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I gain so much reading about the way other creatives use their art to navigate this life. I remember as a young girl having a swimming coach who taught me to swim in the deep end of the pool by "imagining" I could do it. His advice became a metaphor for me, a lifesaver I could use during times in my life when I experienced loss or felt overcome with depression. I learned to "imagine" that magic was hiding in the deep waters if I could manage to stay afloat long enough to find it. I learned to see swimming in the deep end of the pool--so to speak--as a creative response to life. Now, as a writer, I wade into the depths and to allow myself to look around for a sign or symbol that a story is waiting for me.

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author

This is such a beautiful perspective.

It also reminds me of a different type of experience when I was deep in anxiety/depression, paralyzed by it, and I was over-analyzing a million choices and a good odler mentor friend said to me, "I know that you want to learn to swim without getting in the pool but you really do just have to get in."

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Thank you so much for the mention!

I've been missing that process lately, as I've been too sick to spend time in the studio.

Hopefully, that changes today!

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❤️❤️❤️ ebbs and flows

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Calligraphy is also an art, so I let flowers, wind, and emotions take hold of the characters and then hit them with them. Sometimes I write about stones, dead leaves, and the dark parts hidden deep within the souls of people. Sometimes I write while crying because I'm sad. It's very hard to become empty. However, when a beautiful character is born, I don't know whose handwriting it is, but it's as if something has descended upon me, I feel a state of nothingness and my brush moves on its own. I trembled at that moment, it was comfortable, and I was surprised by the sense of accomplishment. I can't find words to describe the peace I feel when I finish writing. I'll send you some recent writing. If you're interested, I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

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author

Very very beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

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I couldn't post a photo here, I'll send it to you in the message section.

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Jul 13Liked by Kathryn Vercillo

Thank you so much for the mention. I am now not painting at all, but moved to East Timor volunteering with a group reviving the local plant dyes of the country now!

Hope you are doing well, and threadstack is too

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author

That sounds like a wonderful next creative thing to be doing!!

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