“Literature often uses the numinous to describe those fleeting moments where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. “
“There are moments when the body is as numinous as words, days that are the good flesh continuing. Such tenderness, those afternoons and evenings, saying blackberry, blackberry, blackberry.” (From Praise)
Robert Hass
I did this blue neon numinous performance today at the end of the first week of my residency at the Big Ci.
The numinous is an attribute that I aspire to in all my art and writing but I don’t know if it’s there yet but I’ve got to keep trying.
I feel closest to the feeling of the numinous while drawing my favourite saints Mary MacKillop and Saint Francis of Assisi or when I quote them in my drawings with text or in my short essays.
“ A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.”
Francis of Assisi
While walking to the Grumpy Baker cafe/ bakery to get one of my daily coffees( usually two) I feel in retrospect the single sunbeam of Saint Francis driving away my many shadows each day.
“Be eager in your desires but humbly patient in their accomplishment.”
Mary MacKillop
Today this Mary MacKillop quote speaks to me as I have several ideas I want to accomplish during my residency but need to be patient in accomplishing them. My manuscript of my next book Spiritualism in Art and Life in particular requires the greatest patience.
In conclusion I feel so lucky to have the wisdom and support of the other artists and a writer here and Yuri and Rae the hosts. I also feel lucky to have the wisdom of Mary MacKillop and Saint Francis to draw upon when I have worries or fears.
