Courage to Play

I get these great newsletters in my mailbox and this one especially hit me as this is what I am focusing on in my art classes... Play. The older we get the harder it seems to let go and play. This is probably why I prefer to teach young children - they have no problem with this at all.
Play, experiment and discover for me seem to be a prerequisite to making art.
We get too serious when we get older and so much of our lives take on numerous responsibilities so we NEED to take time to play.
When we come to the canvas or any other surface, we need to approach it with fresh eyes,
eyes of a child perhaps... open to possibilities and allowing art to move where it wants to go.

I just started reading Echart Tolle's book, A New Earth and so I thought I would share part of Robert Genn's newsletter here. You can go here to see it in it's entirety and subscribe as well.

In his latest book, "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose," Eckhart Tolle discusses how the human mind is almost constantly engaged in private thoughts. These inner rumblings reflect our personal trials, dreams, needs and obligations. To function properly as a creative person, an artist must divorce himself from some of this clutter and begin a process of rebirth into another mode. "Even though people may travel," says Eckhart Tolle, "they tend to remain where they have always been--in their head."
Early yesterday morning, my daughter Sara and I were painting at the end of the Laniloa Peninsula, Oahu, Hawaii. From a parked car nearby, a young man in a white shirt and tie watched her out of the corner of his eye. As I passed by, he rolled down his window and said, "That girl just took out a canvas and started painting. She hardly drew things out at all."
The fellow and I struck up a conversation. He turned out to be a Teaching Assistant from the nearby Brigham Young University at La'ie. He was "having a quiet read and some meditation."I told him the girl was my daughter and that she was working "alla prima--all at once." Then he said, "It looks quite a lot like play."
Later, when Sara and I were going over our day's efforts, we agreed the young man had got to the truth of the matter. As far as plein air painting is concerned, play has its own methodology: Feel and relish the environment.
Get into a "be here now" state of mind.
Start your work anywhere.
Look cleanly and with an uncluttered mind.
Be joyous and unencumbered in your stroke.
Work everywhere at once when you can.
Try to leave your strokes alone.
Do not labour or think too much.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Let the painting tell you what it needs.
Though it may be small, make your picture big.
Without being a wimp, serve your subject.
Don't verbalize your sight--sense the being.
Surrender to earth's beauty and wisdom.
If you make errors, fix them in good humour.
Be suspicious of what you've been told, how you ought to do things, and what you ought to think.
Best regards,Robert
PS: "Van Gogh didn't say, 'That's just an old chair.' He looked, and looked, and looked. He sensed the Beingness of the chair." (Eckhart Tolle)
Esoterica: The plein air act requires a mental transformation and a shift in consciousness. Playful looseness is a virtue. Running on old methodologies or rigid game-plans can be detrimental. Sara and I both remarked on the value of amateurism. Amateurism can induce clear sight and creative optimism. At least you are not held in check by a lot of stuff you already know.
Current clickback: If you would like to see selected, illustrated responses to the last letter, "Seeing red" about the observation of colour in our world, please go to: http://clicks.robertgenn.com/seeing-red.php

Youth Art Month

We celebrated the 28th year of Youth Art Month yesterday. This is the Harrison Council for the Arts program, and a successful one at that. I've taken on the role of chairperson for it and have been involved with it for about 24 years.

It involves putting together an art exhibit of students work in public and private schools in the town. Three high schools, two middle schools and four elementary schools. 12 teachers participated.

Although it is work pulling this all together, the teachers are amazing in their dedication and participation in this program. Each year I am more impressed with the art the students create and when the reception is in full force, the town house is energized with proud parents, students and teachers.

For me, I get to see students that I've had in preschool and elementary school. It's been a long road as some of my previous students are now in the upper grades, and some have graduated and gone on to art schools. I like to think I've given them a good start in the love of art and then passed them on to art teachers in school. It's amazing to see these kids, once upon a time playing with play dough and creating art with me at 3 or 4 years and now grown... actually, a bit of a shock when they are now taller than me!

Where'd everyone go?

Most artists know that wonderful feeling of being oblivious to anything going on around you because you are so engrossed in the process of creating.
The other 22 children left. This child is always the last one, continuing to create. He told me yesterday that he loves art. I knew this. I can see the "acorn" in this child. Nothing distracts him from his work, except probably me. He looks up to smile every once in a while for the camera.
The Process of Creating!
This is when we are in touch with our inner self when the outside world falls away and we are in our bliss. Here is where I believe I am closest to that feeling of "enlightenment" which to me is that state of Being.
It is when the chatter has stopped. The inner critic is silenced. Time becomes nonexistent.
Creation is no longer in the mind, but rather moves lower in the body to the heart and into the soul, getting in touch with who we really are.
Good and Bad fall away.
It's only NOW and THAT is where I want to be.

Lunar Eclipse

I spent a good deal of time pondering that beautiful sight last night. The lunar eclipse.

I watched it slowly disappear in the comfort of my room until it was cast in the shadow of the earth. Here is where I wish I had a better camera, a telescope even to view this beautiful orb in our sky. Here's where I really got a sense of it's roundedness and what it must have been like for ancient one's to look upon this and wonder why it doesn't come crashing down on us.

So here is this moon in opposition to the sun. Moon in Virgo, still in my 12th house. The house of the unconscious, things hidden, secrets, the inner self, the spiritual, mystical side of life. Here is where the moon is.

Interestingly enough it is opposite my 6th house, where the sun is in Pisces. Pisces is the natural sign for the 12th house, but it is here where Virgo's house is. Virgo the analytical one. If the 12th is the unconscious, then the 6th is the conscious - out there in the world. It is the house of work. The house of service - service to others, also the house of health.

Here is the pull of the two, my analytical self wanting to know and digging deep into my subconscious mind, or trying to, to find answers.

All cast in shadow.

How symbolic.

I'm wondering what I did with my ring. A mindless moment? Did I subconsciously take it off and put it somewhere?

I'm wanting to know and I realize how much wanting to know things mean to me. There is a need to know.

As I was lying in bed, I was distracted from reading, because I had this theory that maybe the ring came off as I took the glove off my hand when I was cleaning... and John threw out the garbage! I entertained the thought of going out side and getting the bag, but it's way to cold and I'd have to get dressed and maybe the garbage men don't come tomorrow...... when in walks in wonderful hubby inquiring what was on my mind and told him.

"THIS IS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU"............ and goes out and brings in the garbage.

I didn't find it. I could have sworn this was the correct senario. Nope.

It made me think how attached we are to our ideas and theories about things.

It also brought to surface, into the light, how much it means to me to know. I need to know the how and why of things.

What hidden things need to come to light in order to know ourselves, reveal what makes us who we are....... what is hidden in the shadows that needs to come into the light?

(ps note my moon and forgot where i got it from)

I choose this...

THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER CHOICE

You don't have to buy from anyone.

You don't have to work at any particular job.

