New Creative Obsessions

a few new creative ideas have got me on a roll these days!  i’m still busy creating my regular mixed media pieces, but have added some new stuff and having so much fun with it! 

i discovered this book  through an amazon suggestion and have taken it and run with leaf printing.  i am currently planning a retreat next month for a group of female employees and thinking that this will be the perfect fun, easy, nature-based activity!

so i’m doing a lot of practice so i can at least kind of look like i know what i’m doing.  i think it will be great fun!  the retreat theme is “creative play” and this will fit right in.

i’ve also taken to working with sticks.  just like leaves, they are free and available pretty much everywhere.  i especially like finding them as driftwood or in locations that we may travel to. 

 spirit sticks have a long history and tradition in native american culture and i love that.  they have been used for ceremonies, rituals and blessings.  i feel that when i create them with love, that will translate to blessings for the recipient.  

 

 the possibilities are endless.  they can be painted or wrapped with cord, embroidery floss, twine, etc. and embellished with all kinds of fun things.  each one is totally unique and it is a very intuitive process. 

 i’m very intrigued with and  influenced by native culture.  i recently bought a native American flute!  too soon to call it an obsession, but we’ll see.  i used to play traditional flute, but this is quite different.  i do love the sound, though, so hope to be creating some music soon. 

 hope all is well in your world and that you are enjoying the renewal of spring (or the changes of fall, as the case may be.....)

Entropy

Entropy:

(4)The tendency for all matter and energy in the universe to evolve toward a state of inert uniformity.

(5) Inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society

this is the word that kept coming to my mind as we walked, once again, through the increasingly deteriorating areas around the salton sea recently.  it’s impactful to see it the first time, but even more so when visiting each year.

 time and weather take their toll, not to mention humans, who seem to think they have to play a part in hastening the demise of the aging structures.

this house right at the edge of the sea had been slowly declining and still contained furniture and many “pieces of life” until a group of young people felt the need to light it on fire.  now there are only the charred remains.

it all got me thinking how sometimes we as humans can feel a bit of entropy too... especially as we age.  some of our roles and functions fall away and we can feel less engaged and less important..... declining.... as we head toward our inevitable doom.

there is a big difference, however.  a HUGE difference. and that is the human spirit.  it’s alive.  and fully capable of renewal.  no matter what.  it’s up to each of us to keep that renewal going.  when things change or end or are disappointing, there are some who feel beaten down and give up.  i have seen it happen.  but it doesn’t need to be that way. 

there is ALWAYS the opportunity for growth, for a change of attitude and for hope.  and there is always the possibility to keep moving forward..... even if it’s only one tiny step at a time.

 still so much beauty there, it keeps calling us back!