ArtSoPotent

Eating to Live

2010-12-18T16:00:00.000-08:00

Although I have never smoked or been addicted to alcohol or drugs, I have often overeaten, which could be viewed as a form of addiction - albeit a mild one, an addiction just the same. Regardless of the type, addiction could be defined as a compulsive behavior which endangers your mental, emotional and physical health. Often it is an emotional response to overwheming life issues or a traumatic occurence.

Overcoming an addiction requires time, patience, discipline and most of all, honesty. You have to be honest with yourself as to why you overeat in the first place. Certain reason don't count, such as: "Loving" food, liking to eat, liking to cook, "loving" food, liking to eat, liking to cook - you get my point. It would be much easier to just say, "I'm overeating right now, and I"m unwilling to stop overeating right now."

If this is what you have chosen to say, you also must be willing to accept that overeating inhibits your spiritual development and your physical health. More simply put, overeating puts a barrier between you and the higher power you say that you believe in, and it makes you gain weight - which can lead to illness and disease.

Having spent a great portion of my life as a thin person who became overweight following a traumatic, life- altering occurence, I have had to EXTREMELY SLOWLY deal with my feelings about how my body image relates to almost every aspect of my self, my spirit, my lifestyle and my LIFE. Essentially, the choice to overeat is connected to almost everything else that we do - or don't do- with our lives. KNOWING this is the easier part of letting go of overeating. DOING something about it is the hardest part - HARD but NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

Food is pleasurable. However, it is a fleeting pleasure that - when you really think about it - is different with each experience. Each experience is sort of like a day - with the sensation of it being dependent on other factors, such as your mood, the environment, whether you're tired or not, the company you're around - and of course, the quality of the food. This said, no matter how exquisite the taste, there are more enjoyable things in life. Too much emphasis on the food means that there are deeper issues you need to deal with.

Here's how I'm dealing with food right now: Eating what I like in small portions only when I'm hungry. Cooking for myself as a single person, which means cooking in small quantities (usually enough for 2 days). Including fruits and vegetables in my meals. Avoiding red meat, white flour, white sugar, fried foods, pastries, processed foods and coffee. Not bringing into the house those foods that I simply cannot handle, such as gourmet cheeses, ice cream and chocolate candy.

Excluding these foods leaves an infinite variety of foods to choose from. I enjoy eating, but do not like the experience of fullness and other problems that come from overeating. While I realize that I am human, and will sometimes slip up, I also realize that nothing affects my health and well-being as much as what I choose to put in my body. It's a day to day challenge, but it's worth my life. It's worth quality of life.

Committing to My Art

2010-12-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

"Objects of Healing Series" / Acrylic on Canvas / 48x53 cm

As an artist who views painting and creating other art disciplines as the great loves of my life, I have made a commitment to my work. One might say that I am married to my work in that I regularly spend time producing it, learning new things about it, developing it and loving it.

Like any commitment, some days are better than others. Yesterday was not a good painting day for me. My painting session started out well with the first two hours generating an undistracted flow between brain, heart and brush. I was in the zone where time passed without being noticed.

But then something shifted, and I don't know at what point it happened. All I know is that I was now entering the third hour with a painting problem to be resolved. Had I stopped earlier, even when my physical fatigue was less apparent to me, this problem might not have occurred, particularly so unusually early in the process.

If I were not committed to my work, I might possibly have scrapped the work in frustration and walked away. But even though that does happen occasionally, this was not one of those times. Experience has taught me to intuitively know when a work is worth saving - and most of them are - if you're willing to find solutions to problems that sometimes arise. Patience is a critical asset to problem-solving in art, as is being disciplined in creating art.

Being an artist requires commitment, which means being with the work by doing the work. An artist is a person who creates art - on a regular basis. One painting a year doesn't count, and neither does that great painting you did ten years ago. Furthermore, an artist must continue to paint even when the work is not going well. This is how we learn and how we develop our work.

As I mentioned, development of our work will be one of many visible rewards of a pursuit requiring time, sacrifice, love, energy, creativity, patience, discipline, education, skill and ...commitment.

Preview of New Paintings

2010-11-10T06:07:00.000-08:00

"After Franz Marc: Blue Horses" / Acrylic on Canvas

"Blue Moon Dancer"/ Acrylic on Canvas

"Family #1/ Acrylic on Canvas

"Objects of Healing #3/ Acrylic on Canvas

Getting Paid for Your Art #2

2010-09-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

Long before most artists become professional, they have spent many years developing their craft through education, experimentation and practice. Many have paid their dues in myriad ways when they enter the marketplace. It can be daunting to discover that there are those who will try in different ways to either steal your work or own it without paying for it.

Before I actually sold any work, I had a few experiences where my art was stolen. The first time was by a man my sister was living with. When she asked him to move, he took with him the beautiful charcoal drawing I had given her as a birthday present. The second time was when I gave my uncle, who lived in another state, a nude charcoal drawing. When he died a few years later, the drawing disappeared from his living room wall during his funeral.

Later, at the beginning of my professional career, there were experiences where greedy people attempted to purchase my work at less than the asking price because they figured I would be hungry for exposure - which I was. There were a few times when I made poor decisions based on my desire to have my work seen by a larger audience.

The first time was when I was asked do a painting for a local restaurant through two art "businesswomen" who knew the owner.  Had I been less naive, I would never have agreed to a transaction that involved a three-way monetary split. With a bit more business savy, I would have approached the owner myself without a middle person - which I now tend to do with better results.

The second time was when I sold a painting to a well-known person at a lower price than I felt the work was worth. Again, getting more exposure was my reason for doing this.

Perhaps the most insidious way that artists are cheated out of their work is through non-profit organizations who ask for art donations for charitable causes WITHOUT ANY OF THE PROCEEDS GOING TO THE ARTIST IF THEIR WORK SELLS!!! Many of these organizations make it clear that the artist will "gain exposure" in various ways that will be beneficial to him or her.

Although most art auctions do give the artist a decent percentage if their work sells, more and more of them have the audacity to give no percentage. This is unfair because of the time and expense that goes into creating just one work of art. Fortunately, art groups are forming around the country protesting artists unfair relationships with non-profit organizations.

I know some people will get mad at me for saying this, but I think an artist's donations should be proportional to their sales. It's only fair. Why would you continue to donate work on a regular basis if your work is not selling?  While I believe in giving back to the community, you are only harming your future sales prospects if most of your transactions as an emerging artist have been freebies.

Only an artist can understand the struggle necessary to become an artist. Most of us work other jobs while finding the time and space to produce work. In addition to juggling many other responsiblities outside of our art, we feel the grind of applying for grants, art exhibitions, media exposure as well as constantly promoting our work.

Making art is a noble pursuit in which the artist is really giving back to the community when he creates his work. Like any other fair exchange, he should at least be paid for the blood, sweat and tears of his work.

Getting Paid for Your Art / Part I

2010-08-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

Creating art is what most committed artists enjoy doing, and we also enjoy selling our work - some with aspirations of being a professional artist, and some who are already at that level.  However, the business of art can be ridden with financial pitfalls, from buyers who are slow in paying to organizations who want to own an artist's work without paying anything. Invariably, these type of buyers prey on an artist's desire for exposure and their need to sell their work. There are some precautions that serious artists can take to ensure getting paid at the time they sell their work.

In order to establish a track record through exposure, emerging artists tend to participate in almost any venue that is offered, including vendor shows, street fairs and group exhibitions. They are often quite eager to accept commissions, as well. It is important that proper forms are available and signed before an artist participates in any venue.

After being "burned" several times (in various ways)by not getting paid on time, I drew up every conceivable type of form to have on hand for selling my art. Some of these forms included contracts, commission agreements, blank itemized bills, reminder notes, installment agreements and exhibition agreements, to name a few. Even though art dealers and other art business people have their own forms, I wanted to make sure that all their forms covered all variables.

Other ways that artists can make sure they get paid is by establishing a business policy for selling their work and stick to it. Again, put it in writing! This policy should include: How, What, Where, When and Who regarding the exchange of art for the exchange of cash. It should also include whether you plan to be paid in full or in installments.  An artist should always include any variables pertaining to special circumstances regarding their particular work.

For example, if an organization asks you to freely donate a piece of art with the understanding that they pay no percentage, agree to donate but state your percentage policy if you expect to be paid. Make sure you either have a form or draw up a form for this type of exchange. Gaining exposure is always good, but artists must get paid for their hard work.

In Part II of this series, I will share some of my experiences regarding this subject.

The Creative Home as Sanctuary

2010-06-24T05:15:00.000-07:00

"Who loves the rain
And loves his home
And looks on life
with quiet eyes."
Francis Shaw

Currently, I am finally beginning to beautify the home I've been living in for the past one and a half years. Having painted an accent wall in the living room, all the bathroom and the bedroom, I find myself daydreaming constantly of colors for the other rooms to match the existing ones, which are in gradated shades of soft yellow, from palest pale to deepest gold. The kitchen backsplash is lime.
Running through my head also are ideas for furniture and accessories, preferably trash-to-treasure and artful, respectively. My favorite accessories would include pictures, pillows, plants, books, lighting, hanging paper mobiles and gifts from friends. All of these items are related to my interests.

But more important than all these thoughts is that I want a space that is not only beautiful, but also imparts a feeling of stepping into another world, a visual sanctuary where I can always feel safe and relaxed and where visitors can feel welcome, happy and stimulated by their surroundings. I want them to leave with a sense of having learned more about me based on my surroundings.

Ambitious? No. I feel that a comfortable and beautiful home is a major component in contributing to one's sense of well-being. It has been a life-long need that I must be surrounded by beauty at home in order to be fulfilled. When I was younger, I thought I was odd in this strong need for beauty and comfort, but seeing other lovely homes in real life and in books changed my thinking.

Some favorite books in my library include "Feeling at Home" by Alexandra Stoddard, "Sacred Space" by Denise Linn and "HouseBeautiful Art, Decorating with Art at Home." The respective websites are alexandrastoddard.com/library.asp, http://www.deniselinn.com/ and http://www.housebeautiful.com/. There is much valuable information in all three books about making your house into a home. I was inspired to push forth in my beautification quest after reviewing them once again.

After painting the mentioned rooms, I began looking for fabric to make a special bedspread and pillows for my bed. I also hung from the middle window panel five small hand-painted elephants suspended on golden thread. I love waking each morning and looking at them because they were given to me by a friend, and were packed away in boxes until recently. Objects like these become treasured friends over time, an integral part of your home.
Step by step, I hope to have made good progress toward creating the type of atmosphere I desire in my space. I will keep you posted. Please feel free to comment on your own beautification adventures, be it home or garden.

Loving Nature

2010-05-24T17:31:00.000-07:00

As I grow older, my love and respect for Nature intensifies. I find that during this time of the year, in particular, it is vital for me to find time to sit alone or walk somewhere in the presence of trees, flowers, river and birds. Whether I'm reading or just reflecting, the peace I feel when I'm one with Nature is beyond description.
Whenever I think about when my love of Nature began, I think back to my gradual, progressive journey with it - my awareness of it. That awareness began during my early childhood in a small southern town, where my family and I often went on excursions into the woods during the summer to pick blackberries, cherries and grapes. I loved the freshness of the air, the colors of the many different plants and the many, many trees everywhere. I remember being excited that no two trees were the same. I was even excited that we had to be careful to avoid areas known to harbor dangerous snakes. Somehow, knowing the snakes were there and knowing that I was protected by adults kept my adrenalin flowing.

