Time to Throw in the Towel....really.

or in this case, throw out the block of wood. I am at an impasse that has no forward movement with this one. I had set it aside for quite some time, and kept generating ideas to change what I had done (that wasn't gelling) as well as new elements to incorporate (which weren't gelling).
Something I recently did to it  was to scribble some wax onto various areas beneath the tree canopy, and go for a crayon resist look. My thought was ....rain...storm...darkness, etc....that would show up in the background once I had applied  blackish wash, and hopefully bring together some of the elements in the bottom section of the piece. I'm still really liking the tree canopy, so I didn't want to disturb that, but the mermaid was not coming along-regardless of whether I tried to pencil or paint her in. A last ditch effort was made to actually cover her up- and I got allot of smeary stuff going on instead. Lastly, the black tint wash was applied....which did nothing but make this piece look like  it was left out in the rain, and then dumped in a puddle.

Too bad. It' s a real nice block of wood, and a real nice idea. Yet with each new idea that I had, each new expression that I thought for sure would really change the piece for the better, it just muddied it up even more. Still,  I think each of the elements, in and of themselves, are like mini artworks. But in bringing it all together, for a cohesive whole ...well,  I just couldn't work it out. I think a massive scraping is in order, so that I can at least save the foundation and the' heart 'of this- for something better and even more beautiful and creative. It would be a shame for it to be firepit fodder.

I'm heeding the work's main message..... really.

The Four Corners of Strength

It is complete! and I am feeling happy. It is appropriate that this tribute to Love, Belief, Support and Friendship comes on the heels of what has been a very challenging year for me. I can't say that I'll be sorry to see 2010 go, but I will never forget it's lessons. And I will try to live my best life possible into 2011 and beyond, remembering the foundations that inner Strength is built upon. I feel incredibly blessed to have had people in my life, however permanent or transient they may be, to help me not only find my way, but also to shed light upon the questions, as well as the answers. In 2011, I  will pay more attention to my intuition. I will be kinder to myself and others. I will remember that it's important to smell the roses. I will work hard to be able to do what I really want to do, and earnestly attempt to stop doing that which does not serve me in my life. I will continue to take care of my body, and find better ways to strengthen my heart & soul. I will ask more questions, and listen longer. I will dance and play air guitar to all my awesome c.d.'s. I will make my house a colorful, comfortable and welcome home. I will start scrap-booking again. I will find a way to display my post card collection. I will research how to market my artwork, and how to publish my poetry. I will pray to stay connected to the creative source within me, and set aside time to cultivate that inner quietness so necessary for revelations and internal knowing. I will cast aside doubt & fear. I will not fall back into old habits. I will love wholeheartedly. I will trust in my power. I will make no compromises.

Now, I'll show each corner in detail, paying homage to each important anchor.

 

Love- "Your genuine affection is a catalyst, opening the door of possibility. Your light shines on all that is good & true- inside and outside of me. It rekindles courage in my heart, and helps me embrace life again. Thank you for sharing your love."

Belief- "Encouragement and humor are the gifts you so selflessly give. Your belief in me came like a thousand brilliant stars, illuminating the way, and allowed me to visualize beginning again."

Support- "You are my refuge and your constancy helps me rebuild my life. I feel secure in my decisions and can move forwrad, trusting myself once again. Your support reinforces all that I can do."

Friendship- "Validating my feelings and reminding me of hope, your winning attitude is mirrored in my soul. You help me find the truth through my emotions. In times of trouble and joy, you are always my ally. Your friendship is a blessing."

There's so many projects that I have in store for this coming year! I can't wait to share them here. I can't believe it has been a year since I launched coffee table blog. It has, if nothing else, been a wonderful tool to help me keep it real with myself, especially concerning all my creative endeavors. And for that alone, I can call it a success! 

Patience-Purpose-Energy....being open to Opportunity. This is my wish for 2011.

Merry Christmas Everyone, and a Joyful New year!

Combining Words and Art

The following 'quickie' drawings I completed in July. They are exercises that  I've been doing for awhile now that combine my art and journaling; craftily  called "Raw Art Journaling" by Quinn at Quinn Creative. Please check out her sight for daily inspiration and beautiful artwork. Reading about what she does helped me to get my own feelings expressed in a way that was concise and quick - no Picasso or Neruda stuff going on here; just a simple way of expression that always pleases...me.