You don't have to participate in any given relationship.

You can choose.

You alone steer the course you choose in the direction of where you want to be today, tomorrow or in any distant time to come.

You hold the tiller.

You can decide to alter the course of your life at any time.

No one can ever take that away from you.

You can decide what you want and go after it.

It's always your next move.

This came from the http://www.thedailyguru.com/ and it's a reminder that we ALWAYS have a choice. I choose my reponses, my thoughts, my beliefs.... yes, even those deep-seated beliefs that you would never thought to go away... even those, with enough work, can be changed.

Change in consciousness. It is something we need to do to evolve here on this planet. We need to make the necessary changes about how we feel about this planet and every living thing on it. But first we start with ourself.

You can go here to learn more about achieving balance and harmony between the conscious and subconscious mind.

I've started to read Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth and finding it to be a very worthy read.

Vision Mini Quilt class

My friend Mai-Liis has been creating these wonderful art dolls. I took a class online at joggles.com and fell in love with the process. I made two dolls with the intention of making a lot more and now she has moved into healing art dolls and now this one with a background for it.
Here is some information regarding this class. Go to her website to see some amazing dolls from her previous class with healing dolls. Sorry I missed that one!

This is a sample of the Vision Mini Quilt class I will be teaching through Joggles.com, beginning March 7. The concept is a take-off from the "Vision Boards" you may have heard of....a cross between fantasy and subconscious plans for the future. The doll will be made separately, and can be added to the mini quilt (16 x 20) permanently or by the use of a few bits of Velcro. The mini quilt, serving as an extension for the doll which represents the maker of the art piece, is an easy entry into the realm of art quilts. I will assist each student in expressing a personal vision. My own doll has feathered arms for flying, and is adorned with many power objects. She is both beautiful and "tribal", perfectly at home in an ethereal setting which contains birds and flowers.

Law Of Attraction

http://www.abraham-hicks.com/YouTubeLOA.php
This is a new video from Ester Hicks on Abraham... Law of Attraction.
Some great stuff. In 5 parts, so you can taste a little, but once you watch, you'll want to watch the whole thing.
Life is Good.

Peace Frogs :-)

I found this frog at Pier 1 and being that I LOVE frogs and yoga... well, now he sits on my meditation desk. John wanted a picture of him for some school project, so I set him up on the stool we use to climb into bed for a picture. I love his peaceful face.
Our Peru Itinerary is set.
We are going for 2 weeks and it is going to be quite an adventure!
I need to get through two major exhibits before that, so I need to FOCUS... but my head is already in the clouds.............
LIFE IS GREAT!!!

In the flow of things....

I woke this morning feeling extremely blessed!

I love those kind of days... feeling grateful for my wonderful husband, grateful for my work and grateful for BLOGS! The internet, ways to connect that in the past we couldn't have imagined, (although someone did :-)

I had a wonderful class last night. I'm feeling more comfortable and confident and I love the class and the people in it. 6 students with different perspectives and it is a joy! It's stimulating my own ideas and it is exactly the forward move that I needed.

Back to Blogs.... I was thinking how important it is to share with others our excitment about the blessings in our life. When we feel good, we want to share it, and sometimes no one is around to share it with, for whatever reason. Too early in the morning to call anyone, husband is off to work, people are at a distance, maybe it's something our family just won't get... but we need to share with someone! Blogs! Here to share with anyone interested........

I thought of my artist/healer/traveling friend Mai-Liis that I have met because of the internet. She was able to share some wonderful news here in cyberspace rather than open her doors to the neighbors and release her joy (although I did recommend she do it anyway :-)

And there is dear sweet Carmen who shares this sentiment with me. It is one of my favorite blogs because she is so uplifting and strong and caring... she has become a blogger friend :-)

It has opened up a whole new exciting world, with friends around the globe that I can visit anytime.

Feeling blessed, filled with love to overflowing... this is a perfect way to wake to a new day.

Life is good.

thank you Universe :-)

Life is full of surprises.
The Universe has such a sense of humor! and at times can be very accomodating.
This morning I woke up wanting a "do-over" - yes, too many should-haves on my mind.
Mondays are busy for me... ususally, starting with bringing mom to therapy, then it continues with 2 art classes back to back and yoga to end, coming home around 7:15.
It's snowing. (could have sworn they said 40 something and sunny)... anyway, thanks Universe for providing me with a partial Sunday :-)
Now I can go PAINT!!!!!!
This came in my mailbox and will take it's advice:
AQUARIUS (04 February US/Canada/UK/Europe - 05 February NZ/Australia)
The heavens are giving you permission to follow your heart, with every ounce of your being. Whether it's a romantic love affair or a creative passion, if it's fun and it gets you excited, then it's got to be your No. 1 priority. Life is too short not to put your needs first. Make this the year when your sense of play, fun and creativity is just as important as anything else in your life. Find the right balance between work and play.

2 paintings

This is the still life from class... (Painting 101 :-) Needs a little tweeking which I may do with the class on Tuesday. The one below is partly taken from an idea in Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. I painted on a collaged background which is kind of interesting. Different.
"Preparing for Flight" is one of those ideas that starts as one thing and ends up as something else. And as it should be when painting or creating... Allowing Spirit to come in... Allowing that Creative Self to come, call her the Muse, but it is when one stops THINKING about the painting and just paints.
She is visioning her journey about transformation. I painted in the Macaw and hawk fluff feather that was given to me as a gift on my birthday. Parts of it will be "refined" as well.

Solar Return

Sun has returned to the place of my birth... Happy Birthday to me :-)
and it has been a happy one. Wonderful cards and gifts. I have the day off to create.
Life is Good :-)

Mercury In The Solar Return Chart
Mercury Aspects Neptune
Neptune in aspect to Mercury in the solar return chart suggests working with the less clearly defined psychological drives such as compassion, creativity, and spirituality. Your sensitivity to subtle emotional connections among all people increases your concern for certain individuals in particular and humanity as a whole. You are able to acquire information through intuitive and psychic insights. Dealing with these subtle themes can lead to some uncertainty and confusion in the thinking process. Increased intuitive or psychic awareness can precede the ability to weigh this information for its accuracy. It is sometimes difficult to discriminate between what is really psychic and what is more closely akin to worry, fear, or false hope. It is also difficult to find practical applications for idealistic concepts and inspirations which are represented by this combination. Therefore, stress can sometimes be associated with the more spiritual manifestations of Neptune-Mercury aspects.

I'm counteracting that "uncertainty and confusion" with
I AM CLEAR ABOUT MY PATH AND I KNOW WHAT TO DO.
I treated this statement like a mantra yesterday and noticed that my path was actually very clear as I drove yesterday... I call it a "green light" day.
I had given into the faith that I would know what to do for classes as well. Learning as I went along last night, I know now how I need to alter my approach. I'm finding my groove in this new studio, acclimating myself. It's new. It's exciting. I'm open to possibilities and I'm growing.
This is going to be a great year!

