Emergence
Some deep soul searching has led to realizing that while I always paint and write, I often let other details, family, bills, editing, housecleaning, start my day and lead the way. Now, as any artist, I what I really want to do is get into the studio and check out what it is I am working on;however, my over- developed sense of responsibility pulls me into the tedium of daily tasks and the problems and concerns of others, which seem much more pressing and solvable at any given moment. In an effort to turn this upside down, I commit to keeping this blog current and about the things that interest me most. My painting. The Creative process. Healing.
I mentioned my painting emergence in my last blog as a turning point in my artistic journey. It was painted in my late twenties after years of learning and practice but still not giving myself permission to be me. To fully express my experience independent of any inner or outer judgement. Loss is a great catalyst for this type of breakthrough. In light of losing those who mean so much at early ages, it brings to the forefront the question of 'if not now, when? If not you, who?" I poured water on the paper, exhaled and dove in.
To see more of my art click emergence to visit fineartamerica.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Creating Change
Creating Change
In the spirit of the season, it is eerie to see that my last post, so many months ago was to announce my art show to support for my son's dream of comedy and writing at Second City in Chicago. We just returned from witnessing the first phase of that dream's fulfillment. Hope and Other Jokes premiered last Friday Oct 23 to a full house at Second City! Having never seen my son on stage or any production of his writings, it was an amazing experience shared with friends who go back decades. While I am an extremely 'proud mama', I was also struck by just how harsh a taskmaster the creative process of change and growth can be. While all of us may want to move forward into our dreams, self-doubt and the courage to be seen can be major obstacles blocking our way.
As synchronicity would have it,this week, Pharrell Williams on The Voice addressed these 2 stumbling blocks succinctly. A bit Yoda-like were his responses. When questioned by a nervous contestant about how he felt before he went onstage, he replied something to the affect, " Happy. Because I love what I am doing and I am present. The jitters just come because you are not in the moment." Thinking about this further, I realized its profound truth. We get nervous and jittery because we are not present to the moment and what we are doing. We are either worried about the future and the opinions of others or stuck in the past wrestling with our internalized demon voices of those, who may not have fulfilled their own dreams and feel obliged to rain upon ours. In my book, Innerlandscape, I refer to these folks as 'discouragers' because they suck the courage right out of you and all those around them. They often couch their discouragement with terms such as being realistic or just trying to keep you from getting hurt. Sometimes, life hurts. Sometimes that hurt or disappointment is what guides us to the refinement of our dreams.
Perfection is the veil between us and opportunity. I do not where he comes up with these pearls of wisdom but you gotta love him. I have often witnessed the refusal to try because you cannot be the best. Very few of us are born being the best. Even if our gifts are recognized early, it is the hours we put into our craft that creates mastery. As we reach different levels of mastery what we discover is often more questions and more challenges. If we are doing what we love, for the sake of loving it, these new challenges excite and enliven us.
I know it is the first of many moments of joy and challenge when we can break through the restrictions of our past and risk the unknown future to express our unique voice. For me it was my painting Emergence that committed me to my art. Do what you have always longed to do and be the person you were meant to be. The critics will slowly silence and it is infinitely more fun than worry. We welcome you to share your thoughts and stories.
In the spirit of the season, it is eerie to see that my last post, so many months ago was to announce my art show to support for my son's dream of comedy and writing at Second City in Chicago. We just returned from witnessing the first phase of that dream's fulfillment. Hope and Other Jokes premiered last Friday Oct 23 to a full house at Second City! Having never seen my son on stage or any production of his writings, it was an amazing experience shared with friends who go back decades. While I am an extremely 'proud mama', I was also struck by just how harsh a taskmaster the creative process of change and growth can be. While all of us may want to move forward into our dreams, self-doubt and the courage to be seen can be major obstacles blocking our way.
As synchronicity would have it,this week, Pharrell Williams on The Voice addressed these 2 stumbling blocks succinctly. A bit Yoda-like were his responses. When questioned by a nervous contestant about how he felt before he went onstage, he replied something to the affect, " Happy. Because I love what I am doing and I am present. The jitters just come because you are not in the moment." Thinking about this further, I realized its profound truth. We get nervous and jittery because we are not present to the moment and what we are doing. We are either worried about the future and the opinions of others or stuck in the past wrestling with our internalized demon voices of those, who may not have fulfilled their own dreams and feel obliged to rain upon ours. In my book, Innerlandscape, I refer to these folks as 'discouragers' because they suck the courage right out of you and all those around them. They often couch their discouragement with terms such as being realistic or just trying to keep you from getting hurt. Sometimes, life hurts. Sometimes that hurt or disappointment is what guides us to the refinement of our dreams.