Growing up on my grandfather's small farm was another reason that I viewed Nature as a friend, especially in summer and fall. In the summer, there was a garden filled with corn, green beans, tomatoes, greens, watermelons, cucumbers and okra. There was also a fig tree in our front yard, and a chicken coop in our back yard. I loved that we grew most of what we ate, and it wasn't until we moved north that I discovered not everybody made their own buttermilk - or wrung a chicken's neck in the morning and ate it for supper that same day.

Everybody had not eaten a yellow-meat watermelon from Georgia, or witnessed newborn kittens in a bedroom dresser drawer. Nor had they learned to climb a tree, catch a trout or watch caught-tadpoles turn into frogs. Everybody had not caught June bugs in the summer, tied a string to their legs and watched them "zing on a string," making a zinging noise. Nor had they sat on the front porch at night in the summer, catching lightning bugs in a jar.

Everybody had not known the thrill of watching their relatives shake a pecan tree in the fall, and fill a crocus sack with the wonderful bounty. Yet, as a child, I thought everyone had experienced all these things. Later on, and even now, I am amazed that there are still those who think it is unsophisticated to love nature so much. I have learned that it is they who are showing their ignorance with these type of thinking.

When I am in the presence of nature, especially trees and water, I am acutely aware that there is something higher than myself - something wise and mysterious. Something that has been here forever, and for that I am thankful.

When I die, I will go back to the earth because I came from the earth. I am a part of the earth, a part of Nature, and perhaps that is why I love it so much.

Living My Best Life

2010-05-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Today as I viewed yet another "to-do list," it occurred to me once again that there was no way to complete everything on that list. The tasks before me could realistically be completed in a week or even two, but to try doing them all in one day would be begging for stress, irritation and exhaustion. A two-week time span would allow for leisure time and socializing between tasks. Doing so would certainly make those tasks more palatable.

After taking some time this morning to reflect about my life, I realized that I continue to sometimes measure the success of my day by the number of tasks accomplished, particularly the ones relating to my artistic goals. This train of thought led to me to thinking about what I would consider to be my best life.

Even though some of my life goals have remained the same over time, the way I want to go about bringing them to fruition has changed. My view of what constitutes my best life is rather simplistic and divided into four categories consisting of self-development, art, family and friends. While there are sub-categories under each area, this is it for me.

Spending my time focusing on these four areas and whatever is relevant to them is my best life. In many ways I am living my best life right now. Most days find me dividing my time between various activities relating to these four categories, with painting often being the top priority.

Besides the painting, I enjoy writing for the projects that are not yet "soup," reading, spending time in nature, and consciously developing myself spiritually. Having lunch with friends or chatting with the long-distance ones on Facebook is also gratifying, as well as spending time with my lovely family. This is the gist of my best life.

Keeping in mind that a best life does not mean there will be no dark days, I can say that I am grateful for the best life I now have. I just have to remember to keep those "to-do" lists short!

Human Equality ( a rhythm/ performance poem)

2010-04-02T04:25:00.000-07:00

Black people, red people, brown people white
Yellow people, pink people, dark people light
Tall people, short people, fat people thin
All people same save the skin they're in

Rich people, poor people, middle people drink
Smart people, dull people, dumb people think
Beautiful people, ugly people, pretty people plain
All living people have some type of brain

When you consider how basic the plate
It makes no sense to discriminate
When you consider the boat we're all in
It's best to accept all people as kin

Women people, men people, children people speak
Young people, middle people, old people eat
Girl people, boy people, straight people gay
All living people breathe every day

Moral people, sinner people, saint people priest
North people, south people, west people east
Good people, bad people, wrong people right
All living people face day and night

Black people, red people, brown people white
Yellow people, pink people, dark people light
Tall people, short people, fat people thin
All people same save the skin they're in

When you measure love with hate
It makes no sense to discriminate
When you consider the boat we're all in
It's best to accept all people as kin!

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

The Week in Gratitude #4

2010-03-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

"Objects of Affection #7 / Private Collection

This week has found me extremely anxious about some very real complexities in my life. It is at times like these that I realize my supreme source of comfort extends beyond the realm of the Human, but more toward the realm of the Divine. The principle of gratitude continues to be a soothing mainstay for me. Whenever I take stock of the blessings in my life, I feel reassured. This is what I am thankful for this week:

Life - Regardless of what kind of day I'm having, there are so many things in life to enjoy, including the simple act of waking up and continuing to breathe.

Grandchildren - Here is an inexplicable love, so unlike any other. They make me laugh really hard. They say exactly what's on their mind. And sometimes they say, "I wuv you" without really knowing what that means.

Books - Cheez! I am such a bookworm - sometimes sneaking in chapters between other tasks throughout the day. Yes, it's true that I sometimes read on the run, but what better way to forget about your troubles than escaping through a book? It's better than escaping through a bottle...............(I wouldn't fit into a bottle, anyway).

Food - On Wednesday, I made one of my speciality dishes, Tahitian Chicken, a stir-fry consisting of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, red bell peppers, onions, broccoli, pineapple chunks and Catalina dressing, all served over brown rice. This is healthy, comfort food that can be prepared in small portions. Totally delicious, served with peach tea Crystal Lite.

Work - When I'm feeling down, I become a workacholic. I am thankful for having the energy to do my art, clean my place, go to the grocery store, do my laundry and answer my phone calls.

Humor - Thankfully, there is a variety of humor to lighten any given moment of a day, whether you're alone or with others. I love to make others laugh and love to have my funny tickled, as well.

Pets - I am so thankful for my cat, Lucy. No one would believe that when I'm putting on lipstick and mascara to go out, this cat jumps on the toilet seat so that I can put some on her, too. Sometimes, she actually stands very still on her two hind legs while I pretend by rubbing each tube across her eyebrows.

Being grateful comes to me by remembering to focus on what I already have. I hope this works for you, too. Anyhow, these are the things I'm grateful for this week. What are you grateful for this week?

10 Things Art and Sex Have in Common

2010-03-06T07:45:00.000-08:00

Interest - Regardless of skill or experience, if you have a sustained
interest in any pursuit, most likely you will do it well or learn to do it well. Talent without interest fizzles, and ability without interest is just stone cold. Enthusiasm, excitement and confidence are vital in evolving interest into passion.
Committment - Making art that expresses who you are requires time to learn how your own technical knowledge and emotions interact with both the subject matter and the materials at hand. It requires committment. Having sex with someone with whom you have a committed relationship is better than with someone you hardly know, which is not true intimacy, but more like having fast food when you could have had gourmet. While I'm not implying that every committed relationship automatically means better sex, I am saying that it allows you the time and unfolding to learn your partner's emotional, physical, mental and spiritual temperament.
Freedom of Expression - You have the idea, you have the feelings, you have the desire. You may express yourself however you wish, either in making love or in making art.
Spirituality - Spirituality is the level you reach during the phase where art makes itself - where eyes, hands and mind work in unison without self-conciousness or mental prompts, where color, form and all elements become one. Enough said.
Creativity - When making art, it is exciting to approach each new work with a sense of joy rather than duty. Each new work will have your own signature, but will be individual in its originality. It is possible to approach intimacy with your partner in the same manner, with a willingness to be creative and varied in your activity.
Fulfillment - Satisfaction can be temporary, while fulfillment suggests permanency, while still challenging you to continue to strive for your highest. This applies to many areas of life, including art and sex.
Health Benefits - Whenever I am involved in the process of painting with focus and committment, the results of my efforts invariably are felt afterwards. The completed work leaves me with a sense of well-being and energy. Over time, this has influenced my overall health. Being in a committed relationship with someone you love and share a healthy sexual relationshp contributes to good physical and mental health, as well.
Communication - The process of making great art requires not only a robust constitution, but also a heightened sense of connection between yourself and your tools. Heart, head and hands must be keen in communicating through dialogue between the artist and the work, reacting as the moment dictates. The same is true in maintaining a fulfilling relationship with your partner. Good communication includes the ability to truly listen, responding appropriately with sensitivity to what was said.
Passion - In many cases, the passion for making art can endure as long as you're an artist, even though, gradually over time, the physical aspect might limit your productivity. The same could be said of a sexual relationship.
Development - Great art must be developed over time. Some people have given me funny looks when I have stated that this is such an overlooked area of intimate relationships. It is my belief that a sexual relationship should also be developed over time. I believe that the loss of sexual interest in your partner often results from failure to develop the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects - as well as the physical aspects of a relationship. Focusing on the physical alone can result in constantly seeking new partners, or even becoming sexually addicted. A good sexual relationship cannot thrive strictly on physical attraction.

Appreciating Art by Children

2010-02-24T10:14:00.000-08:00

When my now eight-year old grandaughter was five, she often sat next to me making her own art as I painted or sketched. There was a period when she was quite prolific, cranking out colorful abstracts as well as a series of "girl" drawings which she obviously enjoyed making.  Each one of these girls had serious hair and a common stance, which I assumed she was attempting to duplicate from "Top Model," her favorite television show at the time.

I was so enthusiastic about these small drawings that I carefully framed and mounted them in a montage arrangement over my kitchen desk. Of course, my grandaughter was thrilled about this. Whenever she came to visit, she went straight to the kitchen to look at her paintings. Although they were raw and undeveloped, they were unique, colorful and made with lots of love.

Once, when I was preparing to take some paintings to a potential client, my grandaughter asked me, "What's a client?"  When I answered they were someone who bought paintings, she said, "Wait a minute! Take some of my mine because I'm sure she'll want to buy them!"  Is that not confidence?

Parents, teachers and relatives can instill confidence in their children's artistic abilities - or even just passing interest- by showing appreciation for their creative renderings. Every effort is praiseworthy as well as pure because a child's vision is spontaneous, genuine and innocent. Some of the art I've most enjoyed has come from children. Whenever I look at it, I can feel the initial response that brought it into being.  Usually, this response is a sense of wonder and excitement about the work itself.

As an adult artist, it is this feeling that keeps me painting, keeps me returning to the drawing board. Often, I am aware that it is this feeling of excitement that I want to re-capture each time I start a new painting. How wonderful that children get to experience that feeling each time they make art.

Art made by children can be viewed at exhibitions presented by schools, libraries and community centers, among others. These works are also available online. Two of my favorite sites of art by children are ArtSonia and http://www.kidsart/.  When you visit the latter, be sure to click 'visit the gallery.' Enjoy!

*Note: I wanted very much to post a photo of my grandaughter and me, as well as some of her art work, but was unable to do so because of technicalities. I hope you enjoy this essay just the same.

Leaving Winter

2010-02-17T16:58:00.000-08:00

Even as the snow continues to cover the ground and the temperature drops at night, something has shifted in my winter perception. I am thinking spring. As I continue my pattern of rising just after dawn to write or read, I am no longer feeling restricted by winter. Instead, I am thinking about walking outside again, maybe taking a swimming class and attending that monthly networking group I have missed all winter because of the cold. I am also thinking about how much fun it will be to shop for and wear spring clothes. Yea! No more looking like Lenny the Lumberjack!

The cardinals that frequent the feeder at a friend's house must be feeling spring-like, too, because the male and female have been playing "bird tag" every time I visit. They know winter will have to leave soon, whether she wants to or not, because spring is patiently waiting just beneath the surface of the snow.

