A Leap of Faith- Thanks Boss!

I was in my studio yesterday. It had been a while that I had a chunk of time and was committed to working on my wire and encaustic pieces. Things weren't going quite as I planned/hoped/

"saw" in my head. I was starting to get a bit frustrated but had enough presence to not let those negative tapes start running in my head. Working on my yoga off the mat and in the studio can be a challenge for me, especially when I am not "in the zone." I reminded myself its like when I swim laps...the first 20 or 30 are more of an effort, I am counting, strategizing, etc. but then there is this subtle shift in consciousness- and I am there. Can't force it to happen, just happens.

But there I was in the studio, frustration yapping at my heels, when The Boss- my old Monmouth County "neighbor" Bruce Springsteen starts singing on my CD player...

It takes a leap of faith to get things going

It takes a leap of faith you gotta show some guts

It takes a leap of faith to get things going

In your heart you must trust

Sure enough...with a little patience and trust some interesting things started to happen...images forth coming in the near future. In the meantime here is my piece titled Walkabout.

Thanks for the reminder Bruce!

Showing Up

One thing you can count on this time of year is the proliferation of suggestions of how to approach the new year- tips and such for self improvement, setting goals and resolutions. Some may have merit, others are fun to read and still more...whatever, you can pick and choose.

One that I am putting out there and taking in is....
1. Showing up. whether it is my studio, my yoga mat, the pool (for getting in a routing on those laps) or being present with my family, it all begins simply with that.

And, with that, here I am, showing up at my blog. Committing to showing up, being present, and who knows, where it will all lead to. But as the title of a beautiful book that I was gifted years ago, suggests....
The Journey is the Destination (the journals of Dan Eldon, edited by Kathy Eldon, Chronicle Books)

New Beginnings- Happy New Year!

It's a clear, crisp New Year's Day 2009 -WOW! This is the year I turn 50- not for another 6 months but in all honesty I think I may need to the time to get used to the idea that I am no longer 25! This is a good thing anyway. I was in Hawaii then and grooving on being there, but there was a lot more angst in my psyche and soul. Now I am much more comfortable with who I am and at peace in my body- (though cosmetic surgery is beginning to sound alot more appealling!)

My friend and yoga buddy, Christian emailed me an interesting questionnaire to reflect on the past year and use as a tool for the New Year. I love this kind of stuff! It's like a fun homework assignment for me- brings presence into my life and allows me to slow down and reflect. It also prompts me to regroup and look at what is important to me. I also find that when I write things down it lays down the path for it to happen...

This is a monotype that I did a month or so ago when my new friend Eva Ygfeldt came over to print with me in my studio. It is titled "An Afternoon with Eva." Simple. Simple is good, I have been know to overthink things. (hmmm) So here I am putting it out there; One of my biggest intentions/ goals for 2009- to create and enjoy the process, be in the process, have fun, be open and stay out of my head. That's not to say content and all that other art school jargon won't play a part of it, but it is the act of creation I want to be a part of and see what path that leads me.

Happy 2009... and may all beings everywhere be happy and free.....

The Om that Got Away

Trying to hold onto that Om this holiday season is probably futile and against the whole philosophy of Om or this time of year- if any of that makes sense. The truth of the matter is I needed to do a small print for an upcoming show in Guatemala and had this idea for a small drypoint. Then I had some fun printing the plate various ways with chine colle, handmade paper, and monotypes. I like the way this one came out and plan on donating it to Young Audience of NJ's spring fundraiser which I will write more about when I know the details. In any event, always one to plug fabulous programs and people that support the arts here is their link http://www.yanj.org/

I received an email from a good friend today saying that she didn't know what my new address was to send me a holiday card. The truth is that I have not been good about giving anyone my new address or contact info. I come home and maybe there is one message on the machine, and most of my emails are from Dubai telling me that I have won the lottery (!) but for some strange reason that is fine with me. Just trying to get organized and settle in. Feeling a tad guilty about not being my normal highly motivated self- but not enough to do anything about it.

Johnny at yoga, as been talking alot about committment and I do know that I need to be and am committed in various places in my life beginning with my relationship to God/Spirit, followed by my health, family and art. Just for now art is not at the forefront, probably because connecting to my new home and helping my family settle in has been vying for my time and attention. And community. The Kennett Consolidated School district has some wonderful Adopt A Family programs at this time and I feel so blessed personally that this the best way for me to share my resources. HOWEVER, I do feel my creative soul chomping at the bit, and getting stronger everyday. My studio is set up, I have begun some new work and will update this site- though I can't promise when.

