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...

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...

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carolee is having a giveaway on her blog for the cutest trinket box...go see by clicking this sentence...

the limitless universe, the space of our limitless spirit...

The message of Jesus reaches into the depths of our humanity...into those spaces of life where we create and imagine, dance and sing, write and envision, laugh and cry, mourn and despair, hope and love, and where everything deeply human dwells within us.

"spirit dancer" - 2008

This message reaches into our art. I believe that our art is another message of eternal life as it lives and reaches beyond us. It is a bridge between heaven and earth and experiencing the oneness with all.

Every human being has a light, a radiant spark of God's divine nature, installed in his/her own nature. The idea of opening this light to the world is what all artists and craftspeople have been doing since the birth of time. And I will venture to say that opening up our light will be most important in the third millennium as people search for a spiritual connection.  For an artist, our art is the portal to our souls.

I believe that all of us are called to co-create in the universe together with God. Everyone, if willing, can open up their divine origin, hidden within the depths of our human souls, and give something of value to the universe.

"repose" 2008

Finding your radiant spark, tapping in to the divine inspiration, and then allowing it to flow through you into the limitless universe is your charge in this life. Finding that space of your limitless spirit is a lifelong quest.

Spiritually advanced human souls have already set forth on their journey... can you be far behind? Afterall, you were led to this place today... Have you set forth on your journey or are you afraid to take that first, necessary step?

Millions of enlightened souls have entered their own dark night of the soul. This is where the journey first leads you. It is uncomfortable and, at times, frightening but very necessary to grow into our spiritual maturity. Once in spiritual maturity you are free to co-create with God and the universe with the gift that is uniquely your own.

We are challenged not to become so immersed in the illusory existence of the manifested universe that we forgot our divine nature. 

Einstein & Picasso: The Beauty that Causes Havoc...

Here is a link to Einstein and Picasso lecture. This lecture is part of Einstein Fest at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Canada.

by Arthur I. Miller, professor, history, University College London  October 17, 2005

Picasso's Les desmoiselle d'avignon

The most important scientist of the twentieth century, and its most important artist, went through their periods of greatest creativity almost simultaneously and under remarkably similar circumstances: Einstein's special theory of relativity and Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. It turns out they were both working on the same problem: the nature of space and time and, more particularly, simultaneity. When they produced these astonishing works, Einstein and Picasso were not the distinguished elderly figures that later became so familiar: they were in their twenties, unknown, feisty, dirt-poor, and prone to getting into trouble.

Spirit-knowledge...Intuitivity

intuitive painting "trio" - 2007 - acrylic, watercolor and marmarino plaster on heavy paper
Have you ever just known exactly what to do? Has the paint just flowed from your brush without thought? Have the words just written themselves? Have you just danced with joy to a piece of music you have never heard before? These bursts of creativity are what I call Spiirit-knowledge...where creativity and intuition come together to form Intuitivity...

intuitive painting "Spirit kmowledge" 2007 - Acrylic and molding paste on heavy paper
Spirit-knowledge is the sense and knowledge of faith in a power beyond self that is alive in your heart. Spirit-knowledge is present in prayer and in art, whether the artist or craftsman believes it or not.

intuitive painting "Alone in a Crowd" 2007 - Acrylic and molding paste on heavy paper
I have always thought of my Art as Prayer -moments of openness to the Spirit of God. I intentionally open and invite this connection before I begin to create - a ritual of sorts. I center myself with a few deep breaths. When I am ready (I do not rush this time), I ask God simply, "Give success to the work of my hands."

intuitive painting "Bella Luna" 2007 - Acrylic and molding paste on heavy paper
What I know and discover in my art prayer is often difficult to share or prove to another - my sense of God, my delight in being a creative child of God and my intuitive feelings born in prayer. The paintings in this post reflect what happens when you are open to intuitivity... So I invite you to explore your intuitivity and Spirit knowledge this week.

intuitive painting "Wings" 2007 - Acrylic and molding paste on heavy paper board

Exploratory Expedition... Before you create this week, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you and be with you. Then open yourself to work intuitively, without editing or correcting as you go. Experience where this takes your art. Allow the time to open your heart to what the Spirit of God teaches in art prayer.

Art...Inspiration...Spirit...

Model of Inspiration from visual thesaurus here...
As I begin to create The Artist as a Spiritual Explorer, I find a need to define the connection I feel between art and spirituality. If I could not explain it for myself how could I explain it for fellow explorers.

Art is inspiration...and inspiration is:


in spirit
Inspiration \In`spi*ra"tion\, n. [L. inspiratio-in spirit.] The act of breathing in; breath; breathing in the spirit.

Definition from Bartleby.com, The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

1. 
   a. Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.
   b. The condition of being so stimulated.
2. An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention.
3. Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.
4. The quality of inspiring or exalting.
5. Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.
6. The act of drawing in, especially the inhalation of air into the lungs.

Inspiration, for me, is a sudden flash of intuition...the arousal of the mind to creativity with divine guidance or...breathing completely in the spirit...where the skills and/or tools capable of originating (and subsequently developing) innovation or insight bring into existence something new and uniquely mine.

My formula for inspiration is:

spirit + openness + presence + grace = inspiration
The Holy Spirit breathes into me, when I am open and present, the grace to create....

Art has always felt like prayer for me...being one or with Spirit. It is a time of deep connection with something outside of myself...God, The Holy Spirit, the universe...whatever you name it. When I paint it is a contemplative time, a meditation where I feel the presence of my greater self in God and allow it to flow through me. Being in spirit...

The Artist as a Spiritual Explorer is about this inspiring influence rather than a process or it's effects. It is the journey to a place where intuition meets creativity to form intuitivity. Although my art, at times, is sprinkled with vision, illumination and heart...it is the moment of creation that is the catalyst for continued exploration. The 'affects' or feelings that I experience are what keep me inspired, regardless of the outcome in terms of monetary or notable gain.

This is about your journey, not mine. Although I will give reference to my journey from time to time for illustrative purposes, the path and how you walk it are entirely up to you and your connection with the spiritual.

Exploratory Expedition...Create your personal formula, consisting of the ingredients that define inspiration for you. There could be many things that play a part in your definition of inspiration or just a few. Pray with it or meditate on it for as long as it takes. There is no timeline for you to follow. This is your path. When you come to definition that suits you, create a visual reference for yourself.

Resources:
Definitions of Inspiration at Humanity Quest here...
Article of Inspiration here...