05/17/2021
BEING A MINIMALIST
When I was a child, I remember how I longed to be just one, one unit, one something, putting all the pieces together. When I was thinking about the pieces: public during the week, Jewish on weekends and holidays, artist, female. I can finally say that all the pieces are in place. I am a Minimalist.
I don’t collect. I once had a pile of cassette tapes. I heartlessly threw them out. One of my friends told me he would have taken them.
I love donating to Veterans of America. Somehow my closet seems to get full. Once a year, if I haven’t worn something for a year, out it goes. I do keep a few winter items just in case. Living in Florida makes it easy to keep light clothes mostly. None of those boots, gloves, hats, coats, scarves….
I’ve donated most of my books. In fact, I keep just a few precious ones in boxes in my other closet.
I found a nation of space lovers when I lived in Japan. I love space. I can’t function in a crowded space. I am not happy in a store-bought space either. Just lots of empty space
I fell in love with several things of Japan: the traditional room and the bath. In a traditional room, everything is behind a closed door if it is not in use. So, if you are eating, a folding table is set up, with the sitting cushions. Growing up, our dining room literally had its own room. We used it on occasion. For me, it was silly having a whole room for the furniture that was barely used. Gypsies who live in small quarters also put away a table when it is not in use. Space! And beds! A futon could be rolled up, set out to air, freeing up the room. A room could be measured by how many futons could be laid out, or how many tatamis (floor mats).
I had bookshelves growing up. Showing off your books was a thing. It is also recommended to have reading materials around your house if you have children. I keep my books in a closet as I mentioned. I do have a tree, daily books, files and my own art and others on the wall. My room is not as sparce as I would like it to be. Things seem to have a life of their own. They constantly multiply. I have done a bit of organizing, but I am going to have to par down further. It’s easier to keep clean when the room is practically empty. The Japanese daily habits create an exceptionally clean environment.
I not only enjoy a clean uncluttered environment, I also pride myself with my ability to move within an hour.
Being a minimalist involves my art and my writing as well. If you go through the portfolio, you will see my collection of line drawings. Many are one liners. All are done with total concentration and presence. There are many pen and ink drawings and styles. For me, there are only two other artists I most relate to: Diego Rivera and John Lennon. One of my pieces won third place in the Black and White show sponsored in the Boward Art Guild.
Once again, the orient influenced me. While I lived in Japan, I had a master Sumie teacher. She helped me exhibit in a museum, banks and other venues. I combined the feeling of Sumie with a technique I learned from my high school art teacher: the one line.
Words are my passion.
Haiku is my favorite form. I published a book of haiku, Spy in da House, available on Amazon.
