The thought for this day is never say never. This has nothing to do self confidence or success or a song or a book or a movie. It just has to do with my life today, and when I was able to experience something again, after believing it would never happen again, then the thought "never say never" popped into my head. I will try to explain. I'm not sure if it will make sense to you when I'm done writing, but it all makes perfect sense to me. I think it has to do with the life path we find ourselves on, or found ourselves leaving, believing we will not return to. I think it is about our fate, our destiny, and events we have yet to experience and the things will have a chance to experience again. I think it is about the surprises in our life, and the miracles that happen.
Over one year ago, when I was grieving the loss of my job, the one where I felt like I belonged to a family, the one where I felt indispensable, the one that brought security to my life monetarily, I would at times find myself passing the building in my travels. Of course, as fate would have it, the light would turn red, and I would stop and have a moment to glance over and say to myself, "I use to work there. I use to go for walks around the building right there. I use to watch that one tulip grow, but never again". For you that have been following my blog you already know, and for my newcomers, I was rehired after one year, very thankfully, and work where I now travel around the same company. I am very happy and grateful! Today, I was at the building where I was before, but working in a different part. Today, after eating lunch, I had the thought to go walking, even though the temperature was frigid, I just needed some fresh air and exercise. Then I found myself on the same path, walking around the building, telling myself, "four times around is a mile, how many times around can I do now?" I started to feel the old feelings of belonging, this is my path, my place to walk. After I made one lap, when I passed the spot where that one tulip will sprout and I looked at it, is when the "never say never" thought just popped into my head. I have thought about this ever since, so much, that I have to blog about it now.
The point has nothing to do with going for a walk in any particular place. It just has to do with realizing that sometimes the door that just closed is actually a revolving door, if you wait, it may open up again. It has to do with not taking yourself too seriously, or believing all the things you tell yourself. Just because a thought or opinion passes by in our mind, does not mean it is fact. At the time I met the Lama at the Buddhist monastery, I picked up a bumper sticker for someone at their gift shop, that says: "You Can Believe Everything You Think". I found meaning in that, because it is true! So, my revelation for today is to be open to opportunities that will present themselves to me, even if, at this time, it may seem like it will not happen at all, or ever again. My life it becoming one surprise after another! I will do my best to remember today, it was a good lesson. However, as time goes by, sometimes I forget. If you see that I forget, please tell me in a comment, "never say never"! Thanks for listening, hope it made sense!
Welcome to my blog. My purpose is to write about my artistic accomplishments and to show pictures as I progress. I am continuously learning more and more techniques. Learning blogging is part of my process. My hope is that all who view my work will enjoy what they see, and even feel inspired to create their own works of art.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Delivered Safe and Sound!
Today was the drop off day for the Group Art Show at the bookstore. I finished the framing yesterday, put all the finishing touches to make a nice presentation, and was satisfied and relieved. I had errands and plans for this morning, and getting to the bookstore was one of my several destinations. I was not prepared for the emotional response my body gave me!
Yesterday I did not feel well in the afternoon, I was stressed, as my day included going to the dentist along with finishing my framing. I had applied the brown paper to the back of the paintings, as well as my business card and the protective plastic "dots", as I call them, to the lower edge, prior to leaving my house. I still needed to apply the wiring for when I returned home, but I started to feel sick while I was out and returning home. Since I am very healthy, I start analyzing: am I stressed from going to the dentist, I am just over tired from a bad week of snow storms and driving in bad weather, am I getting sick? I rested and by evening I worked on the wiring, hung them up, made my adjustments, then put them in a bag along with several business cards.
This morning I felt better, but still not completely well. I knew it was stress, as I had the feeling of hands on my shoulders pressing down. I had four stops before heading to the bookstore on the highway, and the pressure increased. Trying to keep focused on my driving and my breathing, I found my way to the bookstore. I went inside with my bag and found another woman there with her bag of art work, just like me. I started feeling better when inside, I spoke to the woman, who was excited, and the owner, filled out my paper work, found out I was the forth person there so far, then I left. The hands lifted from my shoulders. I started to drive away, then ended up at the McDonald's across the street to have oatmeal and hot chocolate for comfort and take a few minutes to process what just happened to me.
The best I can guess is that I love my work so much, especially all dressed up in frames, that I was reacting to potentially not having them anymore. I put my heart and soul into my work, I create to the best of my ability, and I know when my art piece is right because I love it. I have to remind myself I can recreate the paintings anytime I want, I own the tea pot and the pitcher, I can set up another still life setting. This is the goal I am heading towards, of having my artwork out in the world for others to love as well. Maybe this is all a bit scary. Good thing I'm only working on a small scale art show! I need to get broken in! Wish me luck. Next week is a reception to attend! Am including the website of the bookstore, is a really nice place to stop by.
Booklover's Gourmet
Yesterday I did not feel well in the afternoon, I was stressed, as my day included going to the dentist along with finishing my framing. I had applied the brown paper to the back of the paintings, as well as my business card and the protective plastic "dots", as I call them, to the lower edge, prior to leaving my house. I still needed to apply the wiring for when I returned home, but I started to feel sick while I was out and returning home. Since I am very healthy, I start analyzing: am I stressed from going to the dentist, I am just over tired from a bad week of snow storms and driving in bad weather, am I getting sick? I rested and by evening I worked on the wiring, hung them up, made my adjustments, then put them in a bag along with several business cards.
This morning I felt better, but still not completely well. I knew it was stress, as I had the feeling of hands on my shoulders pressing down. I had four stops before heading to the bookstore on the highway, and the pressure increased. Trying to keep focused on my driving and my breathing, I found my way to the bookstore. I went inside with my bag and found another woman there with her bag of art work, just like me. I started feeling better when inside, I spoke to the woman, who was excited, and the owner, filled out my paper work, found out I was the forth person there so far, then I left. The hands lifted from my shoulders. I started to drive away, then ended up at the McDonald's across the street to have oatmeal and hot chocolate for comfort and take a few minutes to process what just happened to me.
The best I can guess is that I love my work so much, especially all dressed up in frames, that I was reacting to potentially not having them anymore. I put my heart and soul into my work, I create to the best of my ability, and I know when my art piece is right because I love it. I have to remind myself I can recreate the paintings anytime I want, I own the tea pot and the pitcher, I can set up another still life setting. This is the goal I am heading towards, of having my artwork out in the world for others to love as well. Maybe this is all a bit scary. Good thing I'm only working on a small scale art show! I need to get broken in! Wish me luck. Next week is a reception to attend! Am including the website of the bookstore, is a really nice place to stop by.
