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What Does "Inward Morning" Mean?Welcome to my new art blog for my new website: Inward Morning! Want to hear about the title? Kara Ruth Snyder, Figure in Square, acrylic and pastel on canvas, 36 x 36". 2007.
I'd like to talk about the title of my website, Inward Morning, and give you a little background as to why I chose this title. This discussion will reveal a personal statement of some key components in my art process. Topics covered include: Art Making as a Form of Being at Home, and Art Making Captures Physical and Symbolic Light.
Inward Morning: A Statement about Kara Ruth Snyder's ArtThe phrase "Inward Morning" means many things to me. First and foremost, this was the name given to the house I grew up in by my father - back in 1973. He borrowed the name from a book by author Henry Bugbee entitled The Inward Morning: A Philosophical Exploration of Journal Form. Also, writer and poet Henry David Thoreau has written a beautiful poem called The Inward Morning (see below for this poem in its entirety). I find this poem alludes to the balance between the internal and external worlds of the artistic process very nicely.
So, why am I using it as a title to my website? Three reasons: (1) The obvious connection to one of my favorite poems by Henry David Thoreau; (2) the connection to my childhood, the metaphor of "house" and "home" and how they relate to my artwork; and (3) The individual words - in and of themselves - "inward" and "morning" (both separately and together) incite associations for me personally and relate to what is meaningful in my painting process, i.e., the concepts of At-Homeness and Physical and Symbolic Light.
Art making as a form of "being at home"The fact that my dad named our house made it special. My childhood home was a seemingly magical place with many nooks and crannies. There was always opportune environments for creative imaginings in my home. Needless to say, the physical house of my upbringing had powerful visual and psychological influences on me and subsequently my art. My father, too, has been a strong influence on my artistic development. Although he passed away when I was 15, he crammed a lifelong love of art into my soul. Each year for my birthday I would receive a new art book from my dad, often in other languages than English! I love these books and still use them for inspiration frequently.
In essence, through art, I have made the transition from being at home in a literal sense, to being at home in-the-world. The word "inward" implies at-homeness to me. It denotes safety and refuge, and at times, escape. I also picture the image of a doorway...a passage way...a gateway...a portal into the aspect of human imagination and creativity.
Art making captures physical and symbolic lightNow that we have looked at the word "inward", let us turn our attention to the word "morning". "Morning" means "new light" to me. It implies awakening, dawn, birth, newness, etc. In the world of things, we need light to distinguish one object from another. In fact, we need physical light to even have this discussion (or any other) about visual art! In a symbolic or spiritual sense, art making relies, too, on "going inward' to harness the light of our own inner spirit.
In vain I look for change abroad, I seek this inner light, inner balance, inner color through the practice of meditation and the art process itself....rolling up my sleeves and getting messy with some paint! In the end, the "light" always seems to make its mark on the canvas.
Henry David Thoreau's "The Inward Morning"Below is the entire poem for you to enjoy.
The Inward Morning ConclusionIn summation, the reason I chose the title Inward Morning for my website is because it captures the essence of what art making means to me....a synthesis of inner reflection and outward seeing, both of which rely on physical and symbolic light.
I hope you enjoyed this brief explanation of my website title. Please feel free to comment or share feedback.
-Kara Ruth Snyder
CommentsRebecca said: I love the poem. Thanks for sharing it. Your work is great!
Sunday, November 1st
David Rosenberg said: I am very much taken aback by the sincerity and complexity of the sentiment behind your work. The pieces are beautiful. I look forward to seeing more of your work online in the future. Great website!
Sunday, November 1st
Jen Healy said: Kara!
Sunday, November 8th
David Lance said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIZpbDUYSfI
Saturday, January 16th
Oola1 said: Hello Kara,
Wednesday, April 28th
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Andy Snyder said:
looks great kara!