Response to Robert Genn's Newsletter Post Regarding Creativity and Fundamentalism

Robert,

I wish I had time to write a treatise in response to the article in your newsletter, Creativity and Fundamentalism. I currently am a creative artist who in the past graduated from UW- Milwaukee with a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree. In my final years of college I "returned" to God. As I married shortly thereafter and started a family, I began homeschooling. It was one of the most creative activities of my life, hanging in trees reading poems, hunting out woodland flowers and drawing them, building forts and dressing up like Athenian heroes. What ever we read as a family, I found my four children pretending and extending. They named all our trees and gave them life stories. They built whatever was needed to make their world come alive.

Today they are grown, or still in college with advance degrees having traveled continents and lived in diverse places among diverse people. They are not all artists but they create artfully and see with fresh eyes in their pastimes. They write, they shoot photos, they use their hands and their minds in their life work. They are invaluable in their respective jobs because they are able to look at the world in different ways. They are not hindered by peer pressure and mob thought, yet they love and respect their fellowman because God has taught them to love their neighbor. They are not perfect by any stretch, but I am proud of their courage.

They are creative, yet responsible...and kind...yet not easily manipulated.

I don't believe in creative divergent thinking without boundaries. Ah, some will say, there is the rub of her fundamentalist religion that smashes REAL creative thinking.

My reply is: do we really want a society without boundaries? More accurately can we survive a world without boundaries? Do we want to define creative freedom as the place to think or imagine and physically build something...anything? I don't think so. Do we really want a place where slashing murder or verbal abuse are just another alternative or divergent pattern of thought turned into "creative" action? How far is too far?

Rigidity is character trait of any cultural group. The boundaries that define rigidity move, but are just as rigid and unyielding. Have culture group A or B define the boundaries of fundamentalism and the fundamentalist attitude regarding man as a creative being; the answers would demonstrate the simple cultural rigidity of both that limits their understanding.

A fundamentalist premise is God created the universe from nothing and we are created in God's image and likeness. Hence...conclusion, we are creative beings. That is our lineage.

A fundamentalist premise is God is moral being and we are created in God's image and likeness. Hence, conclusion, we are moral beings. That is our lineage.

As a fundamentalist, those are boundaries. I am created, I did not create myself from nothing. I am not God, but I am made in God's image. I am most certainly a creative and moral being.

I am not random chance happening. Get serious, imagine what would it really be like to live in a totally random world at the end this sentence?

Judith Reidy


Dawn in the Mist
by Judith Reidy

Judith Reidy's Website:www.judithreidy.com

Blog Art Thoughts with Judith Reidy
Blog Article: Time and Strength Slip Through our Fingers
Blog Article: Introducing From Dust to Dust

Judith Reidy Homes and Businesses

Time and Strength Slip Through our Fingers.

Fallen for You

From Dust

Fallen Again

I began in the previous post...."As I have explored the effects of light burning away the mists, I have considered what it is in the imagery that has fascinated me..."

but that was not it.

Hearing those rattling cages, I gather my recent work in my “From dust to Dust” series has created quite a stirring reaction from many of you, . Good!

I have been stirred up and the work is a bi-product….but the motivation behind the work may not be what you may think. I am passionate about the stunning reality of the transformations and troubles of the unsettled dust of the past several months because…

“She held out her arms and pulled me toward her…. “

In mid- December a woman arrived to be a guest in my home for the holidays. She is an unbelievable delight..always an encouragement. For one she has always been the one who said I could do anything. She was my first art patron. Everyone has a mother, even artists.

At the time of her recent arrival, she seemed more unsteady on her feet than at her last visit. As the month past, her ability to walk declined rapidly, until now her walker is her constant companion.

Her falls began daily as she would attempt to rise or sit or turn, until I stood guard spotting for her at each step. When she collapsed in my arms, I then understood I could not support her with my strength nor was I capable of being her main and only guard.

I saw time and strength slip through our fingers.

It is out of this context and the ensuing struggle that my new series “From Dust to Dust” took shape. As I wrapped my arms around her frail body and bathed her back while she clawed herself through the day in and out of her bed or chair, I saw time and strength slip through our fingers.

I ask why. I hear reasons, but they are not fitting into our Madison Avenue view of life. They are not tidy. My religious conviction prepared me, but only the reality of being with her gave me understanding.

At night, I tucked her into her covers, she held out her arms and pulled me toward her to gently kiss me with her quivering lips, holding me so tightly for ever so long … then whispering, “Thank you, Judy;… I love you.”

Yes from dust we came yet, most assuredly to dust we will return. While “From Dust” may declare the glory of our bodies, “Fallen Again,” returns us to the troubles of living in a world gone awry.

My mother had to move to a place where she could be assisted with every task and where staff were prepared to carry her.

