tone for the dance

you dance to any number of

different melodies

counterpoint included

shadows and obscure warnings aside

what matters is the moment of decision

the direction (the action)

the tree limb that bends in the wind

never curses the rain

it takes many different notes

to complete a symphony

and the twelve tones of reason

serve as aids not limitations

the only lies we tell (whispered to shadows)

as rests in the measure

(the measure of our beat)

the heat from growing pressure

cuts the tension with release.

-- douglas brent smith

Comments

More...

Note to Self 20230423

If you keep working your craft you will be amazed at how much you've learned and how much more there is yet to learn. -- doug smith

Back Inner Cover of Journal #33, Life In Progress, by Douglas Brent Smith, A collage that's not exactly a typical collage. It's what I often do with the back inner covers of my journals -- simply randomly put stickers, stamps, name tags, and other sticky objects.

Sketch in June

Sketch in June, from Journal #61, 14 June 2021

The Country Table Museum

The Country Table Museum -- collage by douglas brent smith

Cloud Posing as a Pipe

Sketch: Cloud Posing as a Pipe, from journal #10, cry Wolf (1977) douglas brent smith

Machine Work

Machine Work - collage by douglas brent smith, 1980-81 Note: As a part-time security guard, I sometimes would read books to pass the time. One night my job required me to guard and observe a location from my car -- a black 1966 Volkswagen beetle. It was night, so I brought a kerosene lantern to read by. It was almost like camping out, as long as I kept watch on the construction site and reported anything out of the unusual. Nothing was out of the unusual. That has nothing to do with this collage, except for the one line on John Updike. Run, Rabbit, Run.

Sketches: Balancing Topper

"Balancing Topper" by Douglas Brent Smith, 1976

Density

Density by Douglas Brent Smith

Funny Props

As an occasional actor I've been known to buy my own props. Sometimes it's part of my process (of becoming the role) and sometimes it's because the theatre I'm working with has a small budget. This picture (above) is no doubt the result of a stalking retail site (you know who) sorting thru my purchases (and views) and deciding that yes, Doug you need this: this marvelous pair of glasses. I don't. Not at the moment. But I'll keep it in mind if a role requiring that lands in my lap. It reminds me of other funny props that I've worked with: mouse ears, beaver ears, a bell, a wine bottle, real food (beef stew from a can, yum), and that's not even mentioning the many props I've used with children's theater when I toured with Child's Play. What were your most unusual tools of the trade? Did you master them? Did they bring you fully into your role and make you seem more alive? Funny props are more than funny. They facilitate fun. -- doug smith

She Could Juggle Anything

She Could Juggle Anything, sketch by Douglas Brent Smith, from Journal #34, Mission Control. Juggling is dancing. Objects join in the dance. Sometimes you control those objects, sometimes those objects appear to control you. The illusion is part of the fun.

douglas brent smith

Search This Blog