Seagull

Kate who left a comment also left a link to power animals. Over the weekend, while cleaning up, I came across seagull feathers I collected at the beach......
thanks Kate :-)

The Seagull
Joy Freedom Perspective

Take a deep breath and let the spirit of the seagull fill you.

Soar in joy. Soar in freedom. Feel your power. You are the seagull!

The seagull knows that freedom is a state of mind and of the heart. She can teach you to let your heart soar on the wings of freedom and joy, no matter where you are and no matter what you are doing. She will help lift you out of the sands of worry and petty concerns and into the soaring heights of being one with all that is: one with the ocean, one with the land, one with the vast and glorious sky.

The seagull will also teach you perspective. Whenever you care to, she will take you for a ride, up into the sky and across the vast ocean, where you will see that your cares are as small as the grains of sand on the beach. She will teach you that your power is limitless and unbounded and that all you need to do is stretch out your wings and let life carry you.

Feel the freedom in your heart. Smell the salt air as you soar across the vast ocean. Feel the wind beneath your wings lifting you higher and higher, endlessly higher. Fill yourself with all of this power, the power to be all that you truly are, fully and freely expressed. For you are the seagull, and freedom is yours!

Knowing

I spent a good part of yesterday cleaning and clearing the bedroom. This area, according to Feng Shui is my Fame and Reputation area as well as my Prosperity area. Both were cluttered.

I swept away the cobwebs and set the intention that I too was clear on my path. Knowing and seeing clearly my path.

Setting an intention is powerful, but it's pretty hard to set an intention if you don't know which direction to take. Knowing is key.

I had a conversation with my son the other night about "knowing". We are both Aquarius's and that is our key phrase, "I know". I recalled how he always said this as a child and whenever you told him something... he would say, "I know".

I tend to say it as well, when I do know, that is. But there is an issue of not wanting to know, which he sees in me. This is my LaLaLand syndrome of not wanting to know. But that is another story.........

Knowing something in order to pass it on, teach it. How well do you know something before you feel comfortable in teaching or sharing it?

In art, you paint and draw well those things you know. Knowing comes from experience, not from books or here say. It has to be in your muscle in order to pass it on.

How can I teach a yoga posture if I have not experienced it myself?

This is what I intend for myself: To clearly see my path and to know, which is to have confidence , that I am where I am supposed to be. To know my spiritual path, my creative path, which are tied up together... to know it in order to teach it.

To stay true to my path, listening to what is in my heart and not be distracted by "thinking" what someone else may want. I cannot teach what I do not know.

In walks honesty. Being true to one's Self. Being honest with oneself on what it is I know.

Anything is possible!

want a little inspiration?? Amazing how we adapt to situations that life gives us. This woman is amazing! http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=909829629&channel=687582926

Awarded!

A most wonderful blogger friend sent me an award. How cool! It's always good to know that somehow you contribute and make a difference in someone's life... someone out there is paying attention. Listening.

Sometimes just one comment, one word, one tiny smile or gesture, can make a difference in someone's day. One encouraging word. One kind action.

This blogging community has opened up an amazing world of friendships. Friendships with people I have never met face to face, but have become friends with just as if they lived next door.

One blogger friend became a traveling companion! We met online and traveled to Peru together and we are planning another trip. Without this internet and blogging, we may have missed that opportunity.

Life is so amazing.

You bloggers out there... YOU MAKE MY DAY!!!

I'm supposed to send this on.. I'll do it later, but for now, thanks to Carmen for my award... My first one :-)

Yesterday was my first class in the new studio!!

I'm back :-)

After a most wonderful yoga class, I continued with meditation. After class and a short relaxation, there is an option to stay and take the meditation class which is geared to suit our needs. Susan chose a meditation through the chakras where you would meet a "guide", be it animal, an ancestor, a saint... or whatever appears to you.
The images that came to me were mostly animals.
The first chakra, Snake came to me. His message was that I needed to move more. Walk. I move enough, but it is in and out of the car, short trips in and out of places. I found Snake in the jungle, which to me meant, Walk in Nature more. Walking clears the head and I have become lazy with this. I thanked him and said good-bye. I will at least go out for a walk, even if it's around the block.
We spiraled up to the 2nd chakra, where Turtle appeared. He seemed to be reiterating what Snake said. "You need to come out of your shell, your home, your comfort zone. If you want to move, you need to reach out, be courageous. Move. Act."
Hyena took his time to materialize at the 3rd chakra. He seemed unable to commit! But soon he was clear. "Don't take it so seriously. Laugh more!"
At the heart center, in the 4th chakra, what appeared first were large eyes, then moving away to reveal the side of a face. A lion's face. An image of a male lion appeared lying down. Maybe he had just opened his eyes. His message to me was, "When you need to rest, rest. Work when you have to work. Balance them".
I did not see an animal at the 5th, throat chakra, but a name, Peter, came to me. I only saw light, a sphere of light, more like "spirit". My message was to trust my own "Voice" - shine.
Eagle appeared in the 6th, third eye center. Take in the bigger picture. (I have been caught in too many details) Changing my perspective, my perception of things, I can view it from a different angle. I had an insight here about my whiny, resistant behaviour to clearing out the closets where I work. This was actually a good thing for me, but I fought it as hard as I could until I couldn't any longer. The Universe, through the use of Ron, said "enough". You need to move through this, clear out the old stuff (aka, useless crap). Now I was being grateful for this.
At the crown, was butterfly. "Be Light. Time for change and transformation."
The tools are there: move in order to act, but act with lightness, balance and in joy. Come out of your shell and shine. Be true to yourself. Play. Laugh, and it will transform into beauty and joy.
This is what happens when I give time to myself.
Take time for yourself.
Namaste'

The Middle Way

To be so engrossed in the moment as to not know what is going on around you. To be so absorbed that the past and future are no where to be found. There is only NOW.

This is where I want to be. Of course there really is only now. We are continuously only in Now.

Unfortunately, I tend to get stuck in the Now thinking about the future or past. Lately, it's the future and in more of an anxious state of "how it's all going to get done" than I care to be. It does all get done. That which doesn't really didn't need to be.

It is the path of the Middle Way I would like to walk. This morning I thought, "How can I just be content with myself without being influenced by outside circumstances?"

If something goes awry in my life, I am effected by it as it is with when something happens that is good. The pendulum is swinging hard.

Last week in yoga class, I was filled with doubts - not being 'good enough'. Am I on the right path?

Yesterday's class brought me an answer, or so I thought at the moment. One of the students came up to me after class with much appreciation and praise. I felt I was serving my purpose.

But why must outside circumstances dictate how we feel. It should come from within.

I wonder if that is what Christ really meant when he said we must become as little children in order to enter Heaven.

Children are in the present moment, not stuck wondering how they will approach something, worrying about the outcome or if they should have gone in a different direction.

