The Blues - Illustration Friday

You would not fully know what it means to feel joy if you have not felt the opposite of joy. If you are sad, do not suppress it. Feel sad for as long as you need to so that you can move through it, let it go, and are able to feel joy again.

peace.

Infinite Possiblities.

Infinite Possiblities.
No right or wrong, good or bad.

I spend much of my time contemplating art and the metaphysical. No wonder my energies are scattered. I crave objectivity, but I am living in the mystery. I can’t deny it.

I feel blessed that I could open my mind really wide and consider the infinite possibilities. I have even considered the possibility that the possibilities may be finite as well. What good are all these ideas if I cannot manifest them into something to be shared?

I am aware that people show up in my life to teach me lessons. The faults we see in others are just reflections of our own. I can’t describe them as “faults” when my lessons are revealed to me by Maya and Eleanor. They are children. They are innocent. They don’t know any better. But, what I try to teach them, I really need to learn myself.

Focus. Make a decision. Just do it.
Here is what I am trying to get my kids to do, while I am a scatterbrain myself. Sure, I could get my shoes on, brush my teeth and get in the car without someone standing over me and repeating the directions several times. But, I have a long “to do” list at all times. Some items are daily, menial tasks, some are big life goals. Progress seems slow sometimes because my head is in the clouds. I need to focus. Make a decision. Just do it.

My greatest frustration is getting the girls out the door in the morning. What are you going to wear? What do you want for breakfast? What do you want for lunch? So many possibilities... and these are such huge decisions for small children because in the midst of all the uncertainty of the whole entire universe, this is what they can control.

I try to simplify the process by limiting the possibilities. Either THIS or THAT for breakfast. I’ll pick out your clothes even though I’d rather see you express your individuality in the way you dress. We don’t have time for that. What kind of sandwich do you want in your lunch? And what will accompany it? Yogurt? That’s great! Strawberry or blueberry? I see you drift off... your eyes glazed over as if you are imagining the future where two parallel universes exist... and in one you are eating strawberry yogurt... and in another whole universe... it’s blueberry.
PICK ONE! IT’S YOGURT!

I’m sorry I raise my voice in anger. And I’m sorry I shame you for not putting your things where they belong while I search aimlessly for my car keys. I’m learning.

Juggle - Illustration Friday

Today is The International Day of Peace

Our pinwheels for peace.

There was a little conflict and arguing in creating the pinwheels. I called to the girls attention "Are we arguing about peace?" I remained calm while in most cases I would throw up my hands and scream "Why can't you just be nice to each other!? You are sisters!" I am striving each day to be the peace I wish to see. It begins in the home. It begins with each individual. It begins with you.

May you create and spread peace in some way today - big or small. Smile. Be calm. Lend a helping hand.

peace.

Tree, Watercolor

Connecting with Peace

September 21 is The International Day of Peace. (Click to visit their site.)

For the past 3 years I thought I would do something really special on this day. So far, I have not.

This year I will at least make pinwheels with my daughters and put them in my yard. Next year, perhaps I could organize an event for my whole town where everyone could make a pinwheel and we could all put them in Main Square. Imagine.... whirled peace. (click on pinwheels to see the official site)

I will wake up at 6 am and meditate. If anyone would like to collectively meditate, I'm in the Central time zone.

How about a moment of silence at noon as well.

peace.

Momentum - Illustration Friday

Gather no moss.

Progress?

Yesterday I had posted this painting as a work in progress. After having worked on it some more, I don't know if I'd call this progress. I think I prefer the silhouetted negative space of the first post. Back in June, during an outdoor landscape painting class I intentionally left the subject silhouetted as negative space. Seeing the comparison of the painting before and after, I think I'll go back to exploring that idea.

Abstract Nature

Plants . Watercolor . 4"x11"
(work in progress)

I have been thinking about painting abstract nature for over a year. I have thought a lot about it and painted a little. All this time, I think I've been trying to make sense of it. I have felt that I need to completely understand something before begin to work on it. Whether it is an idea for a specific painting or a whole body of work, I feel I need to work out every detail in my head before I pick up a brush. And, with that, I have a whole conversation with myself in my head trying to describe the work's purpose, the content.

NOW! I am reminding myself that...
An artist gains understanding of their subject
through the act of painting it!
and Art describes an idea that words cannot describe!

Plastic Bag Bags

I suppose this is another example of "so Martha" and "such a hippie". I like to crochet purses from discarded plastic shopping bags. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. I don't have a pattern for the purses. I really don't know how to crochet. I just make it up as I go along. (I need to learn how to paint like that) Here is the link that describes how to make a "ball of yarn." After that, you can work with it however you like?

Alphabets . Illustration Friday

My second Illustration Friday. I am thrilled to be here. (click to see larger image)

A magical experience. I drew the girl reading a book then went to the bookshelf to pick some interesting text. I pulled "The Tin Woodman of Oz" - a book I have never read. When I opened to a random page, I started reading about Jinjur who can "paint anything."

A Beautiful Saturday

This morning I walked to the Farmer's Market downtown - something I've been wanting to do for a long time. It was a brisk 20 minutes there and another brisk 20 minutes back as Eleanor peddled her little legs furiously on her tiny two-wheeler.

Dorie had already suggested maybe I could bring bruschetta to our Women's Wisdom Circle tonight. How perfect! I was able to buy the ingredients I needed. And, no better place for locally grown farm fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and gourmet bakery bread.

I also felt like baking a sweet treat and realized I had everything in the house to make these simple, but elegant looking Fudge Brownie Cups. After having walked to the market, I did not want to get in my car and drive to buy one or two other ingredients.

Many people describe me as being "so Martha Stewart" and "such a hippie". (While I am not offended by either of those comparisons, I don't feel either of them is meant as a compliment) I found it confusing to be compared to both Martha and a hippie, but I guess today is a perfect example of how that can be.

peace. It's a good thing.