It is done! What began as night pacing (see my December 6, 2009 blog post); has culminated into the finale.

I am now in that stage where the crescendo has ended. I have the feeling of not being anchored; I am adrift, until I delve into the next project.  Of course, I’ll sketch and create, but it is a different energy than being possessed by a painting screaming to get out!

Sometimes the best way to describe the creative zone, would be mania, crescendo, then an anti-climatic feeling sets in, finally a sadness that it’s over; and then peace,

but…then it starts all over again.

Remember to nurture your body, mind and spirit and being adrift may mean letting go of control.

I want to thank you all who continue to support me, I feel loved. Peace to everyone.

(Mixed-Media/paper - “O’s Totem” - 22″x30″ Copyright 2010 Indigene)

I was in the “zone”, (which is the preoccupation of obsessively creating an image), becoming so strong in my mind’s eye, that I am only freed from the zone by completing the actual work.  I worked days, excessively on this image.

I know that I feel exposed when I show any part of the process to anyone outside the zone of my head.  I am aware that I am exposed.

I took breaks, but it is the night of another day of obsessing over every little piece of it, adding, subtracting, pacing around the work, only stopping to take nature’s breaks, which can be a nuisance when in the creative zone.

It is only when the image is getting near the final stages that I feel I have revealed my subject or an aspect of them in an honest approach.

Usually, I do not show my work in progress, (it is often a muddy or murky process);

But, since I do photograph the progress for my own records, I’m merging my inner work with my outer practice more in 2010. So in trusting my own process, I believe it has to be a sharing process, albeit a scary one!

Currently, I’m working on a portrait of someone, who is so full of love and compassion, “to be of service to others,” her own words, is her soul’s ministry. I’m doing this portrait based on poetry of hers, dreams and symbols that correlates with this individual. I want this portrait to be an expression of her inner self, a snapshot of her inner world and indicator of her spirit. I’ve combined her offerings of self with my vision, feelings and personal expression to create an overall sense of this person.

Whether it is a portrait or not, it is always a process of self discovery.  I’ll be doing this over several posts…

I am focused on: “The Healing Power of Art!”

“Art has and continues to illuminate me, through creating, sharing; meeting with others to view it, inspire, affirm and celebrate. Creating art lights my path to soul revival. It has nurtured me and help me understand myself, therefore giving me the capacity to understand others.  It is the physical peace in my storms”

Manhattan Arts International’s “Celebrate The Healing Power of Art 2010″ is based on the belief that Art is a natural force that promotes health and well-being for the creator as well as the viewer. Renee Phillips, Director of Manhattan Arts International, is organizing an online exhibition of positive art that uplifts the spirit, plus collaboration with others who share this belief. Interviews and articles reflect the contributions of Art & Healing leaders and causes.

Website: www.ManhattanArts.com

Blog: http://HealingPowerofArt.blogspot.com

I’m just getting back from Arizona! The Grand Canyon was amazing as was seeing my son and spending time with family! It was a wonderful vacation!

Happy New Year & Peace to everyone!

I had a long commute to work today as a passenger. I was tired of the radio, and watching other cars, go by. I looked in my handbag to see what I could find, so that I wouldn’t fall asleep! I’m not usually my best with sleep lines on my face from odd head positions while napping with no pillow.

Rummaging through my big tote bag yielded a Christmas catalog, a six-inch ruler, scissors, a couple of pieces of watercolor paper, my KOI pocket field sketch box with water brush, a glue stick, micro-pen, and a graphite pencil.  I knew today was the only time I was going to have a small chunk of time to do an illustration for the prompt for Illustration Friday, the word for this week is “hatch”.

Honestly, with the holidays around the corner, and everywhere you look you see festive houses, streets and stores, the festivity has a way of imprinting itself on your mind! And the IF prompt, for me anyway, only flashed pictures of eggs, hatchback cars and spring.

So here it is, an illustration for “Hatch”!

I hope that everyone’s creativity and ideas hatch into some wonderful real life scenarios for 2010.

Peace to you all.

Thank you all for your wonderful messages and prayers!

These are somewhat difficult times for me in so many areas and I need some time to just think, weep and process.

I just wanted to say a “BIG THANK YOU” to all those who have written and/or called me. Please forgive me for not getting back to you in a timely fashion. I have taken some time off and expect to be back soon. Thank you again!

May peace surround you and all that you touch.

Thank you Ces (http://cesandherdishes.blogspot.com), you are so kind…this means so much to me! I sincerely appreciate any and every award I get! It makes my day, year and life! Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

I think, I’m suppose to name (7) things I love and pass an award on. So here are my seven:

1) My Family (I guess Oscar, our cat’s included, although at 3:00AM, most mornings, there’s not a lot of love for him!)

2) My Friends (they are there through thick and thin, I’m in a thick stage right now…lol!)

3) Art (This is really number one, but I felt guilty, so I put the others first, hmmm…I guess they know now!)

4) Observing life (when it’s not slamming me!)

5) Reading

6) Nature

7) My personal relationship with God (Well, this was first, then art, then all the others, but I’m a slow thinker!)

I pass these creative awards along to these wonderful bloggers: (they keep me going!

kathy hare illustration

Ooh La La Design Studio

studio lolo

Life Earth Sky

my collage art ~ nancy lefko

Swirly Girl

From the time I was born to now, there have always been wars; but there were also people who were trying to end discrimination, and trying to be good stewards of the earth.

There were so many causes, “voices” trying to be heard.

I remember going to various churches, and back then it was the only time I felt calm during those tumultuous times in the USA.

As soon as I heard those voices singing, whether it was gospel songs, hymns, chanting or folk songs, it was those voices that gave me peace.

So, when I dream of peace, there are always voices involve. My most common dream is a wonderful saxophone playing on its own and voices of people from all over the world singing, in their own languages and these harmonious voices sends chills through me and brings me to tears. Maybe it’s naive and idealistic, but…

Yes, I have a dream…too…to live to peace in a diverse world community. It’s a prayer that I hold close to my heart.  It’s time…to lift every voice and sing…Peace to everyone, everyday in every way.

“Arte y Pico” Award

“Arte y Pico” is a phrase that roughly translates as,”The Maximum, The Peak!”

I would like to thank Lisa Rivas of “Flying Colors” (http://flyingcolors.typepad.com) for giving me such a glamourous award!

See below who I pass this torch of beauty to:

Here are ‘the rules’ for The ARTE y PICO Award:

1. Show the award.
2. The name of the person who gave it to you and a link back to their blog.
3. Pick 5 blogs you think deserve this award for: creativity, design, interesting material and their contribution/participation to the blog community.
4. List the author’s name and link to their blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve selected.

Link back to the original Arte y Pico BLOG, so all will know the origin of the award.

AWARD CROWNING TO THE FOLLOWING BLOGS:

1. Godheval for his amazing concepts, values, and ideas and who leaves me feeling so proud of his mark of genius every time.

2. Dani at Dani Torrent for her soulful style and passionate expressions…

3. Lynne at Mythmaking from the Other Side for her exquisite imagination and eyes to see the soul!

4. Vanessa Brantley Newton at Ooh La La Design Studio for her sense of style and the ability to work it!

5. Yoon See at Greener Pasture for a contagious smile, and to continually produce amazing work, every day!

and an extra one!

6. For every blog I visit and leave a message, because your work touches me and keeps me going!

Visiting these blogs inspire me with all their creativity, talent, ideas, (”talk about amazing skills!)

They always raise the bar for me and I’m happy to run along side them!