Many describe haiku as “playful verse”—a term that captures both its lightness and its depth. In this episode, I explore how this sense of playful experimentation not only shapes haiku, but also underpins all creative expression. From resisting rigid thinking to creating with freedom, I share the journey behind my latest photography portfolio, “Horizons,” and the liberating power of letting go of outcomes. When we stop aiming to produce and start playing, we may uncover something genuinely new.

Link to “Horizons” portfolio:

https://www.verseoflight.com/icm/2025/horizons

Link to the website:

https://www.verseoflight.com/

Audio Credit:

"The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan" by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Link to License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: chriszabriskie.com

Changes: No changes were made.

Significant breakthroughs—whether artistic, spiritual, or personal—rarely happen by chance. They arise from the quiet persistence of small steps. This episode explores how minor, consistent actions hold profound transformative potential. Drawing from examples in science, art, and everyday choices, I reflect on how habits like weekly creative sessions or limiting screen time can gradually shift our lives. It's a reminder that lasting change isn’t sudden—it grows slowly, one small step at a time.

Link to the website:

https://www.verseoflight.com/

Audio Credit:

"The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan" by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Link to License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: chriszabriskie.com

Changes: No changes were made.

In this episode, I explore the idea of “Creative DNA,” inspired by Twyla Tharp’s book The Creative Habit. This concept suggests that each of us has a unique creative code—an internal compass that shapes the way we see, create, and express. I reflect on how this idea aligns with previous thoughts shared here about developing a personal style, and how understanding this inner DNA can bring clarity and depth to our work. I also share my own process of self-analysis using Tharp’s 33 questions and the insights gained from reviewing my photographic portfolios. Through this, I’ve come to recognize that my most meaningful work consistently evokes a felt response, not just aesthetic appreciation.

Link to the website:

https://www.verseoflight.com/

Audio Credit:

"The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan" by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Link to License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: chriszabriskie.com

Changes: No changes were made.

Desire often wears a convincing mask. In this episode, I reflect on a recent experience with longing—a rekindled craving for a Leica camera—and how it revealed the mind’s talent for illusion. Guided by the Buddhist notion of Mara, I explore the tension between creative aspiration and quiet simplicity. What follows is an invitation to question not just what we want, but why we want it.

Link to the website:

https://www.verseoflight.com/

Audio Credit:

"The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan" by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Link to License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: chriszabriskie.com

Changes: No changes were made.

A brushstroke, a verse, a sculpted form—each an echo of a journey, but never the journey itself. What if art is not the artifact, but the space it carves within us? The artist steps into the flow, dissolving into the act of making. This episode lingers in that space, exploring the quiet force that compels us to create—not for the world, but for the act itself.

Link to the website:

https://www.verseoflight.com/

Audio Credit:

"The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan" by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Link to License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: chriszabriskie.com

Changes: No changes were made.

How do we develop our own artistic voice? Is it something we create, or something we gradually discover? In this episode, I wander through questions of artistic voice—how it forms, why imitation is both a teacher and a weight to shed, and why stepping into uncertainty is essential. From the drip paintings of Jackson Pollock to the color fields of Mark Rothko, the path of self-discovery in art is long, often unclear, and deeply personal.

Link to the website:

https://www.verseoflight.com/

Audio Credit:

"The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan" by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Link to License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: chriszabriskie.com

Changes: No changes were made.

The path of art is not hurried. It asks for time—not just to create, but to see, to listen, to grow. Like a river carving stone, our artistic vision forms through rhythm and dedication. This episode explores how to integrate art into daily life, the importance of conscious engagement, and the necessity of letting go of distractions to make space for artistic growth.

Link to the website:

https://www.verseoflight.com/

Audio Credit:

"The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan" by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Link to License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: chriszabriskie.com

Changes: No changes were made.

Titles carry weight. They shape perception, offering insight or mystery. In this episode, I reflect on my own struggles with naming images and portfolios, and how a simple change transformed my connection with a body of work. Through personal experience, I explore the role of titles in art—how they can deepen meaning, shift narratives, and enhance visual storytelling.

Link to the Shadowlands portfolio:

https://www.verseoflight.com/2024/shadowlands

Link to the website:

https://www.verseoflight.com/

Audio Credit:

"The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan" by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Link to License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: chriszabriskie.com

Changes: No changes were made.