Posts Tagged ‘life’
Sunday, May 20th, 2012
 Art journaling really helps you to look inward. For me, it operates as a visual diary of thoughts, ideas, issues, personal junk and humor.
One recurring theme with me is I love creating portraits of women, archetypes, goddesses and mythical women, in general.
What I don’t do and realized I don’t like is self-portraits or photos of myself. I never have! In looking through my Mom’s old photos, I realized that there are probably 20 photos of me from childhood until now! I was always camera-shy and really hated it, when there was a family photo-shoot. (I probably get this from my Mom’s side of the family, they weren’t very keen on picture-taking and if it wasn’t for my Dad, there wouldn’t be any pixs of our family!)
It’s only been lately, that I wonder why? When I was younger, I thought it was because I was a skinny child with glasses, as a teen, it was because of acne, as a young woman, I was too busy, going to school full-time and working one full-time job and a part-time job, who had time for fun! My excuse now is, outside of family and possibly a few friends, who wants a picture of a round 50+ woman! :)
Now, wait a minute, before, I get all those comments, about how I must love myself, and there’s nothing wrong with plus-size. Let me state, for the records, “No, I don’t hate my body”. I’m just not keen on taking pictures and I always have an excuse as to why I don’t want to.
My family doesn’t fight me on photo-ops anymore, they just accept it and try to sneak shots of me, when I’m not paying attention! :) (But, they can’t get away with it, because all the cameras, in the house are mine…all ten of them, including three video cameras!) I have a sneaky suspicion that my Mother-in-law has loads of pixs of me…she sneaks them in and won’t accept “No” on the photo-taking!!!!! (Well, that’s another story) Lol!
Lately, I’ve been really looking at myself…loving myself and realizing who I am on the inside and always quietly amused by the outside…:) I’m still that girl who like to lay on the grass looking at clouds or skipping around in a circle, blowing on those willowy weeds that scatter everywhere. I’m just now thicker, deeper, wiser and honor that happy woman/child, daily!
I can finally say, the sight of me is the inner growth that has let me love myself, and that is the most beautiful sight of all. I won’t be taking more photos, but I will be sharing myself through my art and art journaling, because that sight is very precious to me.
Look deep inside, the real you is there, in all your glory! Peace to you and yours.
P.S. Thank you, Nancy Bea Miller (a true doll!) for your portrait of me, I used it as my reference for drawing me in my art journal! You always see the best in me! :)
Image: Copyright-2012 Indigene Theresa Gaskin – Mixed Media Art Journal Page
Tags: Art Journal, Art Journal Pages, Authenticity, facebook, family photos, Friends, growth, http://indigeneart.com/blog, http://www.genrecookshop.com/, http:indigeneart.com, Illustration Friday, journal entries, life, love, personal, Real, self-portraits, sight, twitter, visual journals
Posted in Art, Art Journals, General, Studio Time | 17 Comments »
Saturday, March 31st, 2012
 For my instant creative gratification meter, I need quick and fast satisfaction. I attribute my immediacies to my American upbringing…Lol!
I journal daily and it takes a lot less time to create something in my journal than it does to create something large (which my art tends to be). I can go to my journal, doodle, sketch, collage and write, to create a page and voila! It’s therapeutic, immediate and I don’t need retail therapy!
Have an amazing weekend as we all go forth courageously in a world where good things are always possible. In peace to you and yours.
©2012 Indigene Theresa Gaskin – 2012 Courage Journal-Mixed Media Collage – Pg. 4.
Tags: Art Journal, Baskics, fun, Gratification, http://indigeneart.com/blog, http:indigeneart.com, Illustration Friday, Immediate, Indigene, Indigene Theresa Gaskin, life, Play, Return
Posted in Art, General, Illustration Friday, Studio Time | 18 Comments »
Saturday, March 17th, 2012
 I’ve been struggling…there I’ve said it!
Why is that so frightening to say to yourself or others?
I think because it’s shame-based, to the person who admits it and to those who hear it; or it feels like you’re admitting to a character flaw. Many people don’t know what to do with the feelings that come with struggles.
Neither do I, but I do know that getting it outside of myself, helps me to see it in front of me and allows me to do something about it, instead of letting the struggles roasts me like meat on a rotisserie!
I don’t need to get in the specifics of the struggles, it is safe enough to say “I have struggles or I’m struggling”. I am no different from other people who struggle, except maybe, I’m saying it out loud today and writing it for all to see, if they want.
I think that people are always willing to share the wonderful and beautiful things of life, but never the shades or shadows of one’s life/self. It makes us vulnerable and open. Yet, I have always found the greatest lessons, in the messiest parts my life. It shows that we are all apart of a zigzag journey, that calls us to the same place in the end.
