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MOONDANCE
Henry Moore said “To be an artist is to believe in life.” When I began sketching Moondance there were two quotes I wrote on my paper, one was the above by Moore and the other was by J.M. Barrie, which reads: “The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.” If you know my poetry or have had conversations with me, you know I am obsessed with winged creatures. The idea of wings conjures up the ‘enchanted’ world, the 'dreamland’ where imagination blends with reality. This is the world I have come to love since I was a child, blending real world with magic. As humans we long to defy gravity. We carry in our hearts an ancient longing to have wings, to be able to soar like the birds we watch in an open sky, the near perfect metaphor for freedom. The part about faith in the quote by J.M Barrie is profound and meaningful. Whenever I begin to sketch for a sculpture, I am mostly trying to find my faith and my conviction. I am trying to find wings to take me into another world and discover a three-dimensional form of my vision. The idea of balancing emotions and love with another human can be a bit of a see saw. The alternating up-and-down or backward-and-forward movement and always trying keep the relationship equitable is impossible without wings. The wings of humans may be invisible to the naked eye but if we look intuitively, we can catch a glimpse of feathers and pinion. Humans are equipped with wings of equilibrium. This counterbalance device is always correcting the paradoxical experiences of love’s gravity and levity. Moondance is a visual definition of the shared human experience of being in love, while it liberates us from earthly constraints it also anchors us to the profound aspects of our being. This is ‘Moondance’, forged from fire _ a visual poem. MOONDANCE / TABLE TOP BRONZE 32"x13'x 24"/ EDITION of 18 For Carl ___ because your love inspires me to dream. art © Gesso Cocteau Because the idea of 'MOONDANCE' came to me in a dream of the Moon and Bella _
Rose Thorn
You said: “It's all deeper water. even the prevalent shallows.” Your words landed soft upon my skin and slit their way into my heart, even my clenched fist let go and for a moment I dreamt I was floating upon the intangible. I have had so many lives always living on the edge between chance and a meticulous scenario. But mostly I find myself within the cavern of this sensual life, asking myself. what am I without this? You are living in my head right now, and the bird nestled right outside my window sings a song I cannot decode. You told me a secret and I have planted it deep into my garden between the roses and the thorns. © Gesso Cocteau
Secrets Between Our Shadows and Our Souls
Secrets Between Our Shadows and Our Souls Surrounded by myself and the tall summer’s grass I lie still ____ and alone listening to the songs of the earth. I am crawling through the underbrush of what use to be us ____ and even though you are gone the flowers remain. I wanted more, I always want more my appetite exceeds my frame and I spill out into the visible world. You knew I was insatiable you tried to temper me you were honest and kind and as your friend said ‘you were always ‘present’ ____ but I was afraid, and when you asked me what I believed in I turned away. ( I believe ‘we have played along side millions of lovers’) Perhaps we were, in some past life mythological lovers ____ I think sometimes we ask too much of one another. ____ and so what if love dies over and over again. (age after age the words of the poet fall from the past into the future, an eternal song of desire fueled by the ‘perfect moment’. For now _____ my heart sings to the poppies as they cast their shadows upon my spine ____ I call out to you____ you see me in this dream: I ask you to return my heart to my body so that I might feel again. (God it is so humbling to be alive and sometimes I am so afraid my heart will break into a thousand pieces.) In this fragmented dream you whisper to me ____ through the fields and the forest kissing my rough hands: ____the hands made strong by bronze, by pencil and by ink. (My body stretches out to reach you extended into this landscape ____ forever.) Is all of this life a magical illusion? When my eyes are closed I feel you making love to me but then ____ the memories shift and I am moving slowly in my garden envisioning human suffering trying to remember your touch. Maybe it is the poetry that saves me, ____ or perhaps the sun, this field, the forest or the moon. For now I allow myself to feel the beauty of pain ____ to speak truth and to taste the flowers that seep into my veins. I still love you you made me feel alive ____ and the lord of darkness reminded me that nothing can hurt me if I let go of everything that gives me pleasure. You gave me breath honesty and love but I am not certain of spellbound hearts and everything is so temporary ____ We are all in movement on our way to the unknown. (Love is the ‘why’ of life.) I lost you, now I love another ____ the one who gives fire to my soul, but still I crawl through the fields at night beneath the goddess of love and silently I crave you. These are the secrets between our shadows and our souls. © Gesso Cocteau
