Give Back

The paradigm shift that I experienced in January is reverberating throughout the universe! I am seeing the word GIVE everywhere. It's on posters at the YMCA, in magazine articles and part of conversations and interviews. I believe this sense of giving is being felt globally, and one that could rock the world.

As I begin to process this concept and what the impact potential could possibly be, I am excited about the possibilities. What if EVERYONE gave just one dollar every month to a cause they were passionate about supporting. Can you imagine the changes that could occur? What if EVERYONE did one action that affected someone or something in a positive way every month? This action doesn't necessarily require spending any money. Could you volunteer to read to children at the school, or could you rock preemie babies in the intensive care unit, or could you spend a day at the animal rescue center petting a dog or cat who's` waiting for a home? Think about what your resources are and make use of what's available.

Here's what I put together recently. Our son is a counselor at an inpatient substance abuse center for men. He called me one day and said that someone had a button that needed to be reattached to his shirt.
Of the many men that come and go from a facility such as that one, many will need a button sewn, a tear repaired or at the very least, have the need for a safety pin as an emergency measure. So I began to collect items from my studio and came up with a sewing and repairing kit to keep handy at the facility for all to use.  I included an easy to follow description of how to thread the needle and reattach a button.

This is a small gesture that gave me a large reward, knowing that I could make a difference in someone else's life.  So, now it's your turn. Dust off the engine and start the cog wheels a-turning....what can YOU do to

GIVE BACK?

The Power of Hope

A Paradigm Shift Changes Everything

Last week I read Belinda Dunn's fascinating, insight-fully written, astrological post for January on her site Astrodelight.com. Her global view of humanity from a planetary perspective fascinates me, and she is usually right on the money. And it really got me thinking.

My last post, a woe-is-me glimpse at a day in the life of an artist, was January-dreary, to say the least. But when I read what Belinda wrote, "Capricorn brings us face to face with what's not working in our lives, " it caught my eye. "The only intentions that have any real, lasting and contributing value are those taking into consideration the whole, aligned with higher purpose and potential for the entire planetary family." This is the month to "align, attune and adapt to your unique and valuable purpose, the great gift of incarnation." 

In 30 years as an art professional, I have learned a lot. Skills, techniques, experiences both triumphant and deeply disappointing, the joy of victory and the agony of defeat have come and gone as all things eventually do. How can I share the knowledge I now have and turn it into something productive? I have long been drawn to working with youth as a teacher and mentor. My 15 years working as a volunteer at ArtHaus, a non-profit children's art organization have reflected that commitment.(ArtHaus.org)  As I continue to read on, wheels begin to turn. "Aquarius is light, free and electrical in nature. It is like a thunderstorm coming to clear the air and reveal an unseen landscape." 

A paradigm shift is beginning to occur. I am beginning to see my value and purpose on the face of this earth changing. I now see that I can give my gift of creativity to the world, not only in the artwork that I create, but in the part I play in the life of a young artist who is beginning to bloom. I can be the teacher, the encourager, the nudger, the creativity un-blocker, the YES, YOU CAN-er! There is an ocean of young potentials out there, and I'm planning on doing my part to see that they realize their creative potential!

Light bulb moment!

PS blessings to Nina Marie for making it possible for us all to be connected

A Day in the Life of an Artist......

No one ever said that being an artist was easy. In fact, no one ever told me that being an artist was hard, either. But, I have found that at times, over my 30 year art career that it can, indeed be difficult. 

Why is it that in any arts related field, there are extremes of emotions? One month you are jubilant over getting that speaking part, selling a new piece, brilliantly creating that next chapter, and the next month you have hit bottom, feeling gut-wrenching defeat, questioning your own life purpose on this planet.  I have experienced the bottom feeder’s syndrome at times over the course of my career, but nothing like what I’ve been going through for the past 9 months.

As a visual artist, I have used sales as my barometer for continuing with whatever medium or style I am working in. Good sales means keep on cranking out the visual ideas. I have to admit that over the years I have changed styles occasionally because I became bored and needed a new challenge. I even changed mediums once, which was a really bold move.  

But this year is different. I have sunk so low that I am asking the universe if my life’s purpose is still to create art? Sales have been poor. I’m not sure why. But, I have heard similar reports from my artist colleagues. I understand that those who purchase my work have a specific taste, and can also afford to buy art at the price point  that mine is currently selling at, and that narrows it down to 1.3579 % of the population.  I have sold well in the past, so why not now? 

Is this the universe telling me to head in a new direction? I am listening for “the still, small voice,” but for unknown reasons, I can’t hear it.

The True Spirit of the Season

When the economy took a dive a few years ago, our family decided to simplify Christmas. My husband and I suggested to our adult children that since they were all experiencing the financial strain, we would curtail exchanging gifts. This included gifts to office staff, neighbors and friends. Only the small children in the family received but a simple gift from us. 

What a difference this made in how we spent the days leading up to Christmas! There was more time to bake cookies, play Christmas carols on the piano, relax and take in the spirit of the season. As a family, we picked names of needy children from a tree and bought gifts for them instead of ourselves. There was no longer the rush around town, shopping, wrapping, mailing, stressing and exhaustion. This has now become a tradition in our family and we have made a point to focus on those in need, reaching out in places where help is essential.

