I wish I had a basketful of wise words for you today. Instead, I have one exhausted brain after the first day of painting with Nancy Frost Begin, who is both delightful and extraordinarily talented. Honestly, I didn't know 30 in 30 would be in February when I signed up for this, so you get my work samples from today instead of a finished piece. But this counts, I think, since I literally created for the entire day!
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I swear I'm in the midst of an intergalactic episode of "Punked". The universe keeps playing with me. Don't misunderstand - these are delightful happenings! But I keep looking over my shoulder to see who is pulling the strings around here.
Yesterday morning began as an art meeting, but ended up as a sweet sharing of stories. It turned out many of our tales were similar, and the web of interconnectedness began weaving its silvery threads all around us in a cosmic thunder coat. Mark Nepo joined in on the topic yesterday, with a chapter on personal mythology and stories: "under all our troubles, we each have a constellation of personal, foundational stories that we can rely on to remind us of what matters." He further describes this constellation as something we can use to navigate our way through life, like ancient mariners on the high seas. And here is the magic (again, Nepo): "once lived, our stories become seminal. Once told, they serve as candles in the dark. The myths we live and tell reveal the most enduring truth of all: that who we are is more than enough." Whoa. And that is exactly what happened yesterday - the sharing of stories, even tough stories, ended up providing a light and a lightness of being from shared experiences. And that truth - that we are enough - was evident. It isn't always easy to contemplate our stories, let alone share them with others. But there is a beautiful gift at the end of that sharing. And dear reader, I owe YOU a debt of gratitude! You have graciously joined me in this blog space, post after post, listening to my stories. Do you know how much that means to me? Even in cyberspace, a constellation shines brightly.
The universe is having a jolly chuckle today as it coordinates messages and arranges for "aha" moments.
This painting was in progress for a week or more. And it just came together when it was intended to become today's piece. Of course, when I read this morning's chapter in Nepo's The One Life We're Given, it all fell into place like tumblers in a lock - click, click, clunk. In describing a legacy of lessons inherited from his great-grandfather forward, Nepo mentions his own father's ability to make do with whatever they had, to figure things out, to find a solution. After his dad's death, Nepo says: "They're all gone and I braid their lessons into a rope I can use: to see a way out, to know there will be enough, to figure out what to do. In the midst of trouble, we're always challenged to stand still in the river, till we're shown how to stay alive and give." Stand still in the river. Hmmmm. In order to stand still in the proverbial river, we've got to be mighty confident of our own problem-solving skills and toolbox. Which means we need to "braid lessons into a rope" which we carry with us wherever we go. Like Westley on the cliff, we will have a strong rope and a cool demeanor, knowing we have what it takes to get to the other side (or to the top or down from the tree, depending on your particular predicament) safely and without undo peril. And there's that last little nugget in the quote...not only do we stay alive, but then we give. It isn't enough to braid your rope and rescue yourself from the current. Once you get safely to land, it's time to pay that forward. Sheesh! But Nepo is wise and right, of course. Our challenge today, dear reader, is to stand still in the river, give ourselves a rescue, and then help someone else. Ready? Go.
So maybe a little masking is just part of polite society and getting along in a crowded world.
But the key, perhaps, is finding the level of authenticity that allows you to live your one wild life in the world in a way that respects yourself and those around you. For some of you, that might mean reining it in a little bit, in deference to your neighbor who doesn't appreciate your daytime backyard naked booty dances while their children are on the trampoline. For others, maybe those like me who were raised in an incubator of secrets and/or shame, that balance might mean being more open and removing a mask that is no longer needed. One my favorite role models for living authentically is the artist Patti Bryan. You'll know from the first conversation you have with her...she is all real, despite an upbringing that gave her every reason to be otherwise. Luckily for us, the masked person in The Princess Bride was none other than Westley, the most honorable of characters, who had to play the part of the Dread Pirate Roberts to save his own life. And let's face it, who doesn't like a pirate?
There is quite a scene going on in the studio today. It's like plate spinning, only imagine paintings doing cartwheels. A mash-up of deadlines and demos and contracts have created the perfect art storm. There isn't any thunder or lightning yet, but it is only a matter of time.