Introducing From Dust to Dust

Fallen for You

From Dust

Fallen Again

As I have explored the effects of light burning away the mists, I have considered what it is in the imagery that has fascinated me. Why was I so drawn to the light and the void of darkness burning away by the light. At the same time I began drawing the people around me. I especially enjoyed doing line drawings of my mother, catching her sighs and her groans and joys in the lines on her face and in her hands and arms. I felt the imagery of real people and the landscapes needed to be brought together as they are in life. I began seeing the human bodies rising out of the earth as new landscapes approached by light, yet oblivious to the light. I have more to consider and discover in this new direction.

I hope you will join me on this adventure.
See the new work at the Wisconsin Pastel Artists Exhibition "Falling for You" at the Art Bar.

Let me know what books have made the most impact on you.

I am looking to read some new books in 2010. But I would like to get some fresh ideas about what to read.

That is where your suggestions entered below would be just wonderful!!

Judith Reidy in One Vision at the Raven Gallery

Our gathering should provide an enriching and interesting evening this Saturday, October 17, 2009, at the Raven Gallery: the spot light being the reading of the poems by the poets and the presentation of the accompanying paintings.

Hope to see you there.

Reflections with One Vision- Portraiture

I had some reflections on a wonderful discussion panel this past Friday evening at the Charles Allis Art Museum on which Graeme Reid, Michael Foster, Kattie Musloff and her dear 87 year model where members.

Though I have been a landscape painter most of my career as a painter, I have a fascination with figure work and portraiture for the very reasons they discussed that night.

Particularly, I was attracted to how Katie made her models part of her life. So often as painters we are loners who paint forms or respond to forms as if they were inanimate and we are the ones who give them life in our art. Perhaps, that is what Graeme was referring , when he asked about "objectivity" as a necessity for an artist.

I do at times appreciate when artists take a dis-interesting object and infuse it with life; i.e. paint something ugly beautifully. Nevertheless, while, I, as did the panel, recognize the need for an artist to have an objective technical understanding of the painting before him and in some measure an objective view of what painting is about in general, I often fail to be intrigued by the commonly clinical-like-view that is respected among my contemporary artists when discussing their work "objectively" or mechanically.

What appealed to me in Katie's work was the personal response and respect she maintains for and toward her models... who often become her friends. You may ask what does that have to do with painting or making great art.

In Katie's personal engagement with her models she is able sensitively to begin to connect with the humanity of her model/friends not through a mechanical process but through the her own body kinetically, perceptively and personally in drawing and painting responding to the humanity and life in her subjects before her.

I think that is what made Rembrandt great. Not only was his mind able to connect psychologically with the humanity or soul of his subject, his hand was able to kinetically capture not just the physical likeness but more significantly articulate/capture the soul or humanity before him. That is not objective, but subjective response at its best. His sensibilities matched by his skill, touch a chord that resonates over time and communicates only in the way great art does in truth. This phenomena is the attraction in making paintings and why painting and drawing will never die.

As for myself and my drawings of my mother, I found my line drawings to be very much a kinetic response to my feelings for her and about her. They go beyond a mere likeness. I felt a connection to her moods and her dilemma as an aging woman. I felt elegance and brokenness. I connected in my body with her in my physical response of making art.

What I like about my opportunity with the Lake Country Ten Artist Ten Poets One Vision Project is being able to share my painting “Leaves” based on my drawings of my mother in collaboration and response to my poet, Paula Anderson who has similar sensibilities in writing. In this project, I feel the joy and exhilaration of meaningful human connection as well as the pleasure of kinetic response in painting.

I hope you can join us this Saturday, October 17, at 7 pm at the Raven Gallery in Pewaukee, WI

Judith

A Son, a Dad, and a Treasured Friend

This link is sent to you from http://thestory.org

You are receiving this mail because someone read a page at
The Story from American Public Media
and thought it might interest you.

It is sent by judithreidy@sbcglobal.net with the following comment:
"I heard this program this past Friday and thought it presented two stunning stories, one about a father's love for his children and the second the desire of a young man's love for his father. I found it very interesting how the young man grew up always longing for time with a busy father who left the family when he was seven. It was interesting how the father and he came together when the father retired.



Listen to the stories yourself."

A Son, a Dad, and a Treasured Friend

A father of eleven reunites with the man who helped him settle and gain citizenship in the States. Also, the restoration of an old building brings life back to a father-son relationship.

http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_799_Braceros_Diploma.mp3/mediafile_view

--
webmaster

Oliver is Rescued - what is done for love of cat!!!!

Oliver is Rescued
At first I felt it was a lost cause,
but due to your supportive, non-judgmental comments,
I kept hoping the cat could be returned to us.
I made and distributed fliers, scouted the neighborhood
and after all else failed
prayed.
Thank you for your suggestions,
and support and
most of all thank you for encouraging me to pray!!!!!
You reminded me that, "Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows..." James 1:17f
You , your good advice, and your kindness is a another gift in my life.

