Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Dreaming Hill


"Dreaming Hill," acrylic on canvas, 48" x 48"
private collection, Rock Springs, Wyoming


...We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.

--from Shakespeare's The Tempest

The knowledge of contemporary quantum physics was presaged by Shakespeare. Illusion is the constant. Our "little life" in waking reality is just a variation of our dreaming life. The only way to discover anything is to keep observing/keep dreaming. Just know that your very act of observation changes the reality of what you are observing.

After we shipped Jo "River of Now," she and I were emailing. I told her I had a few days in the studio and was working on a small painting and a large painting. "I would love to see what you're working on," she said. I took this as friendly curiosity. After all, Jo had invested in one of my paintings and it's always fun to see what an artist whose work you've collected is up to.

So I sent her images of the two paintings when they were complete. "I envy the people who buy these," she said. "I love 'Hill of Memories.' I can't get it out of my mind.'" I smiled when I read this. The painting was called "Dreaming Hill" and was informed by the dream I had had of Jo and her sisters, also by the conversations Jo and I had been having through email. There were little bits of glowing light set on pedestal shapes, little eggy shapes with spirals etched deeply in the painting's surface. When working on this canvas, I began to feel as though I was in a ceremonial cave, a place where dreams are made. The work "underneath"--in the land of dreaming--was changing the curvature of the land above--the land of waking reality.

After a while another email came in from Jo. "I'm sorry. I called 'Dreaming Hill' 'Hill of Memories', but when I saw it, it brought back memories for me. I can't get it out of my mind." Again, Jo and I had connected on a level that is deeper than the waking life. There is no way I was consciously aware of the memories of which Jo was speaking, but somehow the magic that had been created under my little dreaming hill had altered the curvature of the land above. And so began the dialog which led to Jo's second acquisition.


I was so excited by this transaction, I had to prepare a little ceremony, complete with burning sage, to calm myself down. I am always deliriously happy when people choose to purchase my art. But the timing of this transaction was pure magic. The stuff that dreams are made on.


96 comments:

Celebration of Life said...

I love "Dreaming Hill" also known as "Hill of Memories." It has its own 'special place' on my newly painted diningroom wall!

The only dream that has yet to come true is the dream that you and I meet face to face and have coffee!

Thank you for being who you are and allowing your spirituality to transcend into your art!

Hugs,
Jo

San said...

Jo, that face-to-face coffee will occur. Soon. And that will be some day!

Thank you for being who you are and for being open to my art. That is a tremendous gift. I am blessed.

Hugs back.

jsd said...

Hmmm, odd how you've been 'dreaming of hills' letting its imagery work through you to the canvas - i've been working on visualizing my own dreams again...letting them brief, feel excitement, hope...i even have the start of a collage.

San said...

How exciting, JS! I hope you will post the results of your "dreaming."

Lee said...

San, that's lovely! It's delightful hearing how you and Jo are connecting in both spirit and art.

Much as you keep saying that you love hearing my impressions of your art, I love even more hearing how you came about painting them. Thank you for sharing this.

Hugs!
Lee

San said...

Thank you, Lee. You are always happy for me when good things happen. And that's the quality of a true friend.

Hugs and joy...

Meg Wolff said...

Dreaming Hill, so beautiful. Watch Oprah on Friday the 22nd. It is about dreams.

maryt/theteach said...

San, thank you for this story of your relationship with Jo and the painting "Dreaming Hill." I'm glad Jo now owns the painting. No one else could have taken possession. Thank you for your comment at my Thursday Thirteen post! :)

San said...

Thanks for the heads-up, Meg. A dream theme--yay!!!

San said...

Teach, I believe you're right. No one else COULD have taken possession of this painting. Some things are meant to be...

murat11 said...

San: Much joy to you both. Funny little San-collision: pre-sage and burning sage.

I believe our obstreperous brontosaurus buddy Mr Bloom would say that all things were presaged by WS. And he ain't kidding: HB is schoolyard crush giddy when it comes to Billy Shakes.

Peace/out.

murat11 said...

And about Dreaming Hill: I like the meteor showers, cascading shimmer.

SandyCarlson said...

This is a wonderful piece and a lovely post. The scientists of today are catching up with the poets of long ago.

Sandi McBride said...

In my dreams...I fly...this absolutely looks like flying...it looks like my dreams...wonderful!
hugs
Sandi
ps
take the test!

d smith kaich jones said...

What a wonderful piece. And another wonderful story to accompany it. From a book of poetry I've had for a thousand years, a couple of lines have always stayed with me: "We will dream of a magic person, and when we awake, that person shall still, by our will, be magic." ~ John Wain. I've always wished I'd written that. We dream of magic, and we will it to come true.

Sleep well tonight.
:) Debi

RiverPoet said...

Another gorgeous work of art!

