Growth

I have a new painting to share this morning, early afternoon already!

http://www.amyjackson.cc/paintings/atacamachile.html

This painting is from a photograph that my dear friend Talia shared with everyone, and allows me to paint from ... so grateful, although the colors and shapes are most distinct from the photo, they are now related ... my next work is to be a 22 x 30 inch pastel on paper of the same photograph ... 

The studio is full of paintings, whose edges are being carefully painted in Prussian Blue, which is painstaking.  The paint is lovely, deep and full of pigment, but unlike some flat edge colors I like to use, it takes several careful layers -- as each stroke is marked, I do very long strokes for the entire edge.  Dry for a day.  Do over.  This for four edges.  It takes time and I don't want them to be wet when it's time to wrap them for the February 13 show.  I'm looking forward to finishing all the edges and moving these on out.  I think this is where the Craft of what I do comes through, that I care about the edges and make them just so, especially since the acrylic canvases are 1.5 inches deep and unframed.  

It is a particularly gray day and I had to fight not to go back to bed, I mean what is stopping me, but I finished the painting instead, for which I'm most grateful.  Although I was scared to touch it, but I found shell-like highlights in the middle range mountain that I like, like an iris or flowerbonemountain, hee. Much credit to all the work of Georgia O'Keeffe.  I see her in my work and I try to communicate something new to her memory.

That was such a huge theme of mine at the time of writing Memiel, the dialogue of the creatives -- I felt so very isolated.  Sometimes I still do, and I'm glad I was writing actively when that happened, but I'm much more at home in myself and less needing some other to complete me.  Longing never ceases, in some form or another, but at least I'm more able to give myself TLC than before.  

So I'm looking forward to the new pastel, the pencil sketch from Talia's photo, and then explore with sensual layers of dusty color/pigment.  I'm thinking of how I construct and create with pastels to try to imagine how to explain it to others for the first time, hopefully to the participants of the weekend workshops in July, fingers crossed, for the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah.  What an honor! I can't hardly wait, and yet I'm flustered by the responsibility.  I know myself well enough that I will overprepare for my role of instructor, laughing at myself.  So eventually no worries on that point.

Into this gray day, grey day, I will insert a new image, a sketch, the beginnings of a landscape of dust ...

Turning a Corner

Goals so far into the year, July is as far as it goes out now, are written! charted/tabled as it were -- a course of adventure -- so tangible to see them on the computer as a tool again and not something I'm scared to create, in fact, I hadn't stopped creating, because many things for the New Year are already in process -- to print it out and share it with Jason, who is also working on his goals -- so now it's a communication tool -- for our dreams -- in our hands --

Yesterday Chipper's harness broke and we had to get a new one -- but they have this new universal design, you understand since 2004 when we bought his first harness, that we can't for the life of us figure out in the store -- two staff come to help us, and they are also initially confused by the design -- but it works, we are set -- who would have thought we would be so challenged by such a simple thing? too funny --

Last night I ordered my crystals from Chrysalis Stone and should get them this week -- so excited -- so, for skeptics -- yesterday I hadn't meditated with the crystals for two days, just had done my basic meditation as I usually do -- but yesterday I thought hey, it's worth a try to shift this sadness from my side -- and sure enough, after ten minutes with them on four of my chakras, I felt like I was more aware of the light in the room, like I was myself, brighter, less sad -- so, hey -- if it works --

I've almost finished the current painting, and am looking forward to exploring the same Atacama photograph in pastels next time -- the current piece just needs a little tweaking with a fine brush, some highlights and shadows to enhance the structure and flow of the landscape -- so, soon come to share a new work!

Sources

I'm so excited to share that I've donated three large red canna floral close-ups -- metallic framed prints, to the American Red Cross Heart Gala coming up on February 5 in the Baltimore Harbor.  What an honor!

"Our creative dreams and yearnings come from a divine source. As we move toward our dreams, we move toward our divinity."  from the Basic Principles, The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron.

