Where have I been? Lost in a busy life with too much going on. The few sweet free moments have been given to swimming, walking outside, yoga, meditation, painting, writing, making things…
But, I am feeling very creative again and this awakens my writing thoughts, so this blog may come alive again soon. To waking up!
And to Memorial Day and all those who serve in the military, so we can all have beautiful lives.
It was a wonderful blur! Lots of visitors, friends and family, hanging out at the beach, with the porpoises and birds at SeaWorld and a river boat ride through history plus birthday presents and surprises.
The night skies continue to possess me and I’m obsessing over planet paintings. I have no idea where they are coming from… other than my workaday job seems to have a dark undercurrent of imminent change attached to it. It’s a weird feeling to be in your comfortable place doing what you do best day in and day out, and yet also know, really know, that things will shift and move in another direction and there is nothing that can be done about it… except adapt. In some ways I feel like I am floating in outer space, searching for my new planet.
I recently read an article that explained how an obsession could be a good thing. We tend to obsess about the little things, growing numb with distracting details and feeling spent and just worn out. But, to obsess about something inspiring, something that connects to our passion and sense of fulfillment, now that is a really great thing. So, instead of obsessing about the chaos in my work-a-day world, I have worked my thoughts around to my creative side and let my mind lull over the things that fascinate me… the changing skies, night and day, the way light enters and leaves doorways, letters hidden away in envelopes, writing and more. I have been immersing myself (as much as I can) in thoughts of these things…
and thoughts turn into paintings.
They take me away to the sparkling night skies and the moon…
Take me to the moon (detail), Acrylic and Pencil, 24"x24"
I’ve been connecting to my creative side in bits and pieces so it’s taken a long time to finish this. Or not… as I believe that paintings are almost never done… they just stop in interesting places. Either way, I hung it up!
I think it’s done!
Magical sunset at the cape…
Magical sunset at the cape, Acrylic, 45"x15"
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.–Emerson
This quote came to me last week on a day when I really needed it. I thought I would share it as someone else out there may be in need of a reality check also. My full time job has been consuming me, pushing me… to do more… do it faster… to the point where I just don’t want to do it anymore. I am not myself. I miss myself and the connection to art, spirit, nature and yoga! So needless to day, getting to my blog, writing, pouring out more has been a bigger challenge than normal. I haven’t been able to paint. So I’ve been doing things that are soothing and more meditative… like crocheting… watching the sunrise from my car before heading into the office, looking at tumblrs, and just trying to relax and breathe more slowly.
It seems to be helping with the daily chaos, but somedays i loose the battle again… and it does feel like a battle. I don’t like battles! But just so you know I haven’t totally lost it… here’s the book I made with coptic stitch binding… for a sailor that is very dear to my heart. It has a nautical chart on the cover and a dried sunfish I found along our shores.
Hope you’re staying connected to your creative side! Happy Sunday!
Looking for clarity… following my path… opening my heart.
finding strength… to look at the brighter side of everything
and make my optimism come true.
To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.
Drink in each new day with an open heart!
Happy New Year.
Finding Clarity
Now that the weekend is over and the the flurry of the holiday is behind, I am looking forward to getting my fingers into paint and wax again. I got some new acrylic colors, a new journal for 2012, AND every book on my Amazon Wish List! I just want to go for long walks to get my mind in the quiet place it creates from… then go to my artspace and lose myself in a painting, a journal page, a perpetual journal box, making a book from scratch and what ever else pops into my head.
My favorite quote of the week…
“Each day is a gift. Open your heart and drink.”
Are you getting outside and enjoying the nature around you? does it help you create? I would love to hear from you on that one. Have a fabulous week!
Merry Christmas… may it be happy and bright!
The Laughing Fish 