The Imagination of Gesso Cocteau
Step into a realm where the boundaries of reality blur and imagination takes flight. On my YouTube channel, I invite you to embark on a journey that transcends the ordinary, weaving dreams into a tapestry of visual poetry. Imagination, the wondrous ability that defines our humanity, is the driving force behind every creation. Join me in exploring the pure essence of art as a conduit for our boundless imagination. Through captivating images and enchanting narratives, my videos are a celebration of harmony and fantasy—a union of dreams and the limitless landscapes of our minds. In this enchanted realm, animals and women emerge as guardians, custodians of our Earth. Panthers, ravens, and leopards move across the screen, not merely as symbols, but as embodiments of the deep mythologies that resonate within the human soul. Their presence transcends the ordinary, guiding us through a dialogue between the ethereal and the tangible, the soul and the body. As we journey together, these guardians are always present overseeing the delicate balance of our environment, the sacred threads that connect all living entities. They become the silent sentinels of the seas, the mountains, the trees, and the intricate ecosystems that make our world a mesmerizing tapestry of life. Through every frame and every word, I strive to evoke the beauty that exists at the intersection of imagination and reality. Let the poetry of these visuals and the stories woven into them transport you to a place where dreams and imagination intertwine, creating a space where the extraordinary becomes a vivid reality. Welcome to a sanctuary of creativity, where the spirit of imagination knows no bounds, and the guardians of our Earth inspire us to dream beyond the confines of the known. Join me in this exploration of the surreal, where every video is a brushstroke on the canvas of our collective dreams. The below tab will take you to a brief look Step into a realm where the boundaries of reality blur and imagination takes flight. On my YouTube channel, I invite you to embark on a journey that transcends the ordinary, weaving dreams into a tapestry of visual poetry. Imagination, the wondrous ability that defines our humanity, is the driving force behind every creation. Join me in exploring the pure essence of art as a conduit for our boundless imagination. Through captivating images and enchanting narratives, my videos are a celebration of harmony and fantasy—a union of dreams and the limitless landscapes of our minds. In this enchanted realm, animals and women emerge as guardians, custodians of our Earth. Panthers, ravens, and leopards move across the screen, not merely as symbols, but as embodiments of the deep mythologies that resonate within the human soul. Their presence transcends the ordinary, guiding us through a dialogue between the ethereal and the tangible, the soul and the body. As we journey together, these guardians are always present overseeing the delicate balance of our environment, the sacred threads that connect all living entities. They become the silent sentinels of the seas, the mountains, the trees, and the intricate ecosystems that make our world a mesmerizing tapestry of life. Through every frame and every word, I strive to evoke the beauty that exists at the intersection of imagination and reality. Let the poetry of these visuals and the stories woven into them transport you to a place where dreams and imagination intertwine, creating a space where the extraordinary becomes a vivid reality. Welcome to a sanctuary of creativity, where the spirit of imagination knows no bounds, and the guardians of our Earth inspire us to dream beyond the confines of the known. Join me in this exploration of the surreal, where every video is a brushstroke on the canvas of our collective dreams. To view a sample of all videos in a short visit my YouTube Channel Gesso Cocteau YouTube Channel "Enchanted Moments Compilation: A Magical Journey Through My Videos" Embark on an adventure with this enchanting look book that captures the essence of my videos. 🌟✨ Immerse yourself in a whirlwind of magical moments set to music, showcasing the best of my creative work. From mystical landscapes to mesmerizing transformations, this compilation is a celebration of the enchantment that defines my content. Join me on this lively ride through a world where imagination knows no bounds. #EnchantedVideos #MagicalJourney #YouTubeMagic © Gesso Cocteau
Ladies and Lions
