Wednesday, September 10, 2008

HOZHO

The Navaho word hozho, translated into English as “beauty,” also means harmony, wholeness, goodness. One story that suggests the dynamic way that beauty comes alive between us concerns a contemporary Navajo weaver. A man ordered a rug of an especially complex pattern on two separate occasions from the same weaver. Both rugs came out perfectly and the weaver remarked to her brother that there must have been something special about the owner. It was understood that the outcome of the rugs was dependent not on the weaver’s skill and ability but upon the hozho in the owners life. The hozho of his life evoked the beauty in the rugs. In the Navaho world view, beauty exists not simply in the object, or in the artist who made the object; it is expressed in relationships.

- J. Ruth Gendler, Notes on the Need for Beauty

The quote, which was taken from A Pause for Beauty, affirms my experience of relationship with RTN. The hozho of his complex life has come through in my drawings and paintings over the past 42 years. This painting from 2002 clearly grew from the healing shape of our relationship that year.

Thank you to all who continue to visit my blog during this time when I have little to say or post. I am deeply grateful for your silent presence, your comments, your blogs.

8 comments:

R.L. Bourges said...

gorgeous as usual, am. always a pleasure to drop by.

R.L. Bourges said...

oh, and the link is great!

robin andrea said...

The link is great. I had a subscription to Heron Dance a while back, so I was really glad to see the site.

The story about the weaving reminded me of this book that my twin brother wrote several years ago. Also a very good story.

Dale said...

(o)

am said...

r.l. -- it's always good to have you visit from Graulhet.

robin andrea -- thanks so much for the link to your brother's book. Wonderful to learn that both you and your brother are artists and writers.

dale -- :o)

silent visitors -- your presence is much appreciated, too!

Lori Witzel said...

:-)

Hozho -- one of my fave things.

Not much to say, and have been a little silent. Re: Ike -- I'm still dry. We shall see what Saturday brings.

dreaminginthedeepsouth said...

Hey, am.

Good to see your peaceful photographs.

Just returned from my father's funeral.

I'm feeling pretty much as though I need to take some silent time myself.

Hard times. The funeral -- it is what it is. It's the aftermath that is harsh.

am said...

Beth -- You and your family have been in my thoughts. Take good care of yourself.