The Inner Hearth
Notes at the end of the year
I am starting this month’s letter, the final post of the year most likely, sitting next to our Christmas tree, in the silence of the house after the hubbub of getting everyone off to school and work. What kind of day is it going to be? What is on my mind?
Today is a blank day - there is literally nothing scheduled on my calendar. As I was driving back from dropping my daughter off from school earlier, I was reflecting on the freelance / creative life and the balance between being OK with doing nothing and resting, but also getting enough things done that MUST get done (housework, groceries and such, maybe some dance or exercise too on the best days), but also, most importantly, committing to the deep work. It is much easier to keep scurrying and let the deep work slide.
That work sometimes doesn’t look like much. Usually, for me it looks like staring into space, imagining things, images, objects, looking around the house (my canvas), reading, writing, walking around. And assessing the inner landscape - “that inner hearth over which you alone keep watch” (love that idea/image, thanks to Cheryl Page, Mystic Richness).
I’m going to resist the feeling that I need to sum up the ENTIRE year, but I do want to honor a few things that are super meaningful.
This past weekend I got the chance to return to the Saltonstall Foundation for the closing reception of a gallery show of the 2025 residency fellows (at the lovely Cherry Arts Gallery).
It was long drive and honestly I was nervous about the roads with the winter storm forecast, plus leaving my family for what seemed like a random trip, but I felt really strongly that I wanted to show up (plus I got to stay overnight in a cozy studio apartment at the foundation).
The juried residency I at Saltonstall back in June was by far the most validating recognition of my work so far - it was a turning point, allowing me to see that, yes (!) that inner hearth that I have been tending - constantly fanning that little flame and keeping it lit - the inner hearth actually IS resonating with the “outer hearth” so to speak. There IS conversation there - “Hey, look at this!!” we say, as artists, philosophers, thinkers, ponderers. But you don’t always know if anyone is listening, or if you are actually connecting with the outside world.
It was incredibly exciting to be able to expand in this way. When I first learned I won the residency, almost a year ago, it felt like I went from talking to myself, to talking with other people, and having those other people say, “Yes, I see, I get it!”.
That’s all anyone needs.
So. I made the trek this past Saturday, met some wonderful artists, reconnected with the lovely Lesley Williamson (Executive Director of Saltonstall), saw my flying colanders on the wall along with pieces by Diana Schmertz, Wayne Liu, Roger Cortes, Natsuki Takauji, and Diane Carr. We had a really nice reception, and then I took my colanders off the wall, tucked the piece into my car for the ride home, shared a pizza dinner with everyone, managed to drive back to the foundation and get up the long steep winding driveway despite blizzard-like conditions … and slept well.
Yesterday morning I stayed back a little bit until the roads had a chance to melt, and I slowly made my way back home.
A journey, and a nice way to close out the year.
Now that this post has become about turning points, I should recognize, observe, and honor the leaning into my teaching in 2025. From taking on my Summer Snaps photo camp on my own, to teaching my class at Penumbra (which is happening again in January - please join me!), to taking on an adjunct position at Marist for the upcoming Spring semester, I see teaching all as part of bringing that inner hearth into conversation with the “outer hearth”. I am hopeful that this will become an ever larger part of my practice going forward.
AND, since this one is really more personal and less about literature and photography, it wouldn’t feel right to leave out the magnitude of my husband’s inner-to-outer journey in 2025 as well. It was a big year for him and therefore for us and me and the whole family - between him graduating from Lehman with an MSW and now being a licensed social worker, bringing a lifetime of inner work into an offering/conversation/connection with young people who are in extremely vulnerable circumstances. He has really achieved Ikigai! That alignment between inner and outer life. Offering what YOU have to offer, and what is needed.
This is the kind of work that takes a lifetime of practice and it’s not always a cushy ride, but neither of us can imagine it any other way.
I hope each of you can keep that flame alive. Give it some breath. Fan the embers. Tend the fire. We need each of you!
Also, hey, if anyone local-ish to Beacon is looking for a last-minute creative, joyful, humorous, and bright gift for a special someone this season, this framed print is available. :-)
Satisfaction guaranteed - will provide levity, lightness, and magic all year long! Pick-up or delivery, please reach out: flynn@flynnlarsen.com
Stay enchanted.
Lots of love,
Flynn
PS… If you’re enjoying this series will you take a few seconds and forward this to a friend? It goes a long way in helping me grow the newsletter and my work!
I always enjoy your posts, Flynn. And, added bonus, it was such an amazing pleasure to meet another Stuy graduate in the wild so randomly. To you, I say, "Yes, I see, I get it!” Keep creating!