 Believe me, I’m not trying to be deep, philosophical or depressing; it’s just a real thing for me now. It is in this part of the journey that I have find, I am human, not in a theoretical sense, but in the daily grind of life. So it’s not important that I share the exact struggles, but that I struggle. I share my happiness here all the time, so today, it’s struggling, that I’m sharing and everyone, and I mean everyone struggles. To not acknowledge that feels dishonest, so today, I share this and to let someone know…that we are struggling together.
It may not apply to you today, but maybe it will one day and you’ll remember this post and know that you’re never alone in it. It is in the struggles, that shows me that I am alive…living in the shade…coming to light daily.
Hibernation is almost over, Spring is coming…more light…more hope!
Tags: Comfort, Hibernation, http://indigeneart.com/blog, http:indigeneart.com, Indigene Theresa Gaskin, life, life's moments, lifestyle, mid-life crisis, Reflection, self, shades, shadow, Sharing, Spring, struggle, struggles, Surrender, yield
Posted in General, Illustration Friday, Work | 19 Comments »
Saturday, March 3rd, 2012
First, on the art front, I’ve been featured in the Arts and Aesthetics Collective Magazine: http://issuu.com/aestheticsmagazine/docs/insignetribus/59 (pages 41 – 56)
 Now for other stuff…I have been stretched to the limits in many areas of life, I can’t believe it’s been a month, since I last posted! I like my blogging time to be meaningful; not just putting in one liners out there in social media. Please, don’t get me wrong, I love chatting with my friends on Facebook/Twitter, but I’m finding that it takes away from my time here and that’s not my intention.
Maintaining social media sites, takes a lot of time and effort, in an already frantic schedule. As a highly-sensitive introvert, I needs lots of time to recuperate from face-to-face time, networking, workshops, etc. I find I also need it from writing, too! I’ve done lots of business writing and academic writing, but that’s very different than writing from your heart and soul. The writing I do here, fulfills my ten-year-old dream of being a writer (At ten, I also wanted to be an artist, actress, dancer and singer!) The writing here takes more out of me, because I’m putting myself out there, just like my art.
 My blog started off with me showcasing my art, then writing about my art; what I was working on, creating an image based on the prompts from Illustration Friday or events that I was participating in. Of course, I still do that, but I will also include how I live my life, because the artist and the person are one and the same. I feel that you only see one aspect of me when I share my art-making process or just my art.
Some of you may say, well, that’s the only part I’m interested in! I appreciate that and I am glad, there are many people interested in my art, but there are just as many people interested in the person, too! I feel fragmented when I only talk about one aspect of my life, and it feels so disjointed writing only about only one aspect of me. I want my writing here to be meaningful to me and to the people who take their time to stop and read my blog entries.
 I am a whole person, living a whole life, the good, the bad and the ugly, it makes my very human life messy and joyous!
So all this to say, to find out more about me in various aspects, visit me here:
FACEBOOK Page: https://www.facebook.com/indigeneart
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Indigene1
But to find more depth and my intentions, visit me here…at the blog.
I end this week with one of my favorite quotes and in peace:
 “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Images: ©2012 Indigene Theresa Gaskin - All Rights Reserved.
Tags: blog, blogging, facebook, http://indigeneart.com/blog, http://issuu.com/aestheticsmagazine/docs/insignetribus/59, Indigene, Intent, Intention, life, meaningful, News, Photography, photos, posting, posts, twitter, Writing
Posted in Art, Family, Featured Artist, Friends, General, News, Studio Time, Work | 18 Comments »
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
 January has been a month of digging, in the tough and challenging consciousness. Ever since I chose the word “courage” as my word for the year, I’ve been battling some big fears and learning to trust my intuitive voice completely. It’s the same fears, I battle when the darkness of winter comes…am I strong enough, confident enough, financially secure, smart enough, helpful enough, generous enough, doing enough…?
My rituals and spirituality keep me nurtured. My family keeps me cocooned, safe and loved. As always in the dark nights of the soul, the light comes through, reminding me that there is balance and that fears will always be there, but it is the moving forward in those fears that the courage comes.
Love is the strongest engine of survival, life’s calling and I’m moving forward with the light of courage.
Peace to you and yours.
(“Life’s Calling” Collage/Paper-5″x7″ - ©2012 Indigene Theresa Gaskin)
Tags: Calling, collage, Conscious, Courage, faith, Family, fear, Finance, Forward, Friends, http:indigeneart.com, Indigene, Indigene Art Forms, Indigene Theresa Gaskin, life, mixed media, Movement, Nurture, spirituality
Posted in Art, Family, Friends, General, Illustration Friday, Studio Time, Work | 10 Comments »
Saturday, December 31st, 2011
 My intention, for 2011 was ABUNDANCE and that was felt on many levels.
