 "Merle and Melanie", mixed media on aquabord, 16" x 20". Ready to frame, or can be leaned upon a shelf. Available on Artfinder.
Here is the final finished piece from the mixed media cooking show demo last week. Such a sweet-souled pair! They are making the studio feel a lot calmer...plus the crazy cats are now on display in a gallery, so there's a lot less malarkey for the moment. I've been taking some time to pause and reflect this week. Everything in the world is overwhelming, and my instinct is to withdraw and hide under the covers. But I picked up Seven Thousand Ways To Listen again, and guess what? The next chapter is called "In the Hut We Call Self." WHAT? The universe is smacking me in the head. This line..."I've been listening way inside, where the Universe rushes through me like wind through a hole in an old door in a hut near the edge of a cliff." Whoa. That's what listening feels like when the world is in chaos. It goes on..."life like a storm can rough up our hearts" and "I can only say that my heart and eyes and mind keep being worn open." Ack. For all of us, our hearts and eyes and minds are being worn open over and over again. But I learned something while listening deep inside. These times when I most want to hide away are the very times to step out. When I am most unwilling to speak is the time to talk. And when the conversation seems too overwhelming it is time to have it. This listening is prompting me to make some changes - things long past due, but I was busy hiding from the decisions, averting my eyes and pretending I didn't see or feel or know. The universe meets us when we step out. As soon as I began to listen and to act, a whirlwind of wonder began to surround me, and delightful surprises appeared here and there until I wasn't afraid (or worried, or hesitant) anymore. This gives me such hope. If we all stand near the edge of the cliff and listen - if we all step out, speak and have the conversations the world needs to have in order to heal, great things can happen. Change can take place. Divides can be crossed. And if you allow me a momentary burst of sappiness...we can make the world a better place for you and me.
6 Comments
10/5/2017 09:39:32 am
Jen, that little blush of pink on Melanie's cheeks—just perfect! She is sweet-souled and calm, but in her face we can see the rising excitement from her having stepped out and begun to speak and have the conversations the world needs to have in order to heal.
jen
10/5/2017 09:53:35 am
Dotty! Melanie thanks you for noticing her little pink cheeks. She is so excited about stepping out into the big world, and in having adopted Merle and letting his feathers get all tangled into her hair. When you love someone, you don't mind a little mess. :) 10/5/2017 12:57:35 pm
I always come away from your blogs a bit wiser. We all have had a difficult week, in many ways something that the mind can't really understand. Yes, it's time to speak out! I hope the world, and US is open to listen. Your Melanie and Merle seem to bring some sort of order to the chaos, although there is a tint of sadness in her eyes.
jen
10/5/2017 01:46:59 pm
Carol, thanks so much for reading and commenting...I hope everyone is listening deep inside, speaking out and stepping forward. What a week, right? As long as we connect closely (like this little bird and girl), we can overcome anything. Yes, still a little sadness, but that's ok...the week calls for it. :(
Diane Nadler
10/9/2017 08:41:50 am
Saw your cats at the gallery last week. They were charming and playful amongst the art that was displayed! Liked them very much!
jen
10/9/2017 08:44:32 am
Diane!!!! Thank you ever so much for your feedback! I love that little gallery...such a groovy vibe!!! Leave a Reply. |
AuthorLola Jovan 
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