They just do it. Then they do it again. They play.

We all know that feeling of being in the moment when we are playing or creating.

*Bliss*.

It's all there is. No self-conscious obsessiveness. We're in Heaven - a state of Being.

So today I'll attempt to be child-like. Placing one step in front of the other and enjoying to the fullest each moment. Each present moment.

Delight in checking off the list of things to do.

Make it a game.

Play.

Play Time!

"All is well, and you will never get it done. Life is supposed to be fun. No one is taking score of any kind, and if you will stop taking score so much, you will feel a whole lot better -- and as you feel a whole lot better, more of the things that you want right now will flow to you. You will never be in a place where all of the things that you are wanting will be satisfied right now, or then you could be complete -- and you never can be. This incomplete place that you stand is the best place that you could be. You are right on track, right on schedule. Everything is unfolding perfectly. All is really well. Have fun. Have fun. Have fun! "

The above quote is from Abraham and it is something I really needed to hear this morning.

What would it look like to have it all done? I wonder if even Death is having it all done. I mean, if we are energy and continue, then it never is done.

Back to the mundane....

All I really want to do is have fun with it all. I don't mind so much having 50 million things to do, but I don't like having the feeling that I might not get it done or that it crowds my brain so that I can't focus.

I just want to have fun with it. I usually have fun with something when I am in the moment, focused on the task at hand, oblivious to anything else around me. I love being in that "space".

I chose coffee and conversation with hubby today instead of yoga. I watched the clock tick away getting closer and closer to 9:00. ("Can I be ready in 20 minutes... 15.... no friggin' way can I be ready in 4 min., so just enjoy the coffee")

I woke up thinking about snakes and how this images is so strong in different cultures... The kundilini serpent from our Eastern friends and the snake from our friends south of the border, in the Andes. Reading Villoldo's book, The Four Insights, he referrs to the serpent as part of the four levels of perception. This is our physical world, our survival skills, how we can be effective in our every day world. Serpent is helpful in putting one foot in front of another to get us through the day. We need to pay the bills :-)

Don't much care to spend too much time there. I'd rather break out of this materialistic, survival mode into that of doing more creative and fun stuff. Create. Paint. Play.

That's where I would rather hang out. That's the place where your bank account really dosn't matter or what car you are driving. ( Do you really need that ------- Hummer?!?)

So this brings me to the above quote. Today I want to have some fun. Change my perception. It gets done when it gets done. It always does. Why stress over it!

Let the serpent rest and play. It's Saturday!

Intentions are set....

I am yearning for some time to get messy and do some creating. I did clean out on closet at the Rec where I teach art classes. Nice to see all this "stuff" organized. I still have 2 more closets to empty out and although they gave me only 2 new closets, I am hoping to obtain one more. Ok. The intention is set here. I have 3 new closets! All my supplies are organized so I can be more efficient in finding supplies and teaching. It must be the power of Virgo here.
For myself, I have decided to do some collages for the new year. Every New Year's eve, rather than go out partying, I stay in and journal my intentions of the new year and usually make art. This year I plan on a soul collage. Maybe a few. I have some wonderful new journeys coming up in the new year. Travel and work.
So today, my intention is to go through some magazines which I have been collecting, pulling out those images that reflect who I am and what I love and what I want to move towards. What I want more of in my life.
I feel we are moving into a lots of change this year. Good positive change.

Merry! Merry! Christmas :-)

Can't buy me love......

Somewhere in blogland, I came across this link http://www.storyofstuff.com/
Interesting, because we decided not to buy into the whole consumerism christmas deal. Yeah, I know it's nice to let others know that they are appreciated and I like receiving things as well, but there is a big difference to show appreciation with something like homemade chocolate covered nuts and going out to buy something just for the sake of buying something like it's an obligation.
Once upon the time my husband and I went nuts buying things for each other. It seems like that is what Christmas became - all about buying!
I meet people on the street asking me "if I'm ready for Christmas"... ready? ready for what? They want to know if I finished my Christmas shopping... Nope, not this year... not buying it!
(Making it maybe :-)
anyway, take a look at the link for an eye opening perspective.
Give someone a hug and tell them how much they mean to you.
P.S.
Crea8tiva had this link on her site http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_8509.cfm
so don't forget the little critters either :-)
this inspired me with some ideas...............

For You !

After making these dolls with the kids, I had to make one myself. They remind me a bit of the flat self dolls we did as a take off of flat stanley. That was fun. We traveled around the country and sometimes to other countries as a paper doll.
This version had graduated to wood.
Here's my Christmas Wish for all my blogger friends.
May all your dreams come true.
If you believe in them, they will, so
DREAM BIG!
Merry Christmas eYYYYYY

Waiting

Inside. Warm. Enjoying my coffee while "here".
Listening to the sound of trucks scraping at the ground and that beep beep backing up noise.
Yes. Removing the ice. Men chipping away at it's stubborness.
Thank you.

Just another Manic Monday.............
Chiseled windshield to set wipers free. Chipped away about 5" and took almost 45 minutes.(Someone said to make them stick up away from the car when it snows) Anyway, after chiseling the car windows, I had to get out of my iced in space. I did it. But when I got to my mom's , confronted with ice again and could not get her to the car.
Another therapy appointment cancelled. We did some exercises together and then ate left over desert. (or dessert)
Off to the store for some essentials. Walking veeeeeeery carefully avoiding icy spots.
Home for a "creativity break". I think it will be my Christmas Card. Stay Tuned!
Grab art bag, radio for yoga.. left my mat in the car. Yikes that will be cold!
Class for preschoolers - Textured Triangle Trees and Rudolf candy canes.
Tea break - Tulsi Tea with Pomegranate and green tea. Yum! Laughed about some letters to Santa. won't get into those right now...........
Another art class - mostly boys (2 girls). What the ?!? Bouncing off the walls! Not possible to sit still... Way too much energy in this room!!! We made our gingerbread bird houses... very cute. Clean up and then Yoga.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh. relax, stretch, "open to the sun, so it will melt this ice". Grace came so she could do meditation and I could leave early. Dinner downtown. (no, not the city)
Parking not so easy, and I decide to move the car from an illegal space onto an ice packed one.
Dinner was delicious and fun. Nice to see everyone. These are the people who make up the Children's Center where I do art with the kids once a week. Nice to share a conversation without being interrupted by a child. Greeted by someone who knew me but I didn't know him. Was I supposed to???
Back home, parked back on top of the ice.
Done.
the day is done.
grateful for Sundays :-)

Thank you

Here is the beautiful print I received in the mail yesterday from Cre8tiva

A wonderful reminder that I'm always guided by my guardian angel.. Thank you Rebecca! I love it.

It was a good mail day yesterday, as my IndieArts dvd also came.

I spent the day with family, eating and laughing. That is what the holidays are about for me. I've rebelled and haven't gone near a shopping mall. We've decided not to do our secret santa gift exchange and I really don't need to go shopping. Any gifts will be bought from a local shop I can walk to or handmade.

