April 17, 2013
In
art, creativity, graphic design, inspiration
Message for Boston
Our hearts are with you ♥
April 15, 2013
In
life and the universe
Prayers to Boston
I don’t think there are any among us here in the U.S. who feel untouched by the Boston Marathon bombing this afternoon… I find myself wishing I had the right words to uplift our spirits, to give us confidence in what is good, to comfort our hearts. Of course it is well to remember the amazing and beautiful display of human courage and caring we see when tragedy hits home. From hundreds, even thousands of miles away, we watch, and we feel pain at the same time we feel an immense pride and gratitude towards those who risk their lives, who dive into harm’s way to save lives, who care for wounded, investigate and analyze the details – whether by virtue of their job or their character, these acts of human care are a beaming light in the darkness.
But there is still the unfathomable, the anger, the outrage, the sorrow, the sickness of it all that can leave us overwhelmed with feelings that, in order to make any immediate sense, in order to do any good at all, lend themselves seemingly only to prayer. And that has to be enough.
In all honesty, I’m incensed; it’s pure madness, it’s another incomprehensible sadness, and it makes the fire in me flame high. But from a distance there’s no use for my fire, except to kindle more fire. So, as I know millions of us pray tonight, I pray with you, with all my heart, for the good people in Boston, and all the angels sent to help.
Love and prayers,
Patricia
April 15, 2013
In
appreciation, art, creativity, design, life and the universe
A Few Words on Chocolate
I don’t know what took me so long to talk about chocolate. After all, I was pretty much weaned on the stuff. Maybe because it’s such an integral part of my world, I didn’t give it any special thought. (Not that chocolate doesn’t deserve special thought.) But when it’s woven into the fabric of your life, it doesn’t pop out and say “hey, what about me?” It’s already there.
Personally, I like my chocolate “pure”. No liqueurs sneaking around inside my truffles, please. Just chocolate. Preferably in the form of fudgy brownies, an exquisite lava cake, or my favorite almost-always-on-the-stove homemade hot fudge sauce (ice cream optional – ha!)
No, chocolate has never suffered the fate of neglect around here.
Originally brewed as a frothy-type beer for the elite in ancient Aztec and Mayan cultures, today it’s not only a delicious vegetable source (from the cocoa bean), it’s full of endorphins and anti-oxidants (so I’m told, which I’m more than happy to believe), and it’s inspiring. How could you go wrong?
April 9, 2013
In
art, craftsmanship, creativity, design, inspiration, skill
Tuesdays with Chris: “Advice for Young Artists”
A delightful spectrum of views from do what you love, to stay vulnerable, to never give up, to make friends, to don’t do it for free ~ you’re gonna love these snippets of advice for young artists. : )
(If you missed my introduction about Chris Staley, master potter, educator and Penn State Laureate 2012-2013, you can read that here.) Enjoy!
April 8, 2013
In
art, creativity, life and the universe, peace, philosophy, work and play
How To Slow Down Time
I don’t really have the final answer to this idea of slowing down time, although finding one has been on my mind a lot lately as we all keep moving, moving, moving, keeping up a brisk pace only to pause for dinner or maybe even some sleep. It’s just not right to me, all this constant motion, this world that moves so very fast, this world of instant news (and too much news), a wild sea of images and thoughts and appointments and gadgets, gadgets, gadgets. This very real sense that there isn’t enough time in the day. So I thought, it being Monday, that maybe Pooh has the best idea yet….
It’s a nice idea, isn’t it? But napping intrudes on time; time that moves so quickly, so furiously full. One could argue that a nap leaves you refreshed, better able to accomplish all those things that need accomplishing ~ and I find no fault there. But what about slowing down time so you don’t “need” a nap ~ like Pooh, you could take one just because it feels like a good thing to do?
What about slowing time at will, right here and now, without having to go on holiday to find it, and without detriment to your clients, your families, your peace of mind?
There are only a few ways I know that effectively slow down time. One is a fabulous snowfall ~ but this requires a northern climate and Mother Nature’s whim. The ocean has a similar effect, as does being on a mountaintop.
Another, more “here and now” way, is meditation. And of course, for me, there’s drawing. Or painting or playing the piano… when you’re cocooned in the embrace of creativity, it’s very much like a meditation; time simply doesn’t exist in that space. So I’m not sure if it’s actually slowing down time, or merely alleviating the consciousness of the ongoing tick-tock. But I do know that it’s good for the soul, and that practically amounts to the same thing. I think Pooh might agree.
