Susan White

 

There is an addiction to acquiring books.  I find myself lured on by the idea that I can actually acquire, and remember --  the wealth of  knowledge, experience, emotion and insight that these volumes represent.  Of course, it’s not possible.  But it’s such a worthy goal and the pleasure is purely in the exploration and the pursuit.

Nestled in this bookshelf is a very thin volume that I revisit from time to time and hold onto as a lifeline.

I’ve long sought a more zen-like nature. It is an uphill battle, yet one to which I am committed.  While wandering around the Strand bookstore several years ago, I fell upon a small book that became my beacon in the wilderness of overactive thought.

I found one of the original copies of Zen in the Art of Archery, written by Eugen  Herrigel and  published in 1953.  This book has remained beside me like a best friend.
I have given many copies of the newer copyrighted version (1981) with a forward by D. T.  Suzuki, to friends over the years – no doubt in hopes that they will find me more zen-like for having given them this lovely volume.

bio: Susan White is an artist known for her work with pyrographs / burn drawings,  thorn works and video/installation. 

In 2010, she had an artist residency at Youkobo Art Space in Tokyo. She recently created the artwork for Davis Schneiderman’s book, Blank, published by Jaded Ibis Press.
Her work has been supported by grants from the Salina Art Center, The Lighton International Artist Exchange Program, The Avenue of the Arts Foundation, and the Creative Capital Foundation Professional Development Workshop among others. Writings about her work have been published in ArtPapers, The Kansas City Star, Review, The Reader, and The Salina Journal.
White has exhibited her work at the Salina Art Center and the Bemis Center and she has been an active participant in the Urban Culture Project in Kansas City. She has work in the Viewing Program at the Drawing Center, and has an upcoming two person show in Tokyo in 2012.  A graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute, she pursued graduate studies at Rhode Island School of Design.

Comments

[AZ]

What a great blog! I love the love of books celebrated here.

[Adriane Herman]

Thanks! I enjoyed visiting your blog (http://www.bookiewoogie.blogspot.com/) too! I recommended it to my neighbor, Julie Falatko, who also blogs about lots of children's books. You can find her endlessly engaging blog at http://www.worldofjulie.com Enjoy!