Please join me on this painting journey that includes photos, words, a dash of wonder and a swirl of inspiration ~
"The world is so rich, simply throbbing with treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself!" ~
Henry Miller
(280) This shadow results from a steel sculpture created by Kentucky artist Donnie Firkins. To see more shadow shots, please visit Hey Harriet! The photo is an excellent reminder in how to paint shadows because it is easy to see that they appear darker with a harder edge the closer they are to the object casting the shadow. Then they transition to lighter values with softer edges as they move further away from the object. "As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same"...Nelson Mandela
(279) I have been tagged by Marian Fortunatiand asked to share some "unusual" things about myself. Unusual? That is the assignment? oh gee, maybe you should grab some caffeine and try to stay awake... but here goes:
1. Years ago, my sister got concert tickets for us to see Paul and Linda McCartney--the only concert I ever attended when the audience knew the words to every song---so great. Later when Linda passed, synchronicity played a role in my travel plans, allowing me to be in London on the evening of her memorial. Like thousands of others, I stood outside St. Marins in the Fields and caught a glimpse of Paul and others as they waved hello and filed into the church. Lily of the Valley was Linda's favorite flower so her family had bouquets all along the facade of the church and the invitees were given one as they departed. There were extras, and one of the security guards offered a bouquet to me...lovely.
2. I received my first "art award" was when I was in the 5th grade. The class was was given a huge double bar of Ivory soap (I'm quite sure they no longer make those), and asked to carve something from it. I was so enthralled with Renaissance art at that age, and had just read about how Michelangelo observed a huge piece of marble that no one else wanted, and was able to visualize his sculpture of David within its boundaries. So I studied the shape of my soap bar and tried to imagine what would fit inside my rectangle (about 4"x7" not quite 2 inches thick)--and then I "saw" it. An opened book, lying flat would fit perfectly in that space, and was my "best of show" win. It was the first time I had considered sketching "within the envelope" to find a shape.
3. Although I took art classes in college, my major was psychology, and working with a white lab rat was a requirement for graduation. Let me just say that when a rat bites you, he doesn't let go immediately...and may I also add that when your rat is then running loose in the classroom, lying down on that nice cool science table to keep from fainting can be a godsend. Just in case you were wondering, such an event requires a new round of immunizations. Nightmares? why yes-- for years actually.
4. I first saw the Rolling Stones when I was 8 months pregnant. And a few years later, when that "baby" grew taller than me, we went to hear Mick and Keith again....
5. About 12 years ago, I was liberated by the sudden realization that I do not have to watch the evening news. Who knew? With apologies to John Mayer, I am not "waiting on the world to change" but hoping to follow Ghandi's advice to "BE the change you wish to see in the world." What in the world would we do without that daily dose of horror, you ask? Why not fill your head with what is good in the world instead?...perhaps with words by people who have have something uplifting to say about life like Deepak Chopra, Dwayne Dyer, Mattie Stepanek, Maya Angelou, Elie Weisel, Sarah Ban Breathnach, Eckhart Tolle, just to name a few- So many adults are up in arms about the negative effects of video games, but does the news not also desensitize us to violence? Clearly my news avoidance is "unusual" considering that 24-hour news stations are so very plentiful. (how many are sponsored by anti-depressant drugs?) Go ahead. TRY it-- try a news fast! It will feel weird at first, you will swear that you NEED to "know what is going on in the world" but soon you will realize that for every single sensational, negative story they have chosen for you, there are millions of unreported, inspiring and uplifting ones all around you. Millions!
6. I am ambidextrous in both writing and painting, but I didn't discover that fact until I had an injured rotator cuff.
1. put a link in your posting about the artist that tagged you. 2. write 5 -7 unusual things about yourself. 3. tag 5 - 7 other bloggers and let them know.
(278) ...stepping away for a few days to spend Thanksgiving with the fam. ~Wishing you blessings of health, love and comfort~ "I open the door. The gorgeous guest from afar sweeps in. In her hands are her gifts-the gifts of hours and far-seeing moments, the gift of mornings and evenings, the gift of spring and summer, the gift of autumn and winter. She must have searched the heavens for boons so rare"...Abbie Graham
(277) The long shadows of the season offer the "perfect" shadow shots at every turn. Waiting for family to join us for brunch, I sat down in the big comfy chair, glanced down at the floor and click! (to see other shadow shots, please visit Hey Harriet!here) "The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between notes...ah, that is where the art resides"...Arthur Schnabel
(276) A worm's eye view...and another opportunity to hug a beautiful tree. “My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.” Aldous Huxley
(274) We are still enjoying the last days of autumn colors-simply stunning! "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven"...Ecclesiastes 3:1
(273) One of my favorite books, The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp, delves into how we approach the creative process; specifically how we locate, organize, condense and compile the multitude of things that touch, affect and inspires us each day. Take the scene above. I was stunned at how the dark figure stood out against the light. It grabbed my attention and I could only hope to capture how I felt about the gesture, the light, the mood created by the surrounding dark. Pure magic!!! Getting out and taking photos like this sparks my imagination and offers instant inspiration and enthusiasm for future projects. My friend Diane goes out and sketches from life. What process do YOU find energizing to kickstart your creativity? "To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts"...Henry David Thoreau
(272) This shot was taken at a local park, and reminded me of Eckhart Tolle's observation of ducks after a skirmish. He noted that the fights never last long. And, as you see above, immediately afterward they vigorously flap their wings to shake off surplus energy built up during the fight. Then they float away peacefully, just as if nothing ever happened. He compares this reaction to humans who tend to hang onto that negative energy by holding grudges and thinking/talking/obsessing about it. It becomes our story.