Booklover's Gourmet
Friday, January 28, 2011
Framed and Ready To Go!
Monday, January 24, 2011
An Art Show!!
I am always amazed how, when we take a particular path, it may lead us to someplace more wonderful than we imagined in the beginning. I had this experience last week, as I was planning to drive to a distance town to work, and I was trying to plan lunch. I had remembered there was a small private bookstore in this town, so I thought that would be a good lunchtime destination, so I googled the town name and bookstore and found their website. I clicked it and skimmed the site, then I saw it: Group Art Show starting Feb. 1, 2011, meant for local artists, just submit 1 or 2 items, there is a reception for the artists to meet each other, and the show will last one month. Instantly, I was interested and excited. I thought of my miniatures, which I love. I spent my lunch break there, got all the information, enjoyed quiche and hot chocolate, and dreamed. The owner explained how she likes to show the work of local artists and once a year she likes to do a group show. Presently she is showing the work of a local photographer and each piece is for sale. So, I realized that not only can I show my art, but possibly sell something.
My minatures are sitting on easels in a grouping on a table. I get attached to my work; I know when a painting is coming out right because I start to love it. Deciding which 2 paintings I could part with is not easy, but it is wonderful to imagine that someone else could love them, too. "I need to get these framed!", I told myself. Saturday I drove around where I live and found nothing to accommodate paintings so small. I had no choice but to go to an art store in Connecticut, but, are they still there and do they still sell small frames? Going home, I found the phone number and called just before they closed, whew! Yes, they still have lots of frames, but my dilema was getting there with my work schedule, which is demanding that I travel up near the New Hampshire border this week! She offered to open the store just for me yesterday. Off I went driving there yesterday and was so pleasantly surprised at the wonderful variety she had. We had so much fun mixing and matching paintings and frames. (By the way, I am able to carry 4 completed paintings in a zip-lock sandwich bag in my pocket!) I bought 5 frames and have my work cut out for me as I frame them this week, then I need to decide which paintings to potentially part with. So happy!
My minatures are sitting on easels in a grouping on a table. I get attached to my work; I know when a painting is coming out right because I start to love it. Deciding which 2 paintings I could part with is not easy, but it is wonderful to imagine that someone else could love them, too. "I need to get these framed!", I told myself. Saturday I drove around where I live and found nothing to accommodate paintings so small. I had no choice but to go to an art store in Connecticut, but, are they still there and do they still sell small frames? Going home, I found the phone number and called just before they closed, whew! Yes, they still have lots of frames, but my dilema was getting there with my work schedule, which is demanding that I travel up near the New Hampshire border this week! She offered to open the store just for me yesterday. Off I went driving there yesterday and was so pleasantly surprised at the wonderful variety she had. We had so much fun mixing and matching paintings and frames. (By the way, I am able to carry 4 completed paintings in a zip-lock sandwich bag in my pocket!) I bought 5 frames and have my work cut out for me as I frame them this week, then I need to decide which paintings to potentially part with. So happy!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Day I Met Jon Kabat-Zinn
A couple of years ago, at the anniversay events for the MBSR program in Worcester, Massachusetts, I attended a lecture by Jon Kabat-Zinn with my daughter. Since he is the founder of this program, from which I received so much value, I wanted to be present listening to any wise words he had to share. I had finally read Wherever You Go, There You Are, I wanted to hear the author and introduce my daughter to mindful meditation. Living less than a half hour from the hotel where they were meeting, it was a normal day, when done eating our supper, we got into the car and drove in.
The banquet hall was filled with chairs and people. We made our way to our chairs somewhere in the middle to the side. Saki Sortorelli introduced Jon Kabat-Zinn, and he spoke about his program, from the beginning to the present and how he is introducing mindfulness as part of the curriculum of medical schools across the country. Then, he started asking the people where they were from. I was blown away when I saw how many people traveled from all over the world, to be there in the same room as me (who lived relatively close by), listen to the same speaker, experience the same events as me. I think I was taking for granted that because the program is local, and the author and developer of the program is local, that the room would be filled with more local people. But, my eyes were opened to the fact that this is world-wide program and people from all over the world were receiving the same benefit from the principles of mindfulness as I was. I was experiencing something huge, right in my own backyard.
Then it was time for meditation. He instructed us all to sit up straight, feet flat on the floor, hands in our lap, close our eyes, then focus on the breath. There were 700 people in this room, and you could hear a pin drop! We sat like this meditating for 45 to 60 minutes. The room was completely silent, there wasn't one fidget, one cough, one clearing of throat, nothing, but silence. I know I had the thought fly through my mind that it felt like I was the only one in the room, with this silence, I would never guess that I was sitting with 699 other people! It was definitely memorable, inspirational, and valuable to me. If you ever find he is lecturing near you, I would highly recommend taking the time to listen,
The banquet hall was filled with chairs and people. We made our way to our chairs somewhere in the middle to the side. Saki Sortorelli introduced Jon Kabat-Zinn, and he spoke about his program, from the beginning to the present and how he is introducing mindfulness as part of the curriculum of medical schools across the country. Then, he started asking the people where they were from. I was blown away when I saw how many people traveled from all over the world, to be there in the same room as me (who lived relatively close by), listen to the same speaker, experience the same events as me. I think I was taking for granted that because the program is local, and the author and developer of the program is local, that the room would be filled with more local people. But, my eyes were opened to the fact that this is world-wide program and people from all over the world were receiving the same benefit from the principles of mindfulness as I was. I was experiencing something huge, right in my own backyard.
Then it was time for meditation. He instructed us all to sit up straight, feet flat on the floor, hands in our lap, close our eyes, then focus on the breath. There were 700 people in this room, and you could hear a pin drop! We sat like this meditating for 45 to 60 minutes. The room was completely silent, there wasn't one fidget, one cough, one clearing of throat, nothing, but silence. I know I had the thought fly through my mind that it felt like I was the only one in the room, with this silence, I would never guess that I was sitting with 699 other people! It was definitely memorable, inspirational, and valuable to me. If you ever find he is lecturing near you, I would highly recommend taking the time to listen,
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Day I Met The Lama
By the time I finished the MBSR classes, I had learned many ways to meditate and relax my body and I was trying my best to practice these methods as I was dealing with a very stressful life. One major situation involved handling my mother's estate after her husband died and my role was to divide her estate in half between my brother and I and his two sons, who had been estranged for years and were filled with animosity. In a nutshell, I had to be kind and generous to people who did not like me and did not speak to me, and I was in distress about it.
