Monday, May 31, 2010

Is Your Imagination Out of Focus?



Art and Soul Radio's Musing for the week...
One of my favorite writers, Mark Twain said “You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” What helps you bring your imagination into focus so you can really see what is?

My musings on the quote: mindfulness...it takes practice to live fully in the moment and be present in your life...fully and mindfully experiencing all your senses, often will unleash vivid imaginings and delightful bouts of creativity...

it rained during my morning walk along the beach...i noticed other people scurrying off the beach...i stayed and felt the drops hit my arms and face and clothing...they were neither hot nor cold, yet the breeze from the ocean cooled my skin and felt good...

the soft rain added a fresh, clean fragrance to the salty sea air...i breathed deeply...it tasted salty on my lips as an upward curving of the corners of the mouth indicated pleasure...



the drops made a soft tapping sound as they fell on the ocean and sand...i stood and listened to the rhythm of the rain as it mixed with the sound of the waves as they moved toward shore...

i searched for a rainbow...there was none...however, i noticed the patterns the drops of rain created in the shallow water near shore...i tried to capture the circular shapes as they expanded and grew into one another...i took several photos as i watched the ever-changing patterns form and reform like an infinite kaleidoscope...knowing these patterns will find their way into my art...



when the rain stopped i noticed two feathers floating in the water...they created intricate dance patterns as they bobbed about...twisting and turning...growing close then separating...i watched this performance for quite some time until a large wave washed them from my sight...

mindfulness takes time and a commitment to yourself...i made such a vow years ago when i moved to this tiny island in the atlantic...i would take a mindful, prayerful meditative walk by the sea every morning as long as i was able...at this moment i am able...

Saturday, April 10, 2010

art as prayer...





art for me is prayer...it is allowing the energy to flow through me to create as no one has before me and as everyone has before me...creation is the moment i am most present in my life and at one with the universe

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

blessed discomfort...


in the movie Bounce, Ben Affleck encourages Gwyneth Paltrow:


"It isn't brave unless you're afraid."

as an artist i am accustomed to creating within blessed discomfort...as a creative entrepreneur i am more than used to blessed discomfort...as a child of God i have learned to embrace blessed discomfort...

blessed discomfort has helped me grow as a woman, and artist and a spiritual being...to find the courage to stand in my own truth and find my authentic visual voice, i have had to walk through fear...my worst fears...feel vulnerable, raw and exposed...hopeless, helpless and alone...

this walk of blessed discomfort is what defines the path of The Artist as a Spiritual Explorer...following that inner voice that compels you to go forth...take risks and chances with your art...embrace your gifts...then share them with the world....

'out of darkness' - 2007 20" x 24". acrylic, plaster on paper

and the sharing of your work brings blessed discomfort...will they like it...will they understand it...will they buy it...

out of darkness is a work that visually explores my life and my work as an artist...it shows how i am being pulled out of the darkness of doubt and fear toward light and expansion...it reveals that there will be obstacles ahead, yet it promises the journey will be worth the effort...she is a strong woman, naked and raw, heading into her destiny while remembering her past...remembering because it makes her who she is today...it gives her the sensitivity to love the journey...and it frees her creative spirit to explore all that lies before her...

Monday, August 3, 2009

with this gift is a mission...


i have been given a great gift...in return i have a job/mission to do...

From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. Luke 12:48

the mission? to bring others to God and feed the poor...


Sunday, April 5, 2009

morning meditation...

last night's sunset at the marina amelia island, florida

this peaceful scene helped calm my soul last evening...as you know i have been doing lots of soul work during this Lenten season...it has helped me climb out of the blue funk my life has been in for the past few years...

the sun just peeping over the ocean this morning

i love to go to the edge of the sea to meditate....

contemplate...

for my soul is at rest when i am here...

the sun about an hour after sunrise...thru the pier

this sets my day for creativity and connection to my God, my soul and my muse...


Saturday, April 4, 2009

journey into self awareness....

Jill Bolte Taylor's astonishing journey into self awareness....



are you open to the possibilities of self awareness beyond your norm? would it take a massive stroke to bring you to this kind of openness? would your creativity come from a different place?