reaching towards

mindfulness ~
 “In this moment, there is plenty of time. In this moment, you are precisely as you should be. In this moment, there is infinite possibility.”  Victoria Moran

There exists a practice of numerous of my art friends to choose a word for the new year. While I have very mixed feelings about this, I decided I would choose a word for the year 2012. This word pretty much jumped into my lap when, after I had signed up for Misty Mawn's "open studio" workshop, I saw Misty's intro. Mindfulness - so clearly and beautifully stated. Over the years I have been attempting mindfulness and have been taught numerous methods to reach towards it. This year, perhaps more than ever, I feel the need to grasp it even closer.

 

The act of creating without putting a specific planned action with it, is extremely mindful for me, particularly if I allow it to happen. These papers I created for origami, once again inspired by Misty, are a recent venture in mindfulness. The actual origami process can be so very mindful in itself.

The papers were fun to create with old scrapbook pages, ink spray, ink and hand carved, or hand made stamps.

Now lets add some music and make some paper cranes.

beginnings

An online art course with Misty Mawn - something I had dreamed of taking time and time again. Working with Misty in real life would be optimal, but that being unrealistic, I chose to ask for Misty's newest class for a special Christmas gift. Very little else interested me for a gift and very little else was asked for, besides dreams for family, which were more elusive than not.
And so I received my special gift request. I am thrilled to be in Misty's class. I have had little time for creating and practicing, but the preparation has been thrilling. The very first post I saw was exciting, even though nearly two weeks until the class began on January 9.
Enough for now. Much more to come in following days as my own studio awaits. My body and soul are so very ready for this.

Book binding thread was required for preliminary activities. I was starting to get frustrated as we went from shop to shop. Finally two different sources recommended a shop in a part of the City from which we had previously departed. But I needed that thread. We returned to the location required. There it was in three different colours. I was pleased. Now for the time to make some books. That time too will come.
Vintage thread I found at home that I hoped might work - not nearly what I was looking for however.

Waxed linen thread I purchased in three different colours.

Angels be with you my friends.

a different autumn dance

this years dance of autumn
was so different

there have been so many
major transitions in my life
the past number of months

I thought this autumn
would be more calm
more art filled
more peaceful
more creative

but not.
instead filled with more arrangements
more meetings
more phone calls
ensuring peace
and safety
for those I love


still nature danced
all about me
in the familiar stride
which nature takes


my own dance
felt fretful
sometimes near frantic
sighting as impossible
this slower
stronger

dance of self


yet here I am
taking longer
courage filled strides
filled with the knowledge
accomplishment
pride
peace

if only for a moment
still certain
almost always
in self
in courage
in knowing the joy
of the dance


regardless

November 2011

I was reminded this evening about November being a special month in which art, blogging, and art journaling are all encouraged as a daily activity. I have participated in Art Eevryday Month a number of times but have not been involved with the other two projects previously. While art is almost an everyday piece throughout the year, I have decided to try to share more of my projects with you this month. I might even try to show you some of the activities from the past few months just because I have not yet shared them.


Today's art involved further prepararion for a small trade show I will be participating in on November third in our local senior citizen's home. Some of the newer things I am working on is more tags. A few are for Christmas and others are just something lovely. The butterfly tags need to be cut out yet. Hopefully there will be some time tomorrow.