Balance

I had the most wonderful week last week creating art on the shores of Jervis Bay. I always love Point Perpendicular as I have such fond memories of the fantastic rock climbs on the steep sandstone. Yes, I am a bit crazy. I love looking through my legs and seeing the waves crash on the rocks 100 meters below.

Last year I stayed in Vincentia with my Masterclass. It was their end of year workshop and I was so sick I didn’t get out to photograph at all. Reserving my strength for the teaching I needed to do. So to be honest I hadn’t really bonded with the place.

Well on this visit something shifted. I fell in love with the forest meets the bay feeling I got there. I now understand my masterclasses enthusiasm after returning from magical shoot after shoot.

Honestly, it’s the first time I thought to myself, I could live here. I don’t get that feeling very often on the coast.

I ask myself what the difference was? Trees is the most obvious answer. Trees so close to the water. Forests, and familiar plants, right on the bay. Forest meets the beach. Perhaps the bay offers more shelter from sea winds and the trees grow taller. Seeing mountain devils and arcacia reminded me of the Bluies. (My Blue Mountains home)

We had a lovely group, as always. So blessed to attract such positive creative souls and bring them together and make art.

Perhaps it was team teaching with Shirley Steel. We have a beautiful equilibrium now after years of practice. We can co facilitate without fear and with incredible support of each other. It takes years of practice to get sorted. I do know, because I can count on my hand how many times in my life I have worked with such balance with a cofacilitator. Hayley Pero is one, John Higgins another. Fred Hulls. All brilliant facilitators. But magic happens whenever we taught together.

Why? Trust and genuine respect is one aspect. Helping each other is another. Supporting rather than competing. Building. But the most important is balance. Balance in thoughts, opinions, viewpoints, observations and ideas. Yet a solid agreement in direction and core practice.

Balance. Perhaps that’s why I love creating art, that challenge of creating balance in my work. I so love it in my teaching and my life. In my lover and partner too.

Strive for a balanced life.

Feel the beauty in balanced art.

Seek balance.

In balance there is calm and in calm there is peace.

I had a great week, as did everyone else. I can’t wait to spoil you with my latest work from the week and hear what you think. I hope you enjoy this glimpse of what’s to come.

Pictorialism at Vincentia. Photograph and text copyright © Len Metcalf 2020