An Artist's Sketchbook

Art is like a hayride...

Did you ever go for a ride in a hay trailer? Pulled by a big farm tractor across dusty, bumpy dirt roads through a farm pasture? This is what the creative flow feels like. When I am completely engaged it is like sitting on the wooden bench in the back of a hay trailer. Tractor spews some smoke as it jumps into gear and lurches forward. Slow at first. Then it begins to pick up speed. I am sitting there enjoying the scenery and the blissful gently bouncing hypnosis of the trailers movement. But then it begins to pick up speed and the gentle bouncing turns into a rough bucking. The ruts under the wheels deepen and knock me from the bench. I get back to my seat and hang on for the ride. It's fun but you got to hold on. Then it gets real rough. The trailer is kicking and bucking hard now. I can barely hold on. The dust is kicking up and I am choking on the foul air. Kicking and bouncing, moaning and creeking, I get bounced to the back of the trailer. Thr tractor is speeding up heading down a pasture path. Half seated, half standing trying to remain on the trailer it hits a hard lump of dry earth. Throwing me up in the air I grab onto the back gate as I tumble over the side. Hanging on for dear life, dust in my face, teeth rattling, I am being drug along like a rag doll. Unable to hang on anymore I let go and crash into the hard earth rolling to a stop in the middle of the path. The tractor and wagon rolls on, bouncing and kicking till it is out of sight.
Thrilled with the excitement of the energy yet dissapointed that I couldn't hold onto it. Laying there I wonder if I will get to experience that again. But I have learned that if I stand up, brush myself off and start walking, another trailer will be by soon.