Despite my occasional complaints about the weather, I realize that the season of winter is necessary in order to enjoy and appreciate the warmer seasons. I believe that winter is a metaphor for the major challenges of our lives. The fact of winter helps to build character and endurance, as we would probably be "fluffy" rather than solid people if it was spring all the time. That which is too familiar is often taken for granted.

As winter is leaving, I am mentally bidding her goodbye in subtle ways. I am noticing that the trees continue to be beautiful, even when bare. And even though I dislike driving in snow, it is pleasant to view from inside, especially when the house is dark.

Yes, I know that winter is notorious for throwing curve balls. During the fickle month of March is when she is most likely to get weird on us, mixing all kinds of unlikely elements , "Ummm, what about some fog with that ice! Or a bit of sleet with the fog - haven't done that one in a while!"

Still, when your time is up, it's up. We are now closer to spring than winter, and soon it will be time to say......

".....goodbye, winter....hello,spring!"

Navigating Facebook

2010-02-10T17:20:00.000-08:00

It's been almost a month since my account has been active on Facebook, and I'm not surprised that, despite a few annoying occurences, I am enjoying the experience. I think my experience has been mostly positive because I am aware of my primary reason for being on the site - to promote my art. Making friends along the way would definitely be an added bonus.

To date, here's some of my favorite features of Facebook:

Friends - My list includes friends, other artists, musicians and family members.  Taking it slow when it comes to adding people makes my list relatively small in comparison to others who have added thousands. Also, I'm happy to say that I ACTUALLY KNOW or at least have met most of the people on my list!  It's a delight to connect with people I have not seen in years, and I look forward to finding more of these connections on Facebook. Also, it's thrilling beyond words to connect with relatives in other states.

Inbox - I love that I can send private messages via my inbox. Since I enjoy one- on- one conversation, I use this feature regularly, mainly with people with whom I have had a "real life" connection.

Status Updates - There is a section for viewing the most recent comments and activities of people on your friends list as well as updates about businesses, products, websites and celebrities you have added to your Pages. Such an interesting treat!

Pages - This is one of my most used resources on Facebook.  I have become a fan not only of favorites I have used, but also a few that I want to learn more about. I like getting updates about these favorites.

Artist's Groups - There are many I would like to join, but have only joined one thus far. It's so much fun conversing with the other artists there and viewing their work that I haven't had time to check out the others.

This is all I have to say right now.  I think my Facebook experience will continue to be positive if I remember that it is an enjoyable PART of my life, and not my ENTIRE life.

Already I have made some connections with people from my past whom I might still have been searching for had I not joined Facebook.  This makes me glad.

Art and the Fifth House of Leo

2010-02-03T18:06:00.000-08:00

Criminologists have sometimes employed professional astrologers to draw up charts to study cerebral commonalities in serial killers.  Being naturally curious, I have studied astrology in a lesser, but more than cursory way in order to observe personality,character traits and various interests and pursuits in myself and others.

It has been my observation that a great many artists are born in the month of July, the last part of which rules the sun sign, Leo -specifically July 23 to August 22. This sign is ruled by the sun, it's symbol is the lion, and in scientific astrology, governs the fifth house of art, leadership, children and creativity. Even if an artist is not born within that exact time frame, some significant aspect of his chart is probably strongly influenced by the fifth house of Leo.

For example, the major aspects of my own chart are dominated by fifth house placements. Although I was born with the Sun in Sagittarius, Moon in Pisces and Aries rising, many other planets such as Mercury, Mars and Uranus are ruled by other signs as well as Leo placed solidly in the fifth house.

What does all this mean? For me, it simply means that I must express my emotions through creative pursuits in order to be happy. I'm sure it means the same for other artists, as well.

Some famous artists born in July include Gustave Klimt, Frida Kahlo, Marcel DuChamp, David Hockney, James M. Whistler, Edgar Degas, Thomas Eakins, Jean DuBuffett, Marc Chagall, Andrew Wyeth, Rembrandt, Alexander Calder, Edward Hopper and George Grosz. There are probably many others.

I must also mention that the polarity of Leo is its opposite sign Aquarius, and there are many artists born under that sign, as well.

If an artist is born at any time in July, he might be a Cancer or a Leo, but based on what I know about astrology, would still have strong placements leaning into Leo and its fifth house.  He would be artistic, expressive, somewhat dramatic in speech, perhaps a chairman or president of a club or committee, and would probably have at least one child. If not an artist, he might be an art lover or a gallery owner. He might a Scorpio art dealer with his Moon in Leo or a Leo Rising or a strong fifth house placement.

For the record, President Barack Obama is a Leo and is a eloquent speaker. He and his wife, Michelle Obama are art lovers who have two children.

Just some fun info, ya'll.   I want every Leo who reads this to leave a comment.

How Ideas Come

2010-01-27T16:45:00.000-08:00

Subjects for my paintings and poetry are generally based on my beliefs, thoughts, life experiences and observations. However, specific ideas are often generated through inspirations such as cinema, literature or music. These ideas might come slowly as a process, spontaneously at any given time or in a dream, just before waking.

Ideas that come slowly as a process first manifest as a strong feeling I might have about a movie I've just seen or an unusually inspiring piece of music. Like most of us, I am most likely to have feelings about whatever I relate to - that expresses something I've experienced in my own life. I felt justly moved the other night after hearing Jennifer Hudson singing, "Let It Be." The words to that song always resonate with me, but her rendition was particularly impressive.

The strong feeling then flows into desire - the desire to retain the feeling by manifesting it into art. This is a gradual process that might begin with sketches, more sketches, and then a final drawing, which is used as a reference for the painting.

Spontaneous ideas invariably come when I'm in a very relaxed mood with making art the last thing on my mind. I might be doing a mundane task, such as vacuuming the floor or doing laundry, when - pow! - a poem insinuates itself into my brain. Or an idea for a painting demands an immediate sketch.

Ideas that come in dreams are what I call gifts because they arrive full-fledged, rich with color and complete in design. They are paintings delivered by angels during sleep. Their only demand is that a pencil and pad is nearby. Otherwise, they will be lost forever.

Oops, I forgot another way an idea might come - through sitting down and sweating it out of your brain......it's called..... force. This one requires lots of time - say days or weeks.

Staying Healthy While Creating Art

2010-01-20T18:21:00.000-08:00

"Objects of Healing #2" / Acrylic on Canvas

When just starting my professional career several years ago, I had a discussion with an established artist which has stuck in my mind to this day. When I asked him how he was able to spend long hours in his studio working on his beautiful pointillism works, he cited long distance swimming as the key to his stamina. He said the best advice he would give any artist is "stay healthy in order to continue creating art!"

As I realize now more than ever that "the more creative I am, the more creative I become," I also realize that a high level of energy is necessary in order to continue producing at the rate I currently enjoy. My goal is to be like Pablo Picasso, who died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 90, after painting until 4a.m.

Barring unforseen circumstances, if I am to realize that goal, I know what to do. The trick is to do it consistently: 1)Eat "right", which for me includes fish, poultry, raw and cooked vegetables, whole grains, fruits and water. I eat these foods every single day, but not always in smaller portions. 2) Get enough sleep. Six hours is the most I can muster. 3) Exercise. When I'm not painting or making art, I'm constantly moving about, but I don't have an exercise routine. 4) Take vitamins. I take them, and they make me feel a lot better than I would without them.

If I were to give myself a grade in following through on all of the above, I would give myself a B-, even though I feel healthy most of the time. I have not had a cold, an ache or a pain in eight years. Still, it bothers me that I could do better, but don't.

Why don't I do it consistently? Because I'm busy painting, ya'll!!! Yes, I know. It's a real Catch22. But I have promised myself to get better with this.

And I'm thinking that I will.

The Compassionate Sun

2010-01-13T07:37:00.000-08:00

"The Compassionate Sun" / Acrylic on Canvas

"As I continue to acknowledge those who are living with cancer or have overcome cancer, I offer this painting and poem. Both were created two years ago for my mother, who died in 2002 from ovarian cancer, a rapidly-growing form of that disease. Shortly following her diagnosis, my mother suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak throughout the reminding three months of her illness. She had a room with a pleasant view.

See how the sun loves your heart,
Which faintly beats, yet still does beat
How fickle pain now does depart
How earth warms your chilly feet
As sun rises high, bright with heat

Sun knows you have lived with grief
Stored your faith in darkest keeping
Today's presence might recall your belief
To summon on days when he is sleeping
To hold on days that find you weeping

Your heart and soul feels torn and bled
You miss the sun whom you love so dear
First came rain, now the dread
No comfort of sun to soothe your fear
Only shadows of illness lurking near

See how the sun loves your face
Then pleases the trees with his smile
How he illumines morning like grace
Then comes in kindness to visit a while
To please you, also, with his smile

Much attention he has given the flowers
Such days of pleasure nature has known
For you, he rises to soften your hours
With this new light, your spirit has shone
Today he smiles for you alone

See how the sun loves you
This beautiful day is an embrace
With rays of hope that washes through
And illuminates morning like grace.

Offers this day that feels like Grace.

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

Cancer Survivor

2010-01-06T18:37:00.000-08:00

Cancer came quietly, a subtle thief

In wait, lain for all those years

A downward spiral, a slow-falling leaf

To target the center of my fears

To target the eye of my major issues

The place where lessons take shape

Negative emotions hidden in tissue

Reveals truth without hope of escape

This, coupled with addictions of choice

Used by me in times of frustration

Growth now spreads this foreign voice

Whose presence increases my desperation

Why was tobacco used to cope

With the sorrows of a mundane life?

Or food used like a kind of dope

To get me through times of strife?

To leave faces of familiarity

Is not my longtime vision of now

Although I accept my mortality

There must be an answer, somehow

Could I pray for a quiet remission?

To give me a decent second chance?

And ask only for higher permission

For cancer to exit and me to enhance

The gifts of my life with a stronger heart

Based on all I belatedly understand

And walk the ways of a fresh start

The gifts of my life held firmly in hand

Then, through prayer plus action of power

Of equal intensity where cancer fed

Overrides the density where disease flowers

And bequeaths precious life instead

Though my understanding is most abstract

Of how this healing came to be

That miracles are possible is a fact

Of both scientific reasons and Divinity!

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

*This poem was written two years ago, and is dedicated to all my friends who have beat cancer. The painting, "Dreams of the Trinity" is in the permanent collection of Providence Hospital in Novi, Michigan.

Fond Wishes for 2010

2010-01-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Good Day, Everyone! And a Good New Year! Let's all hope and pray for a better new year. May you all be blessed with your fondest good wishes. Here are some of my own:

- That our troops will return home soon. Is peace a possibility for this world?

- That there will be more protection for our children. There are too many of them missing!

- That our elderly, our poor, our sick and our homeless will receive the services they need.

- That our lagging economy will soon recover.

- That the iminent health care reform will be true reform, beneficial to all.

- That art and handmade items will gain a firm footing in the global market, most desired ......(and bought... hee, hee).

- That, as artists, we will begin to document more of what is happening during these historical times, thereby leaving records for posterity.

- Speaking of health care, that our pocketbooks be fat, but not our asses (mine included, ya'll). Yes, I can be extremely spiritual, and say that word sometimes!

Peace and Blessings to All!