It is interesting to see how lives and situations intertwine. I found myself going to my second workshop at the Woodstock School of Art and meeting HongNian Zhang for the first time to take learn his instruction. I also met his wife Lois Woolley, too, since she stopped by to visit. My plan was to go to the Buddhist Monastery to find peace and answers. While inside the beautiful sanctuary, I didn't know what to do, I thought about lighting a candle and praying about my mother and her husband. Then this woman came by and asked if she could help me. We ended up sitting on the floor for one hour and she taught me so much about the Buddhist principles that would help me understand my situation. She then told me about the visiting Lama Dudjom Dorjee, who was there that weekend lecturing about death. She said I could talk to him privately, but gave me instructions what I needed to do. I needed to get a white cloth from the gift shop, and when in the lecture, I had to sit on the floor and make sure my feet did not face him, (this is really bad!)
The next day after class, I quickly returned to the Monastery, bought the cloth and went to the sanctuary. It was filled with people sitting on the floor, on their knees, or legs crossed. I quietly entered the room and sat down on my knees. I listened to his teaching, then there were questions and answers. At the end, everyone had the chance to see him and they all lined up, holding their cloths across their outstreched arms, and when it was their turn, he placed the cloth over their shoulders. At the end, the woman found me and said that she had told him I needed to speak with him briefly. I went to his room outside the sanctuary, my heart was pounding, held out my cloth, he put it over my shoulders. He was a very kind man, I felt at ease telling him my story. This what he said to me, when it comes to money, I need to say to myself: "What I have is good for me, what I don't have is good for me", and then give the money away with joy. I took his advice and heard his voice echo in my mind as I bravely wrote that check and mailed it. I have still heard his voice in other situations, like when I was unemployed for one year, living on a fixed income, "what I have is good for me, what I don't have is good for me", and realize I have enough. This was an important day in my life, the amount of wisdom I acquired with this brief meeting with the Lama is huge, and I am ever grateful. What does this have to do with art? Everything, one needs to have peace of mind so that creativity is not blocked.
It is interesting to see how lives and situations intertwine. I found myself going to my second workshop at the Woodstock School of Art and meeting HongNian Zhang for the first time to take learn his instruction. I also met his wife Lois Woolley, too, since she stopped by to visit. My plan was to go to the Buddhist Monastery to find peace and answers. While inside the beautiful sanctuary, I didn't know what to do, I thought about lighting a candle and praying about my mother and her husband. Then this woman came by and asked if she could help me. We ended up sitting on the floor for one hour and she taught me so much about the Buddhist principles that would help me understand my situation. She then told me about the visiting Lama Dudjom Dorjee, who was there that weekend lecturing about death. She said I could talk to him privately, but gave me instructions what I needed to do. I needed to get a white cloth from the gift shop, and when in the lecture, I had to sit on the floor and make sure my feet did not face him, (this is really bad!)
The next day after class, I quickly returned to the Monastery, bought the cloth and went to the sanctuary. It was filled with people sitting on the floor, on their knees, or legs crossed. I quietly entered the room and sat down on my knees. I listened to his teaching, then there were questions and answers. At the end, everyone had the chance to see him and they all lined up, holding their cloths across their outstreched arms, and when it was their turn, he placed the cloth over their shoulders. At the end, the woman found me and said that she had told him I needed to speak with him briefly. I went to his room outside the sanctuary, my heart was pounding, held out my cloth, he put it over my shoulders. He was a very kind man, I felt at ease telling him my story. This what he said to me, when it comes to money, I need to say to myself: "What I have is good for me, what I don't have is good for me", and then give the money away with joy. I took his advice and heard his voice echo in my mind as I bravely wrote that check and mailed it. I have still heard his voice in other situations, like when I was unemployed for one year, living on a fixed income, "what I have is good for me, what I don't have is good for me", and realize I have enough. This was an important day in my life, the amount of wisdom I acquired with this brief meeting with the Lama is huge, and I am ever grateful. What does this have to do with art? Everything, one needs to have peace of mind so that creativity is not blocked.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Mindful Meditation, The Body Scan
My break from blogging has been filled with dealing with our blizzard last week and recovering from being so tired. This past weekend I started working on a Photoshop project to blog about, but I did not complete it and still need to keep working. It is hard for me, since I have not mastered this technique, but it is great fun. I realized that I did not finish describing my meditation experience, so, this is the best thing to do right now, as I try to finish my project tonight. (Wish me luck!)
Early in the MBSR program at U-Mass Medical School, we were introduced to the body scan meditation. We all were asked to lie on our mat on the floor, get comfortable, close our eyes, focus on our breathing, then think about our little toe on our left foot. I felt amazed that when I focused on each toe, I was able sense it and feel it. We did this all over our bodies, very slowly. It took a good 45 minutes to experience your whole body. I found this technique very relaxing. This CD became our daily homework and our leader wanted our feedback. It seemed like half of the class did not like this meditation at all, but I think it was the recording and the voice that bothered everyone the most. When I was young and having trouble sleeping, I had been taught to ask each part of my body to relax and go to sleep, I felt this was similar technique, but not about going to sleep, but being more aware. I like this meditation, anything that gets me to stop and lie down to rest feels good. Has anyone done the body scan meditation?
Early in the MBSR program at U-Mass Medical School, we were introduced to the body scan meditation. We all were asked to lie on our mat on the floor, get comfortable, close our eyes, focus on our breathing, then think about our little toe on our left foot. I felt amazed that when I focused on each toe, I was able sense it and feel it. We did this all over our bodies, very slowly. It took a good 45 minutes to experience your whole body. I found this technique very relaxing. This CD became our daily homework and our leader wanted our feedback. It seemed like half of the class did not like this meditation at all, but I think it was the recording and the voice that bothered everyone the most. When I was young and having trouble sleeping, I had been taught to ask each part of my body to relax and go to sleep, I felt this was similar technique, but not about going to sleep, but being more aware. I like this meditation, anything that gets me to stop and lie down to rest feels good. Has anyone done the body scan meditation?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
My Julie Sketch
After coming home from work yesterday, still feeling tired and sitting on my couch, I decided to spend my time drawing. My daughter volunteered to be my model and she sat quietly with her laptop in her lap. This was great fun to do, she was such a great subject. Since I am my own worse critic, looking closely at Julie and the sketch next to her, I can see I need to work more on proportions to be more accurate. I also need to work more on making expressions, although, her expression was just relaxed here, I realize that is an area for me to practice. This is making me excited. Warning, friends and family, here I come for you to pose!
