Wish I could have captured the transformation of the sky over Boston about 4:30 this afternoon. It was like a sci-fi flic of a force from outer space taking over the world in one fell swoop. One minute the sky outside my window was all blue sunshine and puffy white clouds — the next, an ominous dark front was racing out of the northeast and eating everything in its path.
I would have liked a picture to contribute to Sharon Silverman’s art installation. She is building one in December and needs sky photos in a 4″x6″ print form (only sky, no buildings or trees or anything else in the picture): Sharon Silverman, P.O. Box 1212, Haverhill, MA 01831, silvermanarts@comcast.net.
Sharon says, “Remember to put your name and address on a separate piece of paper so that you can be added to the list of artists who are contributing their work to this project.” It sounded like a rare chance to be an “artist.”
I have quite a few sky pictures, but could round up only two for Sharon that didn’t have anything else in them. (Maybe only one, since a bird showed up in a print.)
Here are a few recent sky photos — two that are just sky.
And check my previous post on ForSpaciousSkies.com.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
It will be interesting to see what she does with “only sky.” I think the pictures with some “grounding” in them are more interesting. But, then, I tend to prefer representation better over abstraction, and for some reason, only sky seems very visually abstract to me.
If I get to see the final creation, I’ll blog about it. Artists sometimes forget to let you know. I once gave an old copper roof to a sculptor who swore I’d be invited to her opening, but she forgot. I never did see what she did with the copper.
I totally understand artist-amnesia. I used to be that way. But I found it all-around too embarrassing to continue being spacey (probably because I’m more exceptionally gifted as a people-pleaser than an artist, or maybe just because middle-age makes me less tolerant of foibles), so I forced myself to outgrow it. I do think, however, my choice has made me less creatively spontaneous–and perhaps less fun. Seems there are always sacrifices to be made, no matter which path we choose.
How many types of art do you pursue?
I love all the arts, and have pursued quite enthusiastically and with moderate success–drawing, classical music (piano/organ), theater (acting, directing, dancing), poetry and fiber arts. And cooking/gardening, which in my opinion are also arts.
About 10 years ago, I met a wonderfully talented artist/mentor in her 70’s (she was trained in Vienna and earned some impressive recognition from Oskar Kokoschaka) who told me she regretted not focussing on one art (she divided her time between painting and music). So, on her advice, I’ve determined to focus on writing. But I wonder whether DaVinci didn’t, after all, get it right–I’m wondering whether hyper-specialization breeds a kind of malaise of the soul. (That’s why I like your wide-ranging, uncategorizable blog).
Well, I just can’t focus. But thanks. I guess we both have lots of interests and anyone else who likes this blog probably does, too.