Ink and airplanes

November 28, 2018 —

Feldenkrais and drawing accidents. How do you deal with things that take an unexpected turn? If our orientation is toward process rather than result you just “go with the flow”. This is the entrance to the deep source of ideas. If we are just looking for the final result an accident is a disaster. However an accident may just be inspiration.

I like drawing with my favourite gel pens.  I buy them by the dozen.  However they are a bit of a hazard when I fly.  If I am not careful they drop big blobs of ink onto my shirt or pants, or maybe just stain my hands. When I am really lucky the blobs of ink drop onto my drawing and it has to change to accommodate the intrusion. It becomes much more interesting than it would have been. Accidents – opportunities. Why uncontrolled release of ink? Pressure changes as the plane ascends  push the ink out of the pen.

After two experiences I know how to avoid ink blots. I keep the pen uncapped with the point turned upward until we reach cruising altitude. Only air is pushed out of the pen. Now there are no more inky accidents, my fingers stay clean, the drawing proceeds but it is not as much fun.

The blob