"We are a species that has lost its way. Everything natural, every flower or tree, and every animal have important lessons to teach us if we would only stop, look, and listen. Our duck’s lesson is this: Flap your wings—which translates as ‘let go of the story’—and return to the only place of power: the present moment"...Eckhart Tolle
(271) We planted pink knock-out roses at the beginning of the summer, and here it is almost Thanksgiving and they are still blooming! I have enjoyed them in vases, and worn them in my hair all summer and fall. They have certainly earned their name. To see other terrific shadow shots, go here. "We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves"...Buddha
(270) I took this photo of a sidewalk facing the centuries old Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Is it merely graffiti or a timeless message from the universe, a gentle reminder to count our blessings and make the most of each day? "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money- than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you"...Charles R. Swindoll
Diane, from Inspiration By Design has issued a challenge to bloggers to post a "favorite dress", so I am including this one, painted earlier this year. I love the color of this fabric which changes in the light. To participate and/or be eligible to win her painting, you may visit her site here. "A dress can mean so much to a woman... it reminds us of the event it was worn at, be it a walk down the street or a formal affair. It also reminds us of who we met or who we were in love with then, or who broke her heart. Somehow the dress or the outfit plays a role in that moment".....Diane Bronstein
(268) Okay...the economy has gone straight down the tubes, so this is my meager (but heartfelt) attempt to take your mind off it, even if it is just for a moment and hopefully give you a reason to smile. You can even laugh out loud if you want. Go ahead. There, isn't that better? This photo was taken in France where apparently, car-makers haven't quite caught on to the fact that people come in various sizes, shapes, and heights. Thanks to all who came to the reception and for making it a super fun party! I am honored-- “I don't say that we ought to all misbehave, but we ought to look as if we could”...Orson Welles
(267) To see more creative and unique Shadow Shots, please visit here.
And, although these words were penned in the 1800's, they are just as pertinent and timeless today: "Things do not change; we change" ...Henry David Thoreau
(266) ...Just taking a moment to put up my feet and catch up on some required reading while awaiting Friday evening's opening reception. New paintings for November's show at Gallery 916 are finished, framed and hanging, so if you are in the neighborhood on Nov. 7th, between 5-7 p.m. (central), please drop by and say hello (that goes for you too, George!) Joining me will be fellow painter, Rhonda Smith, and don't forget to stop by the All KY Juried Exhibition (same reception hours) located just down the street at the Capitol. Sounds like a great evening for art! (ballgown not required) This post rates two favorite quotes: "Be yourself, everyone else is taken"...Oscar Wilde "The best advice I got from my aunt, the great singer Rosemary Clooney, and from my dad, who was a game show host and news anchor, was: don't wake up at seventy years old sighing over what you should have tried. Just do it, be willing to fail, and at least you gave it a shot. That's echoed for me all through the last few years"...George Clooney (me too, George)
(265) I love a new dawn, and the new possibilities it brings. I ventured out super early one summer morning and captured this shot. Can you see the full moon nestled in the pink clouds? "Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life, (a dream of life), Come on up for the rising"...Bruce Springsteen
(264) I took this photo of London schoolboys walking to class -- and am posting it in response to the photo challenge, Ruby Tuesday, where the post must contain the color red, a little or a lot! "Color! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams"...Paul Gauguin
(263) I took this photo in Sedona while out on an early morning walk. The temperature was in the 20s so there is a thin layer of ice on the sculptures. Pretty cool (literally). Regardless of where you live or how you cast your vote in tomorrow's local and national elections, may our collective choice, decision, and voice provide a better world for our children as we strive to "be the change you wish to see in the world"...Mahatma Ghandi
(262) This one was taken at the farmer's market. Visit here to see more SSS photo entries for today! "The illusion of three-dimensional forms in space grows out of my attempt to re-create the fall of light over the actual form in front of me"...Philip Pearlstein
