Invisible Tattoos

The Spanish Sculptor Jaume (jow-MAH) Plensa currently has a show in Dallas at the Nasher Sculpture Center. As a member, I go to every exhibit, but this one really is tops! The figure in the picture is a self-portrait of the artist, complete with what he refers to as 'invisible tattoos'. Embossed on each of the seven statues in the garden at the Nasher are the names of composers and musical artists that have touched or inspired Plensa in some way. He suggests that we all bear the marks of the people, places and experiences that have touched us - what he calls 'invisible tattoos'. He goes on to say you can't really get to know and understand someone without knowing about his / her 'invisible tattoos.'

This got me thinking about my own invisible tattoos...those people and places who have deeply touched and changed my life.

* Edouard Manet

* James Taylor

* Grant Wood

* Louis I. Kahn

* Janis Glenn Gaines

* Agatha Christie

* Patty Griffin

* Searcy, Arkansas

* Howard Wable

* Thomas Hart Benton

* Jaume Plensa

* Henri Matisse

* John Steinbeck

* Nairboi, Kenya

* Madeleine L'Engle

* Frank Lloyd Wright

* Steve / Judy Crosson

* Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

* J.R.R. Tolkien

Some of the names on my list will be well known to you. They are artists, architects, writers and performers that may have touched your life, as well. But some of the names and places will be unknown to you, because we would need to sit down over coffee for a few hours so I could tell you exactly how these 'everyday' people and places have brought new colors and hues to my life.

So, let me ask you? Are you spending enough time with those people who make a deep mark on your life? Are you allowing enough time to meet more people who may do the same in your life? Or are you stuck in a rut of people and places that do not touch you, inspire you, renew you or provoke you to reach new heights?

What invisible tattoos do you have? Let's have a cinnamon Dolce Latté and share...