The Essence of Tail Thumping

Here’s Eddie!!

Personable… silly, sad, wild, playful, tail thumping, jumping, anxious, hungry, tired, sleeping, …. What else can you say? Dogs have personalities that reveal so many attributes- they’re downright human!… Except, maybe, for the tail thumping part... maybe. Their ears perk up and flatten back, the eyes sparkle and plead for attention, they roll over and give you that touch me, rub me, scratch me look that is most impossible to ignore. They can’t wait to be fed- gobbling up their food in seconds flat and don’t even realize that they’re full as they wag their tails for more!

Walking these days is an act of pure humbleness… we know that they need a lot of exercise to stay fit and in shape, (don’t we all?), so we walk for several miles, we pick up their poop so as not to offend our neighbors, and we keep them leashed so that they stay out of gardens. Now, I don't mind the walking part - it's the poop handling part that has added a new dimension to a walk- but no one - I repeat, no one- enjoys stepping in poop... so well, there you have it.

I tried to capture the essence of man's best friend in my portrait of Eddie- an American Bulldog/Pit Bull for the Camano Animal Shelter Association's Annual Auction(http://www.camanoanimalshelter.org/), being held on Saturday October 6th. I give homage to Norman Rockwell for his charming portrayal of dogs in his Saturday Evening Post covers. And I hope that anyone who gets a chance to see it will remember that dogs- or any animals- that are treated with respect and love will truly return it ten-fold.

The Magic of Puzzles

I absolutely love puzzles. I’ve always been fascinated by how all those weird little shapes with odd bits of color and lines can be joined together ever so slowly and in an amazing transformation create a magnificent larger image. When I made a combination bunk bed/bureau/desk/shelf piece for my daughter it was very similar- starting with a vision- planning and adjusting- measuring, cutting, fitting together all the pieces to make a whole… simply delightful.

And of course being an artist I find the same satisfaction with painting all those little strokes, again adjusting/changing, and after much frenzied deliberation they come together like magic to create a brilliant painting. Kaleidoscope embraces this technique of choosing a more radiant palette, which engages our eyes by combining brilliant colors with a myriad of shapes.

Now I find that I am the puzzle!! -And that the many parts of myself as an artist and teacher have begun to merge into a new cohesive pattern. It’s like we have all these aspects of ourselves that have come into being over time and are now drawing closer together to create a fresh picture… still vibrating from past energies but now reacting to the latest input- just like a turning kaleidoscope. Brilliant, energizing, passionate and open to a new contribution by a simple twist of the tube!

Life in Transition

When I painted Life in Transition I was hardly aware of the deeper meaning and significance that such a title would bear. That was back in April shortly before our annual Mother’s Day Studio Tour. I remember the incredible energy I was trying to display in this magnificent beautiful old snag. There was a particular expression of release and fulfillment with sparkles of energy emanating from the snag as well as the surrounding trees. I was compelled to use warm hues that spoke of healing and rejuvenation.

Since then my own life has been in flux and I have found strength from this painting. For many years I have been juxtaposing a life of teaching and creating art. I have kept my artistic enterprise at bay while trying to keep my teaching career from lapsing. But now I am in a position to renew my focus on my art and with that comes a certain risk and at the same time an undeniable leap in faith.

There is a wonderful gift in every life transition and one of the keys to making a healthy one is your faith in yourself, coupled with the faith of your friends, of your family and your neighbors. Once you’ve made the commitment and fully believe that you are doing it… the rest comes easy… well sort of.

All transitions require time to adjust to…there’s a need for quiet contemplation, and letting go of old patterns, habits and attachments. It’s through letting the past go that we open ourselves for new experiences, thoughts and gifts of the spirit. And that is where the fun begins! When everyday is wide open to the positive energy of the universe… miracles happen. It’s actually a given for nature but as humans we get caught up in the melodrama of our life and tend to forget just what an incredible gift we have… what a miracle our body is, how amazing it is to think and share our ideas, and to have such feelings that are often hard to contain! Life in Transition expresses that incredible energy that is impossible to contain! In effect every day we have that chance to renew ourselves… and re-invent who we are… and it’s by having joyous faith in yourself and in the powers of the universe to bring it on that it happens.