You're a very talented artist, and Jo is very lucky! :-)

Peace - D

Carol said...

As Nick is related to me by our mutual capacity to organize via piles which then hold unknown wonders, you and Jo are connected through a world not seen with the eyes, but made manifest in your paintings.

I like the contrast of the cool blues and purples after the warmth of the last painting that you shared. I swear that they affect my body! I think that I could change my body temperature just by viewing different paintings of yours!

CoyoteFe said...

ONe of my facorite fantasy writers is Charles deLint. One of his books, "Trader" has many passages that describe the dream place, populated by a multitude of spirits from a multitude of origins. I see people and spirits in your painting (remmeber me - the one who is art-analysis challenged!) and it reminds me of that book.

Todd said...

San, thank you for stopping by my blog and for your kind words! I love this beautiful work!
Peace!
Todd in Santa Fe

San said...

Thanks, Paschal, for observing the pre- and post- sage. Yours is a quantum eye.

I cannot blame Bloom for his schoolyard giddy crush. Nor can I blame you your giddiness for Bloom.

Meteor showers, huh? The shimmer of your metaphors most appeals.

San said...

Sandy, your observation regarding the time line of poetry and science is wise. As always.

San said...

WHEEEEEEEEE! Sandi, I'm so glad the painting makes you feel like flying. Hugs back.

Thanks for the reminder regarding the test.

San said...

Debi, I am picking up your comment just before bedtime and I believe that, yes, I will sleep well because of it.

Thank you for that lovely, wise line from John Wain. I will dream of magic of the best kind.

San said...

Peace to you, Doris. And thank you for being a faithful reader of my blog.

San said...

Carol, thank you for your graceful turn of phrase.

And for a "hot" marketing idea. Have we stumbled on the painting series that doubles as a body-temperature-regulating devise?
How WILL we afford to advertise it during prime time?

San said...

Fe, lay off that "art-analysis- challenged" line. I do not believe you for a minute. On the contrary, you have absolutely fascinating things to say about art. And I am honored to read what you have to say about my painting. Thank you!

San said...

Todd, thank you so much.

Peace to you...from across town.

The Moody Minstrel said...

Interesting, as always.

In all honesty, my first impression of "Dreaming Hill" (aka "Hill of Memories"), before I read the post, was that it was eerie. Most if not all the light streaks rising off the hill gave the impression of human forms, some right-side up, some upside down, one veiled like a Muslim woman, others gesturing in various arcane ways. Dreams, memories, hauntings, or spirits seeking to communicate? I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder...and the condition of the soul behind the eye.

You and the path you walk on never cease to amaze me.

sukipoet said...

You have depicted your innner life/process whilst painting "Dreaming Hill" so beautifully and articulately. I love the idea that the dreams beneath the ground altered the curvature of the land above. And the idea that you were in a cave while painting. A cave of dreams. And the whole evolution of your friend buying this painting too. Marvelous. Beautiful painting.

I want to thank you for your kind comments and hugs you sent to me on my blog regarding my sister in laws death. It was a sad, intense time, and I am still processing it. My brother I am sure will be doing so for quite awhile in ways he can't even now imagine.

I am going to keep filling the hummingbird feeders, my job this summer for N. Her little birdies stay till mid-October I think. This is how I will honor her.

speaking of dreams, as you have, I had amazing dreams during the time of her death and after. Intense, scary some of them. Yet I am sure, processing some of the intense and scary feeling I was having in waking life. Dreams are marvelous things. Be well, Suki

sukipoet said...

PS I think Buddhist and before that Hindu thought presaged the great sage of England. Not to mention quantum physics. No? :)

Velvet Ginger said...

Dreaming Hill really is lovely.
I like the quote from my buddy William. This insomniac appriciates that!

Akelamalu said...

It would seem that you and Jo have a definite connection!

'Hill of Memories' is beautiful!

lime said...

what a connection the two of you must have!

Daryl said...

Wow .. I am now saving up so I can own one of these as well .. something small ... but when the time comes I know it will be the perfect match

:-Daryl

Raven said...

Lovely.

I love seeing your paintings and hearing about the creative process. I love too the connection that you have with Jo. Oddly your description of the dream and painting process made me think (I'm odd) of my favorite ever video game - The Legend of Zelda. It's been ages since I had Nintendo but in that game there is and under (possibly two under levels) and upper world - which I always thought of the the Conscious and the Unconscious. As you conquer the disguised/distorted beings in the lower world, the outer world is healed. Not sure why I'm sharing this. Just what came into my head.

What a wonderful talent you have for both painting and writing.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Good day to you, San. Thanks for your visit to my blog and your kind comments.

I've been a visitor here for some time, admiring your intriguing and beautiful art and your narrative comments. I truly believe in non-physical connectedness (put that on any plane or in any context you wish)as you have described in your experience with Jo. We're not meant to understand everything, just to appreciate the good things.