Do I deserve to move toward my dreams? I still ask myself after reading that. Are dreams the same as goals? If so, I'm late on making mine for this year, some kind of bad luck for not doing that before the end of the month of January? I have one from last year, starting in October, a table in Word with columns for Painting, Photography, Writing and Music -- what to do I want to do to challenge myself in each medium? mmmm, still not sure -- a great exercise tho -- and what about Health, Friends, Family, and pure old Fun? and as I tick things off the list, we hope, am I making my dreams come true? ... better get right on that -- a spiritual exercise --

Yoga is like really slow body-sculpting. Heh. That's what it feels like.  I decided at the turn of the year, that, at 46 now, I'm at a key point in my life where I can regain some of what I've lost, but only if I start now. Jason would beg to say that I'm fine as I am, which I am -- but you know I want to be STRONG again.  That will take time and practice, determination and willpower. A goal for health ...

In scanning the chakras each day when I'm meditating, with or without the crystals, each of them has its own voice that calls out, with strengths, with problems, sadness, loss, sensitivity after traumas, weakness -- I've noticed that my solar plexus seems to be the most sensitive, the chakra with the meditation "I do," versus others like "I am" or "I speak" -- also fraught with self-doubt and that familiar bruised feeling.  I just have to vet all this stuff, but I do so much, even with resting half-days, that I wonder why "I do" is hurting so badly.

Which swings me around to the goal sheet exercise again -- see the pattern, no matter what I do? Maybe the "I do" chakra, needs to feel deeply connected to my daily I do's -- toward goals, toward dreams -- could it be that easy? Prolly not, but worth a determined effort this year for sure --

Artist Pages

Have you all heard of the book, The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron? It's a great way to explore any blocks you have to any aspect of your creativity and inspiration, following through. I've learned so much from it, and have actually not finished the workbook, needing to go back and do some of the exercises -- so I'm still learning from it.

One of the tools of the workbook is to write at least a page of anything that comes to mind first thing in the morning, but there is a framework of ten basic principles to consider while doing this, including "Creativity is God's gift to us. Using creativity is our gift back to God." Wonderful thoughts like that.

It also reminds me of the principle of being a co-creator with God, from my readings of Deepak Chopra. Initially that sounds very pretentious, but it does involve sitting back and observing most of the time, keeping one's perspective in a loving, non-judgmental space. When you observe like that, you can see patterns and flows in the day and you can jump in and out when you want, but usually it's better to go with the flow. And you are creating when you participate in the day, being fully present.  So by kind of getting a sense on when to create and when to meditate, a really nice spiritual environment and relationship with that flow, that of God, in every moment, is a more intimate one. So it isn't really pretentious at all, it's more about developing your peace with the way things are and what you can do about it to make it a better place with God in mind, heart and deed. Really empowering stuff, and freeing.

I seem to be in a solid daily pattern now of doing my yoga and some pt exercises in the mornings before taking Chipper for walkies.  That was my pattern, up to three yoga practices a day at some times -- about this time a year ago, so I'm glad to be in that groove again.  Yoga and meditation are so very important in my life. I've noticed it's easier to walk for longer distances again with Chipper, although this morning we cut it short because the wind chill is 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Saw my friend Linda out there headed to the library, which is right next to the bog, but it was too cold for us to talk at all.

Feeling a bit isolated by the weather although fun things are happening this year.  Winter tends to make me more pensive and reflective, and I tend to kind of hibernate, to want to snuggle in bed longer each morning -- but no can do.  Thankfully, Chipper gives me a major routine to follow each day, and such joy.  Such a dear Beagle Corgi mix that is our wonderful dog, eight years old, we think, now.  He was a rescue but perfectly well trained, when we adopted him in 2004, fairly soon after we got married. He is a dog with a thousand nicknames, but we call him the Buddha as well, he is such a calm beastie.

So on to create today, and to submit some photographs of Cumberland Island, The Grayscale Project this am for a group show contest. Fingers crossed I get in!

Purpose

So why create a blog after all this time?

• I'm a writer, I should be writing more every day.
• I'm an artist and I like to share my creative process, upcoming events, news, etc.
• I've been sending out an update email every monthish for years now to stay in touch with folks near and far. Now I'll be sending them a link to this blog. 
• Why not share my perspectives, especially on the creative process, with the wider group of folks who like to play on my website?

