. Some might consider that a time-waster -- but it isn't, any more than lying on the couch day dreaming or taking a long run, or knitting a hat to unravel plotted snags. As long as one eventually rolls back to the keyboard. But for right now...over the next week or so...here's my life in images.

So here is this...stunner, right? Look at that beautiful face, that sumptuous velvet, the embroidery. This is "Die Heilige Dorothea" by Lucas Cranach, ca 1530 Germany. A painting of St. Dorothea of Caeserea, virgin martyr and patron saint of gardeners (especially orchard growers.) 

Drunken Tengu: Masters of the Sword and Drink

Among the more celebrated Japanese tricksters are the Tengu. These peculiar half-human, half-bird (sometimes hawk-like, sometimes more vulture) creatures are famous for their love of sake and their abilities with the sword. In fact, part of their mythology is that the tengu created the unique Japanese style of kendo, and were responsible for teaching it to Japan's greatest epic heroes. Minamoto no Yoshistune, the very handsome (and historical) hero of the Heike Monogatari was alleged to have been instructed in the art of the sword by tengu teachers.

The tengu are also wonderful mischief makers. They are known to shapesift into yamabushi (Japanese monks) in order to travel among human beings (and also to play tricks on impious monks at times). They have carted off naughty children and either educated them into something more heroic, or made them pay the consequences for their behavior. They have arrived in the nick of time to rescue floundering heroes, and they have gotten ridiculously drunk in various inns.

The art surrounding them is terrific -- sometimes they appear in the lavish epic style of Kuniyoshi's richly colored prints and other times in the hilarious pen and inks of Hokusai. They are also depicted with absurdly long noses with which they produce calligraphy, balance bowls, and carry bundles. 

Art: Top is by Kawanabe Kyosai, middle is by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, and the bottom is by Hokusai.

Alphabets, Satyrs, and My Name

Artful alphabets please me. Here is a beautiful early 18th century Italian alphabet currently housed in Berlin, but happily digitized and available online. I like the the fact that my first intial "M" -- is graced by Masks and Satyrs (and mules? stubborn girl). It reminds me of Zizola and the Satyrs in The Innamorati. The site has posted the entire alphabet and I invite you to find your intials among these wonderful and playful engravings.

Trajes Tipicos Mexicanos: Vintage Mexican Paper Dolls

I found these beauties sorting through yet another still-packed box in the garage. I was given these Mexican paper dolls when I was quite young and have fond memories of spending hours studying their regional costumes. One folded the arms behind the back, creating a cone shaped figure and then slid the ends of the shawls into a slot in the front of the dress (see last picture). I always played with them unfolded however, because one could see more of the clothes and I loved the details of their dress.

 

 I have scanned all fifteen of them and created a gallery for them, which you can find in the right sidebar. Perhaps this year I will finally find a way to frame them altogether. 

 

 

 

 

 

Por Unos Ojos Negros

Oaxacan artist, Fernando Olivera, is perhaps better known in this country for his magnificent work in color -- vibrant paintings that depict a magic realist Mexico -- but I also love his smaller black and white etchings which are equally magical. I am determined this year to purchase one or two for the new house (whenever we find it...you know...it has to be the house, the one we know will be home). So far these two beauties from Indigo Arts Gallery (a dangerous place when I have a little money in my pocket) are on my wish list. The one above is "Por Unos Ojos Negros" (with its evocative images -- feet, a heart, and a curled dog with black eyes) and the one below is "Angelita."