I'm not chopping any trees down to decorate my home either. I really don't get that. One year I did buy a potted tree, but it didn't do well in my hot, dry apartment.

What I do love is to share my creative idea with the kids. That's where my energy goes and I love to watch them.

This is a time of love and light. That's my focus.

Non-commercial.

Many of the online blogging community has chosen to only buy homemade, artists supporting artists. That is what is so great about the whole online community. How we support one another. That is the kind of sharing I love :-)

I'm grateful for this:

I am in a warm, cozy home - protected by the outside, freezing elements. I pray everyone has a warm and safe place to be.

I have my husband here by my side - my best friend/lover/supporter/funny guy who makes my heart sing.

My art room filled with stuff to create in.

My new adventure teaching in a new space. My business is expanding!

Learning and expanding spiritually. Delighted to learn more about Peruvian culture - shamanic teachings - appreciating Mother Earth. Did you ever consider the words "Honor they Mother and Father" as taking care, honoring the Earth as mother and the Sun as Father. It is the sun which brings all life and the Earth that supports us. We MUST honor them.

Start by bringing your own bags to the store - reuse those plastic bags.

And now, my art room calls.................

A poem to share

I saw this over at Cre8Tiva's blog and I love this poem she shared on her blog along with a lot of other beautiful Christmas traditions. Such a nice place to visit........go visit her.

This Christmas

(although I think it should be for all time not just Christmas!)
Mend a quarrel...

Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust...

Write a love letter...

Share some treasure...

Give a soft answer...

Encourage youth...

Keep a promise...

Find the time...

Manifest your loyalty in word and deed...

Forgo a grudge...

Forgive an enemy...

Listen...

Apologize if you are wrong...

Try to understand...

Flout envy...

Examine your demands on others...

Think first of someone else...

Appreciate...

Be kind...

Be gentle...

Laugh a little...

Laugh a little more...

Deserve confidence...

Take up arms against malice...

Decry complacency...

Express your gratitude...

Go to church...(maybe Nature is your church :-)

Welcome a stranger

Gladden the heart of a child..

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth...

Speak your love...

Speak it again...

Speak it still once again....

"This Christmas" December 1959 issue of McCall's magazine, written by the editors.

Let's speak our love all the time!!!

My focus for Christmas has been on creating art projects for the kids. It's usually this way every year and I don't mind. By the time Christmas comes around, I'm usually pretty tapped out, though... ready for some rest.. and art for myself!

Today we made gingerbread houses from some foam core pieces I disassembled from a center piece. They were already in the shape of a house, so I was good to go on that one. Saved me a trip to the art store. They came out really cute and of course I forgot to take a picture. Next class.

Grateful for this day!

Such a great day :-)
Deeply Grateful:
1 -Yoga class. Such a great class! Thanks to Susan (I just posted about this)
2 -My husband. We stopped by the High School which had a craft fair and he bought me some cool jewelry. It was nice to hang out today. So grateful for being able to share my life with him.
3 -Books. Books. Books. and the internet. I love learning. Today at the show, I had a discussion with this guy about gemstones (which led me to learn some more and found some good info... )Reading The Four Winds: A Shaman's Odyssey into the Amazon by Alberto Villoldo... such a great book!
4 - Movies that entertain and make us laugh....and they just may have a positive message for us.
5 - Sharing time with like-minded friends. Supporting and encouraging each other on this journey.
6 - grateful for my comfy bed to which I am now going..........
You can share your gratitude here with others at this site
http://everydayyogini.com/

Opening to the True Self

this morning without "overthinking" I showered and got dressed and left for yoga class. Not a minute to spare :-)
I am so grateful for such a wonderful class. I so needed that! I stayed afterwards for meditation and I could have just kissed everyone on the street by the time I was done. I walked out of class feeling so wonderful, I took a walk to the bakery. I met 4 people I knew and it felt wonderful to share my openess and good feelings with them.
What came up in class was being open to one self. We go through life giving so much of ourselves - working, taking care of our families, coming up with creative ideas and solutions to challenging issues.
It's a fast-paced world we live in and we mindlessly multi-task our way through it.
Tying my shoes, drinking my coffee and reading emails before I run out the door.
I really don't want to play this game any more, thank you.
What I want to do is check in with myself. "How are you doing today?"
Check in with my body, my feelings... am I on my path? or am I sacrificing some of it for you. Am I getting caught up with the "shoulds" because that is how it has been. Repeating patterns of behavior, just because it has always been that way. Caught in the chaos. Oh, it is so easy to do that this time of year.....
Na. Not buying it anymore.
Instead:
I'm taking my time to be grateful. Do more yoga. Walk more. smile more. Play more.
I am going to allow more.
I am going to allow joy and peace and love, comfort and beauty, blessings that are all around me, into my soul. Be in the present and let life flow. I'm also forgiving myself for my inner turmoil yesterday. I blamed it "out there" but really it was within me. I blew it, but that was yesterday and it's gone. Past. Adios!
Today is a new day and it is good.
I am so grateful for yoga. It's very powerful. Susan is one of the blessings in my life. She is a wonderful, spiritual teacher. She wrote this book (picture) with some illustrations and charts I did for her. It's not a yoga book - that one is next.
Today, I am most grateful for opening, opening my heart to myself. Forgiving myself. Loving myself.
Finding that true path within.
Namaste'

New Moon article

this article is from www.MoonCircles.com and thought it so beautiful and relevate for me that I wanted to post it here as a reminder as well as to share it.

