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?

gentle movement (9)

"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)

gentle movement (8)

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.