discussion question (5)

Do the holidays help or hinder your creativity? Are you inspired by any of the many different forms of creativity that surround us this time of year?

(view from the inn that Danielle and I stayed at in Sedona~not too bad, eh? )

sharing...

gentle movement (14)

Love, LOVE, love!

gentle movement (13)

discussion question (4)

I know how busy everyone will be with Thanksgiving but I wondered if it would be fun to share some of our favorite holiday traditions or foods that we look forward to. Maybe you have a favorite holiday memory or story that you would like to share?

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This is another gorgeous photograph from Cheryl called, "Tiny Bubbles."

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"I am realizing that I am enough as is--a work in progress. I have looked at the love that surrounds me...the new love and hidden love, and desired love but something changes when I slowly turn my love towards myself. That's when life becomes vividly full color. I can see the life in me. I can stop hiding my freckles. I can look deeply into my own eyes, and high up into the branches of the trees. I can become myself...."


~Sabrina Ward Harrison

link

I thought that some of you might be interested in these artists under "current exhibition", especially you photographers. The artist statements I found to be informative. Also, there is a section on their sculpture part which I have been to that is quite spectacular as well.Let me know what you think...http://www.averypointarts.uconn.edu/

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Forget about good. Good is a know quantity. Good is what we all agree on. Growth is not necessarily good. Growth is an exploration of unlit recesses that may or may not yield to our research. As long as you stick to good you'll never have real growth.

~Bruce Mau (An Incomplete Manifesto)

• This is one of Cheryl's new flower portraits. There will be more to come. If anyone is interested in posting work or something that they find interesting let me know. It would be welcomed with tenderness and care.
  

"Guerilla Art"

Guerilla art is another area that I have been experimenting with. Keri Smith describes it in her book Guerilla Art Kit, as “any anonymous work (including but not limited to graffiti, signage, performance, additions and decoration) installed, performed, or attached in public spaces, with the distinct purpose of affecting the world in a creative or thought-provoking way.” (11) She further explains that “Guerilla art can be anything you want—an idea, an expression, a movement, an experience, an outlet, a way of connecting, a way of documenting, a challenge, a form of play, a statement, a performance, an attitude, a practice, an improvisation a ritual.” (14) I loved this idea of putting a message out into the world anonymously. It has been exhilarating to think that you can make someone think about something differently or “make their day” with an encouraging message. My experiments have been messages left around Bluff Point on or with natural objects such as shells, leaves and branches. They say things like, “listen”, “you are special”, “what do you care about?” and “wonder” to name a few. I have left hundreds of them on park benches, hiking trails, the beach, large rocks, and most recently in different places in the airport.

I believe that a message like this would make me stop and think if I came across it in the course of my day and can only hope that my work can inspire the same reaction that Smith describes when she says, “For a moment I am taken out of my known world and presented with an alternative, one that is unexpected and daring, one that makes me think about the space a little differently. These little gestures encourage me to not take our life so seriously, to contemplate for a moment something outside the predictable. They reawaken a sense of connection to the environment by pointing out something I might not have seen, by adding a new image to the world that is unexpected, or by presenting and alternate point of view.” (10)

Although my message isn't what one might consider "deep" I just wanted to see if I could effect someone's day in a positive way. These small gestures are an experiment for me with public art, which is different than my studio work, although I think that I am always striving to relate to the world in a positive way with my art. I am open to suggestions for more meaningful messages and possible ideas for the winter months. Also, I am wondering what you would think if you came across a message like this on a trail or a park bench? What would you want someone to say to you? Would you think of this as graffiti?

discussion question (3)

In the very first post Liz had wondered "if any of us struggled with letting our creativity "free" without worrying about it's "value". This is something that I think we all struggle with. In what ways do you censor yourself? Is it only with art? What are some ways to get past this?

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"Love is the essential ingredient, and to live fully engaged with the heart is our ultimate expression. Living Artfully is living heartfully."

~Sandra Magsamen

I stumbled upon these heart rocks on one of my walks. Someone had left them as a mini sculpture on top of a large rock on the beach. You never know how a random act like this can effect someone's day.

Our "mug shots"

These are the pictures that I have of our group so far. From the top: Karianne, Liz and her husband, John, Tomasen, Brigitte, Danielle, Laura and Jess with her beautiful son, Owen. I will post more as I get them. Cheers! Laura

discussion question (3)

As I was reading Sandra Magsamen's Living Artfully this morning I was struck by her account of being labeled the artist in the family while her twin sister was considered the writer. She recalls how they both loved each of these things but because her parents considered her the artist in the family her sister stopped painting. Likewise because her sister was considered the writer Sandra stopped writing. I wondered how labels effect us and if you had been known for something that you did well as a child. How was it encouraged or not encouraged? Did you secretly long to be considered good at something else?

