Makeshift Studio

as some of you know, i have been craving a little studio space.  a space where i can mess around and not have to clean up afterwards.  a space where i can spread stuff out and not worry about it.  a little space that i can call my own.

i have a lovely office space that i share with my hubby, which has our computers and all that office-y stuff.  it's great, but it's not right for paint and paste and the like.  so when i work on that kind of thing, i have resorted to the kitchen table.  it works in a pinch, but i haven't been able to lay stuff out and stay organized with my supplies.  plus, the worst part is, everytime we have company, the whole conglomeration gets packed in bins and put out of sight.  then i seem to have a tendency to keep it there for a long time....

i've been thinking about this for a while and finally made a move to make it happen.  we have an old garden shed in back of our house.  we ae not really big on gardening (maybe some day!), so it just kind of sits there sheltering a bunch of junk. 

                                          

                             

this weekend we set up a table inside.  i covered it with a cute little luau tablecloth, anchored down with plant pots, and proceeded to cart my hodgepodge of paraphernalia out there and set it up.  basic would be an understatement here.  it's essentially open-air, it's got a gravel floor, no heat or cooling, electricity or water. it also happens to be frequented by critters - mice for sure and, consequently, the neighborhood cats.  but still I'm excited!  it's my very own space, seaparate from the house, and i can lay everything out so i can see what i have.  so far, i have been in organzing mode -  i have yet to sit down and start on a project.  we'll see what happens!!

                                                

(in other news, the coral tree is in bloom!!)

Daily Practice

what a concept! it’s one of many detailed in this book 
 that i have latched on to and i’m so glad i did. not long ago, i was lamenting how i tend to get so caught up in chores and so many competing “shoulds” that i often end up sabotaging what should have been my creative time. i feel like everything else needs to be done first. i still struggle with this, but this one simple concept has definitely made an impact!

(writing at lake stanley, idaho)

the daily practice is something that you commit to everyday, preferably at the same time. the key is that you only commit to about a 15-20 minute session. it needs to be one of your creative endeavors, something you really enjoy and look forward to. you do it no matter what, then you are free to do other stuff. well, what happens for me is that the short commitment time hooks me in and, once i get started, i do often spend longer, but not a lot. then i can do whatever, but i feel so much better, knowing this time has been spent. and the time adds up, so you can really make some progress.

here's a quote from page 228, "it may feel irrelevant when you give it time in your hectic life, but the truth is that if you continue to return to your daily process (whatever that may be), your creativity will burst forth in all sorts of unforeseen ways."  i like it!!

i actually have chosen 2 daily practices, although i don’t always do both of them. one is writing. i have a huge interest in the whole concept of creativity and it seems that i am writing a little “curriculum” of sorts for a possible workshop, retreat, or ??. i just started writing and, well…. that’s the direction it took, a little piece at a time.

my other daily practice is photoshop work. i have to tell you, i have a real love/hate relationship with photoshop. to me it is like a vast desert that i wander around in. some areas i’m very familiar and comfortable in. other areas i knew once but have forgotten. and then there are those areas that elude me, that make me feel humble and like i’ll never be a true native. i have resources – books, cd’s, tutorials, etc., but what i totally lack is the discipline required to sit and learn new skills. once i learn them, i like them, but oh… the procrastination! so the short sessions are much more manageable. i’m including a few of my little experiments here.

likely, some of you have aleady discovered the truth in this powerful concept.  if not, you should give it a try!!

My Mission

is this heaven or earth?

the distinction is blurred

and the words are useless anyway…

bliss, pure peace, sublime,

the words are pale,

too limiting, too finite

like trying to hold a gurgling brook

in a makeshift cardboard box

so should i give up then?

stop trying to convey

what i’ve been witness to this day?

the answer is clear

before the question is even asked

if i don’t at least attempt

to bring a small morsel to you,

tarnished though it may be

and wrapped in a crude childlike fashion

i will have fallen short

in what i came here to do

my mission unfulfilled.

hence, the photos...

though they too fall short,

they can stretch the meaning of the words

at least a teeny bit closer

to the wonder of a moment

that today has graced my soul.

Summer Illustrated

"Ready"

summer illustrated is the title for our new photoarts group show at the wellness center.  yup, july is history, but, hey, there are officially almost 2 more months of summer.  we're talking beaches, bikes, boats, cars and all things summer!  there are 14 of us showing our work and this is the last time i will be paricipating as show coordinator at this venue.  i will be hanging less work to make way for other ventures in my life (more on that later!)  i have 8 pieces in the show and here are a few samples.

"Coastline"

"Route 66"

 "Boats"

"Ebb & Flow"

"Torrey Pines"

there will be an open house tomorrow (8/1) from 9 to 2 in conjunction with the downtown rod run.  should be a fun day!!

"Nature"

and last, but not least, here is my entry for this month at gallery 204.  it's a mixed-media piece that contains elements of nature photos.  it's a one-of-a-kind piece and i'm afraid i would be seriously sad if i sold it, but i guess that's what it's all about.  i have to let go!!