Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Reflections on October....




October, beautifully colorful as it is in these parts, is often a challenging month for me. Although the temperatures are often still quite warm, I can't pretend that it is still summer  the way I can in September. October is a usually a month of introspection and adjustment for me as I gear up for the long winter and I willfully redirect myself back into a creative mindset. That is a good thing, much as I love summer, I tend to be a bit lazier with my creative energy.

Last night Luke and I went to see "The Fountainhead" which made me think on some of Ayn Rand's themes, particularly as regards to the importance of not allowing the reactions of others to negatively impact my creative process. While I work with my client's to accomplish their dream environment, and I do "compromise" with THEM on how to implement that environment, I don't think at all about what people outside that client relationship might think of my work, and that has worked well for me for years. I please my clients, but in a perhaps more important sense, I please myself with the end result. It seems to me to be a wonderfully positive symbiotic relationship. As I try to convey to my clients at the outset of our relationships, ultimately, they are a creating an environment in which THEY are happy with the results; if others don't like it or appreciate it, why care?

The film, made in 1949, was shot in black and white to both stress the architectural elements of the story line as well as to draw a sharp contrast between the heroic individualist vision of the architect character Howard Roark and the pedestrian lowest common denominator negativism of the architectural critic Ellsworth Toohey (perfectly portrayed in the film as a pasty miserable fatuous  naysayer).

As we left the theatre after the film,  I saw the full moon rising over the railroad tracks and power lines near the theatre. It was an amazing sight, and a perfect reflection of my thoughts on October...a little Noir, am afraid, just as the movie




A Bientot,

Francine




12 comments:

  1. I always feel better after reading your posts, Francine. I agree with your wholeheartedly on relationships. They should all work this way.
    Such a beautiful image and analogy here.
    Happy Tuesday.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  2. What a wonderful interpretation of October for our By Invitation post Francine and I love that photograph. I was trying to get away from the usual reds and oranges of Autumn in my post but you have beaten me hands down !!!! Very clever.
    Thanks so much for your lovely comment today. We are on the third episode of Downton but , after a little research that I did for you, it looks as if you don't get it in the US until January 2013. I won't spoil it for you !!
    Much love. XXXX

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  3. So beautifully evocative Francine... I have not read that book for a very long time... I must refresh my memory... xv

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  4. Hello Francine

    I loved this post and your discussion on the Fountainhead. I must find this movie.

    I am your new follower and look forward to not missing any future post

    Helen Tilstonxx

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  5. Yes, you did take a step back in time with this, didn't you? A thoroughly enjoyable post, Francine. The book and the movie I remember very well, but at that time in my life everyone was talking about Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. Those were some great conversations for our young inquiring minds. Love you, my elegant, polished, sophisticated, beautiful friend...

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  6. Francine, I am so happy to see that Helen Tilston is reading you now, she is an exceptionally kind, funny and generous lady--just your cup of tea.

    I so appreciated how you hit on the spookiness and moodiness of this month all while being not in the least bit obvious about it. I still haven't read ANY of her books (and I love to read). It's funny but I just don't feel it is the right time yet...
    Bisous from Arles,
    Heather

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  7. I agree with you about October. And that photo is glorious. Time to go dark, in all the meanings of the term.

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  8. Francine, As I sit here the sun is going down and it is 6:30 not 9 pm! Autumn is my very favorite time of year, it is a time of change and adjustment though. A most beautiful post!

    I am having an amazing Giveaway of Gorgeous Velvet Pumpkins from Love Feast!
    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  9. What an inspiring post, Francine - love the image and of course your beautiful words...

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  10. Ooh what a wonderful post and photo! beautifully expressed your feelings and captured perfectly the mood of October on the east coast! It is truly a transitional month at the end of which all is dark until the winter solstice turns things around again...

    Happy creativity my friend!

    xo Kit

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  11. Just saw your comment - congratulations on the October cover of Luxe!!! Can't wait to see it.

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  12. Hi Francine
    Firstly, thank you so much for the inspirational comment on my October post! Apologies for taking time to get here to you and I am so pleased, I did! An Amazing image to capture the message of your post. Over here, of course,October is the most beautiful month in the garden and a great source of inspiration, both visually and spiritually.

    Sending a big hug

    Veronica
    xx

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