"While we have the gift of life, it seems to me the only tragedy is to allow part of us to die, whether it is our spirit, our creativity, or our glorious uniqueness."

~Gilda Radner (comedian)

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Lately I have been feeling a bit anxious but unable to articulate why. Yesterday I decided to "go to the basement". Going to the basement meant facing the endless walls of boxes that have haunted me since the move from the "magical cottage" in March. I didn't realize how much having these boxes hanging over my head was effecting me. When I was packing to move I knew that there were things that I was holding onto that would take me some time to let go of. Yesterday became a day of "letting go" followed by an overwhelming sense of relief.

What started out as an hour "in the basement" ended up being the whole day, but was worth it for my peace of mind. Although there are still boxes to go though they are all labeled and organized, therefore making it easier for future editing. As I thought about all of the things that I was holding onto I wondered how much they held me back in other areas of my life. Letting go of the clutter in the basement has created a new energy within the house and myself, therefore making room for energy in other areas of my life where I would like more of my focus to be. Maybe there is something cluttering your life and not allowing you to focus your energy where you would like?

discussion question (2)

Tina and I have been going out sketching as a way to explore our "place" and learn about where we live. Some of you have seen her website but in case you haven't here is a link to our "conversation" for the semester. http://www.tinahirsig.com/Conversations/Conversations.html
As I have started to draw from life more frequently I find that I am building a relationship to the things around me in a way that I don't think that I have before. I notice the details and beauty in the ordinary and feel humbled and grounded as I build a closer relationship to the world around me. My mind also wanders and I am reminded of things long forgotten. Tiny acorns that have fallen along my pathway in the woods bring back memories of my childhood and making "acorn pies" with my best childhood friend, Sheri. There have also been a few places that have I have felt a deep, unexplainable peace or energy when I was there. (I just realized that in fact, I did know where I could go to get away from the "chatter" that I described in Tuesdays post). As I think about all of this I wondered if there were any places that you have connected to or have found inspiring in some way. Do places inspire creativity?

"Simple Truths"

This is an exerpt from Kent Nurburg's, Simple Truths:

"Nature is the clearest source of solitude. The greatness of nature can overwhelm the insignificant chatter by which we measure most of our days. If you have the wisdom and courage to go to nature alone, the larger rhythms, the eternal hum, will make itself known all the sooner. When you have found it, it will always be there for you. The peace without will become the peace within, and you will be able to return to it in your heart wherever you find yourself."

Kent Nurburg is relecting on solitude and loneliness. I spend a lot of time with myself and often find that "chatter" that he describes overwhelms me. This is when I know that I NEED to go for a walk at Bluff Point. These walks ground me and I feel those "larger rhythms" and "eternal hum" that he talks about. I wondered if anyone else did too? I am not sure that I have completely found it within myself as I still get anxious about a lot of things. On my walks this week I am going to be more aware of what I am feeling and see if I can bring myself to a sense of peace during those times when I am unable to go out into nature and the "chatter" won't stop swarming around in my head. I was wondering if anyone else had this incessant chatter swarming around in their heads?

gentle movement (7)

I embraced the day and went on an adventure with my five year old niece, Julia on Saturday while visiting in NH. My cousin, Suzy had told me a about a "scupture tail" that she had stumbled upon in Brookline NH. I had always been curious about it and it came to mind when I was doing research on Place-Based art. The website http://www.andresinstitute.org/ was informative and I learned that they gave guided tours and were having one this past saturday. I took it as serindipity and decided to pack a backpack with a snack, our sketchbooks and some water and embraced the beautiful Fall day. We decided not to follow the tour and set out on our own adventure. Along the way we discovered a wealth of sculptures hidden in the woods. They were created by artists from all over the world. Each sculpture had a marker noting what the artist was thinking. At the top of the mountain was a large, glass studio where this years artists were working. Julia was anxious to see it and walked all the way to the top and met some of this years artists. The sculpture above is one of the many that we saw along our way. It would be well worth the drive for anyone living in New England and a great place for a field trip (for all of you teachers). This sculpture was called, "Process" and was created by the artist, Anita Sulimanovic from Croatia. I thought would be perfect for our "gentle movement" this week. Anita states (in part):

"Fascination with the wavy sea-cycle-rhythm of waves, flowing in perfect order, symmetric order, within time, in predeterminded direction: The order of roof tile, the bark of the tree , the structure of fish scales...It might present all of these things in the associative but, it might not be anything of it....This sculpture represents the process...of growning; process of civilization,of building the house/home (or covering living spaces-roof scales-making a shelter), or even the sculptor's process of creating a sculpture.