So, here goes ...

Getting ready to work on the painting of the moment, which looks to me like Mars but it's really Atacama, Chile --

I have to be in the mood to paint or I won't care enough to paint with precision. When I'm in the mood to paint and am able to, it feels like flying.

I love painting to music, and listen to Radio Paradise on my computer in the studio 24/7, except for when we are sleeping.  They are very worthy of support!

When I'm walking my dog, Chipper, in the mornings, we pass by a tiny wetland we call The Bog.  As a painter/photographer, I notice the colors, textures and watery/icy surfaces, gnarled trees, delicate grasses -- when I notice more out there, I know I'm almost ready to paint/create, because that side of me is awake.

Last week and the week before I had a great wall of sadness to work through, but Sunday morning I awoke with a lightness, a freshness.  I still feel that lightness, and the shadow of sadness remains but is lessened. The painting has come along accordingly this week, as I've been able to move forward again.

I've been working with healing and cleansing the chakras for the past few weeks as well, to help balance my way through all that sadness, and it has helped immensely to have a distracting super powerful structure of energy to rely upon and focus my healing efforts. I even pulled out the only four beautiful white quartz crystals, so I can work on at least four chakras at a time that way for now.  We are looking into a site that offers high quality crystals online for very reasonable prices:  http://chrysalistone.com -- they look very reputable -- we'll see --

Such a lovely snow came over night -- not too messy out there, so it qualifies as a "pretty snow" -- since I grew up in Georgia, the snow was rare for us growing up, so I appreciate it and a true Winter very much, though I do miss the humidity of the South to this day -- hee -- I love the heat!

So very cozy this morning with my mug of decaf -- yay!

January Update

Wait, it's a New Year! I'm so psyched! Happy New Year to you all and best wishes for 2011! I hope you had great holidays with your loved ones and that you also are excited about the promise of the time ...

I know we are all saddened by the violent tragedy in Arizona over the weekend -- healing thoughts to all affected, and hugs to all of you! Life is so precious -- I appreciate all of you!

Painting

Save the Date!  I am most honored to let you know that I will be having a solo show of my most recent tropical landscape paintings for the Menare Foundation Benefit Concert at the Montgomery College, Takoma Park, Cultural Arts Center, on February 13, 7:30 pm -- please see the attached flyer for more information, such as the amazing performing arts line-up for the night! My paintings will be featured at the concert's after-party, and for 4-6 weeks following that.  Please do save the date and I will definitely send more information as tickets become available!

I finished off the year with a mini, 12 x 12 painting, called Caribbean for Matisse 2 -- for a contest to which I submitted in NYC -- fingers crossed for that, eh? I had to resist the urge to continue this new subseries inspired by Matisse and my love for the tropics ... because of the New Year I decided to challenge myself with a painting of a photograph taken by our dear friend Talia in Atacama, Chile. I have completed the pencil sketch on the canvas and this morning, I began mixing the colors and painting darks first.

You can see all of last year's paintings at the following link:

http://www.amyjackson.cc/paintings/2010.html

2011 Paintings section coming very soon!

Puffin Grant Application

I submitted an emerging artist grant proposal to the Puffin Foundation to offset the cost of art supplies for the participants in the weekend of painting and pastel workshops for the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, in Cedar City, Utah, most likely July 21-26. Will hear news on the grant in May, so gathering funds where we may ... speaking of which ...

Blick Art Materials Affiliate

I was doing research for the Puffin grant application mentioned above, when I found out online about Blick Art Materials' Affliate Program -- I submitted my website link and they approved me for commission of any sales that go through them by clicking on the Blick Artist Materials logo on the front of my website -- I have been getting my canvases, paint and pastels from them for many years now -- can't recommend their range of brands or great prices enough! So if you need art supplies, and order through my site, I get a commission! just a thought --

Developed a wish list through Blick Artist Materials online site, for the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah in my name -- if we get the grant we are great to cover it, but if not Jason and I will come up with the funds needed in time -- we are committed to making this happen for them!

In Sum ...

More things may be happening positively in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned -- please do write me a note when you get the chance -- I love hearing from you all!

Take care,

Amy :)