Title: Talk to the hand

Artist: J. Galanis

Details: 2016. Acrylic on paper. 7.5 x 12 inches.

About: Certain memories stand out as transitions in thought, or shifts in how you view someone or yourself. This is one of those memories.
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During a workshop in Spain, the artists decided to walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago for inspiration. The hikers soon split into two groups -- fast walkers (led by Dennis) and slow walkers (led by Steve). I was in the fast walker group.
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After a while, we found a branch across the path. To me, it was nothing remarkable, a temporary obstacle to be either stepped over or pushed aside. However to Dennis, that branch woke a creative muse, and he fashioned an impromptu sculpture out of it.
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He responded to our bewilderment with, "We need to mark the trail so Steve doesn't get lost". Absurd! The trail was well decorated with markings.
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After that, Dennis periodically stopped and rearranged rocks, leaves, branches, and anything else nearby into sculptures "to help Steve overcome his bad sense of direction".
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Throughout all of this, I stood dumbfounded, but simultaneously enjoyed the spectacle. That was my first taste of life as a performance art. Excellent inspiration for the trail! And I hope that these days, I'm more apt to join, rather than watch from the sidelines.