There are many answers on this sculpture, as it is meant to be a kind of question or an invitation for contemplation on the enigma-the secret- the mystery of existence."

Often I feel like the "process"of living is everything. Embrace the day!

discussion question (1)

Have you ever had a mentor? If so, what did you learn from them? If not, what would you like to learn from one?

gentle movement (6)

"People who need certainty in their lives are less likely to make art that is risky, subversive, complicated, iffy, suggestive, or spontaneous. What's really needed is nothing more than a broad sense of what you are looking for, some strategy for how to find it, and an overriding willingness to embrace mistakes and surprises along the way."

~David Bayles & Ted Orland (Art & Fear)

Our Deepest Fear

This quote is hanging in my studio and something that I think about often. I was wondering what you thought about it.....

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't be insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It's not in some of us it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. "

~Marianne Williamson

flower portaits

These gorgeous photographs were taken by my friend Cheryl who is new to "the garden". She wrote a little bit about them below and is looking for feedback. Enjoy!

Recently I started taking photographs again, after a dabbling in various other media, and I am very excited about the results. Working with color and working with digital are quite a departure from the B&W darkroom days! Instant gratification has some advantages, but like with graphic design, the computer allows anyone with access to produce slick, though not necessarily quality, images. Being "out of the loop" for so long has left me doubting my own abilities. And although friends are very enthusiastic about my latest photographs, I know these people lack an experienced and discerning eye...

Please take a look and let me know what you think. I appreciate any feedback you have the time to give. Specifically, what, if any, feelings to they evoke for you? Is there anything about the image(s) that distracts you, or detracts from the feeling? i.e.--technical aspects or details of composition.I welcome any other comments or questions.

These are "portraits" of flowers. We've all seen pictures of flowers, so why bother? In my sketchbook some time ago I asked the question, "Can there be too much beauty in the world?" The answer is an emphatic "No." There is too much beauty that gets overlooked and/or taken for granted. With these, I have literally stopped to smell the roses, and there I found joy and wonder. Part of the joy is in the fact that most of these flowers are in my yard, and their beauty is present in my life each time I step outside my door or even look out the window, for that matter. I am drawn in close to investigate their colors, softness and light. Here I find even more magic. My camera allows me to view details that I am unable to see with my naked eye. This level of intimacy fills me with wonder at the amazing complexities of this "simple" form of life. What a gift, what a blessing, to find such inspiration in something so abundant as flowers.

gentle movement (5)

"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery that you miss by going too fast-you also miss the sense of where you are going and why."

~Eddie Cantor

*This photo was taken by Tomasen at Gay Head Beach on Martha's Vineyard. The perfect

example of "balance".

Ongoing reading and meandering thoughts....

I have been thinking about the similar reading some of us are doing and thought that it might be nice to share our thoughts, ideas or anything that we find interesting about the books, or articles we are reading. It will be a place that we can come back and add to in much the same way I hope the "balance" post will be. Feel free to discuss books, ask questions, or leave suggestions. I believe that we are a wealth of knowledge and can learn, grow and open our minds to new things by sharing with each other. Never underestimate how important you are. You don't have to write a big annotation or anything, just be yourself and share whatever you find interesting.

quote

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and then go do it. Because what the world needs are people who come ALIVE."
~Howard Thurman

What makes you come alive?

Balance

This group helps me to feel balanced. Each one of you has your own unique ability to motivate and inspire. Listening to all of you gives me new ideas, things to ponder as well as reminding me that there are areas in my life that I may need to balance. I had forgotten how much I used to hike, mountain bike and read for pleasure until I hear you talk about it. Each week I am rejuvinated by all the different ways that you balance and enrich your lives, however big or small. I realized that I often let one area of my life consume me (lately this is school) while I am neglectful of others. I wondered if anyone else felt the same. Maybe you could share some ways that you prioritize and balance things within their lives. Maybe there are areas that you realize you would like to work on and want to talk about. I believe that as we share our thoughts, ideas and struggles we will get to know each other better and can be supportive of each others needs.

*I would like to use this post as a place that we can come back to and add to as we gain insight and move through our lives.

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This is another beautiful photo of Liz's. I was thinking that each week we could post something that you might want to share. It could be anything, a photograph, a poem, story, a picture of your studio, etc...anything that you feel like sharing. You can either upload it yourself or email it to me and I will post it. It has been so wonderful staying in touch with all of you and seeing how we all are so supportive of each other. Thanks for sharing!