The Highs and Lows of my 2011 year:
1.) I RESOLVE TO PROMOTE MYSELF SHAMELESSLY. (Those of you who read my blogs, encountered me on Facebook and Twitter know this is true! :) I also handed out many business cards and postcards during 2011.
2.) I RESOLVE TO CULTIVATE A GREAT WEBSITE. Well, it’s great website to me! My wonderful webmaster son and I spent an enormous amount of time on it, updating it!
(© 2011 Indigene Theresa Gaskin – Frontview of my 2011 journals).
3.) I RESOLVE TO CONTINUE OPERATING WITH COMPLETE INTEGRITY. This was done a 100% of the time and gave me great satisfaction, since this is one of my values, to act and serve with integrity!
4.) I RESOLVE TO CONTINUE EDUCATING MYSELF IN THE BUSINESS OF ART. I did this through workshops on and off-line! I made it through 9 workshops this year and in the midst of completing the last one now! I’ve read over (120) books this year, with thirty (30) of them being about art business and marketing (My bookstore receipts state I’ve purchased about 250 books, I still haven’t read them all yet)!
5.) I RESOLVE TO CONTINUE CONNECTING WITH OTHERS AND SHARE INFORMATION. I joined a guild and participated in meetings and continue to mentor others. This was really big for me, since I am incredibly introverted and enjoy my solitude greatly! These were all the resolutions I made in the new year of 2011 : (See http://indigeneart.com/happy-new-year-happy-birthday-to-me/)
Additional highlights included winning an award in arts and culture and participating in (2) Art Fairs!
 So I feel so incredibly wonderful that I accomplished all my resolutions and lived in true abundance that I gained this year.
(© 2011 Indigene Theresa Gaskin – sideview of all my journals completed in from 2011)
Wonderful highs, also come with lows. The lowest points of 2011 and which will make 2011, unforgettable is that I lost my Mom (August 22) and my sister, Renee (June 27). I can honestly say that I have been in the abyss and on the mountaintop in 2011. I was blessed with the abundance of kindness from strangers and family. The outpouring of love from my internet friends still continue to overwhelm me and kept me held in the abundance of hope and warmth. I learned so much from this heartbreaking ordeal and I still continue to learn from it. I realized what true friendship meant during this time.
So, 2011 brought me a fire of grief, a rainstorm of love and true growth and will never, ever be forgotten by me.
So with the old year, only a few hours left, I wish you all a very, wonderful, peaceful, spectacular, loving, prosperous, healthy and loving New Year!
I will see you in the New Year, with my intentions and resolutions and I hope to see yours as well! :) Peace to you and yours.
Tags: 2011, Abundance, Art, art award, art fairs, death, Family, Friends, Friendship, growth, highlights, http://indigeneart.com/blog, http://twitter.com/indigene1, http://www.facebook.com/indigeneart, http:indigeneart.com, Illustration Friday, Journaling, Journals, life, lows, resolutions
Posted in Art, Family, Featured Artist, Friends, General, Handmade Gifts, Illustration Friday, News, Studio Time, Work | 8 Comments »
Monday, November 28th, 2011
 For you folks, at Illustration Friday, here’s my idea of round, plus something extra!
This is an extremely busy time for many people, running round with end-of-year activities and holiday stuff, me included! So, I’m happy to offer some beauty and words to live by.
Here is the first of (18) inspirational card series, I’m launching:
Dream Sequence #7 - Inside Text: “You soar above life’s chaos“ ©Indigene Theresa Gaskin
Price: $5 per card – 5″ x 7″ Card
Shipping is Free in the U.S.A. and Canada
I will be featuring all (18) cards through my blog posts, Facebook and Twitter. All cards are $5 each, the messages are inspirational and the art is frame-able, they’re great as a keepsake or as a gift.
I’m really excited to be able to offer my art and words that I live by to you at an affordable price. For now, the cards can be purchased directly from me. Purchase can be made through me with PayPal, credit card and/or with check by approval first.
Email: indigene (at) indigeneart.com (Write in subject line: Card Purchase Only)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigeneart
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Indigene1
All (18) cards will be available, plus many other beautiful items at the Holiday Open Studio Tour – 212 Wakefield Road, Rosemont, PA - December 9 – 11, 2011. Please stop by can view my art and the art of five other amazing artists/artisans. You can pick up a map from the aforementioned location to all the other studios involved as well!
So let me get back around to my chaos and remember to breathe, life is good and you’re alive!
In peace to you and yours.
Tags: Art, chaos, Dream Sequence 7, eagle, facebook, Holiday Open Studio Tour, http://twitter.com/indigene1, http:indigeneart.com, Illustration Friday, Indigene, Indigene Theresa Gaskin, inspirational, life, product, sales, Self-Promotion, soaring, twitter
Posted in Art, General, Handmade Gifts, Illustration Friday, Studio Time | 12 Comments »
Saturday, November 19th, 2011
 Illustration Friday‘s prompt for creating this week is vanity. It got me to pondering whether confidence is sometimes mistaken for vanity.
