Negative Space
Hello All,
A while back, I came across the phrase negative space in the book Curious by Ian Leslie. Leslie wrote:
The best storytellers are artful shapers of the narrative equivalent of negative space — the shapes that lie between what is visible.
Hmmm…I thought. I want to know more. Although I gleaned the meaning of the phrase from its context, I went a step further and looked it up. On my search, I saw lots of great examples in which artists visually enlivened the space surrounding the focal point of a photo, painting or logo. Inspired, I gathered my supplies — uncooperative nonpareils, a cookie cutter and a chalkboard. Too bad I didn’t have oblong jimmies in the pantry — they would have been less unruly!
Many of us go through life seeing the focal points, but missing the surrounding areas — hidden in plain sight. In fact, some of us are comfortable moving through life in the negative spaces, visible, yet often unseen and unheard. It’s interesting that some of the most exhilarating and memorable moments from my past were a direct result of rolling into the focal point — like a rogue colorful sprinkle.
Leslie helped me to see that what I once perceived as a weakness — the role of quiet, thoughtful observer — is really a superpower. To harness the potential of observation and connection, one simply needs to play at the edge between.
I write to connect, so don’t hesitate to tap me on the shoulder.
Joyfully,
Gail
Thought Provoking
We will discover the nature of our particular genius when we stop trying to conform to our own or to other people’s models, learn to be ourselves, and allow our natural channel to be open.
~Shakti Gawain
My Stories
Pillow Talk — My story — about stories — that teach humility.
Ellie and the Oil Change — Who can we trust?
Fleecy Flock — Follow the Leader
Watch This
Sugata Mitra
We are moving from a world of have and have not to a world of know and know not.
Check This Out
Why Our Brains Fall for False Expertise, and How to Stop It — The expert is not always the loudest voice in the room.
“It takes a lot of courage to share your dreams with someone else.” ~ Erma Bombeck
I’m feeling pretty brave. You can sign up for my bi-weekly email here.