Sagittarius New Moon Meditation: Pilgrim Souls By Pythia Peay

At this New Moon, the sun and moon are joined together in the fire sign of Sagittarius, signaling the start of the holiday season. The lively crackle of conversation; the warm humor and expansive goodwill; the generous giving of gifts: these are among the qualities of Sagittarius. Yet like the sparkly wrapping that conceals a precious gift, the real treasure at the heart of this outgoing sign is its devotion to truth.
Ruled by Jupiter, the ever-roving ruler of Olympus, those born under the sign of Sagittarius are, as the poet Yeats wrote, "pilgrim souls" -- lifelong seekers in pursuit of the priceless pearl of eternal wisdom. Thus it is that time of year to follow in the footsteps of the wise men and embark upon our own pilgrimage, guided by the star of truth that shines the way forward.
The Pilgrim Soul Within
The mystical traditions of the world teach that life is a journey - a passage to a mysterious destination. The ancient Sufis pictured the journey of life as a caravan of seekers content to live lightly on the earth, storing up instead the treasures of the soul.
"God's creation is vast -- why do you sit all day in a tiny prison?" wrote Rumi, "Go beyond your little world and find the grandeur of God's world." From the practical CEO to the responsible parent, there is a part of each of us that is a happy wanderer, a pilgrim soul in search of truth.
To connect to the pilgrim soul within, picture yourself shedding your everyday clothes and, along with them, the outer persona that you rely upon to interact with the world. Stripped of all pretense and guise, imagine next that you don a pilgrim's robe - plain, sturdy, and hooded to symbolize your freedom from the strictures of individual identity. Released from the cares and responsibilities of your daily life, a feeling of unbounded possibility descends; you feel gripped by a state of readiness. Departure on the trip of a lifetime is imminent.
Then, imagine that a call comes: it could be the sound of a bell ringing in gentle overtones; the tinkle of camel bells signalling arrival of a caravan of Sufi dervishes; the echo of a summons to join a band of wandering monks and nuns. Next, imagine that you have joined up with a band of like-minded pilgrims. Together, you are setting forth on a journey with no end and a path with no destination. Taking up your staff, and girding up your robe, place your foot on the trackless road that opens wide before you. As you do this, a feeling of expansive freedom suddenly envelops you. Everywhere you look - to your right and to your left, behind you and before you - stretches an open horizon. As free as air, a happy wanderer, you traverse the cities and towns, mountains and meadows, of the wide, wide world, encountering fellow seekers and drinking in wisdom from earth's sacred places.
After spending some time on this visionary quest, imagine that suddenly, you find yourself arriving at the place from which you first began. Taking off your robe and folding it as a keepsake talisman, you step back into your old identity and resume once again the challenges of the everyday circumstances you left behind. As the imagery of your spiritual pilgrimage fades, however, something lasting remains - an expansive, unfettered state-of-consciousness. Those situations that once seemed to restrict you, now appear altered when viewed through the new, broader perspective you bring to them. For though you may assume once again your former roles and responsibilities, there now dances within your heart the laughing soul of a pilgrim, for whom life is an endless, delightful journey toward God. The only proof that this is so, is the smile that lingers on your face.
The Star of Truth
What compels perfectly ordinary people to abandon the safety of their lives for the uncertainty of the spiritual path is the search for truth. Amid the sparkle and flash of life, they feel, exists something real and enduring. Like the heavenly star the wise men followed to the Christ child, so, too, does the star of truth guide us to our own eternal nature.
Yet as all true teachers teach, the truth we seek is hidden within our own hearts - the buried treasure found right in our own back yard. To connect to the star of truth within your own heart, begin by centering within a deep, quiet, true, place inside yourself. Concentrate on going deeper, deeper, deeper, as if you are descending down stairs to the basement of your psyche. Suddenly, at the bottom of these stairs, a trap door opens upon a vast universe. There, against the backdrop of a midnight-blue sky, shines a brilliant star - it is a revelation, a five-pointed blaze of diamond-clear illumination. Allow yourself to bask in its light; feel the very cells of your physical body penetrated by its wisdom. Absorb its truth into the center of your being.
Then, begin the journey back up the stairs that lead from the depths of yourself to the upper world of your everyday life. For a few moments, sit quietly, concentrating on this star of truth as it continues to illuminate your heart center. Give thanks to your "north star" - the permanent pole of truth that guides you and that provides a source of limitless wisdom and knowledge.

Did I mention I am going back to Peru!!!!!

Wellness Wednesday - Rest

I changed my class with the kids from today to tomorrow.... Enough. Sometimes, I have to remind myself that it is time to rest. Replenish the well.
I have the habit of taking on too much. I will change that to HAD the habit... I no longer want that.
My mom would always say, "your eyes are bigger than your stomach" which is why buffets are dangerous. I want it all!! I want to taste everything... I want to say YES. YES!
But I can't do it all. At least not at the same time :-)
Yes, I want to create art everyday, be grateful, stay well, and live a sacred life - everyday. Wellness Wednesday is there as a reminder, as is Sacred Sunday, Grateful Saturdays and Art Everyday.... reminders for me.
I want to live them everyday and sometimes I don't. I watch my thoughts and find that I am creating, making up, some drama that is not true. I bitch about some jerk that thinks he is cool by driving way too fast. And I forget to be grateful. I forget to be in the present moment.
My mind races with ideas for projects... one after another for classes - until I stop and cannot come up with anything.. a blank.
That is the time to stop.
Rest.
I'm clean out of giving, putting it out there, and now I will replenish the well by giving myself some time.
Time to be grateful. Grateful for my comfy bed. My wonderful husband. My family and friends. All the wonderful opportunities that have been given to me. Grateful for some time for me.
Today I can focus on balance within so tomorrow I can be in balance for them. When my well is full, I can give to you. But first let me fill it up with gratefullness, care and nurturing. Here is a video that I watched this morning... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4cV9cVa5sc
Namaste'

Penguins for Peace

We had a full day yesterday at Holiday Happening. We created sock snowmen and Penguins for Peace. Well, my sample was a Penguin for Peace anyway. They came out really cute and figured snowmen and penguins have no "religion" as this program is for everyone, no matter what you celebrate. I left the sample on Donna's desk as she loves penguins.

I made two more to hang on the door.

It was nice to stay inside and play. Relax. and be grateful for another event done.

No major jobs for the rest of the year, just classes.

This was a good year, with a lot of great projects and a lot of opportunities.

Wellness Wednesday and Gratitude

This is St. Rose of Lima. It was the first image I saw as I walked into the church. mmm. didn't know there was a saint Rose of Lima...and she's holding a book. I love books...and you would know that by walking into our home. There are books everywhere!
Life has been really busy, limiting computer/blogging time. Even my art time.
I spent the day yesterday working with the kids, creating art, taking pictures and thoroughly enjoying myself. I was a bit late and they beat me to class. They were so filled with joy when they saw me coming and it picked me up to the point where I felt all their love entering my body. I love these kids. Aside from being so cute, they are so thoughtful and respectful. I really felt appreciation from them for being there. They love this and so do I. This is one of my blessings, to bring art to these kids.
Following this, I had a great adjustment from the best chiropractor and friend in the world....so good to talk to. So grateful to have her in my life!
Yoga followed that. A new student and as anyone knows who does yoga... it feels soooooooooo good.
And then, to put the icing on the cake, my husband and I spent a wonderful evening talking about lots of things from the wonder of life to my going back to Peru. Yes! He is OK with it.
You see that picture above. That is me at Machu Picchu. I visualized it before I went and it came to be. Now, I am continuing the journey - a sacred journey - to Lake Titicaca.
Grateful? oh yes... so very grateful. I love my husband dearly and the only difficult part is being away from him... but this is a journey for me.
Peru awakened something in me that I cannot ignore and it felt like it was just a taste... Now for another bite!
Life is so very delicious.
So much to be grateful for.
If St. Rose had anything to do with it.......thanks :-)

Taking notice

Now that I have the discovered the extra zoom, I need to play and experiment. Now I need a micro lens. The extra zoom is great, but can get very grainy.

Yesterday on my walk, I stopped by a church to take some pictures and that's when I really got the benefit of the zoom.