Some Thoughts on Giving

2009-12-24T21:54:00.000-08:00

Earlier today, Christmas Eve, I had a small family potluck gathering at my home.  We were in a festive spirit as we ate my homemade chili and salad, followed by various desserts contributed by everyone.

After the children had opened presents given them by aunt, uncles, nieces and nephews, I brought out a hugh box of older pictures taken over the years. Shortly thereafter, a big argument ensued by two relatives of furiously differing opinions as to who had taken a certain picture. One of the protagonists was particularly loud in proclaiming she had taken the picture. Almost on the verge of tears, she refused to back down.

Later, after everyone had left, I reflected on how this incident definitely was not in the spirit of giving, as this argument could quickly have been resolved if either party had refused to participate by simply letting go -giving in and giving up on a subject that wasn't that serious. After all, what was the point?

As I see it, letting go could be seen as a form of giving. Some other thoughts on giving relate to:

Forgiveness - This is probably the most difficult form of giving - more to oneself than the other person. When you forgive, you relieve yourself of the strain of carrying such a burden. For me, however, I have to say that while I am capable of forgiving, I don't necessarily want to be looking the other person in the face everyday. I know, I need to do more work in this area.

Attitude - Based on some discussions I've had, it seems some folks who are doing well materially could develop a healthier attitude toward the less fortunate. While there are many people who are working to eradicate poverty in America and abroad, we still have a long way to go in ditching the attitude that says, "I've got mine, you get yours."  This is not only unacceptable, it's heartless.

Brotherly and Sisterly Love -  Another form of giving is to accept people who are different from you. That person is not your enemy. Uniqueness keeps the world interesting.  Exclusivity is boring and erects walls. We are not the sum of our possessions, class or skin color.

I wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year! May we all continue to give to ourselves and to one another!

Artists Who Share

2009-12-20T13:33:00.000-08:00

"By its very nature, the act of creating art is an act of giving."

-georgette

Several years ago, after winning an artist's residency at a prominent local museum, I was quickly deluged with never-ending requests for favors. Because I wanted to make a positive impression, I really tried to accomodate far too many people in this regard.

Most of these requests were from other artists and people working in various capacities in the art industry.  They invariably were from strangers, and ranged from asking for tutoring (novice artists)  to outright asking for art at a reduced price (potential buyers). While I was and still am happy to share technical information with any seriously productive artist, learning to respect my work by not selling it short was a hard lesson for me. As we enter this season of giving, I am clear on the difference between being generous with my work, and protecting my time, energy and spirit- not to mention finances.

As a serious artist, I have learned what I will and will not share, as well as with whom I will and will not share. I will share any resource information that is asked of me. I will share any technical information that is asked of me. I will share information about materials. I will share my art and my time if I am able to do so (however, how many working artists actually have that kind of time?). I will donate art to a worthy cause either of my own choosing or when I am asked to do so by a trusted person.

Although it might not be true for some other artists, I have found that making art is very expensive, and I am more inclined to donate my work when at least a small monetary percentage is returned to me.  This shows respect for the artist's time, expenses and the work itself. In all honesty, I think many people are of the mindset that artists can "always make another one." But nothing could be further from the truth. Making art is both a joy and a privilege , but also has its share of frustration and tears.

In keeping it real, most artists I know are quite generous, and I can trace every milestone in my career back to the kindness of  at least one other artist. By the same token, some never even share the name of the store where they bought the paper they use, because: 1) They don't want you to use the paper to make a picture that might look great? 2) They own stock in the company and don't want to make any sales right now?  3) Being selfish gives them a warm cozy feeling? 4) They don't know why they don't share; it's a habit that has pushed them to the forefront of their profession? 5) Why should they share with you when you should be sharing with THEM? 6) All of the above?

Nothing much more to say about sharing. It's good to do it whenever you can. You'll feel good about helping another artist or art lover. And it takes nothing away from you, depending on what it is.

Ummm, and did I mention that it takes nothing away from you?  Depending on what it is?

Yes, I will share my materials list with you. No, I will not paint twenty pictures for you for three hundred dollars.

Above painting: "Gratitude" / Acrylic on 100% rag / Private Collection

Everywhere

2009-12-13T18:08:00.000-08:00

Don't dilute the energy of bump and grind
Joy-slapping bodies doing that dance
Always remember what begins in the mind
Is everywhere and might or not bring romance

A cup of java whose flavor makes you sigh
With pleasure because it tastes just right
Or a wisp of hair or a glimpse of thigh
Brings a natural reaction of the same delight

It could be a song that creates a mood
Or a passing image just barely brushed
Or the glancing kiss you both understood
Or the exiting whispers, captured, hushed

Sensuality all in stages of foreplay
Grasped and retained within the mind
Sexuality abounds in any given day
There at whim for you to find

It's everywhere, not only in the dance
Everywhere and might or not bring romance
If your pleasure in all things is never denied
When you decide to dance you will be satisfied!

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

Rewind

2009-12-10T19:33:00.000-08:00

For hours, it was, having bled,

Transfusion a strong probability

My countenance pale as the hospital bed

Myself moving backward toward eternity

Alarmed, I felt my soul leaving me!

The nurse's cry for help, strangely transparent

So thin a disembodiment I could feel

I, fading quickly, quite apparent

Transcending now in circular reel

Soul now flown toward dust into dust

Reversing to birth on a turning wheel

Seeking its origin as all we must

Backward move in infinite reel

That passes in slow motion I have found

That passes before our transiting eye

Is simply a circle that is rewound

To play again forward

But never to die

Having come through, I now find

We don't ever leave, we simply rewind.

To Youth a Reminder

2009-11-22T09:31:00.000-08:00

"Young Warriors"/ Private Collection

Take then, the stinging no
Of life's cruel excess
Knead your thoughts warmly so
Into a softly smiling yes

Take the rhyme, the metaphor
Live facing the sky
Speak the words that crack the door
To every mystery, every why

Embrace the night of things unshown
Speak strong your truth today
Do not die with all you own
Tucked, still, deeply away

Paint the canvas of your pleasure
Sing your brilliant love song
Jump the edge without measure
Each moment, live life long

Speak strong your truth today
Do not die with your life tucked:
Still. Deeply. Away.

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

Note: After viewing the dark, brutally honest yet mesmerizing movie, "Precious" yesterday, I was compelled to post this painting from four years ago, along with the poem that relates to it. As is usually the case, the poem and painting were not created simultaneously. Instead, their similarity match the subject matter and themes of my artistic thoughts.

Night Perception

2009-11-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

"Just Before Dawn" /Private Collection

By despair visited, as Hope sometimes is
In circles mulling the problem at hand
Helplessly drawn deeper, no help to enlist
Fruitlessly seeking, finally, to understand
Complexities of such a question as this

Indigo darkness stretched endlessly dense
An enveloping blanket of murky constraint
The question itself developing more intense

Of length unforgiving, of Hope most faint
The slowly passing hours now a lonely offense

Why! Hope cried out, surrounding by night
Feeling her defenses now were gone
Then, the final darkness received the light
Gradually, dawn crept through, she was not alone!
Yet no answer revealed, but that all would be right!

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

The Drive to Paint

2009-11-13T05:23:00.000-08:00

My drive to paint stems from my personality, issues related to my childhood and an artistic legacy passed on from my ancestors. These factors partially form the foundation of my artistic bent, but have not been enough in themselves to make me a visual artist. Nor have they been enough to make me return to painting time and time again,. The need to continue painting is more immediate, and is more about responding to life in the present. On the deepest level, I paint as a way of continuing to live day to day. It is a way of communicating with life itself, and talking back to life as life talks to me.

The decision to be an artist was a conscious one for me. In the beginning, my view of what being an artist meant was as rough-hewn as the images I drew. Over time, my vision developed to include both the idealistic and the realistic aspects of art as a profession.

The idealistic pertained more to the process itself. On paper, I could enjoy being as free as possible. My definition of freedom during the art process is less about style and more about being yourself (I strive for order and design in my paintings). Regardless of current trends in art, I could do whatever I pleased - with possible consequences once the work left the studio. But still, enjoying the actual process continues to impart a freedom unlike anything I've known.

The realistic aspect relates to the business of art, including preparation to present one's work, whether to a client or through an exhibition or some other venue. It also relates to such issues as pricing, travel, legal, insurance and personal expenditures, just to name a few.

Regardless of these two factors, I will continue to paint because, over time, it becomes a part of you, attached to your soul. I am one of those artists who paints because I enjoy it, but who also knows the occasional struggles of painting. I love the process of preparing to paint by gathering supplies, and preparing to generate imagery from the thoughts germinating in my head. I love the act of loading a brush, placing it on paper and entering another world. My world. As I see it.

Yes, the making of art is often a way of coping with life's disappointments by purging one's feelings, which is also true of writing and other artistic pursuits. But it is also a place to come, where who you are is reflected back to you. And that is, invariably, a worthwhile pursuit.

Title of Painting: "From a Dream #3"/ Acrylic on 300 lb. watercolor paper

Of My Body, Forgiveness

2009-11-06T17:32:00.000-08:00

This painting, "Of My Body, Forgiveness," recently sold at the National Kidney Foundation auction. An acrylic on canvas rendering, it is no longer in my possession, and for that I am grateful. I am a professional artist, and have been never been one who wants to keep all my paintings for myself. I own them fully during the painting process - they are my children at that time. But like all good children, they must leave home once they are grown.

Good Things for the Autumn Soul

2009-10-31T21:45:00.000-07:00

"Objects of Healing #I"

Lighted candles on a cold night. A warm bath late at night. A new hairdo. A cup of hot cocoa and a good book. Viewing a book of paintings by Vincent Van Gogh.

A long drive along a Michigan highway as the leaves are turning colors. Tickets to watch your favorite sports team play. An excellent meal enjoyed with people you love. A walk along your favorite nature trail. Viewing a book of paintings by the German Expressionists.

An unexpected call from a long-lost friend. New sheets and lots of pillows for your bed. A bedroom sanctuary. A personal altar for praying and meditating. Being "rained-in" with everything you need and no place to go. Viewing a book of paintings by Joseph Holston.

Viewing great art. Listening to jazz or classical music. Listening to any music you love. Reading favorite poems. Burning incense or potpourri. Enjoying a massage from your partner. Making love that has developed to a level of genuine intimacy and spirituality. Viewing a book of paintings and sculpture by Elizabeth Catlett.

Watching the sun come up after hours of meditating or reflecting. Viewing a full moon while visualizing your best life. Visualizing your best life in a chosen sanctuary. Viewing a book of paintings by Paul Cezanne.

Taking a special vacation day to do any or all of the following: Viewing the movie "The Scent of Green Papaya" (it is a feast for the eyes). Cooking a great meal for yourself and a loved one. Healing yourself with a Reiki treatment. Dancing by yourself. Shopping all day. Painting or drawing (even if this is new to you, have fun with it).

What good things do you enjoy giving your autumn soul? Or your "any-season" soul?