Monday, January 10, 2011
My Sketch
This is a sketch which I worked on yesterday. It is a combination of two sketches, because it was just practice and I had room on the paper to draw more when I finished the first sketch.
For me, it is funny how my body will stop me dead in my tracks when it wants to. I was tired from not sleeping well the night before, but I was keeping myself busy with tasks around the house, and art was on the list of things to do, but it was when I got this stuff done (like preparing a dinner for later). I started to feel lousy, then I realized my body was tired and I need to lie down and rest. But, it had to wait, I had put on the pressure cooker, I needed to stay in the kitchen for 20 minutes while it was sizzling (I have already experienced a blown fuse, it is scary!). I was fading as I waited, but 20 minutes doesn't go any faster just because I want it to. When 20 minutes came, I went straight to the couch and lie there for about an hour, all covered up, just resting, still feeling lousy. After an hour I felt better to sit up, and my husband decided to watch a football game on TV. (This time of year, when he isn't ice fishing, he's watching football.) I thought to myself, "Now what do I do, I'm still tired". My body did not feeling like being active, so I realized this is a good time to sketch. And what better subject than my husband, who was holding a good pose while he watched the game. He is a fidgety person, doesn't sit still too well, and did not think he could sit still for me once he realized he was my subject, but he did great. When he asked me if he could move, I just said "not yet". I started with the hand, which was on the folded blanket over my feet, so that is why you cannot see all of the fingers in the fabric. Having space on the right, I decided to work on his profile. I was referring to my "Sketching People" book, explaining the gesture lines and making blocks to get your shapes correct. He liked his image and I am satisfied. (It is funny how the large hand appears to be grabbing his shoulder!) So, what started out as a bad thing, turned out just fine and I accomplished my drawing for the day!
For me, it is funny how my body will stop me dead in my tracks when it wants to. I was tired from not sleeping well the night before, but I was keeping myself busy with tasks around the house, and art was on the list of things to do, but it was when I got this stuff done (like preparing a dinner for later). I started to feel lousy, then I realized my body was tired and I need to lie down and rest. But, it had to wait, I had put on the pressure cooker, I needed to stay in the kitchen for 20 minutes while it was sizzling (I have already experienced a blown fuse, it is scary!). I was fading as I waited, but 20 minutes doesn't go any faster just because I want it to. When 20 minutes came, I went straight to the couch and lie there for about an hour, all covered up, just resting, still feeling lousy. After an hour I felt better to sit up, and my husband decided to watch a football game on TV. (This time of year, when he isn't ice fishing, he's watching football.) I thought to myself, "Now what do I do, I'm still tired". My body did not feeling like being active, so I realized this is a good time to sketch. And what better subject than my husband, who was holding a good pose while he watched the game. He is a fidgety person, doesn't sit still too well, and did not think he could sit still for me once he realized he was my subject, but he did great. When he asked me if he could move, I just said "not yet". I started with the hand, which was on the folded blanket over my feet, so that is why you cannot see all of the fingers in the fabric. Having space on the right, I decided to work on his profile. I was referring to my "Sketching People" book, explaining the gesture lines and making blocks to get your shapes correct. He liked his image and I am satisfied. (It is funny how the large hand appears to be grabbing his shoulder!) So, what started out as a bad thing, turned out just fine and I accomplished my drawing for the day!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
My Rainbow
Yesterday was the last day of the work week, I was tired, leaving extra early in the morning. This week my assignment was to drive to the furthest distance north, but then I was reassigned to the furthest distance east. It is funny, I believe the north site is further in miles driven, but it is all back roads and highway and I can arrive in 45 minutes, but the place to the east is less miles, but more traffic and stop and go driving and I can arrive in at least an hour. When I get to the top of my hill, I have the dilemma, "now, should I go left or right?", then having chosen the right, it becomes, should I take this route or that route. It doesn't matter which way I go because I know all the ins and outs. My problem becomes which is the best of all the bad routes do I want to take and how can I avoid traffic.
As I was on a straight major, three lane road heading east, stores lining the street, I came to a stop light and just looked around me. While glancing up into the sky to my right I was surprised to see a partial rainbow just hovering in the clouds. I would never imagine finding a rainbow like that. The sky was thickly cloudy and overcast, and as I drove the light of the sun was only beginning to show through and the clouds just began to thin. There had been no rain, it was so cold, and we had the prediction of snow later in the day. This was such a special find for me, I wondered to myself if anyone else in the traffic noticed the rainbow, or was it just me? I had about 5 miles to go, and as I drove, I kept glancing up to the sky to see if it lasted. It faded as I continued east, and I kept glancing best I could while keeping myself safe driving. When I arrived at the corner to turn right, the rainbow was nearly gone in the sky, and I thought, how lucky I was to ever see this at all. To my amazement, when I turned to the right, the rainbow appeared brighter in the center of my windshield! It made me happy, and I kept it in my watch until I arrived at my work just down the street.
I love rainbows so much! In the summer after a rain shower, I run around my yard trying to find the rainbow. I have seen several full rainbows. I have even seen a full double-rainbow twice. One time I was so surprised to see this bright full rainbow while I was driving that I was compelled to stop, get out of my car and just gaze it for awhile, it was too beautiful to just pass by. I would never expect to find a rainbow on a cloudy, dreary winter morning, but I did. I like to believe that this was my gift for the day, something to give me pleasure, something to give me hope that in the midst of the dreariness, there is beauty to be found.
As I was on a straight major, three lane road heading east, stores lining the street, I came to a stop light and just looked around me. While glancing up into the sky to my right I was surprised to see a partial rainbow just hovering in the clouds. I would never imagine finding a rainbow like that. The sky was thickly cloudy and overcast, and as I drove the light of the sun was only beginning to show through and the clouds just began to thin. There had been no rain, it was so cold, and we had the prediction of snow later in the day. This was such a special find for me, I wondered to myself if anyone else in the traffic noticed the rainbow, or was it just me? I had about 5 miles to go, and as I drove, I kept glancing up to the sky to see if it lasted. It faded as I continued east, and I kept glancing best I could while keeping myself safe driving. When I arrived at the corner to turn right, the rainbow was nearly gone in the sky, and I thought, how lucky I was to ever see this at all. To my amazement, when I turned to the right, the rainbow appeared brighter in the center of my windshield! It made me happy, and I kept it in my watch until I arrived at my work just down the street.
