empty chair #1

[zyzyly]

I visited my therapist yesterday after some time away. I wanted to talk about all the stress of being in school and working and so on. In addition to being a "listen to people complain about stress" therapist, she is also an art therapist and an artist. She specializes in aerial landscapes. That's why I like her--she understands what creativity means.

I mentioned yesterday that over the past few months I have almost completely stopped taking photographs, other than the occasional iPhone photograph. I'm not happy about that, but I just don't seem to have the time. She talked about how important it was to exercise the creative muscle. She suggested that I schedule 15 minutes a day to do something creative. We talked about some possible projects, and I mentioned that on the way to see her, I had driven past a field near my house with an empty chair standing in the middle of it. I told her that as I passed by, I thought about taking a picture of the chair in the field. I like taking pictures of chairs in empty places. I have quite a few of them.

As we came to the end of the session, she paused, then told me that she has been telling all her clients that she needs to take some time off for a medical issue. She didn't say what it was, but from how she described the time she would need off, it sounds like she might have cancer.

She asked if I needed a referral to another provider, and I told her I didn't. Then, she suggested that maybe I could use the time we normally meet to do something creative--maybe make a photo project around chairs. We both immediately liked the idea, and I told her I would.

She invited me to send them to her so she could see them, and I got her email. A project with a purpose.

After the session I went home and got my camera. I headed out to the field and became creative again. I just sent her the first in a series.

Comments

[duccio.livejournal.com]

It's a beauty, and so are you.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Ditto this.

[cobaltika.livejournal.com]

ditto again.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

:) :)

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

:)

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

aww thanks!

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

I had a similar discussion about photography with a classmate today. You and I are definitely in a similar place right now. I trust your therapist as you do, so maybe I will take her suggestion as well. Thank you for sharing your insight, her insight, and your gift.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

We both know that we spend at least 15 minutes a day stressing about stuff and not doing anything about it--let's use that time for something else.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

What a great idea. Carving out a regular appointment, as a great kind of therapy.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

It's always been a kind of therapy for me, from almost the first day I picked up a camera.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

This is a beautiful photo, the beautiful, delicate seed heads of the grass, all lacy around the legs of the chair. I like looking at chairs in empty places, too.

Not only is this project already manifestly a good thing for you, but I bet it will be a real pleasure for her, too, to look at your photos. It'll be a consolation as she goes through treatment, for cancer or whatever it may be.

[elainegrey.livejournal.com]

Indeed.

With joy at the thought of your creative muscles being flexed, and positive thoughts for your therapist's recovery.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I went to a thrift-antique store yesterday and found a nice little chair to toss in the back of my car. Now I have everything I need.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I saw it as a way to tell her I was thinking about her.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I appreciate the understatement. You're just *doing* without saying or explaining, and sometimes that's the absolute best way.

[jadeejf.livejournal.com]

I think your therapist is the bomb, and I'm glad that you have a project with a purpose. Also, I love that picture. Well - I am glad she helped start flexing that muscle again - I've missed your photos!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

She really is. I love having an art therapist.

[isis-lives.livejournal.com]

Stunning photo. I stared at it for a long time.

Sounds like an interesting transition of time. It'll be interesting to see what this group of photos calls forward.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I'm a little curious to see what this brings too.

I took about 20 pictures of this chair, and there was a different one I was going to use, but my eye kept coming back to this one, which was the first or second I shot. I think it reflects how I felt when I first drove by and saw the chair.

[howeird]

The best advice. I wish her well.

That's an excellent portrait of Obama, by the way.

[elainegrey.livejournal.com]

LOL

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Ah yes--I had forgotten all about Eastwood's empty chair.

[egg-shell.livejournal.com]

I hope this means we will get to see the results of your 15 minutes a day of creativity (every day please). I love your pictures and your writing.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

haha--yes, but probably not in daily doses!

[amaebi.livejournal.com]

I love the photograph.

Your therapist sounds very life-giving.

The way you tell about the conversation is very starkly beautiful.

And I will hold your therapist in prayer.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

She's a wonderful person, and I am glad you will be praying for her.

[kyana.livejournal.com]

this was very encouraging for me to read this morning. thank you. and i echo all that was said....

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

you're welcome!

[niyabinghi.livejournal.com]

Love this photo, and thank you for sharing the story with your therapist. I bet your therapist will look forward to your weekly emails as a treat also!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

She loved the first one!

[pasticcio.livejournal.com]

Stunning photograph and story behind it .. I wish your therapist well in her journey.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Good thoughts travel far!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

ps--I met someone from Edmonton the other day and immediately thought of you!

[brendamom.livejournal.com]

The season, when it doesn't snow or rain too much, seems very busy with volunteering, with taking care of some family needs, with spending time with people, young or old, instead of thinking of the next photo and frankly just taking time to meditate. Being absolutely quiet in the afternoon.
Meditation doesn't take the place of flexing the creative muscle. But I like this idea of combining creative muscle and an allowing to whatever comes next.
We are always happy to see you here. It lifts our day, too.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I see creativity and meditation as being very much connected. I thought for a minute about how to explain that, but am coming up short.

[(Anonymous)]

Lovely on many levels. ~A

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

:)

[w. lotus (from livejournal.com)]

I like the angle at which this shot appears to have been made: at eye level with the seat of the chair. I don't usually look at chairs that way, so this is a new perspective for me.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

It wasn't a conscious choice. I think I was low more to capture the foreground in a particular way, but I do like how it turned out.

[zeppo-marx.livejournal.com]

I need to find a project also. Photographically speaking, I haven't shot with anything besides my 'droid phone since the obligatory Christmas morning family shots.

It is so hard to motivate yourself when life ain't working out the way you wanted it to, and when the winter winds make the great outdoors a chore.

But I need to find something that will put a smile on my face. Or that will at least get me up and looking outward instead of inward.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

yeah--cell phone cameras can make us a little lazy.

You have such a wonderful eye for composition--walk around a little and you'll find something, I am sure.

[djaza.livejournal.com]

cool, I've missed your photos, can't wait to see more