Because of Love

2009-10-31T21:44:00.000-07:00

Today I nutured the front porch flowers

Then set a special tea to brewing

And polished the foyer floor an hour

And felt all was worth the doing

The fireplace mantel looked most charming

From avid attention given it

The entire abode taken to warming

Brought alive by one who loves it

The table set, the food cooked

For me is a measure of self-esteem

Here nothing of comfort is overlooked

No bother or burden as it might seem

Because it delights me, I am generous to you

Being of service is not a chore

There are so many wishes to grant you

And so little time to do much more

Because of love, I extend kindness

Expecting only what you choose to return

It is said that love dwells in blindness

But today's lesson is not my concern

My reward is in pleasing you today

No equal to all you have given me

And should our bond break away

I will be glad our love was free

If I must, I will move on

With memories to tide me

Even as one, I won't be alone

Knowing you have loved me

Free because of love given me

Because of love given, I am free

Note: There are seven new Haiku poems on the sidebar

About Anger

2009-10-23T16:15:00.000-07:00

"Anger" Private Collection

"A good anger acted upon is beautiful as lightening and swift as power. A good anger swallowed clots the blood with slime." -Marge Piercy, Author

"...because I don't keep a lot of shit bottled up inside me." - Tina Turner, Entertainer

My painting, "Anger" is a depiction of the many faces of that emotion, and was painted as an expression of one part of the grieving process when my mother passed on several years ago. She died in 2002 and it was 2007 when I painted some of the emotions I felt at that time, including anger.

It is an emotion that I allow myself to feel, but which - depending on the anger - am thoughtful about how I express it. Some anger is hot and fast, rising quickly to the surface before you have time to think about it, sometimes causing you to react in ways you might later regret. This is the type of anger we have to step back and think about. It is good to do so because such anger often leaves as quickly as it comes. This is the type of anger that I'm most likely to feel when I'm driving responsibly in traffic and another driver is aggressively tailgating, or when I'm dealing with rude service people in public.

Another type of anger is the kind that stems from having strong emotions about a particular situation, remaining intense over time. Trying to supress it only makes it worse. In order to best handle it, you must admit that it exists. Anger withheld is anger denied, and anger denied is a form being dishonest with yourself. Anger denied can lead to physical illness or make you mentally become a person with "issues," which are often obvious to those around you, but not always obvious to you.

In my lifetime, I've only heard two people say they have never been angry. I'm still wondering how this is possible - how do they do it? Because we are human, it is normal to occasionally feel anger, regardless of whether we show it or not. Rare is the person who never feels anger about something, be it a job promotion that was given to someone else, betrayal by a friend or a reckless driver who cuts you off in traffic. If someone never feels anger , I would wonder if they were out of touch with their feelings or if they were emotionally numb most of the time. Perhaps such a person thinks it is wrong to feel anger.

How do you handle anger? Do you feel it is unhealthy to express anger?

2009-10-23T16:12:00.000-07:00

Note: Although I promised to post "The Pleasure of Paper/ Part II," I am not quite ready to do so because of technical reasons. Please bear with me.

The Black Man Talks of Reaping

2009-10-23T15:15:00.001-07:00

This poem by Arna Bontemps is one of my favorites from the Harlem Renaissance Period. It is one I have read many times, enjoying it more each time:

I have sown beside all waters in my day
I planted deep within my heart the fear
That wind or fowl would take the grain away
I planted safe against this lean, stark year

I scattered seed enough to plant the land
In rows from Canada to Mexico
But for my reaping only what the hand
Can hold at once is all that I can show

Yet what I sowed and what the orchard yields
My brother's sons are gathering stalk and root
Small wonder then my children glean in fields
They have not sown, and feed on bitter fruit

Arna Bontemps, 1902-1973

Warrior: Archetype of the Artist

2009-10-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

It has been said that the written word is mightier than the sword. I agree. Anything documented, whether imagery or words, has a sense of finality about it. Perhaps etched in stone? Maybe that is why, during previous war times, the artists and intellectuals were the first to be imprisoned or banished.

Written words and imagery often carry a lot of weight, with the ability to influence both consciously and subconsciously. It is for this reason that certain imagery could possibly be considered propaganda.

An artist's imagery is his sword, as is a writer's words. Whether we understand or not the subject matter, looking at a documented work can sometimes seem as powerful as the actual creation of it, particularly if our emotions are engaged. That is how I have sometimes felt when viewing great abstract art, where my connection has often been more on a primal level rather than a cerebral one. The warrior-spirit of such works shine through strident and strong.

The warrior is the archtype of the artist because of his courage in using his sword, among other reasons, I'm sure. He knows that he takes a risk each time he uses it. Rarely does he use it recklessly. It is drawn with forethought and purpose. It may be drawn to document, teach, report, deliver a message or simply to share beauty or impart wisdom.

The warrior is essentially peaceful. He is a leader in the quest for harmony, and rarely seeks out enemies. Most likely, he chooses his battle based on the force of his need to express, as well as the content of the subject matter. In seeking to achieve harmony throught the art principles and values of line, form, color, balance and shape, the artist-warrior makes his mark and hits his target, either multiple times or a few.

Being artist-warriors, even the most passive-appearing artists are vociferious in alternative ways, aware of their freedom to speak through their avenue of choice. Moreover, they are confidently aware of the powerful warrior spirit that dwells within, unleashed time and again with positive purpose, having its say. Making its mark.

Acceptance

2009-10-16T20:04:00.000-07:00

Acrylic on paper Private Collection

True Friends

2009-10-16T19:56:00.001-07:00

Acrylic on paper Private Collection

Buoyancy by Rumi

2009-10-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

*This poem is dedicated to my friend, J. I promised to post a Rumi poem on the sidebar, but the one I chose was quite long, so here it is, presented as a new post.

Love has taken away all my practices

And filled me with poetry.

I tried to keep silently repeating

No strength but yours

But I couldn't.

I had to clap and sing.

I used to be respectable and chaste and stable,

but who can stand in this strong wind

and remember those things?

A mountain keeps an echo deep inside itself.

That's how I hold your voice.

I am scrap wood thrown in your fire

and quickly reduced to smoke.

I saw you and became empty.

This emptiness, more beautiful than existence,

obliterates existence, yet when it comes,

existence thrives and creates more existence.

The sky is blue. The world is a blind man

squatting on the road.

But whoever sees your emptiness

sees beyond blue and beyond the blind man.

A great soul like Mohammed, or Jesus,

moving through a crowd in a city

where no one knows him.

To praise is to praise

how one surrenders

to the emptiness.

To praise the sun is to praise your own eyes

Praise, the ocean. What we say, a little ship.

So, the sea-journey goes on, and who knows where!

Just to be held by the ocean is the best luck

we could have. It's a total waking up!

Why should we grieve that we've been sleeping?

It doesn't matter how long we've been unconcious.

We're groggy, but let the guilt go.

Feel the motions of tenderness

around you, the buoyancy.

Rumi, 1207-1273

The Pleasure of Paper / Part I

2009-10-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

"The Night Before Surgery" Acrylic on Saunders Waterford

Canvas or paper? Each time I develop an image, either mentally or through sketching, with the purpose of beginning to paint, that is the question I ask myself.

While canvas is certainly more popular to art buyers than paper, I absolutely adore the absorbency and resiliency of paper. In addition to allowing a larger variety of techniques than canvas, paper is much stronger than it appears. These are just some of the reasons I love working with paper so much.

My love of paper began several years ago when I began experimenting with several different brands and types, finding a few that have become favorites over the years.

For a variety of works, I love Aquarius II paper because of its strength and versatility. I can decorate it, do calligraphy on it or complete paintings on it. It is a soft, strong paper that absorbs multiple layers of color very well. The trick to achieving a substantial-looking matte finish is painting extremely thinned opaque white coats between each layer of color. Contrary to popular belief, this will not dull your colors. They will remain vibrant if the white coats are applied extremely thin. Aquarius II paper gives this technique a strong look on a soft paper. Bear in mind that I'm using acrylics in a manner similiar to watercolor.

Decorated Aquarius II paper is the absolute best for using as covers for handbound books. The entire process is a joyful experience from choosing a decorative technique for the cover to actually putting the measured cover onto the book. The very first handbound book that I presented to the public was a labor of love, selling at auction for a price well beyond my expectations.

For painting, traditional watercolor papers are my first choice, although I sometimes use acid-free boards, as well as canvas (see my painting below, "Within My Heart, I Give Thanks"). These papers include Kilimanjaro, Twinrocker, Arches and Gemini (which never fails to result in a lovely finish). Both Gemini and Saunders Waterford are my favorite papers for painting. The Twinrocker is magnificent, but expensive - and rightly so, as it is in a league by itself.

I also like the Canson MiTentes papers - another work horse, as well as printmaking papers such as BFK Rives and Stonehenge for calligraphy or decorating to use for collage. Because I like to control every aspect of the creative process, all my collage papers are handpainted. Over the years, I have accumulated large boxes of painted papers which I have often shared with other artists. I have also used these papers for paper weaving, collaging boxes and creating colorful paper mobiles. Other papers used include a multitude of rice papers and unsual textured papers.

In future posts, I will talk about some of the techniques I have used for decorating and altering paper. As soon as my photographer friend arrives, I will be posting calligraphic and collage work as well as newer paintings.

2009-10-14T21:25:00.000-07:00

"Within My Heart, I Give Thanks" Acrylic on Canvas

My House #3

2009-10-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

On a perfect day, the stairs

are easy to climb

My steps softened by
the smell of mint
The sublime comfort
of the living room
Complete in its colors
of invitation.

I need go no further
for love.

Still, into the kitchen

Familiar things
are found brighter
this perfect day
Where polished pots know
what to cook
Where varied vegetables
bake by themselves.

Where the kitchen's warmth

radiates throughout
Where beauty reigns
on this perfect day
Filled with memories of
visits and laughter
Of lovers, friends
and family.

I need go no further

for love

The Necessity of Beauty

2009-10-11T11:19:00.001-07:00

Note: There are seven new Haiku poems posted on the sidebar.

This post was inspired by my recent visit to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens here in Ann Arbor, particularly the section of tropical flowers, plants and trees in the conservatory. Thriving in a simulated environment of high humidity among a fountain of Koi fish and natural rock paths were all manner of bougainvillea. There were far too many names to remember. However, I did remember the Sausage Tree in the tropical section and the Jade Tree in the desert section. On the grounds, some of the trees that captivated me were the Kousa Dogwood, Paperbark Tree and European Hawthorn.

I was unprepared to be completely overwhelmed and in awe of the breath-taking beauty before me. The sense of joy I felt was mentioned in a nearby sign regarding the miracle of the natural world, punctuating my feeling of being in the midst of a unique experience.

New acquaintances here in Ann Arbor had urged me to go see the gardens, but I never seemed to find the time. I am so glad that I went there, because I felt peaceful and happy the rest of the week.

Being among such wonders makes me think about how important it is for us to view beauty on a regular basis, and how necessary it is to our well-being. While it is true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, few would disagree that the beauty found in nature is exceptional.

Some other things I find beautiful are: A baby's smile (especially when received across a crowded room); the form of horses, cats and dogs; people (especially when people-watching); a well-tailored garment; a lovely piece of fabric; a beautiful room; a fine painting; classical music, and of course, the form of a tree. No two trees are alike, with the texture of the bark, the configuration of the branches and the color of the leaves making each one unique. The same is true of people.

God made each person unique. It is this uniqueness that I find so attractive, as most people are physically beautiful. If you get to know them, the nature of their spirit show in their faces, revealing their inner selves. Perhaps one of the reasons we become artists is because we find beauty in so many things.

"Thank you, God, for beauty and for allowing me to appreciate beauty every day. In many ways, it makes life better."