I want to complain and moan and whine about how hard this is. But that would be a big old lie. It is so much fun and is how I work best, really. Under pressure, forced to just get started so I don't get hung up on the thinking about it. Swim or swim, I say. Sinking is not an option. But I suppose some days, like Fezzik, I only think I am swimming (or climbing faster) when really I'm just treading water. It is only day four of the paint-a-thon, and already the art is getting bossy. "Paint this!" "Try that!" When you flex your creative muscle, sometimes it gets ahead of you. Bossy paintings are obnoxious until you pay attention to them (kind of like this big dog who is bumping my arm telling me it is time to eat). But in the end, following the siren call (or loud yelling) of the paint will generally get you somewhere special. Now the real question for today is: will I be able to hear the bossy art calling over the people yelling at the t.v. during the Super Bowl? hmmmm. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories of play yesterday! The lucky duck whose name flew out of the hat is Dotty! "Wilbur" will be flying off to you in Monday's post. Congratulations!
There is a malarkey deficit going on in the world. Can you feel it? An empty space needing a fit of laughter, a good guffaw and a heart-felt chuckle. When I read Fezzik's line "anybody want a peanut?" I just can't help but giggle. So ridiculous! And absolutely perfect. Yesterday was a magic mojo-filled gathering of fun-seeking creatives during the" Rebel Doodlers - Happy Pelicans" workshop. We came, we created, we laughed, and then disbursed, taking our groovy good vibes out into the world. I like thinking of all these outrageous birds flying about the world now spreading malarkey. Is there a malarkey ambassadorship? What is truly astounding and uplifting to me is that each of these humans set aside a time to play. How often do we do that? Such an act of true love for self and for the inner child in each of us. A little valentine.
(A little cheating here, as I am teaching a workshop today. True confession - this piece was painted last week. Don't look at that man behind the curtain!)
Oh Flamingo, how I feared I would never see you again! But then there was a commission request, and of course I had to make a small version again before I could make a large one...and re-creating my own work is challenging because I want to keep changing it. But here it is, the third flamingo, sassy and ready to rumba. I have flamingos on the brain now. The conversation between Buttercup and Westley in today's scene could be verbatim the daily dialogue between me and the muse. Every day, I fear I will never see inspiration again. And then inspiration appears when I show up in the studio. And the next day I ask the same question, and the muse appears again. It is a little dance we do. I like to think the muse finds it amusing (pun intended). And don't we worry about things like that? What if something happens to our (insert a variety of important words here - inspiration, motivation, dedication, aspiration, education, inclination, next vacation) - what then? I think if we show up for what we hold dear, it will appear. Maybe not immediately. But if we step toward whatever it is with confidence, it will always come for us eventually. Of course, it is best not to worry at all. And that requires being fully present. There are a lot of ways to approach presence...a lot of advice, wisdom and suggestions. But one struck me right in the face this week during a conversation with a new member of the local art tribe. She posed the question "who are you when you're not looking?" Whoa. Now that requires full immersion in whatever you're doing, to not even be looking at you. So the bar has been set for the measurement of being present. Now off you go. Westley awaits.
Another Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days has begun! I am relieved and delighted that it takes place in February this year, one month later than usual. Whew! It took me that extra month to figure out my theme (The Princess Bride) and to clean up my studio in preparation for this marathon. And off we go...
This piece is completely intuitive - following the paint to see what appears. I wasn't expecting a rabbit, and definitely not some celestial constellation hare. But here he is, floating in the night sky, all ethereal and safe from foxes. Perhaps he is a piece of the super moon gracing my studio with the wisdom of the galaxy? Since we are beginning with the hare, let's see what wisdom he has to bestow upon us... Hares, larger than rabbits, are tougher and more solitary than their fuzzy brethren. They don't live in warrens or build nests. The young are ready to fend for themselves shortly after arrival. If your totem animal is the hare, you are swift and diligent, sensitive and artistic (awwww a perfect start to a month of extreme arting!) When you're off balance, you might find yourself being a jokester and a bit unreliable, so watch for feelings of selfishness or greed to let you know to rebalance your inner spirit hare. It is appropriate to begin the the hare, as many cultures feature the hare in their creation stories. And now this fluffy-tailed nose twitcher is a part of our thirty day creation story, sweet reader! Isn't that a wonderful beginning? To follow the artists worldwide who are participating in this thirty day challenge, go to Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 Blog. |
AuthorLola Jovan |