Tuesday, February 14, 2006


The Dance of the Deep Mystery
Saturday February 25th
Artist will be in attendance from 1-4pm

Show runs until Thursday March 9th


Walk into the woods at night, or early morning before the sun rises. Listen to the trees talking to each other in the wind, the clicks and clacks of an unknown language. Listen to the small scurryings of little animals disturbing the undergrowth. Hear the predator glide by. Listen deeper and there is the thrum of mystery. In the woods at night, when no one else is around, there is the deepest magic. We live in strong houses and surround ourselves with steel and concrete and glass. We shut out the natural world, or tame it and bring it inside. Our ancestors know what we only remember in the deepest of dreams: the world, though magic and beautiful, contains wonderful and exhilerating danger. Not just the physical threat of death, but the danger of the fey spirit, the trickster, the surreal.

The danger that if we walk into the woods alone at night, we will return a different kind of person.

We become worshippers of the good earth. We speak to animals in our visions, and our purposes change.

We worship Life and creation. We seek joy, and find it. We become long thinkers, planning ahead for our grandchildren's grandchildren. We discover the worth and wonder of everyone we meet.

There is a magic in the woods and it is dangerous. It turns your heart to the earth and for the smallest moment Her true beauty is revealed.

7 comments:

Linda said...

This is a beautiful painting. I wish you much success with your exhibit!

Anonymous said...

I am really disappointed in your "choice, how to become employable"...
It's a "tired" image, overdone, and I've always seen you as someone who is above it. You've spoken about injustice and unfairness and the push to conform so many times, in such eloquent colours and images. For me, the value in your art (aside from its beauty) is that it doesn't shout, but gently whispers subtle messages into my soul - and to me, at least, it's a much more powerful way of making me "see".
Me

Aaron Paquette said...

Well, you can't please all the people all the time.

Personally, I like the painting. I pushed my ideas of colour and composition to a place I don't normally go and as far as that goes, it was a success to me.

Also, I can see how it can be construed as a sort of sad image, but the motivation behind it was one of joy and a little tongue in cheek. Self-deprecating humour, while not appealing to some, is one facet of my culture and personality.

From a personal point of view, I really did face that choice at one time in my life, and had to cut off my hair in order to get the kind of work that would let me take care of my family. It was a difficult time for me, and I felt I really needed to revisit it and put it in a healthy and (dare I say)happy perspective for myself.

No sermonizing, just a reality that many Natives face.

And in the end, it really is a choice. I could have chosen to keep my braid and found another way. Many men do. There is nothing disempowering about it, but it is an aspect of our society that I found myself thinking about at that particular time.

But I do thank you for your opinion. More food for thought. Grist for the mill, so to speak.

Anonymous said...

Aaron,
I really like "choice...". First thing I thought of was all my brothers (you, M, and T). I felt the pain and the humour in the painting. Also, I am wondering why "Me" or "anonymous" felt they had to hide their identity? You embrace honesty whether or not you like it. Kind of the meaning of the painting, No?

Tav

Aaron Paquette said...

I don't know, I think that on the internet, there is still very good reason to protect one's anonymity. The painting under discussion is quite a personal one, so I don't mind a few questions about it here and there. In fact, the piece seems to encourage it. I'll post it here in a few days so that people can see it for themselves. It's not particularly stunning when viewed online, and I do think much of the careful colour choices get lost in translation, but the gist of it remains.

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting that the only time my use of "Me" as a signature, or my use of the the "anonymous" route was questioned, was when I offered something that can be viewed as a "critique", but not the dozen or so times when I offered praise. So to answer your sister Tavin,
I am not comfortable signing my name anywhere on the Internet, but since I am now aware that on this site it is viewed with such unpleasant suspicion, I promise that after today I will not offend anyone by posting any other notes.

Best of luck, Aaron. You are a wonderful, sensitive, talented man and I've enjoyed our exchanges.
"ME"

Aaron Paquette said...

I would say that this exchange sums up how two well intentioned and good-hearted people can completely misunderstand and hurt one another.

Tav, I understand that you wanted to stand up for your brother, and "me", I understand why you are hurt.

This site is open for everyone and people are completely free to express their opinions, and shouldn't be afraid to do so. I respect the fact that even my closest friends will sometimes disagree with my point of view, and that is something I embrace! It gives me an opportunity to examine myself and allow my mind to remain open to new thoughts and possibilities.

There is no censure here. I feel this site is an extension of my home, and I welcome and honour any who cross over the threshold to participate, or simply browse through the little offerings.

"Me", if you must leave, then go with all my warmest thoughts and wishes, but I do hope you come by from time to time.

-Aaron