Art Inspiration: The Motion of the Ocean

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- “The great renewer, Nature, makes form from form and nothing ever dies.” - Ovid Always and Forever New, Acrylic on Canvas, 36” x 36” I knew this would happen! Being so close to the ocean has inspired me. My parents didn’t want this large map of Pamlico Sound so I decided to make it a collage painting… I found some amazing images from magazines from the 50s to incorporate. Who said things were boring back then? Beautiful nudity oh la la I also added words from one of my favorite poems of all time by Ovid…. From Ovid’s the Metamorphoses: TheTeachings of Pythagoras Book 15 The sea’s great surges sweep my boat on, All of my sails are spread! I tell you nothing is permanent in all the world. In all creation nothing stays the same, everything is in endless flux, Each wandering shape is a pilgrim passing by.   Time is itself a river in constant motion, A rolling stream – and streams can never stay, Hours flow by like water as wave is driven by wave, And each, pursued, pursues the wave ahead, So time flies on and follows, flies, and follows, Always and forever new. What was before Is left behind; What never was is now; And every passing moment is renewed.   Not even the elements are constant. Earth is dissolved into flowing water, Water is dissolved into air, and air thins to fire. Fire thickens to air again and air condenses to water. Water can compress to solid earth. The great renewer, Nature, makes form from form and nothing ever dies. Be assured there is no death but only change and innovation For the sum of all things remains the same. Isn’t it amazing how even though Ovid wrote those words 2,000 years ago his vision of nature aligns so well with what we know scientifically today? Everything is constantly changing and renewing. I imagine that when I die my body will decay to grow into something new… this is reincarnation on a very real physical level. There is something so hopeful about Ovid’s view of the world. In it we don’t need to be afraid of change. We can find comfort in it. The Moon’s Wave Prints available here  New Online Class Announcement! The Studio Alchemy Paint Club is now the Creative Circle! After I moved, our regular Paint Club members requested that we start meeting online so we are making it happen!  Our first session on January 16th will be free so that I can explain the new format and folks can get a feel for it. Our theme will be "A Tapestry of Color." Come with your favorite art materials to work on your projects and the surprise prompt. This group is perfect for you if you want fresh ideas for projects and want motivation from a supportive group of fellow artists. I hope that you will be able to join us!   Register here for the free session

Art Inspiration: Making a Home Inside Myself

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- I have a new favorite poem that brings me so much comfort! Here is the beginning of it… (Read the whole poem in Julia Fehrenbacher’s book, Staying in Love) This poem speaks to how we often look outside ourselves for shelter and comfort, but we can find true peace from within. I’ve started a painting about the poem. Even though it isn’t quite finished I wanted to share it with you…. (My in-progress painting of “The Most Important Thing” Poem) This poem is especially appealing to me at the moment. As many of you know, I recently moved to North Carolina but I haven’t bought a new house yet. I’m in a strange in-between “liminal” space. I may not have found my new physical home yet, but I have the “home inside myself” where I can always take refuge. What lights your inner flame? What brings you that deep sense of peace that Julia refers to in her poem? (Collage from my life plan.) When I created my New Year’s Plan last year I wrote … And I gave myself permission to… For me the deep sense of peace has come from letting go of the need to prove myself to others. Every year I create a fresh life plan. I answer a series of questions that help me to clarify what I want to do in the coming year. This year you can join me in this process New Year’s Day! Upcoming Online Class: If you want to clarify your goals join us for the New Year's Reset Online Workshop!    This is not an art class but a fun and surprising brainstorming session. Together we will get our ideas out of our head and onto paper so that we are ready for a fresh start. $29 If you want to you can add collage images to your New Year’s Reset Questions. Like a vision board these images help me to clarify my heart’s desire. One of the things my mom, daughter, and I have dreamed about was visiting Colonial Williamsburg at Christmas time. We finally did it! As we enter the new year may you feel empowered to make your dreams reality! Happy Holidays Taking a Winter Walk Prints available here  May this message inspire you! Feel free to share

Join us for the New Year's Reset Online Workshop!

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” - Emerson Every year I create a fresh life plan. I answer a series of questions that help me to clarify what I want to do in the coming year. When we write out our dreams they transform from being whispy fragments floating around in our minds to concrete, tangible goals. This year you can join me in this process New Year’s Day! Upcoming Online Class: If you want to clarify your goals join us for the New Year's Reset Online Workshop!    This is not an art class but a fun and surprising brainstorming session. Together we will get our ideas out of our head and onto paper so that we are ready for a fresh start. $29 Collage from my journal about the weaving together of elements of our lives "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety. Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays.” - Emerson Florence Price Playing the Sonata in E Minor Prints available here  May this message inspire you! Feel free to share