Quiet Moments: Inspired by Natalie Voelker's Everyday Reflections
- Mauve Hellebore
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
It is, of course, fun to mythologize our lives, and art is an integral part of this process. It can help us peer into other worlds. Perhaps it can create better worlds? It can show us things we've never seen before, or things we'd rather ignore. While this aspect of art is important, sometimes I think it can distract from the now.
Sometimes all the mythologizing can pull us away from what is beautiful in this world. I think we often forget about the subtle magic of reality. Everyday moments hold just as much wonder and awe as profound, transcendental stories.
One artist that captures the everyday perfectly is Natalie Voelker. Her ability to honor quiet moments filled with profound beauty is inspiring to me. And you know, we have to live life moment by moment. So why not celebrate that?
I hope you enjoy Voelker's work and a few meditations I've written about them. I trust they will bring you back to the present!
"Quiet Moments"
Water danced around my ankles,
like one thousand tiny gems,
then tied itself back into ribbons
before floating on to other friends.
I looked back on the rushing stream
towards where, perhaps, it all stems
my thoughts pulled from the now
focusing beyond what transcends.
'Rio Grande Summer'
Natalie Voelker
oil on panel
24 x 24"
Then the joy of my bouncing wet dog
mixed with the smell of fresh leaves
smashes into the present moment.
And me, I feel like I'm finally seeing!
Thoughts can be so deceiving
sometimes I think they are thieves
robbing us second by second
from simply relishing our being.
'Camo 1'
Natalie Voelker
oil on panel
12 x 12"
We can keep mythologizing,
until our hearts explode,
we can keep fantasizing
until our minds are over-lush.
Then shadows twist in light and
it suddenly brings a different mode.
Take a moment to watch them dance
there's absolutely nowhere to rush.
I suppose we could climb
up to some great height.
Or plunge for truth
in strange deep waters.
But neither can compete
with quiet animal nights.
Sometimes we can just enjoy
instead of being reality's authors.
'Chill'
Natalie Voelker
oil on panel
12 x 12"
Want to enjoy more quiet moements with art? Come to our "Alan Watts Listening Experience", right in Lapis Room!
Listen to Mr. Watts while enjoying your favorite works of art, all in silence, with a cup of tea from Old Barrel Tea Company. This is a relaxed evening centered around gathering to appreciate the listening experience of Alan Watts's Philosophy set to dub-step remixes. This is an open-house style event. RSVP preferred, but also feel free to come and go as you please!
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