What would you Give-Away?

Without whining, I am going to tell you about how the new year has gone for me.

It started out with me still being unable to create anything substantial via art. Ok, not the worst that's ever happened. It's like having writer's block. I'll get through it. Time will come when all "art" breaks loose.

My mom is still abed from what we believe to be a small stroke. She's able to talk and move. She is cogent. Yet, she still cannot walk. Well, she can walk a couple of steps but then her legs give out on her. I got her a walker, with a seat, and hand brakes, four wheels. I tell you this thing is like the Cadillac of all walkers. She will only use it when I'm at home, thank goodness. I'm helping her with physical therapy and have hope that she will be up and about in a few more weeks.

Then, on January 12th, my 95 year old grandma died. She was relatively healthy so we weren't expecting it. I have so many glorious memories of my little 4' 9" granny. Short, fat and full of sass. So much so that she married a man who was 6' 8" tall. And had 11 babies with him. Oh, yeah. She knew how to climb all kinds of ladders! She loved her family without question. Even those of us who didn't always follow the rules. She'd pat the seat beside her and put her soft, pudgy arm around us and just hug us tight. She'd lean over and whisper that it didn't matter if anyone, or everyone, was upset or mad at us, she loved us anyway. She said she just knew that we had learned a hard lesson and now was the time to get on down the road and just not do that ever again. I don't remember making the same mistakes twice. Well, there were variations of the same mistake, but not the exact SAME mistake! Some mistakes take longer to improve on!

Two days after her death, I started a mixed media class. I had taken this class before in its fledgling form. A couple of years ago. Now, the class is more structured and the instructor is more focused on her agenda. I am glad for this as I have a need for someone to help guide me in the pursuit of creativity. My mind is not so clear these days (daze). I'm hoping that finally putting paint to paper & canvas will free up my "artist" block. And maybe help clear up some of the cobwebs that are clogging my thought processes.

I am cleaning and clearing out my art space this week also. My plan is to pay homage to my granny by doing a "give-away" in her name. My grandma was 3/4 Choctaw Indian. In a lot of Native cultures a give-away is a clearing, a cleansing. You give away your earthly belongings to clear the way, for the path ahead to be easier, better to navigate. I am creating packets to give away in the Yahoo groups that I belong too. The women in these groups have been incredibly supportive and kind doing these past months of turmoil. I've never met any of them in person but I feel like I have made some wonderful friends all the same. They rightly deserve a little lift to their art supplies, I do say!

I'm looking forward to my next art class. Maybe this will be the week the wall of blocks comes down. If I hear the tumbling noises, I hope I get them recorded. You know, for the next time the wall gets built. I'll push playback and see if that clears the way!

Blessings to all,
redopal

Inspiration

You never now where inspiration will come from.

I've recently signed up to be a follower on blogs from persons who are not in my immediate art groups. I guess I never gave it much thought. How would this benefit me? What kind of information could possibly be sent my way? Then, I found out for myself.

Wow, it is so cool to have automatic cool stuff right there for your perusal. No searching about, following one link to another, not really finding anything to "spark" your imagination. Or, there's so much all at one time that you go into overload. Whew. My wrists are tired just remembering all the links I've followed.

Over at Tammy's site: http://tammysprinkle.blogspot.com she's giving away the most amazing art piece. It's an altered box made into a travel trunk. She's created a shrine to a loved one. Her art is up for give-away to persons following her blog. Go check out some of her other art while there. It's beautiful and yes, you guessed it: inspirational!

Have fun making a new friend.
redopal

Stepping on Cracks

What type of year is this going to be? Will it bring about change that brightens the darkness? Will our world begin to experience difference without fear? Can the challenges facing this, our world, be overcome with dignity, respect and peace? I think it's possible for us to affect change. While we put paint to paper, or thread to cloth, clay to the wheel, and glass to the flame, we are making our corner of the world brighter. Whether it's whimsical, profound, political or primal, we do affect our surroundings. We shine a light where our ordinary eyes can't see. Our everyday sight is heightened to a new brink of awareness. It may seem as if the brink is at the edge of a very deep, dark, strange abyss. Or, maybe the brink is an imaginary line drawn in the sand of a lovely. lonely beach. Maybe, it's the sand in an hourglass. Or, it's the line drawn with crayon by a tender kindergartner.

And, aren't lines meant to be crossed by their very definition? Straight lines by themselves do nothing. It's the moment when something transcends the line that magic happens. Ideas, un-imaginable, spring forth to delight, amaze, amuse and perhaps even terrify us. Without those sparks we have no intention. No base from which to live, to grow, to become. Intersections become the catalyst for change.

Be the change. Do the art. Speak with color. Scream in black and white. Cross the line.

The above has come about because I've not been able to create. These words are my soul screaming for release. I've bottled up my creativity and blamed it on circumstances. By allowing outside events to shape my progress, or lack thereof, I have refused to cross the line. I'm stepping over the line now. No more wailing about pathetic excuses. It's time.

This new year is way too full of possiblility. I think I'll stain my fingers with ink and paint. That sounds like a perfect way to start out. Gotta go. My dearly loved, cluttered art space is calling.

Have a wonderful year. Cross all the lines you find, I promise it won't "break your Mother's back".

redopal

MOOD Store

Experiencing the downside of "merry" this year.

I'm unable to get into the holiday mood. I'm busier than ever at work and the crowds this year actually seem to be more patient and happy. I am enjoying the interactions with my customers but the minute I clock out, it's as if I just shut down the glee. Before I can even put the key into the ignition, I have to take a few deep cleansing breaths before driving home. And it's not that the traffic is all that bad, not like one would assume for this time of year.

I know why I'm down in the dumps. My mother, whom I caretake, fell on Thanksgiving Day and is not doing so well. Which makes it difficult to feel all jolly and merry and all HoHoHo-ish.

If worry is a gift than I want to find my receipt and return it. It doesn't fit. The color is all wrong. I have nothing to go with it. To be that easy, huh? What if one could walk up to a counter at the "MOODS" store and buy what one needs. "Excuse me Miss, I'm here to buy some Happiness, can you please show me which aisle that's on?" "Aisle 7? Thank you." And when you get to aisle 7, you find that you've already filled your cart with other moods. Joy, in a jar. Gratitude, in the 12 ounce can. Patience, in a really cute designer gift bag. And of course, you can't walk out without the 2 for 1 special! I mean, can you really only use one 5 pound block of calm? That stuff has a better shelf life than a Twinkie. So, why not get 2? It's not like it'll go bad or something. And, you can cut off a chunk and give it to a friend. Sharing the calm.

Now I have to go to the mall. I need to find Santa and ask for a gift. I want a GPS system. So I can find the MOODS store. Yep, that' what I want this year. I'm tired of going in circles looking for that dang place.

May the season bring everyone a dearth of well-being, comfort and the joy of love.
redopal