January 10

If you’re like me, it may require “steady presence and silky attention” (thank you, Mary Oliver) to see the myriad of colors in a blanket of snow. It’s more than white. To look long(ingly) at 2020’s second photo may render such revelation. (It might help to look back and forth between 2020’s two images.)

There are, indeed, “other clocks” (thank you, Bayo Akomolafe.)

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020 – This is what I wrote in 2020 to accompany this post of photos:

“This one is in process, and I really need to see the two, painting and photo, side by side on equal footing. I’ve been painting from a printed version of the photo and I’m noticing now that it has much different coloration. I’m trusting that putting these two together will render next steps.

May I see you, Soul,

tickling my finite response,

with these tender blades.

2021

“Blackness is the figure of being late and the pressure to be punctual to a time that is not ours. . . . …human improvement and well-being are not matters owned by the practices of economic development and growth. There are songs that trees know that we haven’t heard… . . . …there are other powers, other agencies, and other clocks. And perhaps, we release ourselves not only to the performance of our many colors, but we free those in posh parties that have somehow denied us entry from their secret fears of losing their own seats at the table, when we say ‘there are other clocks, and we will not be on time.’” —Bayo Akomolafe, *These Wilds Beyond Our Fences*, p. 183

“Seven Years of Wonder” is a daily look back at my creative journaling posts since 2014. I began this journey on Feb. 11, 2021, and hope to continue through Feb. 10, 2022. What am I learning about my art and faith journey thus far? What has remained constant? Where have I been changed? How is this impacting present and future art-making?

A deep bow of gratitude to you for keeping me company on this journey.