It has been brutal here in the Midwest this week. Especially Northern Illinois where I live. The sheer tension and high wire act of getting to and from is enough to wear one out. And of course there is the danger of driving on impossible roads, slick, snow filled, full of other drivers, some with the good sense that the Divine gave them and some who believe the suv ads about the abilities of their particular auto.
I'm caring for two of my favorite dogs Biscuit and Roscoe, Boston Terriers who are smart, funny and loving dogs. Their world is about 18 inches high and filled with walls of snow. I stand in the backyard and watch the squirrels racing along the telephone wires and watch the dogs wondering how to get up to the lines to chase. All of the trees are snow bathed, frosted with the wet cold stuff that makes winter so beautiful. It is only beautiful when you don't have to drive or shovel it.
I'm testing out new techniques with water soluable crayons, stitching and inks. Perfect for sitting, staring out the window and staying indoors. I am away from my studio so I have portable projects (knitting, hand spindles etc.) to keep me amused and inspired on my day off.
Walked a town today for a bit, Libertyville, Milwaukee Ave. to be exact. Interesting small shops, very few other souls walking. It felt good to see first hand the stores that I have driven by for years. This is one of the reasons I choose to live here. To make an effort to walk and do my shopping without the car all the time, to put my life on a human scale. Making my life a "hand made" life in every area as best as one can.
Go with God/Goddess, Higher Power, to whom it may concern today. I am living in the discipline of a compassionate heart and the practice of that idea.
I wish you much creativity and artness in your days ahead.
P.S. It can either be a duty or a joy to sit and write to unseen, unknown friends. Once a week is my current intention, more as time permits.
More later Miz Gi
Friday, February 8, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Mending and repairing until new creation comes forth
Today seems to be a continuation of mending and repairing. It could be under the sign of completion, getting the old things out of the way to make room for the new.
A bit of background is in order, in August of 2006, I packed my studio and apartment into a ten by ten storage locker. I had just graduated from Shimer College, fresh with a B.A in Humanities and Philosophy. I had been accepted at Pendle Hill, a Quaker Center for Contemplation and Study as the Minnie Jane Artist in Residence.
Everything I had known up to that time was now shifted to preparing to live in an intentional Quaker community eight hundred miles (Wallingford, PA) from family, friends, and all known resources, you know that magical support network I had developed in the years of being in community. In a way this was indeed a "no-brainer", I had been gifted the time to create art, live among like minded people of all ages listening and living in the Spirit.
Yes, it was transformational.
It was so much transformation that I had to re-enter into the 'mainstream world" upon my return.
A bit of background is in order, in August of 2006, I packed my studio and apartment into a ten by ten storage locker. I had just graduated from Shimer College, fresh with a B.A in Humanities and Philosophy. I had been accepted at Pendle Hill, a Quaker Center for Contemplation and Study as the Minnie Jane Artist in Residence.
Everything I had known up to that time was now shifted to preparing to live in an intentional Quaker community eight hundred miles (Wallingford, PA) from family, friends, and all known resources, you know that magical support network I had developed in the years of being in community. In a way this was indeed a "no-brainer", I had been gifted the time to create art, live among like minded people of all ages listening and living in the Spirit.
Yes, it was transformational.
It was so much transformation that I had to re-enter into the 'mainstream world" upon my return.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
First post
Encouraged by an article in Cloth, Paper, Scissors, a mixed media and artistic discovery magazine published by Interweave, I have set up my first blog. In the coming days, months etc. I hope to keep up with this on-line journal about living in the realm of art, while working to keep a roof over my head and food on the table. I am also a woman of a certain age that finds all of this new technology and means of communication more than a notion to maintain when of course I would rather be working on another art piece.
Today after working in a daily bread type job I came home to find myself compelled to do mending that has been languishing for months ( can we say years) Its all done, I can now add it to the 1001 ways to avoid creating art. But the very sacredness of doing the mundane leaves room an openning to develop the next piece, dream about the colors, medium and techniques needed to create it.
Now its time for bed and I find myself writing about the very simple tasks of my life.
I am optimistic that the mundane goes hand and hand with the sacred if I but see it that way.
More later, Blessed Be.
Today after working in a daily bread type job I came home to find myself compelled to do mending that has been languishing for months ( can we say years) Its all done, I can now add it to the 1001 ways to avoid creating art. But the very sacredness of doing the mundane leaves room an openning to develop the next piece, dream about the colors, medium and techniques needed to create it.
Now its time for bed and I find myself writing about the very simple tasks of my life.
I am optimistic that the mundane goes hand and hand with the sacred if I but see it that way.
More later, Blessed Be.
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