What else is on this camera that I don't know about? The funny thing, is that it is on the camera, bold red numbers 12x zoom and it never "clicked"... sheeeeeeeesh.

Good to go out for a walk.

It was a beautiful day.

Clears the head.

My sacredness of the day: being alone in the quietness of this church and really looking at things around me. Cameras have this magic quality about them that get me to really look.... really see what is around me.

Lesson: Pay attention

Be in the present moment more and maybe I'll remember things more often. I thought about this early this morning on awakening. Maybe I don't remember things (movies in particular) because I'm not "there", my mind has wandered off somewhere.

I do notice hearts alot.

Grateful Saturday

This morning the sun is shining. I did another heart meditation and came away from it with some more insight.
Thankful for that. I even picked The Sun card after that and it seemed to validate what I "saw".
I cleared off my desk and chair and started journaling again. Grateful there wasn't a lot to move.. That is what I need to do, keep journaling. As much as I like to blog, it is not the same with me. I need to write, brainstorm on paper, and even doodle a bit. Today it was a mandala.
Today, I am grateful I don't have to be anywhere at any specific time. No obligations.
Free to take a walk, do some art... whatever comes up, I'm open to it.
A new mural job came up. More gratitude :-)
Books. Dusted off Lama Surya Das's books last night. Good insight into fasting, chanting.. I'm grateful my apartment is like a library :-)
Although, I am looking for something to read. something uplifting, spiritual, artistic, traveling is good... nothing with violence. any suggestions???
Grateful to the blogging community. Thanks for sharing :-)
Go to link below this to join in some Thanksgiving - a continuation of being grateful.

Everyday Yogini: Notes from the Yogini~ The Practice of Gratitude

Everyday Yogini: Notes from the Yogini~ The Practice of Gratitude

Keep Thanking

It's so easy to remember to be thankful when You are reminded about it on days such as thanksgiving... but to make a habit of it is another thing.
Everyday Yogini has gotten me to commit to making it a daily habit. Others have joined as well. I have started Gratitude journals here and there and usually because my "meditation/journal space" either got cluttered or the book got lost in a pile somewhere, it ended with a large pause. My computer space never gets cluttered :-)

No work today, but I had a "mom" day. Took her to therapy, home, back out to have her hair done. She definitely got her exercise today and I'm grateful it didn't rain! It was actually quite nice out, although a bit cold. I dropped off the tiles that I finally finished. They are done!
I'm thankful I have let them go and created some space. I have some SPACE! I worked a little bit on a canvas and plan on doing a little bit more and tomorrow as well.
Thankful that I didn't have to go anywhere near a store!
I have the rest of the weekend to do some art. Art for ME!!!
No obligations.
Sometimes it is just the fact that I don't have to do anything that makes me so very happy and so very thankful.
Thankful that my husband is cooking :-)

THANKS!

Here's to the blogging world:


Thank you for sharing all your wonderful and inspiring art.


Thanks for putting your heart and soul out there for others to see and to realize that we are not so different from one another.


Thanks for your comments... it feels good to know someone out there is listening.


Through the internet and blogging in particular, the world has become so much smaller and accessible. Doesn't matter what you look like, where you live, or what you have or do... it's a joy to be able to get to know you. Amazing..............





A day to be thankful.. yes, MUCH to be thankful for. For my husband, always there for me, ALL WAYS and Always.


Thankful Jake has a job :-) and he is happy. That is all that matters. As long as you are happy.


Thanks Jessi, that you are there sharing it all with him. Thank you. Thank you. and of course for the Leonard Cohen obsession.......


Thankful for my friends. The special one's I can call for spiritual reflection, for art advice, to get it off my chest, and knowing I don't have to be perfect and you'll like me anyway :-)


Thanks for my family. I'm lucky to have a family so close and lucky to be able to spend the day with them today. And now I have the recipe for the best stuffing in the world, thanks to my mom..........


Thankful for those who give me challenging work, creative work, work that I love to do.


Thankful for clients who are friends and friends who are clients. It makes it easy to work and create for them. So many creative ideas........


I am grateful for my eyes and hands and what they are capable of creating and the beauty that I soak into my body through my eyes... so very grateful for these hands... communicating, creating, holding, grasping and then letting go......


arms to embrace


lips to kiss


tongue to taste (oh so many delicious foods!)


my legs to carry me through out the day.


Grateful for discovering yoga... thank you to all you yoga teachers out there. especially Susan.


Grateful for all those who write books to help us make our lives better... spiritually, artistically, and just for pure enjoyment.


thanks to the Dali Lama for being who you are... so peaceful to look at your face. How could one not smile :-)


Thanks for my camera and all those fantastic photographers out there. I could see parts of the world that I know I will never get to... at least not in this life time.


Thanks for paint and brushes.. another voice for me.
Mother Earth, Pachamama, who carries us upon her and provides for us, thank you, thank you.
Thanks to all you who help protect her.
Animals.
Flowers.
The sun.
Clouds when there is too much sun..


ART.


YOU.


GOD.


LIFE.


oh, so much more to be thankful for.....................................

Am I done?

Finishing touches......

I still need to add bees and a grape leaf or two, but I can "see" where I may need to touch up or adjust this a bit by looking at it on the screen.
For some reason, I can view it from a different perspective. I wonder why that is....
The stem of the bowl looks a bit crooked.
Now, where to put the bee.........

Being Present

from the daily guru...

Monday 19, November 2007

Be here now

"This moment is the moment of reality, of union, of truth. Nothing needs to be done to it or to you for this to be so. Nothing needs to be avoided, transcended, or found for it to be so."

-- Da Avabhasa

Creativity, connection, soul, inspiration and intuition are available only in the present moment for the present moment. We choose how actively we take part in the cosmic dance of life. We can become wallflowers, mere spectators to life, if we get trapped in the patterns and habits of the past. Or we can choose to dance by being present and open to the energies, the opportunities and the guidance available to us each moment.

"Each today, well-lived, makes yesterday a dream of happiness and each tomorrow a vision of hope. Look, therefore, to this one day, for it and it alone is life."-- Sanskrit poem

"You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment."-- Henry David Thoreau

Sacred Sunday

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
Anais Nin

Opening up to possibilities.
Grateful for my eyes. Grateful for my senses. Grateful for my hands. This is what I need to feel when I don't feel so great.
When I woke this morning, I was in a bit of a funky mood. I didn't get any art done yesterday... and the "should haves" started creeping into my mind.
I ended up shopping, instead. Clay for class (had to use that coupon) and then some other things for the "home".
I went in for shower curtain liner and $98 later.......
I'm thinking it's the last time I'm hitting "the stores" except for art supplies.
I feel as if I've been bombarded with Christmas since Halloween. The stores put everything out so early... and let's face it. It's all about "the stuff".
This year, I want Presence, not Presents.
I want to be able to be in the moment, enjoying it, creating it, cherishing it. Sharing it.
I have enough "stuff" and actually would like to let go of more of it.
I went over to Masterpiece Framing to take a look at the progress of the new "studio" space I will be teaching in.
This is coming to fruition... when I saw it, my mind immediately said, "this is what you asked for" and this is what you are getting.
Thanks Universe :-)
Open to all Possibilities! The creative, peaceful and joyous ones. A studio space. Lots of storage!
Thank you, thank you , thank you................

