Well, Thanksgiving is behind us and the Christmas season is fast approaching. I've been thinking about community and fellowship and how important it is to connect. Since I've been so busy over the last 3 years with grad school, I've not connected with people as much as I would have liked. Now that grad school is over, I've been playing catch up with family and friends. It feels good to connect.
I've also realized how much the connections energize me and gives me joy. I totally enjoy my house filled with people - especially the friends of my kids. They're so much fun and I completely enjoy hearing the laughter - even if it's into the wee hours of the morning! It means that the house is alive and we're alive - able to enjoy and experience the good things of life. Again, it's good to connect.
I also realize that these connections helps me with the creation of my artwork. It fills my reservoir so that when I need to tap into it - there is something there to give to me. The time spent being quiet (as I wrote about in the last blog) and the time spent in fellowship/connection with others gives a wonderful balance in the grounding of my being. It's good to experience people; it's good to connect!
So as this busy season comes upon us - enjoy the time and enjoy the connections. The blessings are enormous! Until next time, take care, enjoy, and God bless!!!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Nov. 6, 2009
Now, it's really been a long time since I've posted anything on this blog! Life has been interesting.... I've been working at the college and slowly but surely working on art. And, yes, I graduated from graduate school in July - Whoo Hoo!!! I do want to let everyone know how grateful I am to my family and friends, especially Randy for the support and encouragement I was given to accomplish this goal. Thank you all so much!!!!
I was thinking of how wonderful it is to be able to work and create in your own studio space. I've moved from the kitchen table to a beautiful 250 sq. ft. studio which is absolutely fantastic! The quiet and the solitude that I have when creating really helps me to focus on what I'm doing. Not having the distractions that I typically have at home is a blessing. One thing I've noticed while working in this new space is how much I depend on the quiet to help me create. I typically do not have music or anything playing in the background when working. This time spent in quiet, peaceful solitude does wonders for the soul. I was thinking about that today, in the studio. It was so quiet and peaceful but I realized that I was not at focused as I typically am. I was working and progressing on a couple of pieces but my 'reservoir' was not as filled as it typically is when I'm in the studio.
I realized that I haven't had the quiet time that is needed to help me center and create. Too often, I think, I don't take the time to just sit and be still. I'm so busy with teaching, planning lessons, grading papers/portfolios, making art, being a wife and mom, that the time spent being still is few and far between. I know that it is a very needed time - not something that is a luxury - but something that is an necessity. It is the time spent with myself and more importantly, with my God. I can hear His voice when I finally 'be still'. The clutter of my world takes precedence too many times and I cut myself off from truly calming and centering myself. But at the same time - when I'm in the studio - I feel the presence of God and the centering of my soul. That is important. But just taking the time 'to be', to just relax with myself and not put any pressure on me to always be doing something is an opportunity to allow myself to pray and seek the presence of God. That is something that revitalizes and strengthens me - I cherish those times. I believe that my artwork improves after spending time like this. It's hard to create when you're filled with clutter and chaos. The quiet time in the studio and in prayer all inform and support what I do in the studio. I feel it and the work shows it.
I've started two new pieces - a 'book' and an encaustic piece. I was working more on the encaustic piece today - got the wax and colors on it but it's not there yet. I'm trying not to rely on too much of what I know or what I know that works with this piece. I'm venturing into new ground - trying to vary the colors and textures. I'm also debating on whether or not to add different textures - but I don't want it to become just an exercise in texture. I think there is a spiritual dimension to the work and don't want to plan it out too much. I don't want to control the spirit of the work. Then it can fall into the category of being contrived and I don't want that. It's a bit uncomfortable yet exciting to see what will happen.
I think that when we venture into uncharted territory with the creative process, the real fun and excitement begins. For when we allow ourselves to be guided by the medium, to allow the work to dictate what happens, our creativity moves to another level. This can happen with realistic or abstract work - it is allowing the intuition, the uninhibited self to come through. Some would say the spirit (for me it's the Holy Spirit) helps guide the work or at least becomes a part of the process. For me that's crucial - to let go and let the artwork become it's own entity. That's exciting, that's partially what drives me to create. That's the beauty and wonder of being an artist. It's great!!!
Well, that's it for now. I'm off to just relax and 'be still'. So take care, enjoy and God bless.
I was thinking of how wonderful it is to be able to work and create in your own studio space. I've moved from the kitchen table to a beautiful 250 sq. ft. studio which is absolutely fantastic! The quiet and the solitude that I have when creating really helps me to focus on what I'm doing. Not having the distractions that I typically have at home is a blessing. One thing I've noticed while working in this new space is how much I depend on the quiet to help me create. I typically do not have music or anything playing in the background when working. This time spent in quiet, peaceful solitude does wonders for the soul. I was thinking about that today, in the studio. It was so quiet and peaceful but I realized that I was not at focused as I typically am. I was working and progressing on a couple of pieces but my 'reservoir' was not as filled as it typically is when I'm in the studio.
I realized that I haven't had the quiet time that is needed to help me center and create. Too often, I think, I don't take the time to just sit and be still. I'm so busy with teaching, planning lessons, grading papers/portfolios, making art, being a wife and mom, that the time spent being still is few and far between. I know that it is a very needed time - not something that is a luxury - but something that is an necessity. It is the time spent with myself and more importantly, with my God. I can hear His voice when I finally 'be still'. The clutter of my world takes precedence too many times and I cut myself off from truly calming and centering myself. But at the same time - when I'm in the studio - I feel the presence of God and the centering of my soul. That is important. But just taking the time 'to be', to just relax with myself and not put any pressure on me to always be doing something is an opportunity to allow myself to pray and seek the presence of God. That is something that revitalizes and strengthens me - I cherish those times. I believe that my artwork improves after spending time like this. It's hard to create when you're filled with clutter and chaos. The quiet time in the studio and in prayer all inform and support what I do in the studio. I feel it and the work shows it.
I've started two new pieces - a 'book' and an encaustic piece. I was working more on the encaustic piece today - got the wax and colors on it but it's not there yet. I'm trying not to rely on too much of what I know or what I know that works with this piece. I'm venturing into new ground - trying to vary the colors and textures. I'm also debating on whether or not to add different textures - but I don't want it to become just an exercise in texture. I think there is a spiritual dimension to the work and don't want to plan it out too much. I don't want to control the spirit of the work. Then it can fall into the category of being contrived and I don't want that. It's a bit uncomfortable yet exciting to see what will happen.
I think that when we venture into uncharted territory with the creative process, the real fun and excitement begins. For when we allow ourselves to be guided by the medium, to allow the work to dictate what happens, our creativity moves to another level. This can happen with realistic or abstract work - it is allowing the intuition, the uninhibited self to come through. Some would say the spirit (for me it's the Holy Spirit) helps guide the work or at least becomes a part of the process. For me that's crucial - to let go and let the artwork become it's own entity. That's exciting, that's partially what drives me to create. That's the beauty and wonder of being an artist. It's great!!!
Well, that's it for now. I'm off to just relax and 'be still'. So take care, enjoy and God bless.
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