On My Nightstand, On my Easel (11)

On my nightstand

I always think I should know more.
But really, I need to remind myself
that this not-knowing 
is at the heart
of the creative endeavor …  [is]
what often creates the energy,
portent, and momentum
in the piece of work itself.

It requires faith in the process.

The imagination has its own coherence.
There's always time for thinking
and shaping and restructuring later,
after we've allowed something
previously hidden
to emerge on the page.

Dani Shapiro, Still Writing


On my easel

detail, with birthday card envelope collage
work in progress, 28 days in, 5/16/20
24 x 48" on canvas

detail, with birthday card envelope collage
work in progress, 28 days in, 5/16/20
24 x 48" on canvas

detail, with birthday card envelope collage
work in progress, 28 days in, 5/16/20
24 x 48" on canvas

On My Nightstand, on My Easel (10)

On my nightstand

I've learned to be wary 
of those times
when I think I know 
what I'm doing.
I've discovered 
that my best work
comes from 
the uncomfortable
but fruitful
feeling of not having a clue—
of being worried,
secretly afraid,
even convinced
that I'm on the wrong
track.

Dani Shapiro, Still Writing


On my easel

detail
work in progress, 20 days in, 5/8/20
24 x 48" on canvas

detail
work in progress, 20 days in, 5/8/20
24 x 48" on canvas

On My Nightstand, on My Easel (9)

On my nightstand

Be willing to stand
at the base of a new mountain
and, with humility and grace,
bow to it.
Allow yourself to understand
that it's bigger than you,
or anything you can possibly imagine.
You're not sure of the path.
You're not even sure where 
the next step will take you.
When you begin,
whisper to yourself:
I don't know.

Dani Shapiro, Still Writing


On my easel

work in progress, 20 days in, 5/8/20
24 x 48" canvas

On My Nightstand, on My Easel (8)

On my nightstand

Think of a ballet dancer
at the barre.
Plié, 
elevé, 
battement tendu.
She is practicing,
because she knows
that there is no difference
between practice and art.
The practice
is
the art.

Dani Shapiro, Still Writing


On my easel

detail with dictionary collage
work in progress, 18 days in, 5/6/20
24 x 48" canvas

On My Nightstand, on My Easel (7)

On my nightstand

Straining to know the whole of the story before you set out 
is a bit like imagining great-grandchildren on a first date. 
But you can start with the smallest detail. 
Give us the gravel scattering along the highway 
as the pickup truck roars past. 
The crumb of food the wife wipes from her husband's beard. 
The ripped bottom of a girl's faded jeans. 
Anchor yourself somewhere—
anywhere—
on the page. 
You are committing, yes—
but the commitment is to this tiny corner. 
One word. 
One image. 
One detail. 
Go ahead. 
Then see what happens.

Dani Shapiro, Still Writing


On my easel

detail
work in progress, 16 days in, 5/4/20
24 x 48" canvas