Languages of Love

Apparently there are five ways to express your love and feel the love- languages if you will. Most people can relate to at least one of them- it literally speaks to them . When someone consistently speaks well of you- giving you words of affirmation- praise, we eat it up. For others, doing or receiving acts of service -think Mother Theresa, or doing something as simple as washing the dishes; that daily/weekly act done especially for the other person will allow them to look at you with an open heart. The one that communicates to me is quality time, having someone really be there - playing scrabble, sharing a meal, going for a long walk- it just feels so good. The other two languages - being touched- snuggling, holding hands, etc etc, and receiving gifts/giving gifts are also appreciated. I read about these in a book entitled appropriately enough - The Five Languages of Love, by Gary Chapman. The theory is that by knowing the love language your partner/child/friend understands and if they know yours, all will be well.

Well I have a problem.... my partner doesn't always speak, granted I spend plenty of quality time with her but so often it happens that we just don't communicate like we should. I touch her plenty -I stroke her with the best of intentions... and sometimes she absorbs it and other times its a real drag. When she's looking good I smile and offer all kinds of praise - she doesn't say a thing back. So I spruce her up a bit, I offer a shiny new coat, a strong elegant wrap.... now she's starting to smile, now she feels like she could get out and about a bit, now she's ready for someone else to praise her. And me? I have only the best of intentions. So I show her off, I tell people how much quality time I've spent with her- (they always want the details you know). I tell them what I've been trying to say to her, with her. I lovingly lift her up and let the world see how proud of her I am. And then I say, for a price you can take her home and enjoy her too.

Yesterday I took her to Everett. I dropped her off at the Arts Council of Snohomish County... I set her down and wished her good luck. Calla Lilies was looking mighty fine- so hoping for the very best for her, I got back in my old Buick and drove home.

The 16th Annual Juried Art Show is from July12th- August16th.

http://www.artscouncilofsnoco.org/

On Being Grateful, On Being an Artist and... Preparing a Path

This week has been rather special to me... it's been about budding friendships and making transitions in irreplaceable ones reflecting on the positive memories. You see, I'm in transition and am absolutely loving every minute of it. Just imagine a snake shedding its skin revealing it's new powerful body (okay too weird).... visualize a cocoon releasing a magnificent butterfly (kinda fun), an egg busting open with a chick (too messy), an actual renaissance in the making... my, my too much to comprehend?

Okay just try to see this- every time I go to the easel I begin a wonderful process of putting the first sketch lines and paint on a tight pristine canvas--- Knowing thoroughly that these first steps will take me on a wonderful journey of exploring color and line and, you know-- all the stuff- the vision, the focus, the discovery ....as I create a new painting.

Now imagine that my life is the new pristine canvas.... and everything I do makes me happy, makes me laugh out loud - (so that's where that enigmatic symbol :) and "lol" comes from), causes tears that baptise my face, and makes my cheek muscles ache with JOY. I've begun this new painting.... it's going to be a masterpiece!!

This week I'm visualizing a strong healthy body,..... a thriving art business, ... healthy, joyful, caring relationships, ....a warm supportive community, .....an upcoming collaborative creative classroom, and enough money to enable a dear friend to make her own path, to allow her to paint her own new canvas.

That's what this week has been all about and I still chuckle to myself.... a JOURNEY HAS BEGUN, the steps are being taken (or tookin, if you want) and life is very, very good.

stay tuned..... the eagle is in flight

Serene settings such as these are never quite what they seem. An early rise on Pennamaquan Lake is filled with the most exasperating little blood sucking creatures. No amount of fly dope or prayer will keep them from their task, which is, simply put... to drive you insanely mad while you attempt to capture the miracle of soft light lifting out of the distant misty shores. My advise is to stay indoors behind specialized no-see-um proof screens.... but if you must venture forth to fill your creative needs go before dawn, wear a hooded jacket, be nimble, be quick, and make a bee line back to your safety net as soon as possible. For there is nothing more frustrating than trying to snap a picture with skeeters in your ears and bloody splats on your lens.