Eric Hopkins
April 1, 2009
If you attended the statewide arts education conference – At the Creative Center: The Arts in Maine Schools in October 2007 you will remember the inspiring keynote presentation that artist Eric Hopkins gave at the close of the 2-day event at the Samoset Resort. Recently, I received an email from Robin at Eric’s studio/gallery on 21 Winter Street in Rockland. She forwarded the short piece Eric had written on his impressions and observations on the first day of Spring.
Eric has given me permission to reprint the piece. I’m sure you’ll want to respond with comments at the bottom.
“This winter I spent more time inside than I liked. It was a good time to develop and complete new work, but by last Friday I just had to get out. It was a bright, sunny, yet cold and windy first day of Spring. I grabbed my drawing supplies and headed to Owls Head, thinking I’d walk along the shore, find a nook in the rocks, hunker down to draw and welcome in the new season. As sunny as it was, it was just plain too raw and cold to make my hands work with the pencil and paper. I ended up driving to the end of Ash Point Road and sitting in the car overlooking the Mussel Ridge islands. It was great to sit there for three or four hours and just watch the wind blow the tide and wave patterns across the water as the light in the sky slowly changed. Despite all the uncertainty of “The Economy” and the uncertainties of daily life, I was reassured that all is well in the world. The tide keeps ebbing and flowing. The sun is hot, but the air can be cold. The wind clears and cleans the air. The light is pure. Life goes on. As I was having those thoughts in the low light of the late afternoon a young eagle flew by my windshield. I could almost feel the wind from his wings. This reminded me how important it is for me to connect with the natural world. It fills me with so much more wealth than any bank or stock market could ever hold.”
Thank you Eric! With April upon us and warm weather just around the corner, I hope you have time to breathe in the Spring air, watch the crocus pop up and let the sun warm your face.
Thank you, Argy, for sharing Eric’s writing on Spring (and thank you Eric for the reminder). I feel the same way. I have so much gratitude these days for my family and friends, my surroundings here in Maine-the natural world, my art and my young students (all artists too!) Thank you for reflecting on what is truly important in these troubled times. We are very lucky that the ability to make art comes from within- from intention, as well as passion.
Thanks for your comment Carol! We certainly are fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world. Developing our young people to know and understand how they are all artists is so very important so we do appreciate it day-to-day.
I grew up in Owls Head and so this piece really struck home with me. I have managed to remain on the coast of Maine for my adult life and work – a very unique opportunity that in the big span of things, only a limited number of people can do. I am reminded daily of the beauty that surrounds us and how we must learn to love the journey (if we don’t already). This piece said it all. Thanks for sharing!
I saw crocuss in my garden yesterday. Than I sat and watched my tomato seedlings grow last night.
Not much happened but they all have their second set of leaves.