The Beauty of Tango

Well I do not seem to be able to quite leave the beautiful world of tango just yet. Here is a shot taken by Greg while I was on the dance floor.You can see that I am in what is called the "close embrace" with my partner.This is always used in the milonga  style of dance, but also in other melodies. The man will choose his style of  holding you as the music starts. Sometimes the hold is too much, not very comfortable, and we try to sort of back off. My observation is that while your body is in dance posture, the nicest leaders give you room to move and be creative also. 
I guess the real beauty of this dance is when two people are moving in total harmony, as if they are one.Since you are often with a complete stranger, you must be centered in your own self, while at the same time following the steps and moves of your leader This appears to be  true in any form of partnership, whether on the dance floor, in our romance, or just going through life. I think we like to be around people who make it easy for us, and bring out the best in us. I know I do.

It's your Life

I found this photo from my trip to California last summer. The mural was painted on a wall outside the restaurant in Sacramento and really caught my attention.

There it was, all the possibilities before you in living color. To share, with yourself and others, that is what you do with each creation that goes out into the world, whatever your art form. To laugh, can we ever do enough of that? I like to be with people who make me smile. I find I enjoy putting whimsy in my art, whether it's whiskers on the cat , or a mane on my " Horse Tail".

To nurture, whether it is with nature, or your friends or yourself. Isn't that the hardest for all, to be good to ourselves? When we go into the studio it is a gift to ourselves to open up that unlimited possibility of creation.

And of course , to dance. Can't not smile when you are dancing. And finally, to adapt, now there is a real challenge, thinking you have it all planned out, then wham, life gives you that shape shift that you least expected. Art is nothing if not a teacher of how to adapt. When you are at the end of your page and the ink smears, how can you change it so it looks like you Meant to do that? I think some of the most creative work we do it fixing the mistake. And no one ever can know, that's the real fun. Well, I'm off to adapt to life today. Any thoughts to share on this blog I'd love to hear them!

Art is a Dance

Well, I keep coming back to tango because that is the dance I am focusing on at present.. Here I am , with Joe at our last practica. We are training to take our dance to the next level.

Why do we go to the studio each day? Aren't we just working on our skills, be they motor or intuitive, so that what we produce is better than the last piece? A long time ago, someone told me that by selling our work, we are really just being paid to practice. That stayed with me... I would do it anyway, but it is a push to have to replace something in the gallery.Necessity, I believe, is a great incentive to creativity.

In that way, I like to think that every time I work on something creative, I am really dancing, with the clay; the letters; the watercolor; the brushes in my hand. I am able to

try the strokes in a different sequence, hold the tool, or my body, in a different posture. It's all a dance.

So , are there any of you artists, or creative people that would care to tell me about their artistic dance ?

Why Tango is like Art

I just got back from my first Tango Festival in Tucson. It got me thinking about how Argentine tango is connected to creating any art form. First you must pay attention to your body, your form , your axis, as you go out onto the dance floor. In art we start with the idea or what we want to create , and then the media we are going to use. Is it pen, paper, watercolor, or clay that best expresses our design. For me , it works best when I see the creation in my mind, then all the rest seems to follow. In fact my idea of success is wheher I can translate my idea as well, or better than my visualization. Then there is the tension. Tango is about the male and female; the smooth and abrupt; the moves and counter moves. When you look at a piece of art you are drawn in by that tension, however subtle. Well, time to get to the studio and try out some of these ideas.