Wonder of Noticing

I was reading a book called, The Power of Wonder by Monica Parker, and she talks about the wonder of noticing. Maybe it’s just that I am an artist but I love just looking around and seeing what things I can notice. It’s like I get in this head space where I want to be inspired by anything and everything. What can I turn into a painting. What could be an interesting image. 

When I am working in a painting series then my noticing gets specific. Like right now, I am working on a series of fruit trees. When I am taking walks around my neighborhood I have an eye out for any fruit trees that look especially curious. 

Though when I am not currently working on a series my mind seems more open and I’m just waiting to see what will spark my fancy. I like to not take my phone out in waiting areas and see what I notice. Like in the grocery store line or waiting in the doctor’s office. 

A big thing that I still think about a lot was when I was waiting for my first covid shot. I went to a mass vaccination site that was on my county’s fair grounds. I understand the urge to want to be distracted on your phone during an uncertain time like a global pandemic, but I wanted to notice and remember this unusual experience. The lines wove back and forth like we were waiting for an amusement park ride but everyone was 6 feet apart and masked. It took hours to get through the lines. Noticing this shared yet isolated human experience was interesting to say the least. 

I think noticing is important and I try to keep myself open for the opportunity to notice. We definitely live in an interesting world and I want to make sure I see it. 

Your artist friend,
Jennifer Marie Keller

P.S. 
Click here if you want to watch my 2 minute video on this.