Morning.

This week it’s going to be all Joni Mitchell all the time.

You may remember from Term Two that we drew to the original version of one of this Canadian goddess’s most famous songs, “Both Sides Now,” and then later we drew again to the version she did about three decades later, when her voice was about three octaves lower.  

Joni is widely considered, along with Bob Dylan, the most influential singer-songwriter of all time.  My hope is that by the end of this week you will understand why, and that whenever anyone anywhere says the words “Joni Mitchell,” you will stop whenever it is that you are doing and reflexively do this: 

Steps:

1.  Outer Space

• materials
• remove or turn off distractions
• clear workspace

2.  Inner Space

• body relaxed but aware (this takes a little time)
• connect to breath (so does this)
• clear head

3.  This is an interpretive drawing.

What is your experience of Time?  Draw that.

Start when the music starts, and then keep your pencil moving for the entire length of the song; stop when the music stops.

4.  Title: Joni Mitchell: “The Circle Game.”

5.  Date it.  

6.  I am going to ask that you send me all five of the Index Card Drawings we do this week.  You can either do that one at a time, each day, or you can send me all five on Friday – your choice.

Now, how will you use this time productively while you wait for our Class Meeting to start?  Perhaps a goal journal entry?  Perhaps a check-in with your The Black Cauldron partner(s), helping each other set realistic goals for the day?  Perhaps draw faces and hands until you can’t stand it anymore?  Maybe check Fridays virtual HW sheet to see if you missed any key items?  Maybe sit in silent awe of what you just heard?

See you at 10:00!

ps: You can find more information about “The Circle Game” here, at jonimitchell.com; this site is a lesson in Depth and Complexity. No joke.  

pps: “Joni Mitchell.”