Sunday 9 May 2010

Dancing with the pen

 

"How are you doing, Mama?"

"I'm good, thank you darling. You know....dancing as fast as I can!"

She looked at me smiling, then leaned over my studio table, grabbed a pencil and started sketching.

A moment or two of concentrated silence and she handed me a drawing.....

"You've often reminded us that dance is part of a 'noble education'.  This is to show you I really do understand and that I'm so proud of you, Mama"

 

 

 

Beani sketch 001

'The Dancer' by Alexandra Edwards

 

Dancing in all its forms cannot be excluded from the curriculum of all noble education; dancing with the feet, with ideas, with words, and, need I add that one must also be able to dance with the pen?”

Friedrich Nietzsche

 

 

 

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16 comments:

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Seems that you dance in every way Tessa - especially with the pen!

Your daughter's gift is so full of grace and movement. You must be very proud.

Happy Mother's Day to you.

Winston Riley said...

I think maybe we've seen pictures of Alexandra anticipating hot cross buns? And now she draws like this? My heavens, kiss the child for me!

Jinksy said...

This makes me glad my name is Pen! Dance away Blogpal, fast or slow. :)

Holly said...

Happy Dear one of my Dear Ones. How proud you must be, of not only her talent, but her ability to be so emotionally present to you and others.

Outstanding job, Mum!

L'Adelaide said...

oh how lovely...a blessing indeed...isn't it sweet? xoxoxxo

Angela said...

Tessa, when you come to visit, we`ll be dancing on the beach! Along with the seagulls and the wind!

Sarah Lulu said...

OMG that drawing is fantastic!!!

Karin Bartimole said...

What a beautiful exchange. A really wonderful mother's day tribute. thanks so much for sharing it with us - and that's a beautiful drawing!! It truly dances! xo K

karen said...

I can't see the image right now, but I will be back to have a look again! Lovely words and mother's day theme :)

Linda Sue said...

LOVE love LOVE the drawing- such motion!I dance like I am tied to a rock so this art work really thrills me- would love to achieve that fluidity...

Maithri said...

Tessa,

What a glorious painting by Alex... and presented in your own singular soulful fashion....

I am praying for the day I can get to England...

So Much love, M

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Stunning picture. How I wish I could draw like that. You and she are fortunate in each other.

Rosaria Williams said...

Lovely! "Dancing with the pen" is a great expression.
Dancing/responding to music is one of the most beautiful thing a body can do.

Mónica said...

I like very much your dance with the pen, nice words and draw. Have a sweet day, Tessa. Hugs

Tessa said...

Bonnie - thank you for such special, heartwarming words. Yes, I am very proud of both my girls and the best thing of all is that we make each other laugh constantly! Makes the world go round, y'know?

Winston, she is duly kissed - and looked very pleased indeed! (The Hot cross bun one is Georgie, our elder daughter)

Jinksy: If anyone can dance with a pen it's you....very well named!

Hello dear Hollyness - I curtsey low. Thank you!

Linda - sweet as sweet as can possibly be...and funny...and smart...and - but then I would say that. Ain't it what mothers are all about?

Aaaah, Angela, my most favourite thing in the entire world! Dancing with the wind and the seabirds to the sound of the ocean - perfect.

Sarah Lulu...it has such rhythm, don't you think? You can almost hear the music.

Karin: Thank you so much. Coming as it does from you - such a superb artist - that is accolade indeed.

Lovely Karen...how wonderful to 'see' you. I've GOT to find time to do some blog-catching up.

Linda Sue - fluidity is a mind-set and that is what counts. Blowing a big kiss to you across that pond!

Dr. M - just make sure you come when there at least two minutes of summer so we can fling some prawns on the barbie, sip some of the good grape and talk until the sun goes down and the moon comes up!

Elizabeth - thank you. You paint pictures with words which always dance and that, in my opinion, is the essence of it all.

Lakeviewer, you are another whose words paint pictures. How lucky I am to have such very, very special blogpals! And, yes, dance is wonderful - in all its forms.

Monica - you are such an angel, thank you! I will definitely have a sweet day now! xx

Hana Njau-Okolo said...

Tessa, what an amazing sketch by your daughter!