Of course, I know the definition of vanity, but there have been times when I’ve mistaken someone for being vain, and after getting to know them, I realized that they had a confidence of self, that was enviable. Which brings me to my next pondering…do we see vanity because we envy the confidence of an individual?
The lesson learned for me, is not to judge, since it is only when I get to know the person, do I begin to see the true self, and there have been times, when I would have missed out on knowing a wonderfully confident and loving individual.
(Image: “Da Bronx” – 9″x12″ Mixed Media/Paper)
I captured this beauty sitting on a stoop in the Bronx. My first thought was “what a vain young woman.” She exuded confidence, beauty, which many took as being vain. I glad I got to know her, she had a mighty story, where vanity had no play in it.
How do you know when you’re dealing with vanity or confidence?
How do you know the difference? Have you ever mistaken one for the other?
Does culture play a role in your viewpoint of vanity of another?
Have you ever dismiss a vain individual without getting to know them?
Love to hear what you think!
Peace to you and yours.
Tags: Bronx, charcoal, confidence, Da Bronx, Experiences, Graphite, http:indigeneart.com, Illustration Friday, Indigene, Indigene Theresa Gaskin, life, mixed media, NYC, Paper, pastel, stoop, vanity
Posted in Art, Friends, General, Illustration Friday | 26 Comments »
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
 “Question everything. Every stripe, every star, every word spoken. Everything.” – Ernest Gaines
I remember as a child, being asked to stop talking in class, a few minutes later, when the teacher turned away from the board, she asked me, “Are you still talking?” I remember looking at her perplexed and then replied, “Yes, because you’re asking me a question, and I need to talk to answer you.” Hmmm…I was sent home with a note from school that day! :)
(Image: ©2011 Indigene – Title: “Dream Sequence 11“)
We are told to question everything, yet we are sometimes ostracized as being too inquisitive, attention-wanting, time-suckers, with a rolling of eyes, etc. There were times in my life when I didn’t want to ask the question, but I needed to know why I’m asked to do things without reason or question. It’s my way of making sense of the world. I know that there are some questions that cannot be answered, but the search for the answer is a response to a life worth living.
Silence is great for meditation, but not as a response to life. Art making for me is answering a call/question from within me. I do this to explore every stripe, star and to make a mark as an answer or to question my spirit’s leanings.
If you are from the 50+ age crowd, you may have had to curb your questioning as a child, because it was better to be seen and not heard, back then! Can you imagine?
How do you respond to questions? As an adult are you embarrassed to ask questions? Do you fear the answers? Do you fear asking questions?
I love hearing from you.
In peace to you and yours.
Tags: acrylic paint, answers, color pencils, Dragon Fly, eyes, graphic, http:indigeneart.com, Illustration Friday, Indigene, Indigene Theresa Gaskin, life, markers, mixed media, Questions, society, Stripes, Wisdom
Posted in Art, Illustration Friday | 21 Comments »
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
 I have been super busy!
Attending workshops, creating new work, gearing up for my Holiday Studio Tour, conference calls, video summits and taking care of my daily business routines!
I’ve also spent some incredible time with new friends and old friends, (Thank you, awesome goddesses, you know who you are); which always fills me with love and adrenaline…:)
My thoughts have been scattered, but focused…is that possible, you ask? Yes, because these scattered thoughts and actions are an abundance of energy, that I believe are coming together, to bring another dimension to my life, creating richer experiences for me. They are only scattered, in the sense that I’m snatching time from here and there, because I want it all (insert, Vincent Price loud laugh here)!
I want to do so much and every waking moment is filled with something I love and need to get done, but at the same time, I’m savoring every nano-second and loving it! Now, how’s that for scattered thoughts and feelings?! :)
Every day, I miss my Mom and my sister, Renee, but I remember their beautiful spirits and then I live…in all my moments!
Savor your scattered moments, they have a place in your life, too.
In peace to you and yours.
(Image: collaged page from my “Creative Entrepreneur Business Journal”, Date: Friday, Oct.14, 2011)
P.S. I didn’t have time to edit this, so pardon any typos or scattered thought processes (insert more Vincent Price laughter!)
Tags: collage, Creative, entrepreneur, Family, Friends, fun, Happiness, http://indigeneart.com, Illustration Friday, Indigene, life, Life circle, living in the moment, love, memorial, memory, mixed media, moment, personal, scattered, spiritual path, Theresa Gaskin, Vincent Price laughter
Posted in Art, Family, Friends, Illustration Friday, Studio Time, Work | 14 Comments »
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