Loving my life...

I have been a little blue lately, due mostly to those darn hormones, but today the clouds lifted and I realized again for the millionth time that to be happy one must accept what is, and not just accept it, but embrace it, love it even. This is my wish: To fall in love with my life, just as it is warts and all. I may paint for the rest of my life and never make a living at it, I love painting and will do it even if I never sell another painting, so why be sad because I am not one of the lucky few who make it? I may never meet a man I can love and live with (sometimes it is hard to find that perfect combination :-), but I have tons of lovely friends and my four animal boys, so I am never lonely and I am a loner by nature, so perhaps it is a blessing in disguise. I will trust that whatever is going on in my life, it is there for a reason, a teaching or a blessing and all I have to do is accept it and find the good. This way of life is also informed by being brave, since I have been doing the be brave project, I have learned that whenever I get scared, I remember how brave I am and it makes me more brave (did that make sense?). Brave enough to put one foot in front of the other and trust that I can do whatever I have to and be happy doing it :-).
What did you have to accept lately and what were you brave about this week?
XOXO

Random thoughts...

This is another photo of Taos mountain. I take a lot of photos of this mountain because it is an awesome presence in this town. The energy it exudes is very powerful. This mountain is the reason I live here, the first year, I cried whenever I looked at it. It still moves me in a way I can't describe.

I just returned from helping my friend J load his mom's stuff in a truck(she is moving to Dallas) and also helping were friends J and L. I like to think of them as my posse of men. I love them very much and my best friend in the world is J, not sure I could get along without him, I feel so close to him he is like my brother. We had a blast today and had a little party after loading the truck. Drinks were served :-).

I have been thinking a lot about my art and why it is not out in the world yet. I don't have any easy answers. I do believe my work is good and deserves better than is gets. Sometimes I just think it is the luck of the draw, or who you know, or perhaps it is fate. I am a bit tired of the struggle and have decided to stop struggling, just do the art and let the chips fall where they may. I am no longer going to knock my head on gallery doors.

So there, that is what is on my mind today. I am off to do Christmas stuff, like make out cards and make a list of what I still have to do before I leave on my trip.

Happy Sunday all. XOXO

Goofy

This is Max being bad. He loves the sink, so I have to constantly clean it. When I cook I have to keep him occupied otherwise he harasses me, so the other day I gave him a fresh string bean to play with, he loved it and played with it for hours, so yesterday I bought a bag of beans just for him. A fresh one everyday :-). He brought me one last night to throw and I think I threw it about 20 times. Okay, I admit it, my cats are weird :-) and so am I :-). Happy Friday. XOXO

What I have been up to...

I have been deep in making Christmas cards for family

and friends. I finished them this Sunday and can now work

on some other art projects. I started a med-large bowl and

soon I will be working on a large painting and my very neglected

book. My plan is to work on the book all Winter and be done by Spring.

I also want to get better with my ceramics.

Besides work and running and cards, I have not been doing much.

Feeling very antisocial and have not been wanting to even return phone

calls. I am a bit of a hermit and I can go long stretches without

seeing or talking to another person. I love people, don't get me wrong,

but I have to be in the mood.

I am getting excited about going home (Portland Oregon) for

the holidays. I have not been home over Christmas for a few years.

I will miss my animal boys, but I found a great pet sitter and will feel

fine leaving them with her.

This seems like a very boring post to me, but I will let it stand as

information you can take or leave :-) as you wish.

Happy Wednesday.

Spread a little love

As an artist, I am struggling to get myself out there into the world.
Someone once said (I forget who), that a piece of art does not really live
until it is seen by others. I think in a way they are right. In an effort
to help other artists, I am linking you to a few artists that I think you
will admire. I may make this a weekly or bi-weekly thing. Please go give
them some blog love :-).
First up is a dear woman and a kindred spirit, Lisa Plummer, she
does art straight from her heart. Then there is Paula Snyder, she
is an artist who lives in my state and she paints delightful, colorful
paintings that will lift your spirits. Last but not least is Sukipoet,
who is a very inventive and soulful artist.
XOXO

Rumi poem

Rumi's The Guest House:

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.


For me this poem is a reason to live.
It tells you everything you need to know
for a happy life: Don't resist, flow. XOXO
P.S. I got this poem at Mermaid's blog
and she was happy to share :-).

Award time!

The lovely Dagny gave me this award ages ago and I am just

now getting to it.

My 5 Fabulous Addictions:

1. Art, in all forms. I love looking at it, making it and reading about it.

2. Reading. I mostly go for stellar fiction, I don't read junk. I also like

non fiction books on art and spirituality.

3. Movies, again it has to be a good film, I hate wasting 2 hours watching

crap.

4. Running. I hope I can run until I am dead :-).

5. Animals, all kinds, but mostly cats, dogs, horses and goats. Yes, goats, I love em to bits.

Here are the rules to receiving this award:1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gidget.Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

Okay, here are my award winners:

1.The wonderful Sukipoet.

2.The delightful Pia.

3.My lovely friend M.Kate.

4.Robin, great photographer and writer!

5. And the amazing Melanie.

It was hard to pick just five, as I think you are all wonderful, so go ahead

and take this award if you so desire.

Happy day after Thanksgiving! I am cleaning house, how about you?