In The Works

My brain is a machine

with a program

that runs constantly

The program is designed 

to keep me alive

The program's definition of alive

is survival

It is all it has ever known

When I ask it to show me true life

it says

it's in the works,

keep moving forward and you will work it out

 Let's think some more

Just keep thinking

You will work it out

Don't stop thinking

cause then you are dead,

just run the program 

It is in the works

I no longer think

this is true life.

jeffkimsey-carroll.com

Pandemic - Art

So here I am with all kinds of time. Laid off, trying to collect unemployment, told to stay at home, so why thousands of people are suffering and dying all over the world I am in my garage making stuff. Feeling guilty for having no real skill to aid the situation other than the ability to stay put. They are claiming it is the best way to help but it does not feel helpful. So I will continue to cut out chunks of wood cover them with paint and hold on to creativity for those who are fighting for there lives and all the people on the front lines in hopes that someday we can all get back to our dancing, painting, writing, or whatever we/they may do.

"One Moment In the Way"
Wood an Acrylic Paint 22"x13"

The color and shape of life 
are there...
obscured by a moment
We did not want,
expect,
or plan for.

I did not realize what I was creating until this was a few steps from completion. Distressed forms blocking vibrant color symbolizing life peaking through. All on a base of illegible scrawling designed to draw out feeling rather than understanding.

Jeff Holding on 

Notion # 17

 

 

I do not think about you now

In the way you think of me

Memories are not held here

But broken open and set free

All gathering and entangling

With every moment that has passed

They wait on the arrival

Of the moment to be last

For it is the final one

That will make it also clear

I do not think about you now

I am letting go the fear

 

-------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

Jeff

  

notion #12

These were once hidden

The roots of a tree up ended

Now exposed

Washed clean of the ground

That held it in place

And gave it life

Formed in the darkness of the earth

A shape created by the movement of growth

And resistance of the soil

It tells a story

Of the struggle to hold on

The need to keep changing direction

Find the path

Through the dark

Of least resistance

Entangled around one another

Holding on still

Exposed to the wind, rain, sun

And all kind of vermin

But still telling the story

Of the sculpting

Of the struggle

And the glory

Of living

-------------------------

Jeff Looking

Feeling on an Image

I had to lay on my back to get this shot of an aging flower out in a field in Wisconsin last summer. Below is one of the stories (thought or moment) I draw from the image.

Now’s To Come

In the time that is now
I move closer to the earth
In the time that was once called now
I stood so tall
Face held open to the sun
I had dreams then
The butterflies brought them to me

They were whispers
Dreams are whispers
Whispers of the goings on in other places
Places I could not see
But could only imagine
The butterflies said
It is all playing out
Going the way it goes
It is well, nearer to wonderful
And you are a part of it
It cannot be without you

My dream that is left
Is that in the time to come
That will be called now
When it comes and I reach the dirt
All the whispers of the butterflies
Will be clear
In that now

Jeff in the meadow