Ellen Anne Eddy's Thread Magic Studio: The Wizard of Odd

Friday, December 23, 2011

The Wizard of Odd

11:22 AM |

Posted by Ellen Anne Eddy |

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Having fun being weird today? Thank an artist!

Lately, they've been playing the Wizard of Oz again. It occurred to me just how much of our language comes from that amazing movie.

Most movies are a cultural moment at best. They expand on a moment in time. What is a classic changes with the wind, but I think we can say that it's about how it changes the way people think.

I was going through the number of phrases that the Wizard cemented into my verbal landscape:

"If I only had a brain."
"Ding, dong, the witch is dead."
"Over the rainbow."
"And your little dog too."
"I hope my courage holds out. I hope your tail holds out."
"I'm melting."

And of course,

" Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."

Frank Baum, the author, had a rather unsuccessful life outside his books. He bounced from one thing to another until he wrote this odd and lovely tale, largely about politics. The politics have disappeared in time leaving a wonderful story about friendship, challenges, appreciating weird and very kind help, and finding your heart. Who would any of us be without it?

That being said, I take heart in this. When someone says, "You quilt, right? Can you make me a bed quilt? In beige?"

I remind myself that my glory and my crown, my hope and my consolation is that I be as gloriously odd as I am. And that if I do it well a small part of the world will shift for it.

Those of us doing our art shift the archetypes. Not purposely, or with cause, but simply by bringing our vision to the world. It's not something one picks and chooses. It's simply an act of trust to bring what your heart demands into being. We bring it all to the table and let time sort it out.

Labels: archetypes, books, life as an artist, lifestyle, lunatic fringe, movies, story telling, Wizard of Oz

3 comments:

Rona said...: You missed the best quote!

"Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

I hadn't thought about it but yes, it is amazing how many quotes this movie has given us. And to think that it was made in 1939!; December 23, 2011 at 2:07 PM
Anonymous said...: Have a wonder-filled Christmas Season.
I'm a bit of a Bah Humbug kinda Xmas Celebrator, but there's always something nice to focus on if you look for it.
Thanks for the inspiration your blog gives me.; December 24, 2011 at 3:47 PM
Elana Schachter said...: and what about, "There's no place like home..."?; December 26, 2011 at 7:10 AM