I love rainbows so much! In the summer after a rain shower, I run around my yard trying to find the rainbow. I have seen several full rainbows. I have even seen a full double-rainbow twice. One time I was so surprised to see this bright full rainbow while I was driving that I was compelled to stop, get out of my car and just gaze it for awhile, it was too beautiful to just pass by. I would never expect to find a rainbow on a cloudy, dreary winter morning, but I did. I like to believe that this was my gift for the day, something to give me pleasure, something to give me hope that in the midst of the dreariness, there is beauty to be found.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Student Show Opening Reception
I will pause from writing about meditation. Last night, on my way home from work, I stopped at the Worcester Art Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts to attend the reception for the Student Show. Originally I did not believe I could go because of my work assignment being at a long, inconvenient distance, but, I was reassigned at the last minute to a different site that brought my ride home right by the museum! What a nice surprise!
It was so packed, I could hardly find a place to park my car. How wonderful it was to be there. Tables were set up with teachers showing and/or demonstrating their art. The walls in the long corridor were filled with many pieces of art, all mediums, all different styles, all different subjects. There was so much energy in the air! I enjoyed looking at all of the pieces. There is so much artistic talent out there, we all have so much in common, the desire to produce something beautiful and meaningful, expressing who we are inside.
It was so great to see teachers from my past, people I have enjoyed and admired. It was good to reconnect, talk about art, what what I am doing, what they are doing. It was also great to see new faces, watch what they can do, listen to them explain their art and what they have to offer. I pick up business cards along the way and I plan to check out their websites at a later time to keep myself inspired.
The Worcester Art Museum has been a major part of my entire life. Sometimes I feel amazed at how a place I was introduced to as a toddler is so important to me. It has always felt like my "home", I feel a real belonging anywhere I go in the museum. I never tire of looking at the same pieces that I had seen through the eyes of a child. Even if life kept me away from the museum for a period of time, it always felt comfortable and like no time went by when I would return. The WAM is a blessing in my life, a safety zone. How grateful I am for this blessing. (My next art blessing is the Woodstock School of Art, I miss going there! I will return to my heaven on earth)
It was so packed, I could hardly find a place to park my car. How wonderful it was to be there. Tables were set up with teachers showing and/or demonstrating their art. The walls in the long corridor were filled with many pieces of art, all mediums, all different styles, all different subjects. There was so much energy in the air! I enjoyed looking at all of the pieces. There is so much artistic talent out there, we all have so much in common, the desire to produce something beautiful and meaningful, expressing who we are inside.
It was so great to see teachers from my past, people I have enjoyed and admired. It was good to reconnect, talk about art, what what I am doing, what they are doing. It was also great to see new faces, watch what they can do, listen to them explain their art and what they have to offer. I pick up business cards along the way and I plan to check out their websites at a later time to keep myself inspired.
The Worcester Art Museum has been a major part of my entire life. Sometimes I feel amazed at how a place I was introduced to as a toddler is so important to me. It has always felt like my "home", I feel a real belonging anywhere I go in the museum. I never tire of looking at the same pieces that I had seen through the eyes of a child. Even if life kept me away from the museum for a period of time, it always felt comfortable and like no time went by when I would return. The WAM is a blessing in my life, a safety zone. How grateful I am for this blessing. (My next art blessing is the Woodstock School of Art, I miss going there! I will return to my heaven on earth)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
A Walking Labyrinth
At the time I was learning mindful meditation, we visited the spa at the Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine, where I found their walking labyrinth. I had never seen one before, or at least, if I did see one, I was not paying attention. Since I was studying being mindful, I was becoming more aware of everything around me. I found this to be beautiful and very interesting, a wonderful way to practice mindful walking.
I have learned that the labyrinth is an ancient form of meditation. It is not a maze, there are no blind alleys, just a path to the center and back out. It is a metaphor for our journey from the world to the center of our deepest self, then back out into the world. It is a right-brained activity (thankfully, I am very right-brained!) for activity, intuition, creativity and imagery.
One of my visions for the future is to design the side of my yard leading to my back door with stonework, and I have explored labyrinth designs that could be created in the center. My goal is to have a walking labyrinth in my side yard! It would be nice to have this place to retreat to when silence and peace is needed, and I wouldn't have to travel too far, either, just go outside! Have any of you experienced a walking labyrinth?
I have learned that the labyrinth is an ancient form of meditation. It is not a maze, there are no blind alleys, just a path to the center and back out. It is a metaphor for our journey from the world to the center of our deepest self, then back out into the world. It is a right-brained activity (thankfully, I am very right-brained!) for activity, intuition, creativity and imagery.
One of my visions for the future is to design the side of my yard leading to my back door with stonework, and I have explored labyrinth designs that could be created in the center. My goal is to have a walking labyrinth in my side yard! It would be nice to have this place to retreat to when silence and peace is needed, and I wouldn't have to travel too far, either, just go outside! Have any of you experienced a walking labyrinth?
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Walking Meditation
At the MBSR class, we were instructed how to do the walking meditation, which is basically walking purposefully, paying attention to what you are doing, how your feet are moving, how they touch the ground, and also to focus on what you observe along the way. In class, we all had to stand up and walk slowly about from one room to another, in our mind thinking, left foot, heel touching ground, toe touching ground, right foot, heel touching ground, etc. We were a bit like zombies! It did feel quite awkward because our movements were at an exaggerated slow speed. Of course, we had to pay attention to each other around us, so we would not bump into each other, as well. After course completion, there are 4 reunions yearly for an all day meditation (yes, you can really meditate all day if you want to!), and we were given the assignment to go outside on the beautiful grounds and do a walking meditation for one hour. There we all were, just walking around quietly, not talking to each other, but just being present in our own moment, observing everything. I enjoyed that so much! I was walking from tree to tree, making that my destination, and I noticed the most amazing things about trees that I never would have observed, had I just been walking about in my own fog! Since learning this, I try to make all of my walks purposeful, keeping my mind on what is going on right now, what is there around me as I pass it by. There is beauty in the world that we miss if we don't pay attention, and thus, would enhance our day if we just noticed. The pay back is, not only the feeling of peace, but I find money everywhere I go, so, you never know what you are missing! There was a time when I walked, that my mind would be filled with all of my problems and I would think something to death, trying to solve everything, and totally miss out on the feeling of going for a walk. Just yesterday on my lunch break from work, I walked for the purpose of exercise and meditation, I found myself in a cemetery in this small New England town, and I felt amazed at all of the beautiful stones I saw (nicer than some other cemeteries I have visited), and off in the distance I saw an angel statue. That became my destination, and once there was amazed at the beauty of this very old statue. I have taken several pictures of this statue and another small angel statue. I plan to save these pictures and use them for a future art piece. I was able to see the blessing in my day, just because I paid attention to the moment.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
"Focus On The Breath"
My anticipation and curiosity for this MBSR class was tremendous. Being able to rearrange my life to get to this class was not without road blocks. One would believe it would be reasonable to say that I need to get to this class and the world would be in agreement, having known what was going on in my life. However, I did have difficulties with being free on class night, but, being the determined person that I am, and feeling this was a matter of self-preservation, I was able to attend all classes. The details of my struggle are not important, what is important is that I was present. I have come to learn that we face struggles all the time, but with faith and perseverance, we can get past them to press forward.