The Week in Gratitude #3

2009-10-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

- I am grateful for waking up this morning knowing that I have not mistreated myself or others through unkind words or deeds.

- I am grateful that I don't mind whispering "I love you" to myself when necessary. Try it sometime. It feels good.

- I am grateful for my art. Creating it makes me feel empowered in an uncertain world.

- I am grateful for the other artists I have met on this blog, and look forward to meeting more.

- I am grateful for the family and friends who visited my space yesterday. We had good food and good fun. It was a blast, ya'll - I needed that.

- I am grateful that I am finally learning to live from moment to moment.

- I am grateful for music. It is the flip side of art.

Why Equals Make the Best Friends

2009-10-06T17:59:00.000-07:00

Long before I heard the adage, "Equals make the best friends," I had thought about it and had come to that exact conclusion. Whether romantic, platonic or between artists, I believe there is one factor that would make two people equal in a relationship. That is security. Regardless of mutual interests, same social class or traits other than security, this factor must be present in order to develop a healthy friendshp based on equality.

Foremost, I would define security as possessing the ability to let the other person be themselves while being comfortable with one's own self. This would mean that you would be accepting of the other person's dreams, goals, skills, idiosyncrasies, general lifestyle and personality. You would respect the other person without feeling inferior or superior. The relationship could not thrive if either of the latter were present.

A secure person has no need to control his/her friend, and is not envious or needy. Again, this is true of platonic, romantic or artistic relationships. Even though art can be a competitive field, one is threatened neither by the quality of his friend's work nor the success of his career. Commonly, friends support each other.
I chose security as the determining factor because many other vital characteristics stem from this particular trait - namely trust, respect, integrity, honesty, and most importantly, self-esteem. These are all vital to a healthy friendship entered into by healthy people. While I would say that two unhealthy people could certainly have a lasting, unhealthy friendship as equals, I am not interested in discussing that type of equality......at this time.

Most of my platonic relationships have been with other women. Although like most women, I have experienced the occasional "girlfriend" who drains you with her insecurity, I feel extremely fortunate to have formed lasting friendships with women who are strong, independent, loyal and accepting of our differences.

Because of the nature of romantic relationships, where people often become enslaved by gender roles, it is not always so easy to achieve equality. Still, I have witnessed that some men are absolutely wonderfully secure in a relationship, treating their partner/friend as their equal.

Regarding relationships with other artists, I have established friendships with both men and women who are very good at what they do, have confidence in their abilities and again, recognize and accept the differences between us. However, this has not been true across the board. For the most part, I am glad to say that I view all of my artists friends as equals. Generally speaking, I am also interested in most artists' work.

Sonnet for New Books

2009-10-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

Right now, these books, new and pure

Doctorow, Walker, Wharton and all

My ravenous eyes succumb to their allure

Pleasures anticipated within their call

Lovingly, I touch their jackets, their pages

Savoring each word, each delectable bite

With each chapter, my hunger rages

So expansive, my cerebral appetite

In them I lose myself, most concentrated

Devouring each one, feast by feast

Consuming their texts until sated

Myself becoming the books I eat

Right now, new, with their lovely spines

Once read, loved, these books become mine!

Recommended Art Book #1: Sonia Delauney, The Life of an Artist/ A Personal Biography Based on Unpublished Private Journals

2009-10-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

Sonia Delauney was the wife of famous abstract artist, Robert Delauney. Born in Odessa in the Ukraine in 1885, she painted in a style called Orphic Cubism. Additionally, she designed costumes and dresses for commercial venues. Because she was one of the main supporters of her husband's career, she did not promote her own paintings until after his death. She finally gained recognition for her work in later years. She died in 1979 at the age of ninety-four, continuing to paint until that time.

This was one of the best biographies that I've ever read about a woman artist. I identified with Sonia because I started my own art career late - at age forty, and although I have sold hundreds of paintings, I have found the going steady, but slow. I enjoyed the book because it presented so many details about Sonia's life, and for the wonderful color plates of both her and Robert's work. There are also many black and white photos of the couple's everday life. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading famous artists' biographies.

The Week in Art#2

2009-09-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

"Objects of Affection Series"
*Note: There are seven new Haiku poems in the sidebar, as well as one sent to me by my friend, Lisa.

- Deciding to re-schedule my Open Studio Show to a later date was a tough decision, particularly since I've already put so many long hours of work into its preparation. But I'd rather do it right at a later date than do it on schedule with naggings doubts about what didn't get done. In addition to creating new work for the show, I've had to wear many hats for other tasks. Rather than complaining about who didn't follow through in helping me, suffice it to say that my favorite adage right now is, "If you want it done, do it yourself." That said, I'm feeling pretty good about my decision right now. I will post the new date once I decide when it will be.

-This week I completed two small paintings and two small collages on canvas. The latter had been in the making for a few weeks. Being a compulsive brush wielder, I find it easier to put aside a collage than a painting.

-Found a lovely Grumbacher #4 acrylic brush this week. A new brush is a wonderful thing, but mine tend to wear out fast, even the good ones.

-I love older music. Songs that helped me make it through the week: "Sultans of Swing"/Dire Straits; "My Dear Life"/Sadao Watanabe; "My Dearest Darling"/Etta James; "Dreams"/Fleetwood Mac; "Suzanne"/Nina Simone.

The Week in Art #1

2009-09-21T18:44:00.001-07:00

- Finally, I visited a park that I had been meaning to visit all summer. Finding it so wonderful and beautiful, I returned a second time later in the week with a friend. What are those trees thinking while being guardians of the earth?

As I relished the variety of trees, unusually lush foliage and quiet river, I had a strong desire to buy a new sketchbook,returning to draw some of the imagery that captured me. Being there reinforced my feeling that a landscape artist dwells within.

- Cooking is an artistic experience for me. This week I made a lovely chicken vegetable soup to have on hand so that I won't have to bother cooking every day while painting. My impromptu recipe included boiled, chopped chicken breasts, carrots, celery, mushrooms, onions, cream of chicken soup (thinned with water), fresh tomatoes, broccoli and a sprinkling of rice. Great with a good bread, preferably a thick, multi-grain one. Very satisfying. And healthy.

- Music is essential to the art process as well as everyday life. Enjoyed while driving and while painting: "Night Time is the Right Time" / Ray Charles; "Someday My Prince Will Come" / Miles Davis; "Love Letters"/ Ketty Lester; "Lesson Learned"/ Alicia Keys; "Autumn Leaves"/ George Shearing; "Poinciana"/Ahmad Jamal

- The biggest highlights of my week were cobalt blue, payne's gray, titanium white, cobalt green and burnt sienna. Perhaps boring for some, but pleasant for me.

My Top Ten Inspirations for Creating Art

2009-09-21T18:31:00.000-07:00

Feel free to share yours!

10. Visiting new places
9. Reading poetry
8. Viewing great cinema
7. Being in a self-conscious state of love
6. Chopping vegetables ( you heard me right).
5. Dreaming
4. Reading famous artists' biographies
3. Listening to music
2. Viewing other artists' work
1. Being in nature

2009-09-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

Note: My article, "Discovering Your Voice by Experimenting" and images of my art are featured in the September issue of the Strathmore Artists Papers Newsletter. The publication can be viewed online in PDF format. Hope you enjoy it!

This week's featured painting, "Life Clippings #1" is an acrylic on rag painting. Rendered in a collage style, this work is meant to resemble torn papers, which in addition to my frequent imagery of cups, is a commentary about life. This painting depicts the constant states of being, sleeping and watching. It is housed in the Velma A. Walker Collection in Huntsville, Alabama through Birmingham A&M University.

Balancing Solitude and Socializing

2009-09-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

This past week found me in the company of others almost every day, all day, both businesswise and socially. At day's end, every night last week, it seemed, I feebly struggled to paint while my body protested, "No, no! I want to rest! Give me rest, silly woman!" Being no fool and knowing I had
pushed myself too far, I quietly put myself to bed each night, wishing to sleep at least fifteen hours. But I can only do six at a stretch, ya'll.

Now, I know some folk who are definitely in their element being in a group as much as possible, but I simply am not wired that way. If I don't get regular time to be alone with myself, I become snarky, snappy and sluggish. I welcome solitude, enjoy it and am quite productive when working alone.

An introvert? Nah. Definitely an extrovert who is introspective, silly and sensitive. I love giving parties, being in crowds and conversing with new people, but there must be a balance of solitude if I am to be happy.

My solitary activities not only include sleeping, but painting (of course), thinking about painting or doing some other enjoyable activity, such as cooking, watching a good movie, listening to music or simply curling up in a chair and reflecting. When I do these things, I feel refreshed and relaxed.

I feel that we need to share our time by being in the company of others, yet we also need time to be alone with ourselves.

It's not always so easy to carve time for myself because of mundane tasks that must be completed, and because the business of being an artist sometimes demands more time than I want to give.

I am curious to hear how others balance their social lives with time spent alone, and how important is solitude to you?

Spirituality, Love and Art / Part IV

2009-09-08T00:36:00.000-07:00

In saving the best for last in this four-part series, I chose love because it is the glue binding this particular subject matter. Yes, love is the strongest component of spirituality and art. It is both the motivation and the expression, as manifested through practice.

Strictly and quickly from my first mind, I view love as a combination of compassion, commitment and communion. Compassion because love allows you to acknowledge the feelings of others. Commitment because love is a choice we make. And communion because on the most fundamental level, love allows us to see our connection to other human beings, as well as other living things.

When I say that I cannot thrive without love, I mean it. This is why I chose at a relatively young age to do the work of developing myself spiritually - a life-long and never-arriving quest. The good news is that I get to know love by choosing to give it through my thoughts, words and deeds.

Regardless of whether a handsome, loving man is in my life, I still am able to experience love by showing it. In doing so, it is invariably reflected back to me. To family, friends, children and animals, I extend kindness, laughter and concern. No less than this, but also a deeper, passionate sexual intimacy is what I extend to a committed and romantic relationship with the man of my choosing. No less than the love shown to others, but also a different passion and intensity is what I bring to the art process.

It is true that when rendered from the heart and soul as well as the intellect, the making of art is essentially an act of love. It is the giving of one's whole self to the conception and birth of a vision. That love is returned in both the completed work and the appreciation of the viewers. This is what makes art such a satisfying pursuit, a feeling that sends artists back to the drawing board time and again.

If love was a more open and benevolent pursuit in our society, our problems would be fewer. I believe that many of the seemingly insurmountable political issues we are now facing are inter-related signals of inevitable, yet necessary change that must occur if humankind is to survive. Our disregard of nature and other human beings is disregard of our spiritual selves, our loving selves. When viewed through critical thinking, it is obvious that this disregard is the crux of every political issue we now face.

Our daily lives are more enjoyable when we practice spirituality, give love (receive) and do work we love. I have found that I am happy when I find small pleasures in life rather than obsessively seeking the "big thrill," whatever that might be. Even in the midst of doubt or worry, I now find that I am able to enjoy the pleasure of a new flower, a note from a friend or the the funny look on my cat's face when she yawns and stretches simultaneously.

In this last post of the series, I realize there is so much more I want to say on the topic. But I probably would have to write a book to do so. Basically, I feel that spirituality, love and art are inter-related and I hope my posts have adquately expressed this.

