WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

With all that is going on in our country and around the world on this July 4, 2020 I found myself turning back to this piece created many years ago. It bears words that from long, long ago that spoke to me then and continue to do so today in the midst of the upheaval.

Again, I ponder the words. What do I find worthy of honoring? What would I choose to cultivate? And what, really, on this Independence Day does freedom ultimately mean to me?

So I thought to share these thoughts and the questions that arose from them with whatever follower chooses to read this sporadic blog and hope that you, too, will be moved by these words from another time and another place that just seem to continue to echo down through the years.

JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS

Laguna sky

I don't know just what made the day seem special. Was it the earrings I put on before heading out for a morning walk? Was it the lovely video of dancers sent early by my daughter's mother-in-law? Was it enjoying texting yesterday with my eldest grandson? Was it the cookies baked and sent over by my neighbor Bina? Was it the delivery of yet another Round Robin journal and some laser images delivered by friend Faith? Was it time spent in the garden weeding? Or the time clearing out shelves in my office in anticipation of a distant opportunity for new flooring?

These things and probably more. Sunshine. A light breeze. Morning fog that felt so sublime and soothing. Birdsong that seems to be everywhere. An array of pelicans flying low over the ocean's waves. A Zoom celebration of friend Eloise's birthday.

And there are probably more little moments that participated in making the day just feel good. So I will hold on to all of these things and hope for more of the same on yet another day...maybe dare I hope tomorrow? Life brings so many opportunities for enjoyment if I only look up from the busy-ness and the lists and the niggling fears. 

Live my best life with what I am given...for the now.

TA-DA~!!!!

Forty!

As I ready work for the upcoming Sawdust Art Festival here in Laguna Beach, I am thrilled to have completed these forty small mixed media pieces--just a bit of the large amount of work that needs to be ready to hang by Preview Night (June 26.)
I have had an enormous amount of joy in creating these little pieces. They will become a part of year two of the Celebration of Women series. I hope the people who visit this summer will share some of the good feeling that I have had in the creation of these and all the other pieces.
Moving on to a couple more larger pieces now!

STEPPING OUT OF THE BOX

Angel page and wishes

Sometimes it is good to step out of your own box and be a learner. So I said "yes" to a four-week mixed media journaling class with the wonderful, prolific artist Jacki Long.
Let me start by saying just how far outside my box this really is...I do not like to do my work in a journal where it becomes locked into the pages for all time. Just not my style. That said, I'm in for whatever shows up in this four weeks. So far I was able to stay focused and just play with it, which had been my hope. 
I did this for the fun and the freeing aspect and found that worked in the first session. Stay tuned. I will keep you posted on how this goes. There is nothing to lose...except "shoulds" and rules and the like :)

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN!

The very first of so many

A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN: the series

The presidential election of 2016, while divisive on many levels, seems to have catapulted women into joining together in action on many fronts. Following in the footsteps of many honored women before them--and creating some paths of their own--these women are marching...speaking up...speaking out...standing together...demanding many long-needed changes...showing unquestionable courage, strength and determination.

This series, showing at the Sawdust Art Festival from June 30 thru September 3, is in honor of all of those women and the many others who still have no voice or who have been silenced.

Change is in the wind...Watch out!

MIXING IT UP FOR SOME CHANGE

Time for some change!  As I ponder the future--at least the coming year of 2017--I think it is time to mix things up a bit for the Mixed Media Playtime. Lots of ideas are playing around in my brain and a few are starting to come to fruition. 

First, I am scheduling workshops in my space that will be taught by other artisans.  This way, we can have a variety of techniques that may not be my forte'. And sometimes it will just be to change things up some. So far what is promised is a junk mail book, some encaustic collage, and enameling on copper.  For each of these, students will go home with at least one project completed or nearly so.

I am also hoping to push myself to more project-oriented classes on occasion. I still like the idea of giving students a lot of mixed media techniques in one session, but realize some folks just don't roll that way.

All of this also means the same low price of $65 may not apply and sometimes there may be a materials list, but I have held the line on that price for a very long time, even while my own costs have gone up.  So, again, time for a change! 

I am always open to ideas and suggestions.  If there is something you are interested in learning, let me see if I can make it happen. 

Now to start scheduling.  I hope to post the schedule next month.

CHALLENGES AND GROWTH

Thematic

Ah, the challenges of preparing to do a summer-long festival!  They are many.  Some are more challenging; some more routine. All lead to areas of growth and, hopefully, a WOW presentation.
For me, the routine ones get in the way of creative play and the big challenge there is to stay in a zone like the One A Days provided. 
Perhaps I'm kidding myself; perhaps waiting for that Calvin and Hobbes moment of inspiration--last minute panic. At any rate, taking a short road trip to re-open that creative place that is just at the edge of things. Santa Barbara here I come!