Again, we all introduced ourselves and why we were there, again, I was amazed at the magnitude of suffering that we quietly carry around with us. Class began with some yoga poses, the first being the tree as pictured to the left. As we gazed softly out the window, we slowing moved our bodies until we were in this position, then we just held it. The room was quiet, and we held it. The leader would talk gently about focusing on our breathing, quieting our mind, and we held it. I wasn't sure how long I could balance myself, but I did better than I thought!
Next, we positioned ourselves in a chair, or on the floor, whatever position that was comfortable, and we learned mindful meditation, just keeping our focus on our breathing, clearing our mind, or if there were thoughts, just observing these thoughts coming and going without judgment or reaction, much like you could observe clouds floating by in the sky. The purpose of this was to stay present in this moment, to pay attention to this moment, to experience this moment. I could feel my body and my soul saying, "thank you for this", I was feeling better right from the beginning.
Since blogging, I am paying attention more to the things that I am writing about, especially since it is the new year and I am trying to stay focused on my visions and goals, knowing all that I juggle as I mentioned before. Since I want my art to have a stronger presence in my life, I was sketching last night, using my Bamboo tablet in Photoshop. By doing this, I was accomplishing 3 things, sketching, practicing using the Bamboo, and also practicing Photoshop. Since I am writing about meditation, I decided to start my day listening to a meditation CD by Jon Kabat-Zinn, and spent about half an hour in complete relaxation, breathing very gently, my mind at rest. I should be able to handle my day. Then, lastly, I blogged. I am satisfied.
Again, we all introduced ourselves and why we were there, again, I was amazed at the magnitude of suffering that we quietly carry around with us. Class began with some yoga poses, the first being the tree as pictured to the left. As we gazed softly out the window, we slowing moved our bodies until we were in this position, then we just held it. The room was quiet, and we held it. The leader would talk gently about focusing on our breathing, quieting our mind, and we held it. I wasn't sure how long I could balance myself, but I did better than I thought!
Next, we positioned ourselves in a chair, or on the floor, whatever position that was comfortable, and we learned mindful meditation, just keeping our focus on our breathing, clearing our mind, or if there were thoughts, just observing these thoughts coming and going without judgment or reaction, much like you could observe clouds floating by in the sky. The purpose of this was to stay present in this moment, to pay attention to this moment, to experience this moment. I could feel my body and my soul saying, "thank you for this", I was feeling better right from the beginning.
Since blogging, I am paying attention more to the things that I am writing about, especially since it is the new year and I am trying to stay focused on my visions and goals, knowing all that I juggle as I mentioned before. Since I want my art to have a stronger presence in my life, I was sketching last night, using my Bamboo tablet in Photoshop. By doing this, I was accomplishing 3 things, sketching, practicing using the Bamboo, and also practicing Photoshop. Since I am writing about meditation, I decided to start my day listening to a meditation CD by Jon Kabat-Zinn, and spent about half an hour in complete relaxation, breathing very gently, my mind at rest. I should be able to handle my day. Then, lastly, I blogged. I am satisfied.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Mindful Eating: The Raisin
My first day at the Mindful-Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR), we all sat in a large circle with Saki Santorelli as our leader. (Saki is now the executive director for the Mindfulness Program for medical students at U-Mass Medical School and this program to the public. Jon Kabat-Zinn is traveling the country, the world, teaching the world, introducing this program to other medical schools as part of their education.) He is a soft spoken, gentle man. We all introduced ourselves and told why we were there. I was amazed at the stories, the details of my story were unique, but the inner suffering was not. So many people carry their pain with them everywhere they go as they try their best to get through their days, but to look at them, you would not realize their suffering. Some people had constant physical pain for one reason or another. Some people had tremendous stress. One man, I remember, ran is own office and had a problem with anger. We all had the same common goal, gaining control of these emotions or pain and finding inner peace.
As Saki explained the program to us, he presented us with an example that would demonstrate mindfulness. He gave us all one raisin and our instruction was to examine what the raisin looked like, I mean, really look at it, inspect it, smell it, etc, before putting it in our mouth. Once in our mouth, we had to keep it there, not chewing or swallowing for awhile. We had to experience how the raisin felt in our mouth, how it tasted without chewing, roll it around a bit, think about the raisin in our mouth at this moment. Mindfulness is all about paying attention to what is going on in our lives at this moment, because, essentially, this moment is all we have. We need to experience our lives right now as it is happening. Keeping this raisin in my mouth was really hard. Normally, I would pop one or more raisins in my mouth, chew, chew then swallow, gone! After awhile, this raisin lost it's flavor and the texture felt strange. Experiencing the raisin at that moment was very interesting and a good example for paying attention. I encourage any of you to get a raisin and eat it mindfully.
Since attending the program, I found a book entitled Mindful Eating by Jan Chozen Bays, MD at the Buddist Monastery gift shop in Woodstock, NY (another blog, later), and the foreward was written by Jon Kabat-Zinn, explaining about the raisin example. There I was, on top of a mountain in a private place in Woodstock and I found something familiar from my home, right there! So, I bought it. I have listened to the whole CD, but I have not read the whole book, which, now that I have dug it out, I will. I give thought to eating mindfully all the time. I try to not rush meals, to take the time to appreciate how the food looks, smells, and tastes. I try to chew slower, put the fork down while chewing and actually enjoying the food eaten.