Painting 20/40 of 40 Consecutive Day Painting a Day Challenge - Young Actor for Spanky

Young Actor for Spanky
6" x 7.25 "
Watercolor on Paper
$75

I actually am having a relaxing time with this painting. After hosting my son's High School Graduation Party this weekend, I am enjoying working from one of my son's younger days photos.

This weekend marks a MAJOR milestone in my life - my youngest son's graduation from highschool, probably up there with my wedding day and the birth fo my first child or the death of my father. Many of you may not be aware that I had homeschool our four children. Raising and teaching these children was an act of love and my major creative enterprise for over 28 years. I had some of my greatest joys and most wounding experiences in this role as mother and teacher. The goal of teaching was to put myself out of a job. My other more important goal was for my children to have a sense of calling and service to God and their fellow man. Yet another goal was for them to be both kind and happy in being kind.
I have not succeded in all these goals, yet in some measure there was some sucess for them.
Now my role has changed. I officially have retired as teacher.
This weekend's Graduation Ceremony marked the end of an era and a new beginning.
To many of you I wish to thank you for sharing with me this time.

I am now going to restructure my life, assess my activities and reprioritize my time.
It is an exciting time.
This photo I found while my son and I were preparing a photo display board of my son Caleb's life. I found a few others that I would like to use as source materials for other paintings.


s

15/40 Painting a Day for 40 Consecutive Days - Mr Mendon

Mr. Mendon
10" x 12"
Watercolor and Ink
not for sale

This is my neighbor. He is a remarkable guy, weathered with construction work and many years of raising a family.

I love gray paintings. I like messy lines for drawings of gruff no nonsense workers. This is not a "pretty picture of a pretty face." I like the abstract beauty of the lines and the washes. I feel like I have captured his spirit in the spontaneity of the line.


Now back to my other life that weaves into my art life.
Here we go! The next few days shall be very busy, with traveling to pick up Grandma up north and graduation preparation.

It is just too uncanny. I have a call for arranging an exhibition on the east side in a gallery spot, a journalist, Bonnie North, offered to pose for a moody window portrait, a slew of new listings for the Griffin Gallery website. and a request from a high school friend for a reunion visit all this week. Oh, when it rains it pours. How I wish I could divide myself up and do it all at once. But not possible. It will get done but not this week.
But I will get it done.
Now for tonight, I am going to work with my son on his display poster of "his Life" thus far. It should have been done yesterday, but who is keeping track. :)

2009 Caleb's Graduation Insert

Click on the blurry image below to read the text.

This is one of the inserts created for the invitations.
This one I created with the note for parents. Caleb created some other inserts with other favorite verses for his friends and family.

In a Moment

I initially wrote this poem last week and finished it today.

Though many of you have commented about the beautiful thoughts in my poems, which I appreciate, I do not want to give you an unbalanced picture.

Mothers are human... that is not paragons of virtue as some greeting cards would indicate.

In a Moment

In a moment
By discord, sweetness is broken
Words like arrows pierced
Defeated heart
Deflated
Weak knees
Sick feelings inside
Thwarted desire
to heal
to reach out
the broken.

there...
left

on the ledge
alone
No
fullness
just
skin and bone
bitter.

BUT
I forgot
...loved
I am.
...nevertheless

His and Her LOve Together

I wrote this little poem on May 1, May Day, Earth Day or Labor Day (Mexico)

This time of year, I love to dig in the dirt. I love to let my fingers touch the earth and press my hands into the soil and smell the wet dust, the beginning of life again. In a few weeks in May everything will be green....so I wrote a poem.

His and Her LOve Together

It is simple
I am here

because of love

He loved her, my mom
She loved him, my dad.

Their love gave birth.
their self-less-ness
did not snuff me out.
their courage in the face of unknown
kept me alive
Floundering in a sea of objectionable options
they stumbled together flat on their faces
Yet their service in the face of frustration
nurtured my growth
God's love came to him and to her
He drew on God's love as did she
Then his love strengthened her love
and
Her love came alongside his love
Together their love gave to me
Together their love
will never
give
up

I forgot

I am here
because of love
Her and His love
Their love as one

For Mother and Fathers the Day is one vision of persevering love forever beautiful

"And these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.... "
1 Corinthians 13

What is love in an impolitic world?
One to another simple service one to another
quiet, simple kindness in the face of maneuverings on Wall Street or Darfur
a handshake
a cup of cold water
though cynics sneer
It is simple
I am here
because of love
courage in LOve

Note: He, She, Her Him They're Their together as one and yet uniquely distinct choosing to sacrifice part of self for love larger than self
For fruit sweeter than the flower.

In memory of
Alvin Hanson, my mothers dear friend, just died a week ago.
He had been spending his final days with his daughter in New York state.