Sacred and Well

It is the simple things in life that make us happiest.
Watching children discover the magic of color mixing is priceless.
It is one of the things in my life that is truly sacred and make me feel good.
Feeling good is what creates health.
We take so much for granted as we grow older, trying to stuff in as much as we can in a day, and often we go through the day unconsciously.
If I could stop, and be like these children, observing the wonder and magic of watching colors combine to create a new color...
Purple!
Orange!
Green!
To see as a child sees.
That is what constantly brings me back to "wow, this is all amazing! This planet. Animals. Us!"
I missed Sacred Sunday this week. I cooked up a delicious dinner for my brothers' birthday (born exactly 3 years apart).
Spending time with family.
Wednesday, I did this class. It makes me happy to work with them and that brings wellness into my life..

New Moon Intentions

Move past the fears that keep me from expressing my creativity to the world.
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
Yesterday as the moon began it's new phase, I was painting. This was my new moon intention last month and I did go back to painting. Coincidently, a group appeared, having to do with creating everyday for a month and I have used this as a jump start. (see other blog) This group is for a month, and my intentions are to just keep it up. Making it a habit.
This month my intention is to communicate more through my art. The moon, in my 3rd house of communications will be helpful and hoping to have some help and discipline from Saturn who happens to live here in my chart.
Being that it's in Scorpio, I'm sure there will be deep issues appearing, surfacing up from the depths, and that's ok. I'd rather they come up to see the light of day so I can better deal with them. Unearth them!
Today I chose a card, Earth Mother. Her message was that the key to abundance was self-love and love of the earth. Love of Life.
Nurture the creative forces in my life, cultivate the "fields" with love. Manifest my spirit into physical form - my creative work - my art.
Also, as a Mother, to nurture others, especially children and this I recommit myself to doing with each class I teach. Sharing the beauty and love of creating.
All with a compassionate heart.

Be Well :-)

I had the preschoolers today. We painted on some foamcore scraps and then embellished. It was towards the end of class when I remembered the camera... it was fun. I had fun observing what they come up with.
Afterwards, I came home to do some painting myself.
Now for a cup of tea and then off to yoga.
Wellness Wednesday. Time for me :-)
Painting (so far) here

One day later....

I received this from the Daily Om. It is part of my horoscope for today. In light of the meditation below this post, I was one day ahead of myself and right on track :-)
"You also may be ready to stretch yourself beyond your current limits. Another possibility is that you are tired of hiding and are ready to share yourself and your gifts with the world. You were given the skills and talents that you have so you could share them with others and make the world a better place."
Taking it as a validation.
The thought occured to me this morning getting out of the shower... "how can I exhibit in the library"... why I had that thought is that I am the person who runs the show in obtaining artist to exhibit there. Artists are juried and therefore this is a conflict of interests... unless I can get someone else to do it for me :-)
Or is there another venue?
Oh, Universe........

Heart Meditation- Shine

I did another heart meditation this morning.

After a few deep breaths, I go into my heart. I'm finding it interesting how I get in. This time, there was a slit in my heart and I just spread it open and walked in. It was more realistic this time, being in my heart, watching the walls throbbing and hearing it beat strongly. Soon I saw a drummer beating his rhythm on the drum matching the rhythm of my heart. His message to me was to keep rhythm with life, with the seasons, with nature.

I walked into the next chamber, lower right, and entered a garden. I went to an apple tree and began to pick apples, placing them into a basket. "Apples are good for your heart". Eat to cleanse the system. Time for a clearing out, getting rid of the old. Eat a cleansing diet.

I walked up a ladder, feeling my hands on each rung, pulling myself up through a hatch into my upper left chamber. It was filled with beautiful crystal chandeliers, a table set with beautiful china. It was overflowing with abundance of beautiful things, but they were in an attic. The message was to let the beauty out, let it shine rather than hiding it. All this is meant to be used and shared, not hidden away.

I walked into the right upper chamber, just stepping over easily into it. I saw a baby. A newborn all swaddled up, but it had a light, a halo around it. I thought it was Christ, but then more babies appeared and they all had halos. They kept multiplying and soon they were young children and we joined hands in a large and continuously growing circle, expanding and aging all at the same time. Soon we were all old and began to die falling to the ground like seeds.

It gave me something to ponder. Looking at humanity as seeds.

What kind of seed are you?

What will be reaped from your existance on Earth?

What fruits do you bring to the table?

Interestingly, I chose an angel card after this meditation and the card was "Light".

"Acknowledge the Light that you are. Share that Light with the world. Activate your own inner light and be aware of its uniqueness."

Imagine if we all shared the Light within us, fearless in sharing our true inner Self, sharing the gifts we have openly with others...

In the words of Buddha:

"Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery. Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds"

sacred sunday - dreams

I didn't want to go to bed without mentioning something I am grateful for or find sacred. Right now, being tired, I am thankful for my bed and the book I'll maybe read before falling asleep.

Actually, it is the dreams that I'm grateful for.

I love dreaming.

I love waking in the morning and journaling them, analyzing them, and taking what inspiration I can from some and create, whether it be a painting or shrine or just a sketch. I enjoy recording them in some way and then looking back months and years later.

I was reading a dream I had months before in a journal in a parking lot in Colorado. We happened to be stuck there, living in a Volkswagen bus. What I was reading was a description of what I was seeing around me, like it was some premonition and from then on, I never took my dreams lightly.

I still remember childhood dreams.

Lately, I've been inspired to paint from them.

Last night's dream will soon appear in some form on the canvas.

Sacred Sunday is about the dreams. The ones we escape to at night and the one's that live in our heart. Follow them.

Nope. Not here... go HERE :-)

My Sacred, Creative Life :-)

A day of painting. Grateful.

Cloudy. Chilly. Supposed to get some noreaster with a lot of rain, although we haven't gotten anything yet. Even though, a good day to stay in and paint. I've gone and put my daily art on the other blog, (look to the side bar please) playing along with another group of artists here.

So far, this is what I've done....... two 8x10's. When the Daily devotions group was active, I realized I really need a push and why, I really don't know. I can get pretty lazy. Thing is -if I love it, why do I not do this every spare moment I have? Mysteries of life...

anyway, it's day 3 and I've done something everyday because I need to be accountable to someone (?) or some group. When I participated in Daily devotions group, I did a lot of small pen and watercolors. My goal with this group is to paint on canvas again and maybe play with collage as well, but mostly paint, because that is the medium that speaks to me the most.

Back into the habit.... oh yeah.......