I have discovered the best food to eat mindfully is dark chocolate! Dark chocolate is suppose to be good for us nutritionally, so I have no guilt when I add this to my diet. So, I will buy a Hershey's Special Dark candy bar and break it into squares and pop a square in my mouth and just let it sit and melt, and it tastes as good at the end as it did in the beginning, and makes my present moment so nice! (I am guilty of, before mindfulness, eating a candy bar so fast while I was driving that I would not remember doing this, then look for my candy bar and find an empty wrapper and ask myself, "Did I really eat that?? I don't remember and I didn't taste it!") Knowing that I was going to blog about mindful eating today, I just had to practice again so I could blog correctly, so I found a delicious chocolate truffle, popped it in my mouth, after looking at it, of course, and just let it sit there and melt. Mmmmmmmmmmmm. I encourage you to get a square of chocolate and eat it mindfully! Enjoy your present moment!
As Saki explained the program to us, he presented us with an example that would demonstrate mindfulness. He gave us all one raisin and our instruction was to examine what the raisin looked like, I mean, really look at it, inspect it, smell it, etc, before putting it in our mouth. Once in our mouth, we had to keep it there, not chewing or swallowing for awhile. We had to experience how the raisin felt in our mouth, how it tasted without chewing, roll it around a bit, think about the raisin in our mouth at this moment. Mindfulness is all about paying attention to what is going on in our lives at this moment, because, essentially, this moment is all we have. We need to experience our lives right now as it is happening. Keeping this raisin in my mouth was really hard. Normally, I would pop one or more raisins in my mouth, chew, chew then swallow, gone! After awhile, this raisin lost it's flavor and the texture felt strange. Experiencing the raisin at that moment was very interesting and a good example for paying attention. I encourage any of you to get a raisin and eat it mindfully.
Since attending the program, I found a book entitled Mindful Eating by Jan Chozen Bays, MD at the Buddist Monastery gift shop in Woodstock, NY (another blog, later), and the foreward was written by Jon Kabat-Zinn, explaining about the raisin example. There I was, on top of a mountain in a private place in Woodstock and I found something familiar from my home, right there! So, I bought it. I have listened to the whole CD, but I have not read the whole book, which, now that I have dug it out, I will. I give thought to eating mindfully all the time. I try to not rush meals, to take the time to appreciate how the food looks, smells, and tastes. I try to chew slower, put the fork down while chewing and actually enjoying the food eaten.
I have discovered the best food to eat mindfully is dark chocolate! Dark chocolate is suppose to be good for us nutritionally, so I have no guilt when I add this to my diet. So, I will buy a Hershey's Special Dark candy bar and break it into squares and pop a square in my mouth and just let it sit and melt, and it tastes as good at the end as it did in the beginning, and makes my present moment so nice! (I am guilty of, before mindfulness, eating a candy bar so fast while I was driving that I would not remember doing this, then look for my candy bar and find an empty wrapper and ask myself, "Did I really eat that?? I don't remember and I didn't taste it!") Knowing that I was going to blog about mindful eating today, I just had to practice again so I could blog correctly, so I found a delicious chocolate truffle, popped it in my mouth, after looking at it, of course, and just let it sit there and melt. Mmmmmmmmmmmm. I encourage you to get a square of chocolate and eat it mindfully! Enjoy your present moment!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Mindful Meditation
A few years back, life was becoming increasingly more stressful. I spent the bulk of my time working 12 hour shifts as a nurse in a very busy ambulatory care department, serving the sick and injured. Referring back to an earlier blog entry in the beginning, I had believed myself "indispensable" and part of a "family" with my coworkers, so I worked selflessly and exhaustively these long days, often working overtime and at times missing meal breaks as work demanded. The other bulk of my time was spent struggling to sleep, since ideally we should be sleeping 8 hours per night, and I suffered with terrible insomnia. My mind couldn't stop thinking, then I'd be telling myself to get to sleep, then I'd check the clock and tell myself how many more hours until the alarm rang. The rest of my time was doing whatever is required of life on any given day, grasping to accomplish anything to give an illusion to the world that I was keeping up. My life reeled more out of control as my elderly mother, who lived in Florida, became sick and hospitalized. Worry filled my days, being able to focus became difficult, as I tried to manage each day that I was presented with. After several months, it became necessary for family intervention for a crisis with my mother, so emergency flying entered my life. I needed something to help calm my inner being, which was in complete distress. One Saturday a few years ago, as I shopped at our local WalMart, I found a woman's health fair was set up and I was presented with the opportunity to attend the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts. I had heard of this program, developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, I had even bought his book a few years before entitled Where Ever You Go, There You Are, but I had not had the time to sit down and read it. I said, "Yes!", knowing that something had to give in my life. This was the life preserver thrown out into the sea that I was sinking in. Where was my art in all of this? It was present, I kept myself taking classes as best I could. One month after my mother passed away is when I discovered The Woodstock School of Art, attending my first workshop. Woodstock was where I found The Twin Gables, a beautiful bed and breakfast with complete peace and quiet. I found a beautiful place to retreat to. I also learned mindful meditation back home. I will share more of this journey this week. Please feel free to explore the website for MBSR, it is now a world-wide program.
Mindful-Based Stress Reduction, U-Mass Med School
Mindful-Based Stress Reduction, U-Mass Med School
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year, 2011; A Fireside Chat
Fireplace Video
Happy New Year to all who read my blog! What a year 2010 was! As I reflect, in terms of my art, there were new beginnings, as traveled weekly to Woodstock, NY to the Woodstock School of Art, studying with Lois Woolley and HongNian Zhang, developing painting skills and my eye for detail and accuracy. How blessed I have been for this experience. I did well at the Spencer Fair as I competed in the arts and crafts exhibit, taking ribbons for everything I showed, including my homemade strawberry jam coming in third place! Then, I moved onto the Worcester Art Museum in the Fall, studying Photoshop with Christopher Whitehead and the Blogging with Andy and Veronica Fish. With all of their instructions, I am transforming my art even more. I created my wonderful horse picture, successfully taking the horse out of the barn and putting him a a beautiful pasture. I created this blog, which is only in the baby stages, I still need to expand on it to make it more interesting. From Christopher, I saw the speed drawing video of Nico DiMattia from Argentina, as he created a wonderful portrait using Photoshop, something which took hours reduced to 5 minutes! I follow his work on Facebook, and just last week I received a copy of his latest instructional book. My hope is to create a drawing using Photoshop using his steps. (I have included the websites of these wonderful artists, please take the time to check them out and see their beautiful work!) I also have met wonderful people along the way who were in my classes and hopefully have lasting friendships.