So until then.... HAPPY HOLIDAYS-PEACE to all Living Beings Everywhere. and LOVE
Ooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

RESTORE FAITH

I took Griffin out of school yesterday to meet my dear friend Poppy (Allison Hopper) and her daughter Elly to see Barack Obama speak at a rally at nearby Widerner University in Chester, PA It was cold, windy, rainy and a sea of umbrellas! The truth of the matter is that we could not SEE Obama (though with the help of strangers we lifted Griffin up so he could see him from a distance) and it was hard to hear much of what he was saying- moving closer to the speakers did help, but what I came away with the power and energy of the experience. In some ways it reminded me of concerts I have been to before video monitors enabled you to see performers rocking on stage, where the message or the music brings you to the event, but it is the connection with other people, total strangers that gives the experience its true meaning or value. That common bond that reminds us we are all connected and it is art or music or hope that brings us together.

As I got closer to home I saw this message on a board at Gateway Garden Center in Hockessin, DE that seemed to say it all.

Have Faith.

My Day with Danny Garcia

Life, God, the Lord, Source, call it what you will... works in wonderful ways. I needed some help with my computer so I reached out to my friend Jeff Clapp who I call my Mac Guru. Jeff and I worked together a few years back when he initiated a mural project with Red Bank Elementary School. The initiative was titled "Where Art Lives" and was a group of artists led by Jeff working to create a vibrant colorful mural with the children and their families of Red Bank. Fast forward a few years later, and Jeff and his wife Donna have grown, expanded and developed their vision on a global level. visit their website www.wherepeacelives.org to see the inspiring work they are doing. Which brings me to how I met Danny Garcia.... so I called Jeff asking for some tech support and at the end he asks me if I know of anyone living in the DE/PA area because he is working with this guy named Danny Garcia who walks for peace, and is finishing up 12 years of walking 25,000 miles, etc. Danny walks for peace and for children and I guess anything else that touches his heart- or that God asks him to, because this Vietnam Vet, music promoter, teacher, husband, father, and grandfather is also an ordained minister so while he walks he prays. Heavy stuff, but apparently we were meant to meet so yesterday Danny and I walked in the Wilmington area. No heavy trucking, but a lot of heavy talking. wow.

Here is Danny's site, www.globalwalk.cc Check out what he is doing, see if it touches you, and maybe we, too, can be "Pilgrims on the Path of Peace." (from one of my favorite quotes on the walls of Kripalu up in Lenox, MA.

Who knows where this will all lead, but my lesson these days is to get that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and as Johnny Gillepsie my yoga teacher here says, this is the time to "get into the rhythm of my life." http://www.empoweredyoga.com/index.html
I am grateful for all those who help me to remember that!
Check out his site for his schedules of great classes and his blog with some insightful Dharma talks.

Here is a picture of Danny in front of Francine's Organic Market in Hockessin, DE.

Autumn Inspirations

The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and the days are still warm. It is Autumn at its finest. The air is also charged with politics and the economy. Trying to stay centered in this time of change and turmoil, I find myself returning to my work and my yoga and meditation practice.
I was out last week by the pond doing some monotypes with pastel. It was good to be outside, working from life and staying present. I also brought the colors, energy and energy of fish flopping about onto a larger piece with the same theme- Autumn Pond. My studio is still a work in progress, but more and more it feels like my space that I can return to.

This is also breast cancer awareness month. Ellen and I speak regularly cross country as we look for ways to continue moving forward with our book Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings and helping others in a more direct way. What I love is that the book has a life of its own. People are starting to find us and share our message with others, gifting it forward, visiting our website www.butterflykissesbook.com, or some other grace of God. Amazon, as well continues to sell the books on a regular basis through their website. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw_0_16?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=butterfly+kisses+and+wishes+on+wings&sprefix=Butterfly+Kisses

But I am especially excited that our book has been found by a wonderful new website and email newsletter. "StyleSubstanceSoul.com is a unique website whose mission is to inspire women to live a life of passion, compassion and action. Our tag line is \"Look good. Feel Good. Do Good,\" and we provide lots of great ways to accomplish those goals every week."
http://stylesubstancesoul.com/themes/butterflies/have_10_minutes.html
I am inspired that there are so many women whose mission is to inspire, support and celebrate each other. Thank you Amy Krause and Lois Alter Mark. I too, look forward to reading StyleSubstanceSoul for some Soul Food.