My next post: "The Balance of Solitude and Socializing"

Spitituality, Love and Art/ Part III

2009-08-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

It has often been said that art imitates life. While this adage refers to subject matter of art relating to life, it has been my experience that the actual process of making art imitates life, particularly in the area of spritual development. The process of making art sometimes mirrors the struggle inherent in developing oneself spirititually.

I say this because, like life, the making of art is not always seamless or effortless. More often, it is about having an idea or vision and then struggling to bring that vision into being in the form in which it was conceived. This happens even when you love painting as much as I do.

Throughout the painting process, my emotions might range from joy and excitement to frustration and questioning, the same as with life. I have found this to be particularly true during the crucial last stages of striving to resolve a painting. The interaction between my technical knowledge, emotional responses, the responses of the paint itself and my brush strokes are a continuous balancing act. Any snags are most likely to occur toward the end, as I am seeking to achieve harmony of vision.

I admit that there have been times when I have painted pictures without any struggle whatsoever. But there have also been times requiring much looking and questioning, much putting aside and returning later.

In choosing to live a life of conscious spiritual development, that is, doing the internal work necessary to become a better person, I "go back to the drawing board," as it were, many times to seek answers from my higher self relative to daily life. As is often the case with art, no answers are forthcoming.

In explaining these similarities, it is not my intention to give a pat answer. There is much more that could be said on this subject. However, time and space does not permit me to expound. I will say that six months was the longest time that I've put a painting away and come back to resolve it. The solution was simple, but I needed to distance myself from the work. That particular painting won an award, by the way.

The longest time I've ever struggled to resolve a spiritual question within myself was about the same length of time as I tried to get along with a co-worker whom I disliked. Once I told myself that I had no answer, and decided to simply detach myself (politely), I realized that I had actually found the answer.

The last part of this series is about love as it relates to spirituality and art.

The Week in Gratitude #2

2009-08-30T16:18:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for the following:

- My granddaughter's visit last Sunday. If not for her, we would not have walked to the pool and enjoyed ourselves for almost three hours on a hot, muggy afternoon.

-Having the energy to get lots of tasks completed this past week. I still have lots more to do before my Open Sutdio Show.

-Not worrying this week. Although there is lots to worry about, I simply did not do it, and my body thanked me.

- The August issue of "O" magazine, a gift subscription from my daughter. There was a wonderful article about a Washington, D.C. woman who collects African-American art. Wonderful works. Great article.

- The thrift shops I found here in Ann Arbor last weekend, especially loved the unusual items. I enjoy decorating with both new and old things.

- All the outstanding artists' websites I recently visited. Viewing the art of others is exciting. Some of the calligraphy artists' works blew my mind. I went to some unpacked boxes and pulled out several works of framed calligraphy that I have never shown. I was pleased with them, and plan to hang them at my Open Studio Show.

-These songs made me happy this week: "Baby, Can I Hold You Tonight?"/Tracy Chapman; "Love"/Sugarland; "Summertime"/Miles Davis; "But Not for Me"/Ella Fitzgerald

Spirituality, Love and Art/ Part II

2009-08-23T20:27:00.000-07:00

Over ten years ago, I worked on a collaborative art project with a man who often mentioned his strong faith in God. I recall once asking him if his faith ever wavered, and he said, "no." When I asked him why this was true, he said it was because everything he had ever asked for had been given him. Although I didn't question him on what he had asked for, I was amazed that he felt his faith had never faltered, because mine sometimes does. I attribute this to the fact that I am human, and therefore fallible.

For me, it's easy to practice my spirituality from the inside out when everything is going well in my life. Small daily trials incessantly present themselves, but are smoothly navigated and more often than not, forgotten. However, there are three areas that I see as presenting major spiritual struggle. They are the inevitable emotional conflict following the loss of a loved one, acceptance of the realm of mystery accompanying one's belief in God, and lastly, overcoming specific spiritual contradictions within oneself.

Of these three, I see the latter as presenting the greatest struggle. I feel it is difficult to overcome spiritual contradictions within oneself for the following reasons, among others:

1) Failure to act upon one's initial prayer or intention 2) Either deliberately or subconsciously choosing to ignore the truth available within oneself 3) Asking God to help you and then trying to take the reins from him/her 4) Asking God to help you and refusing to do your part (see #1) 5) Forgoing the necessary work of developing yourself so as to be fitted to the dimensions of your request (How can you request something that you are not prepared to handle? Example: You have asked God for a mate who is honest, kind and loving, yet these traits have not been exhibited by you.) (Recently, I read somewhere that we can only expect to receive what we already possess in some capacity.)

It seems that living on this planet earth would make bouts of spiritual struggle inevitable. This is particularly true of situations where one's faith is tested, as happened to me seven years ago when entering the hospital for major surgery of high risk. Having constantly prayed fear-filled prayers for endless hours, I grew weary of the fear, finally letting go of it. I simply could not hold on to it because it was too exhausting. I could try to tell you what the letting go felt like but the only word that comes close is "freedom." Yet I think the struggle was necessary in order to arrive at that point.

In my next post, I will talk about how the painting process often feels like spiritual struggle.

The Week in Gratitude#1

2009-08-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

- I am grateful for letting go of stress this week through right eating, right thoughts and right actions, despite the ongoing obstacles of my lifestyle.

- I am grateful for being able to view nature every day - especially trees and water. They calm me.

- I am grateful for the new people I met this week.

- I am grateful for the new cats and dogs I met this week. Wow! They loved me right away.

-I am grateful that my clients love the new designer cards.

-I am grateful that I was able to finish one new painting and start another.

-I am grateful that two people who are not relatives told me they love me. I love them, too. Love is not exclusive. Love does not have to be "earned."

-I am grateful that I listened to the following songs this week while driving, and that they made my trips relaxing: "SoWhat" / Miles Davis; "Hear Me, Lord"/ Bonnie Raitt; "Dream in Rio"/Cassandra Wilson; "The Storm is Over"/ R. Kelly; These Arms of Mine"/ Otis Redding; "Clocks"/ Coldplay; "You'll Never Walk Alone"/ Roy Hamilton; "Time After Time"/ Miles Davis; "Ava Maria"/ Jessye Norman

Spirituality, Love and Art/ Part I

2009-08-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

Spirituality is practice. Love is practice. Art is practice. All require doing in order to become. Become more of who we are. More of our better. More of our best. As we are growing we recognize we are not saints, we are not pious. We are not condescending in our attitudes toward other living things. We are not superior in our spirituality. We are not exclusive in our love. We are not arrogant in our art.

Spirituality is inner awareness of the existence of something higher than oneself, most easily accessed through the realm of the conscience. Here is where intuition dwells. The voice that speaks to you in the most subtle manner, most easily heard in solitude. Spirituality is practiced and affirmed through our actions in the outer world. On this earthly level, we are perpetual students of spirituality.

Living in a world ridden with violence, poverty and man's inhumanity to man can sometimes seem impossible to bear. Given the social climate of living on planet earth day to day requires a support system not only to survive, but to thrive as loving human beings. Family, friends and a loving significant other can certainly provide a strong support system. But belief in something higher than oneself can make that system even stronger.

I choose spirituality, love and art primarily as a means of feeling good through mental fitness, physical productivity, creativity and practice of my beliefs. All three personal tools for living require these components, which are essential to my feeling of well-being.

Having always been curious about the world around me as well as intensely introspective while remaining perceptive to the feelings of others, it seems fitting that, at the age of thirty-one (many years ago), I chose to live a life of conscious spirituality. This is a life that acknowledges both my spirituality and humanity through daily practice of kindness, learning and sometimes falling down. It is a life that recognizes God as both indwelling and omnipotent. With God being so, I am connected to other human beings on the most fundamental level. It is this belief along with years of having done the work necessary for growth that makes me appear perpetually cheerful on the outside while sometimes being "in the wilderness" on the inside.

At these times, I am simply practicing love toward my brothers and sisters without burdening them with what is actually going on in my life. At this point, it has become a habit, while I still have miles to go in terms of my spiritual development....as we all do. At least on this level. On this earthly level.

When I need to be in communion with my higher self, I choose the solitude of prayer, where I go to seek answers, request fulfillment through thankfulness and affirm my blessings. To me, prayer is a form of action, being so as we emit personal energy toward a positive outcome, most effectively realized when we do the physical work while allowing God to provide the way.

In my next three main posts, I will talk about why I believe spirituality is often a struggle, how spirituality effects the art process and why I cannot thrive without love, regardless of whether I am in a romantic relationship. I also want to talk about why I feel the world is currently in the midst of extreme spiritual change, and why this change presents endless fodder for artists' subject matter. Not the least, I want to talk about how enjoyment of one's life and practicing spirituality are quite compatible.

Favorite paintings related to this post: "The Night Letter"/ Eldzier Cortor; "Mary Contemplating a Candle"/ (Oops! Sorry, ya'll, I forgot the artist's name. I'll find it and post it later!)

Marrying and Losing Blue

2009-08-02T12:19:00.000-07:00

Ah, the color blue! In all its glory and varieties, it is peaceful, moody and sensuous. I have loved it for many years now. Periwinkle, turquoise, cerulean, navy, powder, sky, lavender, ultramarine and yes, my favorite, cobalt. And, of course, any shades of blue I might have failed to mention.

What is it about blue that attracts me so? My themes are spiritual in nature, and initially blue seemed fitting for that reason. But the more I painted with it, the more I was attracted to its broad technical properties, as well as the resulting emotive aspects of work containing blue - particularly cobalt and ultramarine.

Technical because I have discovered blue to be the perfect undertone for the most unlikely colors - yellow, for example. My painting, "The Mid-Heaven" was begun with several washes of thinned cobalt blue over the entire surface, with thinned layers of ultramarine used during several last stages of the painting process. These two colors enhance, rather than detract from the vibrancy of the finished painting.

Emotive because finished works containing blue can be either contemplative or upbeat, depending on the tones of the colors used with it. The color blue can definitely set a mood like no other.

A friend once told me that blue is the color of truth, and I believe she might be right. Truth is certainly vital to spirituality.

At any rate, I will continue to love blue, but we just might separate for a while. I want to experiment with other colors as an undertone for paintings and as a potential suitor to add that special flavor to my paintings. I have tried to lose blue in the past, to no avail. I don't think I'll lose it now, as it will always come back and attach itself to me.

Imagination Defined

2009-07-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

"Objects of Affection Series"

To me, imagination is the conceptual stage of an idea or a new way of viewing traditional or typical realities. Imagination might continue to dwell only in one's mind or it might be birthed to fruition through the process of creativity.

Although most artistic endeavors such as music, art and dancing are enhanced through the use of imagination, it can also be applied to many aspects of everyday living such as cooking, gardening, decorating, housekeeping, fashion and making love, to name a few.

Sometimes, it is stimulating to do mundane tasks in a new way by using one's imagination to be more creative. For example, I have a friend who is conservative in her political persuasion, but imaginative in how her home is organized and decorated. From the way her paintings are hung to how clothes are separated in her closet, she is extremely imaginative in how she handles her household, doing everything in fresh yet simplistic ways.

In art, imagination is delightful to behold when an artist presents material in unexpected ways that are uniquely his own. Two artists who immediately come to mind are Fernando Botero and Pablo Picasso. Botero's portly people are recognizable in his paintings, drawings and sculpture, while Picasso's cubist renderings are his own, no matter how many times his influence is apparent in the work of other artists.

I believe that we are all artists and that we all have the ability to imagine, however, I also believe that some of us choose to leave our imaginations in the conceptual stage rather than bringing it forth.