Unknown said...

San,

I love this painting and its connection to Jo and dreaming! You are really connecting with the Universe!

Vikki North said...

Beautiful painting San. There’s an article on Art Biz about an artist who resources his dreams for his work also

There was a movie whose ‘title’ I just fell in love with-long before I even saw the movie. I just loved the title and loved saying the words over and again in my head. It was called ‘What Dreams May Come.’ (With Robin Williams)
Vikki

Anonymous said...

"...the magic that had been created under my little dreaming hill had altered the curvature of the land above."

Ah, San, what a profound description. And what a prolific painter you are. I keep looking at this painting and changing my mind as to what I see in it. Climbing up, sliding down, rising up, raining down, playing badminton, working in the field, people, items... ambiguous thoughts in my head.

p said...

it is so endearing how happy you get selling art, especially under such cool circumstances. you are magical, so is your art.

Saz said...

Fabulous images...and thanks for visitng me....its lovely to meet people everyday..likeminded mostly, sometimes not..but always interesting..

l shall return
saz x

San said...

Moody, I see the figures too. And I enjoy your take on the painting. I'm kind of into "eerie" at that. "Dreams, memories, hauntings, or spirits seeking to communicate?" How about "all of the above" for an answer?

As ever, your commentary fascinates me.

San said...

Thank you, Suki, for taking the time to visit my blog and comment with such careful thought and kindness.

Filling the hummingbird feeders--a perfect way to honor someone. Did you know that some regard the hummingbird as a messenger between worlds?

San said...

And, yes, Suki, I believe you are right. The Buddhists, preceded by the Hindus, "got" all of this. And according to the book of Ecclesiastes:
“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”

San said...

Rubye Jean, I didn't picture you as an insomniac, but I already knew you and William were buddies. Quite a nice buddy to have too.

San said...

Thanks, Pearl! Yes, I believe the connection is there. Lots of connections are out there.

San said...

Michelle, yes, it's pretty amazing. Thank you for visiting again. Your visits are a pleasure.

San said...

Daryl, you're making me light up! I believe in perfect matches when it comes to art/collector.

San said...

Raven, you are odd in a good way. In the way of one who looks at things with a unique perspective. Your perspective on The Legend of Zelda is unique. And wise. And it pleases me much that you connect that perspective with this painting.

Thank you for being you and coming to visit me!

~Babs said...

Outrageous color riot in this work, I love it!

Oh, and I think that you and Jo must have ESPN.
#:-D

San said...

Pat, first, thank you for saying such kind things about this blog. Then, thank you even more for that comment about our not being meant to understand everything, just to enjoy the good things.

We would be much happier and healthier if we took that to heart.

San said...

Laura, we are all connecting to the Universe, don't you think? Sometimes we just don't recognize it. And something tells me you are really great at helping people recognize it.

San said...

Thanks, Vikki, for such a nice compliment.

I also love the title of that movie. And I did rent it a few years ago and watched it with the kids one afternoon, when they were smaller. A dreamy time was had by all.

San said...

Dar, your thoughtful comments mean so much to me.

I love all of the things you see in the painting, especially the badminton game! And I firmly believe that ambiguous thoughts are a sign of depth.

San said...

Paula, to misquote Forrest Gump's mother: "Magical is as magical does." I believe that makes you magical, sweetie.

San said...

Saz, thanks for visiting, you of the way with the 'f' word. I hereby grant you the following designation: most perfect pairing of moniker and profile pic. To use another of your words: fabulous.

San said...

Thanks, Babs.

ESPN. YES! We're on the same network.

:-D

Celebration of Life said...

Hi San! I have been in and out of your blog and monitoring the comments. I find them all very interesting... We were meant to be friends and we were meant to connect through your work and through our spirits. I see different things in "Dreaming Hill" but mostly I see fireworks and a time of celebration!
Jo

Jeff B said...

This piece brought a smile to my face. It seems to elicit joy and happiness. My first impression was of a wedding day, where a celebratory mood prevailed.

That's the coolest thing about art to me. it can speak to each individual in such a different way, yet it can also find a common bond as is the case with the two of you.

Hilary said...

Very cool story. It wonderful how things just click sometimes. I love the colours in the painting. Just beautiful.

Andrea and Kim said...

San, it is amazing how these things work out and day dreaming and night dreaming bringing forth some things which come out the end of the paint brush or painting tools. Did you ever watch the Robin Williams movie, "What Dreams May Come"? While it is about a lot more than day and night dreams there is an artist who has so many dreams and emotions which come out in paint...and my favorite scene is where some of them find themselves in a painting...

Great and inspiring (as always)post!

San said...

Jo, I definitely see the fireworks and the celebration! Yes, our friendship was meant to be.

We are blessed. We have much to celebrate!

San said...

Jeff--an impression of a wedding day--and a prevailing celebratory mood--that is just lovely!