Marvelous Martha

I am from the colors of the earth
Where the soft brown garden earth brings forth a rainbow of colors
The shades of green that sway on the tops of tall trees
The rays of golden yellow that bounce off the trees making paths to follow on the forest floor.
The brown and black feathers that dress the wild turkeys
The delicate white spots that hide the baby fawns in the spring of the year.

I am from the colors of nature
The brilliant green and red on the body of a tiny hummingbird
The striking black and white of a woodpecker tapping his beak against a tree
The magnificent red that catches your eyes as a male cardinal flies to the top of the old apple tree
The dark brown velvet that covers the new antlers as a male deer grows up.

I am from the colors of families
The soft pink of babies toes
The blue of blue jeans as my children grew up
The color of team uniforms as the seasons change
The color of prom gowns and tuxes
The pastel colors of weddings
I am from the favorite colors of grandchildren

I am from the colors of emotions
Love, happiness, sadness, peace, desire, fear,
anger, triumph and hope.

~Martha Smith

"perfectionism" a dirty little word...

I have been thinking a lot about "perfectionism" and what that means. Because you are all such good writers I think that I have been overthinking and censoring my entries. Believe it or not, I have a whole bunch of them that I haven't posted because of this thing called "perfectionism". I wonder if I will be interesting enough or if anyone will care what I have to say. Should I share my work? What will people think of these ideas? Am I asking too many questions? (ha!) etc... etc... the list goes on. I wondered if anyone else felt the same way or found themselves to be perfectionists in other aspects of their lives?

more from Maya...

"Don't make money your goal, You can only become truly accomplished doing something you love. Pursue things you love doing and do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you."
~Maya Angelou

What would pursue if you never had to worry about money?

gentle movement (3)

In an effort to be more organized and mindful of everyone's time I am going to use "the gentle movement" post as a place for a quick "check in". This could be to post your goals for the week, ask for help with an idea, let others know what forward movements you have made (people really are inspired by you!), offer inspiration, ask for help or give feedback if people have asked for it (it might be good to ask for what kind of feedback you are needing).

This is a place to celebrate each other and appreciate where we are in our lives. Maybe some weeks, you are so busy you just want to drop in and say "hello, I'm still alive but I am too busy this week to do anything," or that "I am in a total rut and can't get out of my own way." Often we are too hard on ourselves and nobody should feel bad if they have weeks or times when they feel like they can't "move". This is when we need each other the most and can support each other with kindness, empathy, non-judgement and love. I know how difficult it can be to put yourself "out there" and want you to know that you will always have someone "nurturing and watering your garden" when you need it.

Fleeting Moments...

These pictures are examples of serindipitous moments from Danielle (top, AZ), Liz (mid. CA) and Tomasen (bottom, NH). When was the last time you saw a rainbow? Nature's creativity...

Cloud Watching

"To myself I am only a child playing on the beach, while vast oceans of truth lie undiscovered before me."- Isaac Newton

Spider Princess

If I was a spider princess, she said, I would spin webs the color of sky & catch drops of sunlight to give to children who watch too much TV & then everyone would remember to come outside to play. If I was a spider princess, she said, things would be different.

~Brian Andreas

gentle movement(2)

Hello groovy, moovy creative "beans"~
I have been thinking about goals. Sometimes we have too many and we don't know where to start. I have been feeling this way lately. There are things that I have to do for school and things that I want to do with my art for myself, without having to "contextualize" (a hot ticket Goddard word) it. It has also been hard to let work flow out when I know that I am going to have to articulate it into a paper for school, even though this deep reflection brings me more clarity. It is HARD! Today I decided to work on what I wanted to, without expectations for myself. Just for fun, just to play. This is when I am most free and most comfortable. Maybe one of my goals needs to be to play more. Play is one of the themes in Tina's work and we have been talking about it. Here is a link that she sent me that I think you might find interesting. It talks about play from a scientific point of view. http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/play/index.shtml If you should listen to it I would be curious to know what you think. Do any of you have ways in which you "play" as an adult?

• I will post my microMOVEments for the week in the comments section, as well as let you know what I have done in the form of "moving" forward with them. I would encourage anyone who would like to post a goal and a small, gentle movement for the week here. If you need a refresher on what this is refer to last monday's post "gentle movement". Even just setting a goal, or making the smallest movement can make you feel good and be inspiring to someone else. So many people underestimate what they say and or what they do. Others may need to hear what you are thinking about. I am sending you a week of excessive "play"! Rock on groovy "beans"....

