Archive 1977-3

Robert Flinkman
Gulley Run, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
oil on canvas
20" X 16"
1977
copyright 1977 Robert Flinkman

July 3rd, 1977 Sunday

A most beautiful day, I felt fine. I went down to Gulley Run to work some more on my painting - really coming along so well! I feel finally that I am maturing in my work, controlling the paint yet it is still so expressive, no more violent slashes or such. I am proud and pleased. For a break I walked along the stream and a small part into the woods. The feelings I received from this venture were so good, so deep and fulfilling. I felt so much at one with Nature. It felt so good to be able to feel Nature and be able to express my feelings of nature and love for it through artwork, a maturing style, a controlled yet fully expressive one. I listened in the silence to the stream. I watched the beautifully intertwining ripples, the clarity and freshness of the stream and the colors, reflections on the water. I would watch the small light brown fish dart about, the water bugs skim across the top of the stream, hear a robin call or just look up at the clear blue sky, the different shades of green in the woods. Strange how, here, in the midst of this small wood, all seems so hectic, no formal plan involved in the organization of these woods, yet there is an organization, a most well conceived plan, a perfect cycle is going on, so well balanced. It is there, but one must only listen, watch,feel it. Nature knows it, has planned it. It works invisibly, tacitly, but it is so strong, so perfect. I studied some of the plants - symetry is there, in every leaf, twig, plant, flower. At one glance, one would not think so admidst the large trees, carelessly meanderng brook, dishevelled field and arrangement of trees and plants. One need only study, look into closely what one finds, in detail. Nature had hidden her secrets well, but it is there for those who take time to seek it, and Nature has many things to tell, if one will only listen.

July 26th, 1977 Tuesday

A refreshingly cool day, sunny and pleasent.
I listened tonight to Janacek's Capriccio. I enjoyed it, listened to it for diversion. It is expressionistic and I can seem to identify it to my trend in my artwork. For the first time today I realised how I am begining to examine objects by the forms colors give them. I am now abstracting from objects and colors themselves geometric shapes. Color now makes all sorts of shapes as well. I feel the evolvement of something new, exciting, vital. I see more now and feel more. The whole world is opening up and all of this will be reflected in my artwork, so important to me. I am studying now effects of shading, color and shadow. In all of what I see, examine, color plays such an important part, making different forms and shapes. My emotions still play an important role, but is not completely dominant, but cooperates with my mind and artwork. It is all new, exciting, something great is emerging!