artist's way, artist's date, artist's inspiring me.....etc.

© Anselm Kiefer

I was invited to join an artist's way group and decided to give it a shot.
I did the artist's way book in 1994 when I was living in Minneapolis and working at the Guthrie Theater backstage - down in the depths of the Vom, as a dresser.
Doing the 12 week program in the book helped me so much and change my life really.
As a result I moved to the pacific northwest and went from wardrobe to stage management, and viewed daffodils and tulips growing everywhere in February. ( I think it was feb? )
anyhow I'd never seen that before. Ashland is Magical. I worked at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for one season. It was amazing. Then up to Portland for another 5 years. The artists way got me dreaming about living surrounded by trees and green.
And I don't think I would have ever gotten to a place of confidence about going - without the help of the book!
It also got me in touch with childhood dreams I had, and how I used to be when I was younger. It helped me tap into my authentic self a lot more.

So - It's been a zillion years and I'm in the middle of a major life transition and not really sure how the art career will go after baby is born - so it felt like a perfect opportunity to break out that book again. But this time do it with supportive friends and meet weekly. Well my weeks are numbered because baby is due in about 5 weeks - but I can do what I can with them and then allow it to sit until I can get to it again later. I needed to allow myself to just go with the flow and not be all or nothing with this artists way thing because I'm a professional at that ( all or nothing ) and I know with a baby on the way - I will need to learn to let go a bit! ok A LOT. when it comes to my own schedule etc.

anyhow - week one has been so interesting. I already have resistance to the morning pages. WHY? what are they going to do to me?
And I've been very inspired by artwork that i've looked for when searching for a good artist's date.

There's a show at the Hammer Museum right now that I would love to take myself on my first artist's date to.
However - because of my current state - I'm not sure I can really drive all the way over to West wood alone and feel confident that I won't go into labor since I'm having braxton hicks contractions, and then walk around a museum with any pleasure at this point. ( Sciatic pain from hell ). It actually feels kind of good to feel antsy to go see some art!
I've been considering printmaking - as a new direction - although I've been a printmaker since college it was never a primary focus for me.
Right now there is a show on woodcutting/printmaking and I'd LOVE to see this.
Anselm Kiefer is one of my all time favorite artists.
If I don't get to this show - maybe you should!
work like his actually make my mouth water!

Jerry offered to take me there this Saturday - but then it's not an artist's date - and maybe that's ok too for right now. I need to let go right - go with the flow?
At least I would be getting to an art show and excited about it which I cannot say I have felt for many months.

paper whites

Good morning to you.
enjoy simple beauty around you.
it might be right out on your front porch, sitting right next to you, or inside your heart.

It could be a fragrant smell that reminds you of a time in your past that you cherish.

the way the light falls on the wall out front of your home.

The stare of your favorite pet.

a warm meal made by your favorite human

or a warm pair of socks that you just took out of the dryer and put on your feet.

What simple beauty do you notice this morning?
I'd love to hear what you find/ see/ experience.

xo

mornings

Up early again.
This morning I was inspired by the sunrise and wanted to share it with you all. Taken at 6:39am
Love watching the light change in the morning. There's nothing like it.
I sit in the dark living room with just the glow of the laptop screen and I can start to see the light coming in through the sides of the blinds. Then the color of the light changes as well as the brightness. Right now the sun is blasting into the room and creating an amazing warm glow on the fireplace mantel. It's gorgeous.
I am grateful to witness this.

I purchased a gratitude journal. It has the dates and 5 lines under each date so I can get back to that way of thinking and looking and noticing on a regular basis. The camera actually helps with that as well. Reminds me to really LOOK! I want to come up with new things each day to write in my gratitude journal. It's easy to just say the same things over and over. This practice helps me to see, feel, and be in the moment.

One of my favorite all time assignments was from Doug Beasley on one of his photo workshops at Beitenbush Hot Springs in Oregon.

he suggests to go out and take photos of things you find to be "not photo worthy" and see what happens.
I think this was one of my "ah hah" spiritual moments for me.

If you have a camera I suggest trying this assignment out.
Go ahead - take a photo of what you think is NOT photo worthy.....I dare you......
Would love to hear what your experience is.

friendship

This morning I was up early ( 3am ) I made my tea and sliced an apple and opened up the curtains so I could watch the light changing as the sun came up. Around 7am Jerry rolled out of bed and came over to ask me if I wanted to go visit with some friends this morning. I decided it might be nice. Boy am I glad he asked me to go do that today. Seeing old friends is so healing.
I'm so glad I got to see:
Valerie, Mindy, Rafe, Ron, George, Chris, Sue, Dave, David, Richard, James, Jill, oh my the list goes on and on! I felt so loved, and in love with all of them.

Sometimes I feel a bit like what that leaf looks like in that photo I posted. Alone. Then my mind attaches to that story and runs with it. I get hooked by what my mind is telling me, I believe it, and I chew on that story until I am deeply sad by how lonely I am. In the meantime I've taken no actions to change this thought or story. I call no one, I don't reach out to say hello, I don't leave the house all day - for days. I am unplugged and not in a very good way for me with the mind that loves to try to make me believe something that is more damaging then necessary. It's almost like I'm addicted to the thoughts that are harmful to me and love the taste of them. And I love to eat them over and over and over again, like a donut or candy bar that I know is only going to make me fat.

Then one day I get up and go out and see all of you lovely lovely people that I've known for about 3+ years now and I think - oh my god - I created the entire story and it's a lie. Gosh am I talented!
Now when I look at that photo I see a pretty leaf - it's blushing it's so pretty. It's not alone at all but a part of the rest of the universe which is air, water, ground, concrete, people walking by it, the tree it came from etc. No shortage of community when you take the time to connect with it!

Glad the husband asked if I wanted to see friends this morning. I didn't realize how much I NEEDED to see them.
Amazing how my life can change in an instant just by taking a different action, and allowing my thoughts to rest and just be in the moment.

enjoy the leaves on the ground and the friends around you.
xo