An Artful Walk

Lori had mentioned making time to go out an walk or ride her bike and not making time for creativity in her life. Often times simple things like walking can be creative in themselves. When I first started walking at Bluff Point I was going for exercise. I was on a mission to get my heart rate up and get moving. With my headphones on pumping me up, off I would go. After awhile I wondered what it would be like to take my headphones off when I walked. With this small shift a whole new world open up for me. I noticed things that I hadn't before. Birds were having lively conversations around me, an osprey was gliding over my head, I noticed pathways in the woods that I hadn't seen before, stone walls, textures and fiddle heads unfurling. I began walking with "intention", curious and open to everything around me. These walks have become part of my daily practice and necessary for me to think and wonder. I note subtle changes and take a daily photo to document my day. If I have more time I bring my backpack, with a sketchbook, pencils and my paints, sometimes writing, sometimes sketching. Even 5 or 10 minutes reflecting in some way informs my thinking back in my studio. I wanted to share this with you to illustrate how even our daily activites can become creative. One small shift, like taking my headphones off made me more present to my surroundings. I am able to get exercise and incorporate creativity at the same time~who knew?

The Getty

This is a photograph from Liz of the Getty Center. I have only been there once and it made quite an impression on me. Here are her thoughts on it...

The Getty... I would describe it as an oasis in LA. In a city full of people rushing too and from "important" meetings in a concrete jungle, it is the only place one can go to reconnect with nature and beauty. I actually don't even get a chance to look at a lot of the artwork when I am there. Instead, I spend most of my time walking in the garden, enjoying the fresh air and admiring the AMAZING architecture - all artwork in their own right. For me it is definitely the #1 "must see" in LA! -Liz

Maybe you have a place that inspires you that you want to share?

Jimmy Buffett

I was inspired to post this Jimmy Buffett quote after responding to Lori's questions. I just went to see him last week for the 15th(?!?!) year in a row and at every concert he talks about how this is "the best summet job he has ever had". (For those of you who don't know I am a HUGE "Parrothead".) He has also said that "I have never, ever won an award for any albums that I have done, but I don't care when I have "parrotheads" like you." I think he is such an inspiration because he played his songs even when he wasn't being "heard" and has lived his life in a way that most of us only dream of, which is why people go back year after year to see him. If you have never been, you should "experience it"!

"Some people love to lead, and some refuse to dance. Some play it safely, others take a chance. Still it's all a mystery this place we call the world, most are fine as oysters, while some become pearls".

~Jimmy Buffett, Oysters and Pearls

change

"BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD"
~Muhamad Ghandi

This is a picture that Liz gave me to share and I want to encourage sharing our work (in any form). This is a photograph of her daughter, Isabella and I thought it was so perfect with the quote she posted the other day.

gentle movement

As one way to support ourselves to live more creatively, it might be a good time to think about a goal for ourselves. It can be a large or small goal but sometimes writing it down gives it more merit and power. As many of you know I am a big fan of the author, SARK's microMOVEments. They are a small movement towards a larger goal. She says that "it's 5 seconds to 5 minute in length, you write it down, along with a gentle date and time for completion." It is a gentle movement because you can change it as many times as you need to. Her belief is that we can do anything for 5 seconds to 5 minutes.

I am suggesting that we try this out for the next few weeks to see how it feels. (If it is not your thing don't feel obligated.) How would it work for people if we posted one goal that we have and one micromovement for that goal at the beginning of the week and then check in at the end of the week to see how we did? One small movement can be powerful. It might also help us to think about what is stopping us from moving forward in some small way.

"Much of what stops us is the ordinary." SARK

Here is one example of how micromovements have helped me: I had been talking about wanting to go to graduate school for many years and never made any movement towards getting there. It was too overwhelming. Some of the things that stopped me from moving forward were that I believed that I could never take the time off from teaching, I would have large school loans, I would never get accepted, I didn't have a portfolio, etc...the list went on. When I decided that this was something that I really wanted to do and set a goal for myself I started with these micromovements:

1. looking up schools online.

2.making a list schools

3. calling the schools for information

4. reading the information

5. setting up appointments to visit the schools

6. applying to the schools, etc...There were endless micromovements that eventually got me into a graduate program that has transformed my life.

What is one goal that you want to work towards? Do you need help breaking it down into tiny pieces? My goal for our group is to support and nurture each other and create forward movements within our lives. We can all help each other if we know what to support in each other. Any feedback that you can give me in regards to this would be appreciated.