The one above was created from some thoughts I had from a post earlier on this blog....in January, I think, about inspiration.

This was created as a result of thoughts from some of my older journal writings, and extrapolating from thoughtful emails that I had both sent and received. The color version really popped for me, but.... I needed to see it in black & white too. I like both equally.

I

I think this one is my favorite. It is simple, with few colors and the stipple technique in the petals is just the ticket. The message is to myself , and I am still learning...learning to begin.

Re-thinking Inspiration

Every person I talk to about creative inspiration has a different take on it. Some believe it is obtained by nothing but good and steady habits -old fashioned hard work. Some believe it is a soul spark - when things outside of ourselves allow us to conjure the art that enables us to express how we feel. I think it is a combination of those things, and yet even more than that.

In my brain and in my heart, each of my life's lessons takes a shape - often words begin it, and images complete it. These experiences, or the realization of the experience as a life lesson, may drive me to paint a picture, write a poem, plant a garden, cook an elegant meal, rearrange the furniture, sing a song, play a game or contemplate natural  beauty. Clarissa Pinkola Estes describes this phenomenon of creativity beautifully, and for me quite accurately, in her book Women Who Run With the Wolves, when she says, " It is the love of something, having so much love for something - whether a person, a word, an image, an idea, the land, or humanity - that all that can be done with the overflow is to create. It is not a matter of wanting to, not a singular act of will; one solely must."

I found an open window as a door closed. I discovered jewels amongst the rocks. I continued loving through the hurt, and discovered more love on the other side of it. I'm learning to focus and find intuitive inspiration in order to leave the land of creative vulnerability.

 

 

almost year's end...almost new year

In May of 2008, I had a creative rediscovery. I was sitting at a bar with my husband when all of a sudden, years of positive karma and intention that had been building up around me made itself known. When something like that happens–well, it’s never what you expect - but the creative explosion that ensued helped me to redirect my energy, and allowed me to gently answer, as well as fearlessly ask soul’s questions. After neglecting my artwork for years, I suddenly found myself back at my easel painting and drawing, but now also cutting, pasting, using all my kid craft and scrap booking supplies, and incorporating word play into my work. Because along with creating visual works of art, I discovered that I really enjoyed writing. Two homemade journals later, and I felt confident enough to shake the dust off my old paintbrushes.

Synchronicity, a positive frame of mind and some creative kindred inspiration guided me to create one painting, and then another and the writings flourished too. I was totally enjoying the process of creating…almost like experiencing it for the first time, since I had no expectations of it. It simply ‘was’, and I was letting it ‘be’. After some happy accidents combining words and visuals, I began to dream about future creative projects, and my favorites included ideas for coffee table books. They would showcase my original artwork and verse using a well known format. They would be both visually appealing and interesting (using my unique “themes” for each book, of course), and would hopefully intrigue just about anyone who happened upon them. And then I discovered blogs. I kept doing my artwork and kept writing, and continued to find, read and enjoy the world of blogs. And my fascination with them is still very much intact.

Finally, the light bulb went on. By definition a coffee table book is a large hardcover book, oversized and heavy –no need to carry it around. It’s intended to alleviate boredom, inspire conversation and/or entertain. It’s obviously very visual and contains simple prose, if any at all. A blog allows the creator of the blog to express herself; to amuse, inform, provoke, inquire, etc…in a very accessible way. Besides being a perfect way to ‘get my stuff out there’, a blog might allow me to develop this gift of creativity, both in my writing and visual art. It could also help me to (hopefully) connect with other like-minded folks throughout the world. My blog could be light hearted, straight up, informational, fun, etc…and not have to be too formal –not too many ‘rules’. I could really be me on my blog (but of course, spare you the details of my peri-menopausal angst). I would get to keep it real. Every single day (or, just about) I get to keep it, and my creative work, real.

And so, I humbly present coffee table blog – a place for art, writing, ideas, connection, trial & error, life & love. I suspect that I’ll post ideas for my artwork, the works in progress, as well as completed stuff. My writing will be here too, along with lots of photos of my main peeps and our home, observations of daily life and the chaotic silliness that surrounds us, & an occasional soundtrack thrown in from my guitar hero husband. Please read, please share and please post.