About My Video 'Ladies and Lions' on my YouTube Channel _____ Gesso Cocteau YouTube Channel In the mystical realm of the enchanted jungle, where the moon whispered secrets to the towering trees and the sun bestowed its golden warmth upon the emerald foliage, a legendary tale unfolded—the tale of Ladies and Lions. Long ago, when the universe was but a synthesis of dreams, majestic beings emerged, embodying the essence of both solar and lunar realms. Women and lions, two majestic entities, shared a kinship that transcended the boundaries of mere existence. In this ethereal land, they were bound by common traits—elegance, strength, courage, justice, and magic. Known as "the KING of the beasts," the lion held sway over the sunlit domains, symbolizing power and might. Yet, within the heart of the lioness, a connection to the Great Mother stirred—a symbol of protection and nurturing grace. Thus, the ladies and lions became intertwined, creating a perpetual balance. In the heart of the this mystical jungle, where the air hummed with the melody of unseen spirits, goddesses were paired with lions from their very birth. This sacred union formed a bond so profound that it transcended the earthly realm. The goddesses and their protectors became inseparable companions, their destinies woven into the fabric of the cosmos. As the ladies and lions roamed the enchanted jungle, their purpose was clear—to bring wellness and balance to the delicate ecosystem that cradled life. Each goddess, with her lion by her side, wielded the magic of both sun and moon, ensuring harmony prevailed. The love between these divine beings was a testament to the sacredness of their bond. A love that surpassed the limits of mortal understanding, it was a union of celestial devotion. The goddesses and their lion protectors, guided by an unspoken vow, stood as guardians of the land of enchantment. In moments of peril, when the jungle echoed with the whispers of unseen dangers, the goddesses and lions would merge seamlessly, becoming one. A harmonious fusion of strength and grace, a manifestation of the unbreakable link between the solar and lunar forces. Their magical gifts, bestowed upon them by the universal forces that watched over the enchanted jungle, were harnessed for a noble cause—the protection of Earth. With each beat of their courageous hearts, the ladies and lions safeguarded the delicate balance of nature, weaving enchantment and magic into the very fabric of existence. And so, the legend of Ladies and Lions endured—a timeless story of symbiosis, love, and the eternal dance between the solar and lunar realms. In the heart of the jungle, where the moon and sun embraced in eternal harmony, their tale echoed through the ages, a testament to the enduring power of mythical bonds and the guardianship of a world touched by enchantment. Video Art © Gesso Cocteau
Wildness
About My Video 'Wildness' on Gesso Cocteau YouTube Gesso Cocteau YouTube Channel This is a celebration of wildness, where the primal meets the celestial, and where the untamed spirit of leopards and the boundless freedom of crows inspire us to live with daring sensuality. Leopards ladies and crows converge to weave a tale of untamed beauty, fearlessness and unbridled spirit. In this visual odyssey, these magnificent creatures symbolize the wildness within women – feral and untamed, this enchanted land that embraces passion, sensuality, and an unyielding connection to our precious Earth. This is a celebration of the uncultivated, where the primal meets the sublime, and where the fierce spirit of leopards and the boundless freedom of crows inspire us to live daringly and passionately. This is the raw, sensual force that pulsates with undomesticated and tameless courage. The leopard, a manifestation of primal power, prowls with a predatory elegance, embodying the fierce and passionate nature that pulses through the veins of existence. Meanwhile, the crow, dark-winged and mysterious, becomes the harbinger of secrets and transformation, a symbol of the enigmatic depths of the human spirit. Ladies, both graceful and wild, entwine with these symbolic creatures in a subversive dance, birthing a clan that defies convention and societal norms. This is a celebration, a rebellious chorus that echoes the courage of the wild, inviting the audacity to be different, to embrace the untamed within. The symbolism of leopards and crows intertwines with the human experience, creating a discordant yet harmonious anthem that resonates with the primal and the mysterious. Stay wild and untamed;
The Raven
The Raven I am the precipice of the mountain you are standing upon, I am the feather that lands at your feet when you are alone, I am the dream wrapped around you, holding you tight on a cold winter’s eve: I am the moon catching you when you fall from the sky, I am the song of the flower that kisses you good night, I am the wildfire that burns between us. I am the heart that goes on beating even when it is broken, I am the kiss that bruises you, the lust that does not struggle. I am the first time you fell in love from a distance: I am the faithful and the betrayed, the unthinkable, I am the silent lover, the starving lover, the lover who wants to be yours. I am the unfinished stone you searched for in the quarry: I am the naked earth who stands before you awaiting your hammer and your blade. I am the poet, the sculptor and the shadow reading your words, I am the dream between dusk and darkness, I am the pathless woods the broken compass and the poetry lost in translation. I was the one you were seeking because I was seeking you. I was the wildfire that burned between us. ( Now ) I am the embers laying down in darkness. I am temptation, I am the raven. Poetry and Art © Gesso Cocteau