Paying Attention
Paying Attention 03312015
Paying attention is an important thing to do. Especially if you live where I do. In the spring time there is a moment when all of the trees begin to leaf out. Each species of tree has its own signature color of leaf buds in the early part of spring. If you pay attention you can see that the trees along your path are as varied as a crowd of people. You will notice that they stand out individually, if you take the time to see them.
There is a wonderful small book written by Tolstoy called What Is Art? In this book he discusses the significance of the differences between the elements of an art form. It is the finer and finer subtleties between these elements that engages our human perception in a profound way. It is these finer and finer subtleties that makes art what it is.
The Grand Canyon or a sunset on the beach are dramatic and beautiful. But I am in love with the subtleties I find in the southern landscape in Mississippi. All the more so on a day like today when I can see the variations of pale green, ochre, burnt sienna and chanteuse. It is experiential and not permanent. This is meaningful because by mid-summer the various greens will meld into a uniform color with the evergreen pine trees. Perhaps I will have changed by then, too. ~ Andy Young
