Pieces of Life

march is here, friends – an appropriate name for the way time seems to spin endlessly along without any access to a pause button…

 a lot has been going on both “on the outside” and “on the inside”.  as far as the “inside” stuff, i have been struggling to let go of some things.  some ideas and expectations.  some hopes and dreams.   regrouping and trying to keep moving forward, hoping that new approaches and perspectives will present themselves to me. 

 “on the outside”, we are planning our annual trek to the salton sea later this week.  something about that strange and ethereal place keeps drawing us back…

 our kitchen remodel is done except for a few details.  soooo happy with the results.

 spending a lot of time in the studio making new pieces.  thinking i should probably move on and try some new stuff, but still loving doing these little pieces, adding quotes, etc. 

 i’m so enjoying working with my girls on the inside out project.  it’s very challenging coming up with just the right activities each week but so far i feel up to the challenge and am finding that the girls are open, receptive and excited about working in their journals. 

 it’s been 3 and a half years since my first art retreat on the Oregon coast and i’ve decided to attend another one.  this one will take me out of my comfort zone as the focus will be on sketching and water color – 2 areas of art that i have not pursued and am somewhat intimidated by…. really looking forward to this!

 well, life moves on and i’m grateful for each day that i am healthy and free to pursue that which is calling to me.  thank you for visiting and supporting me in the ups and downs of this creative journey we are all on together!!

Following my own Path...

ok, i have to admit…. i’ve been distracted lately.  as much as i know in my heart the futility of comparing myself with others and their successes and accomplishments and even teach in my classes about how to avoid this….it still happens.  and much as i try to talk myself out of it and try to avert my attention sometimes my thoughts go in obsessive spirals that i seem powerless to control.

a few things that help:

just knowing what i explained above.  i’m not alone in this – it’s a common artist pitfall.  it’s temporary.  i can move on.  it’s happened before.  it will likely happen again.

 getting out and reaching out to others.  my problems seem like a joke in light of what many others are dealing with.  in this case, working with my inside out girls and seeing their enthusiasm has really helped. 

 getting out in nature and letting my thoughts clear.  i went hiking yesterday to torrey pines.  when i sat down at the beach and picked up my pen, these are the words that immediately came to me: “follow your own path”.  so simple and something i already know so well, but the reminder was what i needed.  no one else’s path is right for me.  what they are doing and accomplishing does not concern me (other than to congratulate them and wish them well.) 

 so for me, specifically, (my path) this means:

·         be with nature, deeply, and learn from its messages

·         find inspiration in my own life and the things and people around me and use that in creating

·         work with women, locally, specifically those who are not experiencing the joys of creativity, even if that means a class of 2 people because that is who needs to be there.

·         realize that all the time and effort and enthusiasm i have put into projects that have “fallen flat” is not wasted.  it is energy that will be of value sometime in some way.

the last one is the hardest for me to do.  sometimes i wholeheartedly believe that…. but other times…. well, let’s just say it’s a big challenge.  thanks for listening…

Receiving

sometimes

it’s hard for me to receive....

 to put myself in that vulnerable place

of emptiness

 to truly trust in these moments of quiet

that i will be gifted

 that words, insights and ideas will be presented to me

that it’s out of my control

 that i only need to show up

and practice silence

that the rest is out of my hands

Your Gifts to the World

“may my ashes, when you have them, friend,

and give them to the ocean,

leap in the froth of the waves,

still loving movement,

still ready, beyond all else,

to dance for the world.”

mary oliver

what do you hope to give to the world?

it’s a challenging question, to be sure.

one that has crossed my mind many times but i have yet to come up with a solid definitive answer…

 of course, we all want to leave love and compassion and positive acts of goodness and many will leave their children, in whom they have invested their ultimate hopes and poured their very hearts and souls into.

but we also, all of us, have the opportunity to leave the fruits of our creativity.  whether  it be painting, poetry, music, dance or any of the other myriad forms of creative expression, what we create is totally unique and is our gift to the world.  it is lasting.  it will outlive us.  it has the possibility to have an impact on future generations.  a little bit sobering.  and exciting.  i love that idea.