The Curious Soul

Imagine a book that weaves together the best of an artist's sketchbook, a philosopher's journal, and a travel journal. "The Curious Soul: Seeking Beauty, Finding Self" has one purpose: to help us fall more deeply in love with our lives simply by experiencing or creating something of beauty every day. We are transported to an imaginary octagon house, perched on the rocky coast of Maine. Created by a self-taught artist, this unique setting is equal parts curiosity shop, art studio, and garden. As we explore, we embark on a self-guided tour that reveals the experience of beauty around us as a source of wonder and joy, vital to the well-being of our souls. Along the way we discover eight universal archetypes of beauty, present in the world and within us. Each page overflows with images, quotes, and assemblage art. Though whimsical in appearance, the content reveals depth and originality, drawing from the fields of science, art, and philosophy. The book is a rare guide for readers seeking a deeper connection to life. The eight universal archetypes of beauty provide an intuitive path for creative self-discovery. As we move through the house, we learn to identify our own archetype and to see how our sense of beauty connects to our life purpose. The book includes activities to add meaning and joy to daily life, inviting readers to experiment with creative expressions like photography, drawing, and collage. The art studio chapter features instructions for making a personal guidebook. Readers are encouraged to see moments of daily life as a possible gateway to the aesthetic realm where their curious souls can thrive. As the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi said, "Let the beauty of what you love be what you do." Immerse yourself in a captivating journey through a visual tapestry of 630 photographs, collages, assemblages, paintings, and illustrations. Each assemblage is meticulously crafted from found materials, gathered over three decades at the vibrant Brimfield Flea Market in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Alongside treasures unearthed from renowned antique markets like Portobello Road in London, Arezzo in Italy, Noordermark in Amsterdam, and Montsweag in Maine, these pieces are an attempt to tell a story that is unique and universal. In seeking beauty, we find ourselves. Every creation came to life in the artist's studio at the Boston Center for the Arts. Many of these artworks evolved over years, as the quest for the perfect missing piece transformed into a labor of love. Once a piece was finished, it was photographed before being lovingly disassembled—each element returned to jars and boxed, patiently waiting for its next artistic reincarnation. The sizes of these creations vary widely, inviting everyone to experience their charm, from intimate 5" by 5" explorations to grand 45" by 65" statements.