I like to imagine my clutter is comparative to how my life is, the less clutter I have, the more room I have to be open to possibilities. So, while my studio is not in need of cleaning, I am all about de-cluttering...all about creating space for the things I want in my life: new projects, new art, and loads of creativity. In the last couple of months, the de-cluttering bug has hit my studio. I decided to get rid of stuff, in which I stored paint and all manner of odds and ends, that were falling apart and replace them with sturdier pieces. Granted, there's only so much I can do in my studio, because of space limitations. Reorganization of ... Continue Reading »
Creativity
Bounce Back
The last few weeks have been an incredibly busy time for me. I've finished (15) paintings in three weeks, while I continue working and being part of an Artist Mentoring Program. I am art journaling in a new altered book that has me reaching deep into the well of inspiration and creativity, adding new items to my Etsy Shop and still dealing with the now smaller waves of grief that come to me since the loss of my sister and mother. With all of these feelings running rampant, I'm breathing deeply, meditating, indulging in active self-care and lots of family and friends' love. I'm loving the becoming and realizing that I'm absolutely the Queen of ... Continue Reading »
Art Journaling
It's been a while, since I blogged. I've been very busy, family, friends, relationships, struggles, decisions, you know all the things that we do to keep living...fully! I was working on my "Grandmother Elder Series" and I hit a block, not a mortar block, but a creative one, so I had to take it to my journal, to process it! I've been journaling since my teens, and incorporating my art in my journals since about 2003/4. It's where I go to talk to myself. So after weeks of being in the journal, I'm ready to go back to working on my series. What I realized is during this time is that, although I'm creatively blocked at times, I always create ... Continue Reading »
Disguise
Since August 22, 2011, at 9:30PM, I am disguised...Mum died. I appear strong to my family, I thanked people who gave me their sincere condolences. "Not now, maybe later" is what I've said, to the many well-meaning offers of support. I have nodded my head appropriately in conversations, completed household routines, consoled my children and clung to my husband. I am a dependable, responsible and strong daughter, a calm sister and a quiet mother. I keep my disguise intact. Disguised this week, making the phone calls, finalizing information and writing Mommy's obituary, (because my siblings think, I write better than them). Trying to capture ... Continue Reading »
Abundance
My intent for this year is to live in abundance, it is what I will be aware of in my life, the abundance that I have in mind, body and spirit. The word came to me during my quiet time in the morning where I do my sitting in silence prayer, my "Morning Pages" (journaling), then I listen to tribal music, in my nook with a candle burning, living in that special moment. It has become a ritual that gives sanity to a day that may have anything in store for me. It doesn't mean that I will not have bad days or days of frustration, but that I will remember, I have abundance of everything, "creativity, love, family, patience, will, friendship, ... Continue Reading »
Debut From The Nookery – “Ala – Ibo Goddess”
Last week, she was just a pretty face, with a splash of blue in the background sitting on my easel. Voila, this week, she is making her debut. ALA, also spelled ALE, ALLA also known as ANE - Earth Mother Goddess of the Ibo tribe in Nigeria. Creator of the living and Queen of the dead. Provider of communal loyalty and Lawgiver of society. Her symbol is the crescent moon. She is still worshiped by the Ibo today, who pay tribute to her each year during the Yam festival. Ala is a part of my Goddess Series. I think this series may be ongoing for some time, since there are thousands of goddesses from all over the world clamoring for me to ... Continue Reading »
Wrapped-IF
For me, there is a mysteriousness, magical quality to being wrapped in knowledge, creativity and intelligence. I live In a society, where videos and fashion deems that less is better, I like the idea of being "wrapped". Putting politics, religion and power issues aside, I love the beauty of these women, wrapped, I created them as Muses, contemplative, looking to be called, ready to encourage all forms of creativity. (The original painting "3 Muses" was created and sold in 2008). Today, wrap yourself in the creativity of your muse. Peace to you all. ... Continue Reading »