The Writings of Robert Henri

2009-07-25T22:08:00.000-07:00

Robert Henri was both an artist and a teacher who passed away in 1929. His book, "The Art Spirit" has been read by me countless times and utilized as an "art bible" of sorts. His writings are important to me because of their timelessness, and because I have often thought about many of the things he writes about. Here are a few excerpts from that book:

"An artist has to get acquainted with himself just as much as he can. It is no easy job because it is not a present-day habit of humanity. This is what I call self-development, self-education. No matter how fine a school you are in, you must educate yourself."

"But few are capable of holding themselves in the state of listening to their own song. Intellectuality steps in and as the song within us is of the utmost sensitiveness, it retires in the presence of the cold, material intellect......"

"Great works of art should look as though they were made in joy. Real joy is a tremendous activity, dull drudgery is nothing to it....The drudgery that kills is not half the work that joy is...."

"Do not let the fact that things are not made for you,that conditions are not as they should be, stop you. Go on anyway. Everything depends on those who go on anyway."

"It's not that the juries don't mean well or at least think they mean well. but it is simply that art cannot be measured."

"If you want to be a historical painter, let your history be of your own time, of what you can get to know personally - of manners and customs within your own experience."

"No nation as yet is the home of art. Art is an outsider, a gypsy over the face of the earth."

"The only sensible way to regard the art life is that it is a privilege you are willing to pay for."

"Seldom has the great art or great science of the world been paid for at the time of creation. It has been given, and in general has been cruelly received. You may cite honors and attentions and even money paid, but I would have you note that these were paid a long time after the creator had gone through his struggles."

The Joy of Imagination

2009-07-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

"Gratitude"

There is one component I have found present in most great art, and that is the use of imagination. To me, this is what makes certain art engaging, vibrant and original. Whenever I view a work of art where the artist has chosen a fresh way to approach even the most mundane subject, I feel excited.

A fresh approach might include a novel way of rendering line, texture, color, pattern, perspective or even the subject itself. A never-before-seen subject rendered in an original manner can truly be called a work of art.

When I think of what contributes to imagination in art, three vital characteristics come to mind: Development in the fundamentals of art, having a point of view and commitment to developing that view and being broad-minded in one's thinking. I am hard-pressed to see how having a narrow perspective in everyday life would allow an artist to be imaginative in her work. It helps to think "outside the box."

As an artist who, for several years, rendered technically correct, well-done drawings and paintings in the manner of millions of other artists, I could not understand why my work was often overlooked.

I had no voice, no point of view and no idea what I wanted to paint. For me, this was a good point from which to start because I eventually learned that art must be more than technical skills and more than the dictates of the market. Once I clearly understood this, among other important details, I was able to begin working as a continually developing, evolving artist. The paintings presented on this blog have recently furthered into broader renderings, which are still recognizable as my work, though in a different way. This is simply imagination at work.

As a practicing artist who is also imaginative in most aspects of my everyday life, I have sometimes been called "eccentric," "different," and even "hard-to-pinpoint." Whenever I'm labled in this way, I don't take it personally. I simply realize that some prefer a life within the confines of a box -certainly not conducive to imagination.

In my next post, I will say more about imagination relative to my definition of it pertaining to both art and life. Your thoughts, please.

Four-Month Itinerary

2009-07-10T17:00:00.000-07:00

"Rather paint the flying spirit of the bird than its feathers."
Robert Henri

July, 2009/ Studio Work - Finally, I have begun the new body of work which I have been longing to start for an entire year now. The supplies are waiting, the drawings from my sketchbook have been selected and I am in the correct state of mind to proceed. That state of mind being one of having reached the point in life where I realize there is no sublime way to be when preparing to spend long hours in the studio. You take the bitter with the sweet, which often exists side by side. I accept that great moments continue to blend with heart-wrenching ones - which is the state of my life almost every day. When I am painting, it is difficult to concentrate on darkness.

August, 2009 / National Kidney Foundation Auction

September, 2009 / Featured Artist: Strathmore Artists Newsletter

October, 2009 / Open Studio Show

Art in Words

2009-06-21T18:22:00.000-07:00

"Angels in Flight"

In two recent volumes of poetry, there are paintings whose messages refer to the poems. For each volume, I have created a handbound prototype of the book I wish to publish. Ironically, only two of the poems were actually created to reflect the subject matter of the paintings. They are "The Compassionate Sun" and the poem below, "Of My Body, Forgiveness." For all the other poems, I was able to find paintings that referred to each one because all my themes fall under one umbrella (see sidebar explaining what my paintings are about).

As the poetry and paintings inform each other, this is particularly so of the one below. I believe that the body is essentially forgiving, having found this to be true time after time. However, it takes persistence of focus to achieve a constant mind-body connection. Whenever I become distracted with too many priorities on my plate - as it were- this issue of spiritual struggle presents itself once more........

Of My Body, Forgiveness

2009-06-21T18:07:00.000-07:00

Please forgive me and let me view

With kindness this imperfect form

Please allow me to know you

And protect you from harm

Forgive my arrogant absence of you

Yes, let's commit to this relationship

As solid equals rather than enemies

As lovers locked in friendship

Bound in trust by mutual amenities

Forgive my sad suspicion of you

Let's choose dialogue rather than war

Two as one committed to health

As I listen rather than ignore

Your legacy to me of infinite wealth

Forgive my dangerous distance of you

Forgive me, loyal body divine

For daring to desecrate what is mine

Forgive me, perfect body complete

Forgive me as we belatedly meet!

What Grows in Your Garden?

2009-06-16T03:17:00.000-07:00

In the garden of my backyard grows tiger lilies, roses, vinca, white snow, irises (fading fast), lavender (also fading), and several new babies with elusive names. All these lovelies are a joy to behold.

For whatever reason, I am not drawn to flower designs on fabrics or excited by seeing them in magazines. However, the pleasure of seeing real flowers, especially in a garden belonging to me, is just another reminder that there exists something higher than myself.

When I am looking at real flowers, I feel peaceful and removed from the often chaotic world of responsibilities and issues needing attention . At times when that other garden - the garden of my mind - is overflowing with seemingly too many things to handle, I go to the garden of my backyard.

In the garden of my mind, there sometimes grows doubt, floundering faith and hesitation. At this point in my life, I realize that developing spirituality is not static. There will sometimes be struggles between what you believe to be true and what this dream world tells you is real.

It is at these times that I need to go to the garden of my backyard for remembrance and renewal. I remember who I am, and I renew the thoughts growing in my mind. Today I choose to grow in the garden of my mind hope, unwavering faith and decisiveness.......

It is Courage

2009-06-16T03:04:00.000-07:00

To arise each morning with anxiety

And still dress yourself well

Eat a good breakfast

Then drive yourself there

Is not only strength

It is courage

Knowing the state of the world

The state of your own life

And still function well

Throughout the day

Is not only competence

It is courage

Doing the work with all it takes

To handle the concerns

The myriad of duties

And do them well

Is not only excellence

It is courage

To continue to live

Your life well

And to love well

Under all circumstances

Is simply this:

It is courage!

Here and Now

2009-06-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

Here and now, you will ignore me

As though I am not an artist sincere

As though you will never adore me

For the prolific work presented here

You will scandalize me

You will ostracize me

You will stain my name.

When I die, you will speak my name

Praise my gifts as though you cared

For me when I walked this hard earth

Offering esteem never before shared

You will recognize me

You will eulogize me

You will speak my name.

Strangers will come as friends

Stand tall and tell my story

At this time of final amends

They will sing of me in glory

They will verbalize me

They will idealize me

They will speak my name.

Finally, my creativity will know

The highest energy from appreciation

As favor upon me death will bestow

In a plethora of posthumous validation

Death will elegize me

Death will prize me

Death will shout my name.

Yet, here and now I want you to see

How I want my living to be

Here and now, why not recognize me?

Accept the gifts I offer you

As I struggle to walk this cold earth

Why not a salute to help me through?

Here and now, please humanize me

Here and now, please actualize me

Here and now, please speak my name!

Art in Nature

2009-06-10T18:48:00.000-07:00

As late spring eases into early summer, more often than not, the inspirations for creating art are: The Japanese maple in my front yard, which provides shade for the newly-planted white begonias residing under it; the abundant variety of trees lining almost every avenue of the city; the lovely Huron River showing glimpses of herself in unexpected places; the colors of nature endlessly flaunting themselves in hues of green, purple, red, yellow and blue; the clear sky; the fresh air......Can anyone deny that a Master Creator dwells among us?

Being among nature stills my inner self, while stirring my passion to paint. How does viewing nature make you feel? What do you like most about nature?

Evolving

2009-06-04T04:41:00.000-07:00

Having recently begun a new body of work, which will include landscapes, abstracts and figurative paintings, I now face the challenge of applying my style to exciting new genres........

On Making Art

2009-05-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

I have always loved words, books, and poetry. Somehow, they have always seemed to be another side of music and art. When I was a struggling young mother of three small children, writing poetry or reading books always eased my desire to paint, which was not always practical to do considering the circumstances. Authors and poets such as Carson McCullers, Jack London, William Shakespeare and Maya Angelou wrote in ways that sparked my visual imagination.

My current volumes of poetry were inspired and informed by my bodies of paintings, as well as by my having found and read with awe several personal poems from those younger, leaner years. The contemporary style of those poems were left in the past, after having read "Savage Beauty," the biography of famous poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay. I favored her use of the double rhyme, while preferring other standard forms of poetry, as well.

As a poet, I tend to break many rules in order to retain my own voice in expressing a mostly philosophical style of writing based on my own experiences and vision. In choosing verse, rather than a more contemporary style of writing, I seek the entertainment factor, which I feel is vital to all art forms in order to reach and hold a diverse audience.

I choose to be somewhat clever while employing verse that is literary, a manner that is simplistic but not trite, and words that rhyme in the manner of colors in visual art. This reflects who I am.

Surreal

2009-05-24T14:03:00.000-07:00

Some of these

paintings

resemble fragments

from

misty dreams

I sought

to keep.

Though captured

just waking,

their

lofty essence

is held only

in that
lucid landscape

called Sleep.

Alliteration for Posterity

2009-05-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

May my song

serve solace

to an unknown

Someone.

May what I

leave satisfy

the souls

of saints.

May all my swords

sail sublime

over seas.

And strike sweetly

the spirit

of only salvation.

May my destiny

decree this

desired

dedication!

Sonnet for Solitude

2009-05-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

Within this passion, this everflowing rush

Painting and writing fuel energy

To gather colors, paper and brush

To beckon forms dormant in me

Now come I to enjoy this state

This lovely aloneness of mine

Embracing creativity, my fate

In its throes, I do not pine

For people, things, elusive still

Yearned for deeply just yesterday

Kept mute in my heart until

The time of a final fading away

Longing and misery put to bed

My art and books I do thee wed.

All Art

2009-05-22T21:43:00.000-07:00

Painting, music

and poetry, too

We call by

their

own names.

Still, many artists

and art lovers do

Recognize

art forms

as same.

Often, do-bop-she-bop

of color and hue

Mimic lyrics

of some

quatrain.

Or call to mind

similar view,

Expressed in

different vein.

Save poetry

with one quirk,

These forms are

all alike,

Unknown when

poetry

will demand work

Or when a poem

will strike!