Thursday 27 March 2008

Journal Focus

This is what I've been up to lately - a bit of focus on my journal. Journaling is just great and I'm gradually getting a feel for it. I love the way layer upon layer of 'whatever turns you on' is added to your pages, to make something that is so unique to you. It is only finished when you say so. This page of mine will maybe get some more words added later, when they come to me.

Have you visited Suziblu? It is ever inspiring to watch Suzi embellish her journal. Just when I'm thinking how beautiful it all looks, she will gesso over it and paint something equally cool over the top! You are in charge of what happens on your page. There is no censor and the only critic is you, if you choose to be one.

Speaking of being a critic - I would love to show you a self-portrait sketch that I also made in my journal, but it just doesn't look like me! I have left it there with words to that effect and will make another one soon. It's a good opportunity to make smiles at yourself in the mirror!

Friday 14 March 2008

Forget Everything


I have just finished reading yet another book on spirituality The Red Book, by Sarah Beak and I think I may have just satisfied my yearnings, for the time being. I know this book has been around for a while, having seen it recommended on a few blogs that I have visited. I enjoyed the lightness of this book.

To me, it was a lovely mix of the many books I have read on the subject over the years, with the addition of a great chapter on sexuality and its relationship to spirituality. You are encouraged to seek the origins of teachings on religions of the world, and to stick your toe into whatever speaks to you, whether it's dream interpretation, creative journaling, using your intuition, goddesses, meditation ..... in order to determine that which 'ignites your divine spark.'

Ulimately Sara Beak comes to the same conclusions that the authors of the many other books I have read have come to; Breathe in, breathe out, be grateful, love, be aware of your energy and your connectedness with others, be yourself. Whatever it is you want to do, do it now, live life. I think you get the picture. And what do I now think after all the reading I have done? I believe this poetry says it all;

Forget Everything

If someone says,

“To be enlightened you must fast and pray all night,”

Have dinner and go to bed.

If you see a sign, “This way to salvation,”

run the other way.

If someone says, “This book is the truth, you can buy it from me,”

Take your money and buy grapes and roses.

If someone says, “He’s talking tonight, thousands will be saved.”

Go for a walk…listen to the birds and watch the clouds,

and leave your backpack, your Bible and your Buddha under a tree

and hope they will be gone when you return.

Where we are going you can’t carry anything, not even your name.

If there is logic in the above, be afraid, it’s a lie.

But if you feel something in your chest as beautiful as the grass beneath your feet,

be grateful…open your arms

and forget everything you ever thought you knew.

- John Squadra - This Ecstasy


Tuesday 11 March 2008

Rewind

Last year, as you may remember, I was motivated to; create a new header for this blog, create a current self-portrait, immerse myself in the joys of journalling, illustrate a book of my own poetry (partially complete), complete a cat painting. Then this year more inspiration bouncing around in my head. Arrgh! Time to rewind!

Most of these things have not yet happened and so I have decided to take a look at each idea again. I have been out in the garden mostly, doing autumn chores under gorgeous blue skies and doing handyman things like re-painting the laundry and the fuse box, getting quotes for new blinds on certain windows - everything in our eleven year old house seems to have had a ten year expiry date!

The thing is that all these creative ideas have been swimming their way to the surface, appearing in 'bubbles' over my head for a few moments while raking leaves or digging a hole for a new plant. More still have been percolating nicely for a while. Others are just colourful sparks. The break from making art has been good.

So to start the ball rolling I have been playing with my blog header and will probably change this at whim. I hope you enjoy the new look. And as Bohemian Mom commented recently, "now, back to your art" !