You are a man who loves to be alive.

San said...

Thank you, Hilary. Yes, when things click, the world feels like the right place to be!

San said...

Kim, I'm glad you brought daydreaming into the mix too. Funny. Another commenter brought up that movie. I saw it too, and yes, that painting theme hits home, doesn't it? Did you see "Frida"? It wasn't about dreams in as literal a way, but the way the film demonstrated how Kahlo's paintings grew out of her life was just gorgeous.

Thanks for wi-fi-ing over here, Kim. I hope your trip is just "dreamy."

Celebration of Life said...

Hi San!
Dancing in the Dining Room is my new post today!

Some things like our friendship are just meant to be.... :o)

Jo

Unknown said...

I am smiling.

San said...

Jo, I cannot wait to read that post!

I am headed over to your house.

Indeed. Some things are meant to be.

:-D

San said...

Nick, yours is a beautiful smile.

Andrea and Kim said...

Hi San, I agree "Freida" was absolutely fabulous in that way. I guess wonderful movies translating art and life are so rare, we tend to cling to the same ones all the time.

I have a very happy son here, so this trip is really perfect...thanks San. I am more than HAPPY wi-fing over... :)

San said...

Wow, Kim, I didn't expect to hear back from you so soon. Too bad we can't wi-fi some popcorn and watch "Frida" again.

So glad your trip to your son's is perfect--enjoy!

Indigo said...

Indigo Incarnates

I like it better than "House on Haunted Hill", hee hee. Thanks for visiting my blog today! I hope you have a nice weekend :)

Cath said...

Now I really REALLY like that one. Your work is built on dreams, by dreams, for dreams. You are such a talent. So connected to things, on many "levels". (That IS a compliment - I don't know if I am explaining myself too well. It is 2.34am here. Calling it quits and off to bed!)

Jeanne said...

I love the story you share of your creations when they go to a new home. How wonderful for you to have such a connection with the recipients of your gift.

Lynette said...

What gorgeous colors and textures, I love this painting San!

San said...

Indi, you have a nice weekend too. We are busy with Indian Market here in Santa Fe.

San said...

Cath, you are expressing yourself extremely well. ESPECIALLY for 2:34 a.m. I can't open my eyes at that hour, let alone move my fingers over the keyboard.

Thank you for your encouraging words.

San said...

Jeanne, how wonderful your visits are. Thank you so much!

San said...

Lynette, thank you! I'm really glad you like the painting. That means a lot to me.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

San,
You are gifted in the world of dreaming as well as artmaking. I believe you allow this beauty into your life and your art... the transcation ...an agreement of two kindred spirits. Yes, pure magic!! I'm awestruck.
Mary Ann

Katiejane said...

San, I see 80 comments above mine, but I will try to squeeze in here and tell you that your painting is beautiful and its creation and purchase were kismet. You have very vivid dreams that inspire your work. Lucky you. Great job.

San said...

Mary Ann, you are gifted in the art of complimenting! I am awestruck by your comment.

Thank you.

San said...

Katie Jane, I love the word "kismet." So perfect to use here. Why didn't I think of it?

:-D

Anndi said...

Your paintings remind me that I need to take my Chicklet to the Montreal Museum of Fine Art again and soon. She likes walking by paintings and giving me her interpretation of abstract art.

Your paintings are lovely. And the friendship you are working on is a masterpiece.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photography. Your are a great photographer

San said...

Anndi, looking at art with the younger ones is so much fun. They view it all with fresh eyes.

You're right--this friendship is a masterpiece! Thanks for visiting again.

:-D

San said...

I appreciate your visit, Roentarre.

david mcmahon said...

What a great connection, San. And your writing simply flows ...

Cheers to the painting with two names!

San said...

David, you are most kind.

The painting with two names appreciates your well-wishing.

Tammie Lee said...

wonderful, another magic piece finds a home! I love what you wrote: The only way to discover anything is to keep observing/keep dreaming. Just know that your very act of observation changes the reality of what you are observing.

This is so true in my life right now! Powerful! Thanks for putting it into words.

Sandi McBride said...

I was hoping to see some more of your wonderful works...tonight maybe? Hugs
Sandi

Maggie May said...

I love that picture, especially the combinations of those colours.

Sandi McBride said...

I have an award for you at my place San...it'll be posted later tonight...so check in the am
hugs
Sandi

myonlyphoto said...

Hi San, beautiful art spiced with beautiful post. Since Matthew was born, I can hardly remember my dreams, however, sometimes during feeding I snooze and I dream of Matthew walking around etc etc, but then when I open my eyes I see this little thing attached to me eating with joy. BTW thanks for your visit to my blog, and not just one. Thanks again, Anna :)

Anonymous said...

That is one beautiful picture! Love it!

San said...

Thanks for visiting, Esther.