Group of aqua seltzer bottles collected from various regions of France.
"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” - Martin Buber
Lately I have benefitted from some happy accidents, both in my photography and in my writing. I have one camera that is so sharp and clear - 24.60 megapixels - that it captures details I may not notice when taking the shot.
With my little Konica-Minolta pocket camera, often I am walking around the city, or in another country, when suddenly I see a certain image begging to be shared. Later, when I upload that image on my laptop, I notice some quirky aspect of the scene that may be even more interesting than the vision I'd first glimpsed.
"One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” - Henry Miller
It's exactly the same in writing. The poem or the post; the article or the book I start out writing is markedly different from the finished product. It's the journey - with all its unexpected detours - that informs the creative process, just as it's the journey of our lives and the choices we make along the way that define who we are as individuals.
What unexpected delights are you discovering along your creative journey? Do you find your original ideas evolving, as you work? Are you sometimes surprised by the results?
Of course there are times when results need to be predictable and precise, i.e. in a business proposal or document related to government, education or the corporate world. But more often than not, our work doesn't have to be so tightly controlled, does it? Sometimes it's good just to relax and see where the journey takes us. Walking with an open heart and mind along a path without destination can yield surprising rewards.
International Women's Day
Today is International Women's Day. Read here about commemorations and celebrations going on around the world. And take a moment to reflect on what you and other women do to help make the world a better, kinder and more peaceful place.
love the photos Tara.
I find, especially if I'm writing a poem that the perceived destination is very different than the actual one. When I'm writing prose, I often begin with one single impression or phrase...or even one word. It piques my interest and seems to sizzle in my brain vying for attention. I then open the gate to allow my ideas/thoughts to bombard it, all the while trying to capture the essence of the story unfolding in my imagination. This is all an unknown journey thing....quite often, I have the bulk of the piece written before i am even near my computer, but may not even have a clue how it will end until I start writing. The unfolding of a piece like that is such a treat....because I don't know where i'm headed.
This happened yesterday....the word which tripped through my temple was "minstrel..." From there, the story unfolded as I let it flow out of me and onto my blog. :)
Posted by: dana | 13 March 2009 at 00:04
I also have a lifelong love affair with aqua. I have had it in my notes to post about aqua seltzer bottles for some time now and this is such a beautiful reminder. I feel like being led here was a happy accident.
Posted by: jae | 12 March 2009 at 18:24
To me, this day means nothing. Why women for always? I'd like this day to be changed as Int'l Men & Women Day.
Posted by: CrossRoads | 12 March 2009 at 11:53
it's 4:00 am and my monkey brain will not sleep...sometimes the creative process has a mind of its own.
Beautiful post, I celebrate all women and have enjoyed the many wonderful posts of both historical and contemporary women.
May we continue to roar
Posted by: stephanie | 10 March 2009 at 11:04
Yesterday I commented to Harvey that I was finding it hard to be creative. His response was - don't try just wait until it comes. Hey good advice, because within half an hour I was creating like crazy.
Posted by: Di Overton | 10 March 2009 at 09:30
That is the BEST thing about writing, whether a blog post or a novel or whatever. It always takes you somewhere you didn't expect to go.
Posted by: patry francis | 10 March 2009 at 04:51
What a beautiful collection you have here, Tara. And I like your quotes and your words about the creative process. Yes, often a project will become better if we loosen the reins. The subject in a photo shoot often (if not always) add his or her own magic to the final photograph.
Posted by: susanna's sketchbook | 10 March 2009 at 03:26
Seriously, I want to see the love through that camera, your making me drool over. : )
Yes, the happy accidents are the best. In life, with recipes... my grand used to say"let take da different route today and find what we 'aven't planned."
xo
Posted by: Christina | 10 March 2009 at 00:45
I had to smile reading this post, my entire life has been one mega HAPPY accident..!
I love aqua seltzer bottles - the older, the better..:)
Posted by: India J | 09 March 2009 at 17:19
Great post as always Tara.
Life is a journey that we may try to direct but usually takes us to incredibly different paths, each moment is a possibility. I dream my life while living in it
And yes, to me any creation just flows, even when you have a very precise idea, it evolves, happily and neither what you are creating nor you are the same
and love your new blog look!
Posted by: Catalina | 09 March 2009 at 16:33
I love the Henry Miller quote and the bottles.
Posted by: Carla | 09 March 2009 at 05:54
What you wrote about is often what happens to me... to all of us who create... the accidents are the best...
