How lucky am I?

My original muse was David Swain.

He helped me find my niche.

He helped me find my balance.

He helped me find my footing.

He helped me know home.

My original

muse, David Swain (1923 – 2010)

would be turning 93 right now. My dear Dad.

He taught me to climb trees.

and know home.

I was not a confident little girl.

When I was seven,

Dad showed me how to climb the jacaranda tree in the front garden of 24 Kara Street, Lane Cove.

He helped me find my niche.

When I was eleven, he held the back of the bike as I pedalled to and fro, to and fro along the small stretch of footpath outside our government semi in Madigan Street, Hackett.

He helped me find my balance.

He showed me how to climb the sandstone rocks at Balmoral Beach.

He helped me find my footing.

I learned those rocks off by heart. They were mapped into my body for years.

I knew what to do.

As an adult, I often don’t know what to do.
In the absence of guided tree-climbing, bike-riding or rock-scaling, I find that creativity helps.

(Did I mention my Dad fostered my creativity? He did. Big time.

How lucky was I?) Here’s a link.

Painting, writing, collaging help me clarify my thoughts and feelings.
They help me feel strong.

They help me KNOW.

 

Art is a Way of Knowing.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I reckon 

Art is a Way of Knowing 

is simply the best book title. 

It’s by Pat B Allen. Here’s a link.

 

Please tell:

Do you have a muse?

and
What do you get out of writing or art-making?

See more of Delicatree here.

love, art and soul from Sally