I hear the voices of all of my teachers in my head: Lois: regarding step 3 "Now you're in Wonderland, just paint, lay it on thick!", "I want you to paint 2 lemons on 9x12 canvas, and keep painting them over and over", regarding details in the painting, "what are we talking about here? We're not talking about this, so don't give so much detail over here, but over there". HongNian: "you have to know your up, your down, your left, your right" as his hand gestures the positions (it really took me awhile to understand that one!), then while pointing to our model who was posing as a chef at this cutting board table: "Look at this, it is love; your painting should show love.", then, "you should paint what you love"; also, "your painting should tell a story, you should think, what are you talking about"; "read books about other artists and see what they did in their life"; "draw every day, it doesn't matter what it is, there is no good or bad, just draw, it will help you see things better"; after Lois told me to paint lemons over and over, HongNian added, "until you get it right". (I really feel like Grasshopper, getting the wisest of instructions!) From Christopher, "make sure you make a duplicate of your original picture so you don't ruin it and lose it!", then all the myriad of demonstrations of all the tools that can be used to create, edit and alter pictures, it is phenomenal! From Andy Fish, "blog every day, read other people's blogs". Then I have the voice of my Bill Griffiths, my first teacher as an adult, as I timidly re-entered the art world taking a class in Water Color Painting at the WAM, "the Chinese say you will throw away your first 1000 paintings until you have painted one correctly", (that was scary!); "this is good, I want more" as I needed to keep adding layers and layers of color. (Please look again at the prize winning painting that got me the red ribbon at the Spencer Fair, I once had someone look at it closely and said, "oh, look how easy this is with just little dots of paint", to which I had to shake my head and explain, no, this was not easy at all and there was an incredible amount of paint to create the finished painting and to give the look that it has. (sigh, to those who do not understand!) Then, the most recent thought, not a voice, that is in my head, is I wrote to Nico in Facebook, thanking him for his book and that I would like to do the same picture he explained and send it to him, his response "that would be cool!! ;)" All wonderful encouragement to press on!!
So, having said all of that, 2011 is going to be a busy year for me and I am very excited. I have so many things to do daily: blog, draw, paint, read! This is all along with working a full time job, eating a healthy diet, exercising in some fashion, flossing, sleeping, meditating, making time for family and friends, leisure. This is where the re-invention comes in. This is a process of transformation for me and I am excited about my journey, and I am also excited to share this journey with you. I will also reflect about my journey that has brought me to this point. I will not say I have resolutions for the new year, because I don't, I just have visions and goals. May your journey for the new year be exciting as well!
Happy New Year to all who read my blog! What a year 2010 was! As I reflect, in terms of my art, there were new beginnings, as traveled weekly to Woodstock, NY to the Woodstock School of Art, studying with Lois Woolley and HongNian Zhang, developing painting skills and my eye for detail and accuracy. How blessed I have been for this experience. I did well at the Spencer Fair as I competed in the arts and crafts exhibit, taking ribbons for everything I showed, including my homemade strawberry jam coming in third place! Then, I moved onto the Worcester Art Museum in the Fall, studying Photoshop with Christopher Whitehead and the Blogging with Andy and Veronica Fish. With all of their instructions, I am transforming my art even more. I created my wonderful horse picture, successfully taking the horse out of the barn and putting him a a beautiful pasture. I created this blog, which is only in the baby stages, I still need to expand on it to make it more interesting. From Christopher, I saw the speed drawing video of Nico DiMattia from Argentina, as he created a wonderful portrait using Photoshop, something which took hours reduced to 5 minutes! I follow his work on Facebook, and just last week I received a copy of his latest instructional book. My hope is to create a drawing using Photoshop using his steps. (I have included the websites of these wonderful artists, please take the time to check them out and see their beautiful work!) I also have met wonderful people along the way who were in my classes and hopefully have lasting friendships.
I hear the voices of all of my teachers in my head: Lois: regarding step 3 "Now you're in Wonderland, just paint, lay it on thick!", "I want you to paint 2 lemons on 9x12 canvas, and keep painting them over and over", regarding details in the painting, "what are we talking about here? We're not talking about this, so don't give so much detail over here, but over there". HongNian: "you have to know your up, your down, your left, your right" as his hand gestures the positions (it really took me awhile to understand that one!), then while pointing to our model who was posing as a chef at this cutting board table: "Look at this, it is love; your painting should show love.", then, "you should paint what you love"; also, "your painting should tell a story, you should think, what are you talking about"; "read books about other artists and see what they did in their life"; "draw every day, it doesn't matter what it is, there is no good or bad, just draw, it will help you see things better"; after Lois told me to paint lemons over and over, HongNian added, "until you get it right". (I really feel like Grasshopper, getting the wisest of instructions!) From Christopher, "make sure you make a duplicate of your original picture so you don't ruin it and lose it!", then all the myriad of demonstrations of all the tools that can be used to create, edit and alter pictures, it is phenomenal! From Andy Fish, "blog every day, read other people's blogs". Then I have the voice of my Bill Griffiths, my first teacher as an adult, as I timidly re-entered the art world taking a class in Water Color Painting at the WAM, "the Chinese say you will throw away your first 1000 paintings until you have painted one correctly", (that was scary!); "this is good, I want more" as I needed to keep adding layers and layers of color. (Please look again at the prize winning painting that got me the red ribbon at the Spencer Fair, I once had someone look at it closely and said, "oh, look how easy this is with just little dots of paint", to which I had to shake my head and explain, no, this was not easy at all and there was an incredible amount of paint to create the finished painting and to give the look that it has. (sigh, to those who do not understand!) Then, the most recent thought, not a voice, that is in my head, is I wrote to Nico in Facebook, thanking him for his book and that I would like to do the same picture he explained and send it to him, his response "that would be cool!! ;)" All wonderful encouragement to press on!!
So, having said all of that, 2011 is going to be a busy year for me and I am very excited. I have so many things to do daily: blog, draw, paint, read! This is all along with working a full time job, eating a healthy diet, exercising in some fashion, flossing, sleeping, meditating, making time for family and friends, leisure. This is where the re-invention comes in. This is a process of transformation for me and I am excited about my journey, and I am also excited to share this journey with you. I will also reflect about my journey that has brought me to this point. I will not say I have resolutions for the new year, because I don't, I just have visions and goals. May your journey for the new year be exciting as well!
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