When The Student Is Ready…

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Books, Stories From Life

We’ve probably all heard that quote, ‘When the student is ready, the teacher will appear…’

Over the years (being the Library addict I am) I sought out different books on the subject of Writing, as I kept thinking that I would like to write someday. Time always seemed the enemy, though perhaps it was not high enough on my priority-list… Photography was still my main interest at that time and, in terms of interests, not much else got a look-in.

I purchased the book ‘The Tao Of Writing’ back when I was working in the City of Sydney in 2008. I had a Coffee Table book 20150815-IMG_2510-1called ‘The Tao Of Photography’ which I liked and I thought it would be interesting to read how The Tao applied to Writing.

Commencing the book I found that it ‘did not resonate with me.’ The words were just words on a page that could not seem to hold my interest. It remained in my bookshelves. A couple of years later I tried again. Same result, yet I held onto the book through moving house/book culls.

In 2013 I ventured into my first two Blogs, ‘Light Inspired’ (Photography) & ‘Observations & Other Writings’ (mainly Poetry with a few articles) and over the past two years I have enjoyed writing for both of them.

In May this year whilst scanning my bookshelves, there it was…‘The Tao Of Writing.’

It stared at me and I stared at it. I picked it out and started to read and it began to speak to me in ways that I could not imagine.

It has inspired me to:

  • start to formulate and idea for a reference book. I have the outlines for 2 chapters done
  • progress on my idea of a Short Story book project. I have the outlines of 4 stories
  • think about the way I communicate in various forms
  • develop this new blog, combining my interests

Was this the same book? Indeed it was and I enjoyed each and every page that I read, and the exercises at the end of each Chapter.

Why the difference? I guess I was not ‘ready’ to see and begin to absorb what Ralph L. Wahlstrom had to teach me.

I class myself as a ‘beginner’ in the writing world and have much to learn!

I’m really looking forward to attempting the 70 exercises in the back of the book, and I know I will be revisiting the book time and time again.

Something told me years ago ‘to hang onto that book.’ I’m very glad I did!

Written by David Johnson

Emotional Furnace

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Sitting on the porch
Strumming that guitar
Writing about their history
They’ve come so far

From early beginnings
Throughout their youth
Within their songs
They reach for the truth

Hardship, working life
Make up the verses
All the while
In an emotional furnace

Journey’s been hard
Will to win stubborn
Going through their lives
Always been governed

Seeking redemption
Wanting to be free
Listen to their story
To the future, they foresee…

Written by David Johnson

© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015

“I am not interested in shooting new things – I am interested to see things new.” Ernst Haas

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

The title of this post is from one of my favourite Photographers.

There are quite literally millions of things to photograph and no photographer could rightly claim to have photographed everything there is, however we do not need to.

Hand Rail (outside McDonalds)
Hand Rail (outside McDonalds)

I often hear the comment, ‘there is nothing to photograph…” An amazing statement really… As I sit in my office I look out the window (in suburbia currently), I see many subjects and many ideas come to mind of what/how I could photograph them.

The problem isn’t the lack of subject matter. The problem is that we wander around blissfully unaware of our surroundings and we also get caught up in the world, rushing here rushing there.

STOP! Just for one moment wherever you are reading this! Look around.

Do you see a tree? Yes. Look at it as if it is not a tree, but an idea generator, branches as conduit bringing forth ideas (leaves) and photograph it accordingly…

Do you see a fence? Yes. Look at it as if it is not a fence, but a palette. A palette that has light dancing over it creating form and texture, lines and shapes.

Are you a glamour/nude photographer? View the body, not as a body but as a sculpture; view it as part of the landscape and photograph it accordingly…

Are you a flower photographer? View the flower, not as a flower but as a person with a personality…

Visual Diary
A4 Visual Diary

It is not lack of subject matter, it’s a lack of ideas.

The continued challenge as a photographer is that we need to reinvent and apply new ideas to the subject matter or as Ernst Haas eloquently puts it…

“I am not interested in shooting new things – I am interested to see things new.” Ernst Haas

Today, what will you see? How will you communicate it?

Written by David Johnson
3 August 2015

Your Creative Journey

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

As an Artist, (whether you are a painter, photographer, musician, speaker, sculptor or any kind of visual artist) you must continue to feed your mind, ask questions of the world and ponder. Your Art is your attempt to answer those questions and in doing so you can add your flavour to society.

So how do you feed your mind?

* Reading books and other literature
* Attending Exhibitions (not just the Art you like either)
* Watching movies, documentaries and other media
* Attending lectures and presentations
* Getting together with your peers or Artists outside your realm
* Go outside your comfort zone
* Attending workshops
* Spending time contemplating about your style, about your world

Experiencing that which is outside your realm of interest is important as well. This has the effect of stretching your world-view and opens your mind to other possibilities. Your feelings about this may reveal to you a new way of seeing ‘the old’ which then will translate into your Art.

Why do all this?

You are a product of your environment. You have been subjected to different influences (chosen or otherwise). You have beliefs and your own thoughts.

Like any endeavour, you will want to grow and evolve, communicate through expressions of your Art.

The world wants to see what and how you feel about things. The world wants to see your flavour, a flavour that can help grow the world into news ways of appreciation and seeing.

The world is waiting…just waiting for you to inspire us!

Written by David Johnson
31 July 2015

The Book-Lover!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Books, Poetry

Sitting under a tree
Engrossed in a book
The world passes by
No need to look

Within your world
You are at peace
Happy as can be
It’s your release

Alone with a book
Is such sweet pleasure
As you uncover all
Its Earthly treasure

Sometimes fiction
Sometimes reference
You need to choose
It’s your very own preference

With each page
Your mind is fed
Your life enhanced
And your Heart is led

Turning each page
Leads you to uncover
The very thing
That makes you a book-lover!

Written by David Johnson

© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015

Long, Sought After Feeling

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

That long sought after feeling
Drifts right on to

My infinite consciousness
And hangs onto

My mind is inviting
That feeling to stay

Otherwise that feeling
Would simply, drift away

Experiencing this feeling
Sets my mind alive

Gives me new hope
Taking life in my stride

As I set forth into the future
Carrying that feeling with glee

The future is bright
For I can be me!

Written by David Johnson

© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015

Like Thin, Fine Curtains…

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Like thin, fine curtains
Blowing in the wind
The rain, it sweeps
Then begins to rescind

Refreshing water
Gives life to below
New beginnings
Life starts to flow

A ripple in a pond
Frequency bestowed
Below the surface
Activity explodes

Earth enriched
A beauty so unique
Tranquility there
For all to seek

Written by David Johnson
26 July 2015

© CommunicatingCtreatively/David Johnson 2015