Oh and there is one other way I know about for slowing down time. What you do is believe you have all the time you need. Saying it out loud can help. With conviction and slow, deep breaths. It’s almost like conspiring with the universe. You may laugh, and that’s fine, because I have no scientific explanation ~ but it’s not all that silly if it works, and it has for me.
And now that I’ve reminded myself of this ability, I just need to harness and command it more often! … After my nap.
April 4, 2013
In
art, communication, creativity, design, inspiration, philosophy, poetry, words and language
Happy Birthday Maya Angelou
I could spend hours playing with Maya Angelou quotes… such a wise and beautiful soul! But I have many chores today, so have picked just two quotes and three posters to share with you, in honor of this lovely, inspirational woman on her 85th birthday. We are blessed to have her in our midst!
April 2, 2013
In
art, craftsmanship, creativity, design, inspiration, skill
Tuesdays with Chris: “Learning to Learn”
How do we learn? In particular, how does someone who might be unfamiliar with art learn to express themselves through an art class setting? With the premise that art is about a sense of wonder and the asking of questions, Chris shares a number of fun exercises he’s used to help students find their own voice.
Whether experienced or beginning artists, I get the distinct impression that Chris has a talent, not only for clay, but for gently drawing out people’s creativity, allowing them to discover what may lie sleeping deep beneath the surface.
(If you missed my introduction about Chris Staley, master potter, educator and Penn State Laureate 2012-2013, you can read that here.) Enjoy!
March 30, 2013
In
art, color, creativity, design, drawing, illustration
The Easter Bonnet
In your easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it,
You’ll be the grandest lady in the easter parade.
I’ll be all in clover and when they look you over,
I’ll be the proudest fellow in the easter parade.
On the avenue, fifth avenue, the photographers will snap us,
And you’ll find that you’re in the rotogravure.
Oh, I could write a sonnet about your easter bonnet,
And of the girl I’m taking to the easter parade.
~ Irving Berlin
Easter seems to have come much too early this year. Whoever is in charge of the calendar must have gotten mixed up. Regardless, it is upon us; and it’s generally one of the brightest, loveliest, most cheerful holidays.
Depending on your religious association, it can also be one of the grandest. I remember one year being in Athens on Easter. There were fireworks and loud celebrations throughout the night. I had no idea! And there I’d mistakenly thought I’d get some sleep to recover from jet-lag. Apparently it’s their holiest, and most joyful celebration, a much bigger deal to the Greeks than Christmas.
My own Easter experience has been fairly mild. Happy, but certainly void of fireworks. And while not lost, bunnies and baskets and colored egg hunts seem to have masked the deeper meaning; Easter relegated to consumerism. parades and pretty pastel dresses. But at its core is “joy” ~ whether the welcoming of spring, honoring new life, or the ressurection of Jesus ~ the celebratory nature is one of hope and love and light, and all our modern material expressions are rooted in ancient history. Eggs and chicks for new life and rebirth, rabbits for fertility and abundance, and of course the less seen but still relevant Easter Bonnet.
Easter bonnets were worn long before we began celebrating Easter. The first bonnets were made by weaving a circular wreath of leaves and flowers in celebration of the coming of spring, the round shape symbolizing the cycle of the seasons, the sun’s path around the earth. While today’s Easter honors life and rebirth in more biblical terms, the symbolism remains jubilant, and the Easter bonnet is still typically round, still decorated with flowers and still a burst of pretty springtime color.
Happy Easter to you all! Wishing you much love, light and peace ~ Patricia
March 29, 2013
In
art, inspiration
How Do You Like Your Eggs?
I prefer mine over-easy, thank you, on top of a toasted, buttered english muffin. Maybe a side of pancakes or french toast. (Can we say carbohydrates?! Yea, that’s me. All that’s missing from this meal are the spuds.)
Of course if we’re not actually eating eggs, but decorating, well then, the possibilities open up nice and wide and carb-free.
We’ve had an easter-egg painting tradition in our home. There’s the standard (and not so standard) dying of real eggs ~ but our special fun was acrylic painting on egg shapes we’d cut out from some old cardboard. Punched a little hole in the top, tied with a thread. Then each year we grab a few fresh twigs from the yard, hang our artsy little eggs and we have our own homemade easter egg tree. Easy and sweet.
But that’s just us. Creativity knows no bounds and there are many, many beautifully decorated eggs out there. So I thought I’d share a few, to inspire or just to admire these adorned symbolisms of new life. (known sources are linked by clicking on image)