Perfection is the veil between us and opportunity. I do not where he comes up with these pearls of wisdom but you gotta love him. I have often witnessed the refusal to try because you cannot be the best. Very few of us are born being the best. Even if our gifts are recognized early, it is the hours we put into our craft that creates mastery. As we reach different levels of mastery what we discover is often more questions and more challenges. If we are doing what we love, for the sake of loving it, these new challenges excite and enliven us.
I know it is the first of many moments of joy and challenge when we can break through the restrictions of our past and risk the unknown future to express our unique voice. For me it was my painting Emergence that committed me to my art. Do what you have always longed to do and be the person you were meant to be. The critics will slowly silence and it is infinitely more fun than worry. We welcome you to share your thoughts and stories.
Monday, July 21, 2014
We returned from a wonderful trip to the Bay Area seeing home places and people. I am grateful to return to our mountain solitude . I have finally made it through my studio reorganization project and I must thank OneRepublic for providing the beat to move things along and make it much more enjoyable. To the end of being the good Mom and supporting artistic spirit I am ...
ANNOUNCING SEND MY SON TO SECOND CITY ART SALE Sat 9-4 7/26 and Sunday 7/27 11-4 It seems to me that laughter is certainly the best medicine for the times we are in. This weekend, all are welcome to visit my studio filled with watercolors, oils, and silks or browse online for prints and cards to help send my son to Second City in Chicago for a year ;so, that he can further hone his writing skills to make people laugh.
If you are in the area please stop by . Any and all support is welcomed and truly appreciated.
ANNOUNCING SEND MY SON TO SECOND CITY ART SALE Sat 9-4 7/26 and Sunday 7/27 11-4 It seems to me that laughter is certainly the best medicine for the times we are in. This weekend, all are welcome to visit my studio filled with watercolors, oils, and silks or browse online for prints and cards to help send my son to Second City in Chicago for a year ;so, that he can further hone his writing skills to make people laugh.
If you are in the area please stop by . Any and all support is welcomed and truly appreciated.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Connecting the Dots Across Generations
I have just spent a lovely hour or so talking and laughing with Mike, the angel born to a good friend of mine. He helps me navigate the cyber lands of floating codes and pixels. Years ago, Michael demonstrated divine patience as he helped me create siteceu an online website , which delivers nationally approved continuing education courses for licensed clinicians in psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, counseling, substance abuse, nursing and related fields . Michael was so calm as he helped me learn these new lands and languages. Being an artist and writer my mind is flexible but not always linear. Michael was able to help me follow the little pixelated dots to produce a successful business. With over a decade passed and with the publication of my new book Innerlandscape-Soul Searching in the 21st Century, I am once again trying to weave a web presence and build a Innerlandscape site for the larger audience to work with the tools I have learned and assimilated over time. Once again, Michael to the rescue. Not only does he connect dots and blog at Heritage Auctions he has written a book on percussion revolvers! What is so amazing about working with Mike across generations, personality types, hobbies, and knowledge bases is the feeling that we actually learn from each other. He makes me trust that I really can get what he is saying. Rather than being left with frustration and dots flying every which way, after a few starts and stops with long pauses as he asks me if I know what he is talking about, the lines, then patterns, then artful works of emerge within our conversation. As I often work alone, it is wonderful to have a Mike as a guide and master dot connector to make the map of my mind and business distinctive and clear for smooth sailing. Thanks, Mike.
I have just spent a lovely hour or so talking and laughing with Mike, the angel born to a good friend of mine. He helps me navigate the cyber lands of floating codes and pixels. Years ago, Michael demonstrated divine patience as he helped me create siteceu an online website , which delivers nationally approved continuing education courses for licensed clinicians in psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, counseling, substance abuse, nursing and related fields . Michael was so calm as he helped me learn these new lands and languages. Being an artist and writer my mind is flexible but not always linear. Michael was able to help me follow the little pixelated dots to produce a successful business. With over a decade passed and with the publication of my new book Innerlandscape-Soul Searching in the 21st Century, I am once again trying to weave a web presence and build a Innerlandscape site for the larger audience to work with the tools I have learned and assimilated over time. Once again, Michael to the rescue. Not only does he connect dots and blog at Heritage Auctions he has written a book on percussion revolvers! What is so amazing about working with Mike across generations, personality types, hobbies, and knowledge bases is the feeling that we actually learn from each other. He makes me trust that I really can get what he is saying. Rather than being left with frustration and dots flying every which way, after a few starts and stops with long pauses as he asks me if I know what he is talking about, the lines, then patterns, then artful works of emerge within our conversation. As I often work alone, it is wonderful to have a Mike as a guide and master dot connector to make the map of my mind and business distinctive and clear for smooth sailing. Thanks, Mike.
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