Chasing Your Dream

"You will never find time for anything. If you want time you must make it." - Charles Buxton

What a pointed reminder of what it takes to follow your dreams. Despite life--doctor appointments, operations, sick parents, sick children, church, cleaning, busy-ness--we must MAKE TIME for what fuels our fire. Else we will be dying coals that turn to black cinders.

The horse is my latest in a series.

Nature

New Orleans is alive and well and still giving jazz to the world! This drawing is of a bass player in a jazz quartet with Ellis Marsalis.

"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we have the eyes to see them." John Ruskin

A New Year!

The year 2008 is in its infancy. We set so much store in beginning again each year, yet continuity and production are greatly helpful in being the artists that we are meant to be.

Last night, some friends and we wrote the "bad stuff" from 2007 that we wanted to eliminate on pieces of paper and then ceremonially burned them, clearing the way for the good to come.

As I reflect upon the past year, I recognize growth and blessings, both given and received. Very little could I remember that I wanted to burn. For that I am truly grateful. Of course, my memory seems to be very selective! My hope for 2008 is to continue that pattern of growth and to pass on the myriad blessings I receive in the joy of creation.

My husband and I will grow as artists and citizens of the world this next week, as we travel to Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, all from the luxury of a ship. The painting today is a young Belize woman I met last year on a similar trip. I expect to have experiences and paintings to share when I return.

Quote for today: "Creativity is...seeing something that doesn't exist already. You need to find out how you can bring it into being and that way be a playmate with God." Michele Shea

May you who read this also be blessed.

Something to Crow About!

This is my latest painting--a 12x12 oil painting on black canvas. I think it's really "Something to Crow About"! What a blast putting all this color on the rooster!

I am missing working with my live models, so have one coming on Monday. Come if you can.

Are you a warrior?

As an artist, are you a warrior? Warriors stay in the moment, focus on the moves, not the outcome, and do what they do for love. Sounds like us, doesn't it? The movie, Peaceful Warrior, embodies all these and more, as it tells a fascinating and soul-encouraging story. I highly recommend it for all artists and would-be artists.

Artist movies

From time to time, a movie comes along that really speaks to what it takes to be an artist. One that came out recently, that I highly recommend, is August Rush. This movie embodies the passion that can be present within an artist and the need to express that "music" or "art" in whatever form it takes.

Another movie that is extremely powerful was released last year, so it is out on DVD--Copying Beethoven. Its theme is similar, but in this case, the lead character was a REAL person, whose music we still listen to and can experience any time we want on a recording!!

Quote for today: "I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires." Kahlil Gibran

'Twas the day after Christmas

'Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring . . . they were all TOO TIRED!! We had a great family gathering, but were totally spent afterwards! Of course, art creation is on the back-burner until today, although creating a terrific dinner for a family gathering is an art and very creative itself.

The Challenge is to go into my space and train . . . and create. Can't let distractions get in the way of my soul's business. I wish for you the same--to create and train for your own soul's business.

Quote for today: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." (Albert Einstein)

May your imagination encircle the world many times over.