Monday, July 4, 2011

How I Spent the Day


I have been working on these for a few days...one layer at a time. I think they are finished, I am gonna leave them alone and just look at them for a few days to be sure. Anyway, I am really grateful that I had a FREE day to relax and CREATE. Nothing fills my spirit more than some messy art....accept the beach. Have been working on some art journal pages today too.....will post those later when they are dry.
   

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Guess what I am doing today.  I am going to paint like a wild woman and challenge my gremlins.  I need some soul nourishment and this laptop isn't going to give it to me....in fact I think sometimes my computer is quietly sucking the life out of me.

When I started the excavation of Miss Paisley, one of the orders of business was to make art, to reconnect to the artist in me, but I didn't set any specific goal so here it is.  Art in any form everyday for the next 30 days.   

Today I am working on a page in my Art Journal and breaking out a new canvas and acrylics.  I want to make something colorful and messy.....I don't care much about the end product, I just need to create today. I'll let you know how it goes.


Sunday, July 3, 2011

Today it was a Robin

So this morning I am sitting outside with my coffee (ok, my cup of vanilla creamer with a splash of coffee), enjoying the morning air, the squirrels dancing (more like fighting)in the trees, and a faint breeze, when all of the sudden I have a little red robin hopping around my feet.   Unusual again because most of the birds are gone because of the fire, but also because they are never this friendly when they are here. 

Birds kinda freak me out so I tried to shoo it away, but it wouldn't budge.  It wouldn't leave me alone-hopped around my chair, stopped to look at me, tilted its head when I talked to it, etc........ok, better pay attention then.  So I enjoyed its company for 10 minutes or so. We had a good conversation and I took the time to notice how beautiful my little friend was.  Then we said goodbye, and it hopped on down the path.

Another gift from my friend? Maybe.  Maybe just a gift from nature.  Either way, I'll take it.  The robin is a symbol of  Joy, Hope, Clarity, Renewal, Simplicity, Happiness, Contentment, and New Beginnings.  My first moment of joy came early today....thanks SS, thanks little robin.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

A Raven's Gift

I was outside this morning trying to walk off the sadness that I woke up with, thinking about my friend, not really looking forward to the festivities of the day--how could they go on with a celebration when my best friend is dead.  Don't they know that time stopped on Monday?  As I am walking, thinking these things  in my path is a beautiful raven tail feather-stopped me dead in my tracks.  One because I haven't seen any ravens since the fire, and two because it was so perfect and beautiful as the sun shined on it.  I knew it was meant as a gift for me.

In Native American folklore, the raven is the gatekeeper to the other side, the messenger, considered the trickster/jokester, and a symbol of transformation and new beginnings.   As I picked up my new found treasure, I couldn't help but hear the deeply personal message being whispered to me as I stood there in the warm sun (can't share-sorry).  My first moment of joy since Stephen's death......I think it's gonna be alright.....I think I'm gonna be ok, not for awhile-but I am gonna be ok.   Miss you SS, please tell the raven I said thank you.    
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