"decorate"

mother earth
chose
to decorate
abundantly


reminding


of the master ~
art creator


"Decorate" for Echo challenge of Susan and Chrysti.

Visual Poetry

What kind of picture evolves in your brain when you hear the words visual poetry? In my mind, there is a dance, a romancing with my taste buds, my spirit, my sense of being grounded. Winn, my spirit guide, allows my mind to float higher and yet higher, while yet even gaining strength and the need to stand tall, stand free, exist in the presence of me. Yes, I am wondering what picture evolves in your brain when you hear the words visual poetry.

A few months ago, I was invited by Susan Tuttle to join her group called Visual Poetry. While I had no idea, truly, what Visual Poetry was about, I chose to join. I absolutely adore the art and words of Susan. At first, because of time and resources, I thought the course Susan was offering online, was not a possibility for me. I did not spend any moments even really looking at what Visual Poetry was about. Not until Susan offered part one again did I start to investigate further, to discover that learning Susan's secrets was truly a possibility.


I had been following Susan's creative path since I was a participant in "artwords" and was so excited to purchase the publication in which Susan's art - "Blue Heart" - first appeared on page 100. I was very proud to be able to say, "I know this artist."


When Susan had her first book published I had to have that as well.


Visits to Susan's blog were always precious moments and I regretted not visiting more often.


And now, thoughts of "a dance, a romancing with my taste buds, my spirit, my sense of being grounded" entertain my being. "Winn, my spirit guide, allows my mind to float higher and yet higher, while yet even gaining strength and the need to stand tall, stand free", as I am encountering and practicing Susan's Visual Poetry through my very own perceptions.

Do YOU know Ricë Freeman-Zachery?

My original intention today was to post about Visual Poetry with Susan Tuttle. However, for some strange reason, Ricë Zachery-Freeman kept knocking at the door. Please forgive me. It near feels sacrilegious to mention the two names in the same post, let alone the same paragraph.

Yesterday I attended this workshop via a video conference with Sagehill Community Futures Development Corporation. Judy Slivinski, the teacher, spoke about how with "packaging", you can "build your image or reputation". I immediately thought of Ricë. You HAVE TO look at her picture on her blog if you have NO IDEA who Ricë is.



And now you must be asking why, when I am taking the Visual Poetry online course as well as participating in Art Everyday Month, I am thinking so much about this personage and seemingly being so side tracked. Ah, but I am not being side-tracked at all. I am finding focus. This writer, free spirit, is helping me to find discipline.

I happened to be caught totally off-guard by the e-mail announcing Susan Sorrell's live blogchat with Ricë, happening right now. This was Sunday. OK, so I happen to get distracted occasionally. I decided to click on the link. Sounded like a good topic. I picked up some handy tips about applying text on fabric before I even got into the main discussion. The topic seemed important to me. But as I followed the discussion, the word procrastination was not being mentioned. Seemed to me a lot of my friends have this same relationship with the p word as I. I never once imagined Ricë would have any problems with it. I could tell by her picture, her art, her confidence that she might not even recognize the p word. Yet I thought perhaps she may have some gem of advice to assist me. Maybe I could even pass the gem along to some of my friends. I asked about it. This is what Ricë had to say: "Procrastination is usually about something else--fear, uncertainty. Find out what it is that's at the root, and go from there." At first glance, just some words. To me, they were profound.

In pondering what Ricë had to say through the whole chat, I was left feeling stronger, more on the path to how I need to proceed with my art, perhaps my life. The concept of deadlines and the use of calenders was outlined. I grasped this idea.


In the past years I have kept my calender in my head. I have learned that mistakes can be made, important things forgotten. Mostly I realized quite some time ago that keeping these calenders and lists in my head does not allow much space, within which my muse might play. The ideas get blocked because there are too many other things trying to save their own spots.

I could carry on at length. Perhaps I'll re-visit this topic another day. Probably not. I want to create. I want to set priorities. I want to set some realistic deadlines for myself which I may be able to achieve. I am feeling the strength already in the discipline.

I will leave you with this quotation from last night's Robert Genn letter of the Painter's Keys:
The more I study the successes of self-actualized artists, the more I come to understand how they value themselves. People with a decent amount of self-esteem tend to find quality within their work and within their lives. It's this trust of the universe that leads to great art, great fortune and great happiness. "Deal with yourself as an individual, worthy of respect and make everyone else deal with you the same way." (Nikki Giovanni)

My post 700 BUT

Even though this is post number 700 I have no time to celebrate. Actually, I AM celebrating in a way by trying to look with positive thoughts on this new month of November, which it still is here though probably not for most of my friends. I have started my first online workshop with Susan Tuttle today, visual poetry, but will not go into detail cause of time. I have also started Art Everyday month with Leah Piken Kolidas. While I have a number of other things on the go will just share a couple of sky pictures taken today. Most of the others will need more attention.



So celebrate along with me by leaving a comment here. If I get very many people commenting I may choose to do a surprise give away.

Angels be with you!