Living My Best Life

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)

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 "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.