The Core Values of Art

1. Art and play are the same practice.


2. Art is life - Life is Art. Create the type that makes you deeply happy.


3. To succeed, allow difficulties to grow and change into self-directed persistence by watering your own root. Persistence is the key to success. Your only job is to remain engaged in creative work.


4. Master self doubt. It is the only force that can keep you imprisoned. There is never a right way to do art.


5. Begin again. The magic gifts of your creative output await you and the world. Imagine if VanGogh would have given up.


6. Just paint. Everything you need will follow. Markets always exist and pay well for truthful art from your heart. Believe me!


7. Practice stepping away and seeing from every possible angle and perspective. This is where you will find the freedom to grow. Try to suspend time. Develop self-compassion.


8. Find mentors who can't possibly teach you what they know in your lifetime and spend infinite time by their sides.


9. Encouragement is the key.

Excerpt from Carole Watanabe's book, The Ecstatic Marriage of Life and Art.

In Progress

I hope to finish these in the next couple of weeks.

Equal Time

ISIS

Her full name is Isisgloria. When I first got her I couldn't decide which name to give her so she got both. She is 16 years old, 6 pounds and has only a couple of teeth left. But that doesn't stop her from eating dry food or her favorite chews.

She is not a sweet cat, except with me. In fact many of my friends have never seen her. She hides anytime someone comes over. What she lacks in size, she makes up in attitude. She D E S P I S E S Aria. Attacks her whenever she sees fit. Aria deserves it sometimes but not always. We have a battle every morning, who gets to go out first. I just open the door and let them battle it out.

Monster Dog Strikes Again

Don't let this face fool you.

So I'm in the back of the house ironing my shirt for work and I hear noises in the kitchen. My first thought is that Aria is into something but I'm sure that I didn't leave anything out on the counter. Wrong! She ate my entire salad! I didn't put the top on after I put the dressing (Raspberry vinaigrette) on it.

It was a good salad, spinach, roasted cauliflower, tomato, cucumber, onion, avocado, almonds, soy meatless something or other, and blue cheese.

She ate it all. Not a spec left. You would have thought it was a clean container except it was on the floor and she was standing over it, licking her chops looking like she wanted more!

Anyone who knows Weimaraners, knows they have boundless energy, an insatiable appetite, and are very loyal and loving. She is 14 years old and is just now starting to act like a normal dog, or so I thought.

BTW, I had cottage cheese for lunch. She would have like that too.

My desk at work

I work for a high end upholstery and drapery editor. I work in Product Development; working with the owner of the company creating two collections a year. Right now I am working on the September 2009 collection and the two collections for next year. Needless to say I am overloaded with samples of fabric. I'd like to organize, but if I move anything, my boss will freak.

I thought I would post some artsy shot of beautiful fabric. But then I thought you should see reality. Here are a couple of photos of my desk. And this is a good day. I can find the phone!

So last night while working on our encaustic paintings, we were discussing memorable visits to the dentist. And Sue says "On my deathbed I will say 'At least I won't have to go to the dentist anymore.'"

I am still laughing!

Birthday Present

Hey look at this.

Spanish yarn from real spanish sheep. Beautiful colors of deep purple and lime green. All you knit is Love. Interesting the way they wrap a skein; I have no idea how much yarn is here. Lately I've been felting anything that isn't nailed down and this is 100% wool. I wonder what I should make?

Many Thanks

to sillyak for adding this blog to his links. Check out his caboose restoration pictures and the jack in the beanstalk cactus!