flowers

more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all ... for the beauty of ... character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning."
                                              Lydia M. Child

Monday mingle

week 7
To me interior design is just another expression of beauty. Through it, I recognize once again my attraction to that which is beautiful. Each of these websites have a focus on interior design.

• pimplewit interior styling
• decor8
• apartment therapy
• design sponge
• junk garden girl                                                                                                                     

practice, practice, practice

portrait practice ~
pre-portrait, modified in photoshop
 

 graphite pencil, preliminary drawing

 

expressive drawing, modified in photoshop. This young lady needs work yet, especially her hair and chin. Because she is one of my first portraits for practice, I decided to share at this earlier stage.

 

 Another expressive drawing below, reference image from our teacher Misty Mawn, with closed eyes. I decided to do eyes for her.

"sadness envelopes me"

After some changes to lighten. Initial image looked so much a "zombie", especially in unnatural light. We are to do many portraits and I am trying not to get too caught up initially, so will come back later, possibly to try more blending.

The actual art practice has been difficult to get excited about because of so many ongoing family challenges. I am very grateful that Misty has promised to keep the workshop available for an entire year. The lessons are truly packed with knowledge, expertise and magic.

the practice of mindfulness ~
With those challenges, the need to practice mindfulness becomes even more pronounced. 

Playing in photoshop is something I find relaxing.

 

The folding of paper for developing a flock of paper cranes is also becoming a common activity for me. I believe I have about fifteen cranes made to this time. I have been very excited to view the final product after the folding. A patterned page I printed myself brought special satisfaction.

Music, for a long time, has frequently been comforting and mindful for me. This artist is one of my favourites.

And I frequently find myself coming back to Misty's videos to inspire, to relax, to get me moving, mindful and motivated. Imagine what it will be like through the next year to come back again and again to watch Misty producing magical pieces of art in her relaxed and comfortable style.

Angels be with you dear friends as you practice your own art, as you practice your own mindfulness.

one week that March

i was playing with fabric
lots

and photoshop

i realized how totally much
i

Should I stay or should I go?

 

 "should I stay or should I go?"

I am speaking of blogging. I have not been nearly as diligent lately about posting - that is in the past year or so. Many people do not seem to have time to pause here or take time to comment. Yet I know for myself  there are numerous fabulous places to visit. In only but a few moments one may click click click and find countless worlds in which to become totally lost - near transported.

I was so encouraged when I remembered I had seen an article by Crafty Chica, aka Kathy Cano-Murillo, about Blogging. I found it. I am going to review Kathy's wisdom. I am going to make some choices.

 

I DO want you to know that through my wondering I have already decided to stay.

Hoping to see you soon with some changes.

Angel blessings.

Emerge

e•merge, v.i., e•merged, e•merg•ing. 1. to rise or come forth from or as from water or other liquid. 2. to come forth into view or notice. 3. to come up or arise. 4. to come into existence; develop. 5. to rise, as from an inferior state or condition.



I tread upon this path
wondering
might I ever emerge
into the light

I bring you these images as a result of a new challenge presented in the past week called {Echoes}. Susan Tuttle and Chrysti Hydeck, fabulous art friends, have asked us to play with weekly prompts. I love this first one ~ emerge. I am to look for a partner with which to collaborate but I am not certain who I might choose. And so I will work solo for the time being.

To learn more about the challenge please visit either Susan or Chrysti.



Wishing you many angels upon your path.

sometimes

I think that spring is my most favourite season of the year. I adore the birth, rebirth, the budding, blossoming of LIFE. However, there is something about the pull of the moon, the swing of the tides, that makes spring a difficult season. I sense this for myself, for many. Transition can be complex. It can affect our bodies and our minds. And certainly spring is overflowing with transition.

I was able to capture a couple of photos last Tuesday evening when I finally remembered to have camera in hand as I left the house. I always used to carry my camera with me but somehow got away from the habit.


Hoping you may find some "most brilliant of golden light ~ shining through" at those times when "life seems the most dark".

Thursday: At least I think it's Thursday. The days seem to blend together at times. I realized I would not be able to complete the journal page or the quilt. I'm trying to check enlargements of some of my photos. It's quite frightening. One of them turned out very well but Greg is picking up four more this evening. I was kind of upset when I realized the double rainbow picture did not quite cut it. Oh well.
I'm preparing a number of projects to take along to the farm for the long weekend. We have an extra day holiday because Sunday is Remembrance Day in Canada. Tomorrow we have to go to Saskatoon for appointments. That seems to use pretty much the whole day.
So I'll just show you this photo which I worked with on photoshop. I won't tell you what I have planned for it. That would spoil the surprise.That's all for AEM this day.

A quotation I've been wanting to share for awhile which arrived from Inspiration Peak:
"Anything you do from the soulful self will help lighten the burdens of
the world. Anything. You have no idea what the smallest word, the
tiniest generosity can cause to be set in motion. Be outrageous in
forgiving. Be dramatic in reconciling. Mistakes? Back up and make them
as right as you can, then move on. Be off the charts in kindness. In
whatever you are called to, strive to be devoted to it in all aspects
large and small. Fall short? Try again. Mastery is made in increments,
not in leaps. Be brave, be fierce, be visionary. Mend the parts of the
world that are within your reach. To strive to live this way is the most
dramatic gift you can ever give to the world."

Clarissa Pinkola Estes
American Author, Poet and Psychologist

Angels be with you,
Wendy

Art Everyday Month:
I'd forgotten all about art everyday month until I found Suze had a picture posted on the flickr pool. I took a look and decided that because I'm doing so much art these days I should try to post some of what I'm doing for AEM V. I showed a couple of things in my last post - the digital images of the "strong, free, ME girl". Now I'll show a couple of pictures of the magnets I made on Sunday as well as some postcards with the same image. There are also postcards of my brother, and cousin Debbie who died when she was about 12 years old with complications of rheumatic heart disease. They are not quite complete.
I also did some self portraits and worked on one with photoshop. Below the picture I've included what I've written about the image. I included it in the "red for the people of Burma" group also.


A friend recently reminded of Annie Lennox. As I searched for her music I discovered this video.

It speaks clearly of my own passion for humanity, my rage about the people who do not care of whom they hurt, as they seek power, for themselves.

As I expect you are probably getting quite tired of the self portraits I'll say that I will be trying not to include so many of them here. They seem to be important for me as I continue the struggle with my self identity.

I also did some more with photoshop this evening on the picture of my brother and cousin. I'll probably make postcards using the image. I'll hope to have more time tomorrow and Thursday to work on the etsy. See you then.