My brother Kip and his family were the blessed recipients of a group of thoughtful and generous friends who came to their aid after a stressful 2,000 mile journey from Mexico to Colorado. Read about what they experienced just a few nights ago,  on Christmas eve in their mountain town of Carbondale.  Kip's blog, Tacosandbeyond.com. tells the story of how a group of wonderful friends came together to create a magical Christmas, complete with a fresh live decorated Christmas tree and a pot of hot soup on the stove.  Their cold, dark, empty, newly rented house came alive with the grace and goodness of loving friends. This story will amaze you and inspire the giving spirit within you. The loving kindness of this small town community in the Rockies is unlike any I have ever known.

The Mystery of Inspiration

Last night at White Horse Black Mountain in NC we attended at concert by four-hands pianists Daniel Weiser and Philip Liston-Kraft. It was a dramatic performance played by two gifted musicians. They wow-ed the audience with their talents. The last piece performed was Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin.  The pianists provided a brief history of how the piece was composed while Gershwin road a train from NewYork to Boston.  He became mesmerized by the rhythm of the train wheels bolting across the tracks, composing the piece in its entirety from start to finish on that relatively short ride. It was pure brilliance.

This story brings to mind the question....where does inspiration come from? Throughout my career as an art professional, I have been blessed with visions of unborn creations that have appeared in my minds eye. They are indeed a gift,  and I have made every effort to acknowledge their appearance and bring them to reality. 

Nearly two years ago while visiting our daughter in New York City, I was moved to photograph some bare tree branches against a grey cloud-filled sky. Those photos were the first attempt at bringing forth a new series of work that was finally born just this past week. The process was two years in the making, but the time spent was worth the wait. I am calling the new work The Angel Series. Sometimes we have the creative vision but are unsure of the process leading to the vision. Patience is the key. Here is:

                                     






Angel Series, Guardian of the Evening Skies.

Do you feel creative?

A message on Facebook that came recently from an old high school classmate inspired a thread of  conversation in my head about who feels creative and what inner conversations have they had about being creative. Colyn wrote, "sometimes I think I'm an artist without permission."

Last spring, after months of research, I gave a lecture at a gallery that carries my work on the subject of creativity. My intention was initially to help those who consider themselves creative to release a creative block, or to simply allow for more ideas to flow freely. What I discovered in my research is that we are indeed,  all born creative. Creative thought is generated by the right hemisphere of the brain, which also governs emotion, sensitivity and abstract thought, while the left hemisphere is scientific, logical, organized. Often in childhood, some individuals are encouraged to focus on left brain activities, such as science experiments or building projects. Other children are encouraged to perform creative activities such as coloring with crayons or learning to dance.  My theory is that if children are encouraged to try a variety of both left and right brain activities, that they will carry a balanced, more non-dominant brain with them into adulthood.

So you say, "now I'm an adult and I can't even draw a stick figure!" Well, I'm here to tell you that you CAN. You must simply exercise the right hemisphere of your brain on a regular basis. Begin by doodling or painting simple images. But, most importantly, don't allow FEAR to overtake your determination. In time, creative thought will emerge and become stronger. And you will see a change coming over you. You will observe that while you are doing a creative activity, that you feel calm and relaxed, even at times oblivious to the world around you. That is what artists know as "being in the zone."

I have the good fortune of being part of a creative people's forum that explores the creation of art quilts and related subject matter. One of the participants, Nina Marie Sayre, has a blog called "Off the Wall Friday" in which she invites anyone with a subject relating to art quilting to submit their blog.  ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/. Its a great way to "share the love" and I encourage all of you out there who are feeling weak in the creativity department to find a forum where you can connect with like minded people. It will bring you inspiration.

Blessings.

Loving Kindness

Now that I'm old enough to have accepted wrinkles as a trade for wisdom, I know that probably one of the most important acts that can be done on a daily basis is to treat others with loving kindness.  Did you ever consider what a single act of loving kindness might mean to someone you have never met?

For many years, I walked across the parking lot on my way to morning workout, passing others who were returning to their cars from doing the same. Many walked with heads bowed, some walked and talked on their phones at the same time, some seemed as if in a daze. None of those people spoke or even smiled. One day, about 6 months ago, I decided that I was going to step up my "kindness quotient" and spread it around over the course of my day. I began to say "good morning" to people in the parking lot on the way to workout, or just smile to someone I encountered. I was amazed at how people reacted in a positive way with the same enthusiasm as I had. There were, occasionally a few people who barely muttered anything audible. Some even were so stunned that they didn't even look at me and pretended they didn't hear. But, for the most part the responses were positive.

Think of it this way: There may be someone out there who lives alone, speaks to no one all day, is sick or in pain, or otherwise has little contact with fellow human beings. You might make their day if you offer a hand, pick up something they dropped, or even just flash a gentle smile on passing.

We must all take responsibility to make this world a better place. Staying inside your little world will only cause you to think more of yourself. Stepping out, reaching out, giving of yourself and all your unique talents and skills will generate more love. The positive energy will begin to spread to others and across your town and country to far reaches of the world. We will become a better human race when we all love and care for one another.

After all, that's why the Beatles wrote the song lyrics "all you need is love".

Now, just do it.