By the way I love those bottles... always have..
Posted by: Diane Bronstein | 09 March 2009 at 02:45
Unexpected consequences, isn't that marvelous? And the blue, always my favorite except for purple but the images are so amazing. Thanks for sharing your heart with us. smooches
Posted by: Leau | 09 March 2009 at 02:21
I love the new header along with the aqua bottles - I'd be intrigued to know more about your header image, I take it that it is a composite of more than one scene?
Posted by: Catherine | 09 March 2009 at 01:19
All these blues are making me happy! Look at this place Tara, I love what you've done with it.
I laughed reading this post, as most of my life including writing and photography, has been one happy accident. If I planned more, I'd be someone to reckon with! ;)
I like to see where the journey leads too...in life, business and art.
You my friend, always seem to hit the nail on the head, planning or no. It's one of the reasons why I love you!
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 08 March 2009 at 23:52
I love these bottles! But they're usually expensive. I can see why however. You have a new look since I've visited last!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | 08 March 2009 at 22:41
"The poem or the post; the article or the book I start out writing is markedly different from the finished product"
My experience exactly!
I often think about that, it is like magic: I start out with an idea, a picture, and suddenly it is as if there's a hand guiding me, piece after piece falling into place, creating a whole better than the one I imagined when I set out.
I own an aqua colored Depression glass footed cake plate and a candy dish, from my mother's family, one of only a few treasures that survived the war.
Posted by: Merisi's | 08 March 2009 at 19:54
LOVE the aqua selzer bottles. I have begun collecting selzer bottles, too, but have only one that is aqua - mine are also clear and deep green. I don't know what it is about the shape and bearing of those pieces that is so appealing to me. At this point in my life, I'm much more attracted to the weighty old glass than fine cut glass - and I'm giving away a lot of the fine things as gifts, which makes both the receiver and me happy!
I think I have often fallen into the trap of being so focused on the pre-conceived result that I have missed surprises and possibilities along the way. Now, I'm working on following subtle hints to let the path meander, taking me places I'd never imagine. Thank you for this post!
Posted by: Rebekah | 08 March 2009 at 18:33
Tara ..
I do so love your posts - but, todays really struck me on so many levels.
Every word (perfect quotes & notes)
Every visual ( love the new banner & the aqua bottles)
I must concur on the "unexpected delights along the creative journey." I never know what will unfold when I sit down with my little boxes and baskets of paper/fabric/odd junk and start stitching and gluing my mixed media madness. It's the ultimate surprise that keeps me enchanted ! Jjjj
Posted by: judith | 08 March 2009 at 17:44
Relyn, thank you! I'm sure that working with diverse personalities of children, the results are often unexpected - and delightful! The aqua seltzer bottles are favourites - anything aqua, really. To me, it's the soothing, calming colour of the Pacific Ocean and I've adored it since childhood - long before I saw the Pacific for myself.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 08 March 2009 at 16:58
Why thank you, ma'am! My love affair with aqua is lifelong. I should write a piece on all the aqua things in my house. :)
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 08 March 2009 at 16:56
Thank you! The camera is a Sony A900. You can see its handiwork in my Pyramid photos. And Cavafy's Ithaca is one of my favourite poems of all time. Previously I've written a piece mentioning it, but not sure where it is in my archives.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 08 March 2009 at 16:55
tara--you said it! i'm always amazed that when i sit down to write one thing, i often end up with another, but that's actually what i most love about writing. and while i don't have 24.6 megapixels (what camera is THAT?), i find the same is true with my photos...a drop of water i didn't notice or a shadow i didn't see.
great post!
and speaking of poems, do you know cavafy's ithaca? it's about this whole notion of the journey.
Posted by: julochka | 08 March 2009 at 16:46
Aqua agua bottles ... so cool, refreshing, and lovely complement to the banner. Nice, nice job:)
Posted by: Barbara | 08 March 2009 at 16:15
Your question made me think of a recent classroom project. We made a book inspired by Karen Katz's book The Colors of Us. When I planned the project, I envisioned it a certain way. I reminded myself to let go of my own control and let the kids' personalities shine through. That's what I had always intended, but I find that once I begin a creative endeavor, I have to remind myself to just let go. And journey.
Or, in this case. Let go. And let the journey.
I just had to tell you, I am completely in love with the colors of those seltzer bottles. They are perfect shades of blue and make me dream.
Posted by: Relyn | 08 March 2009 at 16:03