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Tag: Art as Transformation

Transformation: The Things We Carry

March 12, 2021March 12, 2021 ~ wordancerblog ~ 8 Comments

What if I took my junky art drawer and treated it as a piece of art?  What could I make?  How could it become a pleasing aesthetic part of my art space?  There was suddenly possibility instead of mess.

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  1. Trish's avatar
    Trish on One Little Word, 2026January 7, 2026

    I can't add anything but, "Brava" to the comments here! The stanzas that begin, "Remember me as..." speak so clearly…

  2. Lainie Levin's avatar
    Lainie Levin on One Little Word, 2026January 7, 2026

    Well, first of all, the older I get, the older "old" is =)And I love the mindset you are bringing…

  3. Jessica Carey's avatar
    Jessica Carey on One Little Word, 2026January 7, 2026

    Remarkable. Flashy and spunky. I love your attitude approaching this year and your upcoming birthday. So inspiring.

  4. Leigh Anne Eck's avatar
    Leigh Anne Eck on One Little Word, 2026January 6, 2026

    I love all of this! The word, the thinking behind it, the poem, and the picture! I just reacently purchased…

  5. Fran McCrackin's avatar
    Fran McCrackin on One Little Word, 2026January 6, 2026

    I like the way you build up to your word reveal. And with the perfect photo!

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8 responses to “Transformation: The Things We Carry”

  1. Maureen Young Ingram Avatar
    Maureen Young Ingram
    March 12, 2021

    Wow! Your writing shows how we can write into knowing, write into surprise revelations. I love your newly organized art drawer – and I love that you could connect it to Tim O’Brien’s book! Then you offer this reflection – “They smile, they laugh, they play, they keep their desks in order. But I know inside they are struggling to understand all the death and restrictions.” Oh my. I think you should bring found objects into your classroom and let students explore, imagine, and write – look how awesome your trek was!

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  2. Chris (ReadSoMuch) Avatar
    Chris (ReadSoMuch)
    March 12, 2021

    Your slice has given me a lot to think about! We are working on decluttering but not completely emptying our basement. Thanks for some organizing and writing inspiration.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Kristi Lonheim Avatar
    Kristi Lonheim
    March 12, 2021

    This post is so dense with gems: junk, order, art, poetry. The thing that struck me the most was that you may have created a new genre of art – the junk drawer. You could start a worldwide art challenge. Choose one junk drawer. Using nothing other than the contents of the drawer arrange some (or all) of the items in an aesthetically pleasing arrangement and snap a picture. I would love to see the collection of photos that resulted from the challenge.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

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  4. elsie Avatar
    elsie
    March 12, 2021

    I finished reading and my first thought was WOW! Then I saw Maureen’s comment and smiled. What a journey through the junk drawers! You have created a Bento box for your “junk.” 🙂 Then the poems so different and such a perfect addition to your prose.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

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  5. Trina Avatar
    Trina
    March 13, 2021

    Wow! Your junk drawer looks so appealing.

    I used to love sorting through my grandma’s junk drawer when I went to visit – very little of it was junk to me!

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  6. aggiekesler Avatar
    aggiekesler
    March 13, 2021

    I love being organized…but when it gets out of hand, I don’t enjoy the process of organization. Looks like you’ve done a great job- so pretty!
    I love The Things They Carried! I need to reread it. 🙂

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  7. Terje Avatar
    Terje
    March 13, 2021

    To start with a junk drawer and end up with poetry about transformation. Your connection making and creative thinking create an enjoyable text.

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  8. Julie Avatar
    Julie
    March 13, 2021

    I love your connection to The Things They Carried, and your approach to your junk drawers and art drawers. This morning, I helped my son reorganize his closet, and we both were really happy with the result. It feels so much better to look at a mess–physical or mental–and see possibility. You show this so well!

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