Category: writing

“Women who wear black, lead colorful lives.” – Neiman Marcus

~ Meg ~ 29 Comments
Catherine Deneuve – Walter Carone, photographer

I set up my blog back in August of 2014, soon after I began experimenting with writing. It took me a year to actually take it seriously. This was shortly after enrolling in WordPress’ blogging university courses. One of the tricks they teach you is to give your blog a unique and eye catching name. At that time I chose: Meg Sorick Writes Better Than She Dresses, and used the tag line: “She tried to look picturesque but only succeeded in being untidy.” – a quote from Oscar Wilde’s A Picture Of Dorian Grey. Looking back, I’m trying and failing to remember why I assumed such a self deprecating position. I’m neither untidy nor a bad dresser. I do, however have a simple approach. My wardrobe is nearly automated.

Within the drawers of my bureau you will find black short sleeved shirts, black long sleeved shirts, black cardigan sweaters and black undergarments. In my closet, hang black dresses, blouses, skirts, jackets and slacks. There is a shelf for denim and another for my black handbags. I have black boots, tall and short, black stilettos, black ballet flats and black Crocs that I wear while I’m working at my ‘real’ job. All I have to do in the morning when I’m getting dressed is choose the next clean, black item in the queue and I’m ready to go. You will not believe how freeing this feels! And no it’s not boring, there is still a variety in the styles that I wear. I just never have to worry about coordinating anything I’m putting on my body. I always know it will match AND that it will look good. Ever see yourself in an old photo and cringe at what you were wearing? My system eliminates that from happening.

Apparently, there are a lot of people who feel like time is wasted worrying about clothing when you could be thinking about more important things. Examples include Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, President Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg and Christopher Nolan. I hear you saying, “But those are all men…” How about this? Fashion editors Carrie Donovan and Grace Coddington, writer Fran Liebowitz and R&B star Janell Monae all wear black or black and white every day. Actress Drew Barrymore has recently written about minimizing her wardrobe.

In addition to running a chiropractic practice -albeit part time- I’m also writing, editing and researching nearly full time AND if you’re paying attention, you know I’ve also got my creative irons in a couple other fires. I don’t have time to think about my next outfit! There is work to be done and fun to be had! So I’m belting up my black bathrobe to have my first cup of black coffee before showering and dressing in the next black thing. Hmm, maybe I’ll wear a skirt today…

The Purpose

~ Meg ~ 33 Comments

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” Dr. Martin Luther King

“…then what are we fighting for?” Winton Churchill – when asked to cut funding for the arts in favour of the war effort.

“Art washes away from the soul, the dust of every day life.” Pablo Picasso

Times are bad. Really bad… Mass shootings, political unrest, natural disasters, sex abuse scandals, threat of nuclear war, poverty, illness… I could go on. How do we even get ourselves out of bed in the morning? I suppose everyone has a way to cope. After all, here we are, right? But as artists –and by artists I mean anyone involved in creative work– we may ask ourselves, what is the use? What practical purpose does my writing, painting, poetry, photography, music, dance, woodworking, quilting, sculpting, and so on, and so on, serve?

I began this piece with those quotes for a reason. They encapsulate the purpose for art in all its forms. To shine a light in the darkness. To give an outlet for our emotions, be that joy expressed in laughter or deepest sorrow when we are moved to tears. Without art, without creativity, we are automatons: eating, sleeping, working, consuming. Repeat.

The arts allow us to escape but for a brief time from the troubles of real life. Art is good for the mind, for the heart, for the soul. It helps us articulate our feelings, gives us cathartic release. Why do you think we sing songs and recite poetry at funerals? Because the music or the beautiful verses give us a channel for our grief.

So if you’re ever asking yourself what’s the point, remind yourself that you as an artist, in whatever form you create, are one of the stars in the darkness. 

fullsizeoutput_1052