greetings everyone,
I subscribe to Robert Genn's Painter's Keys. He recently had an interesting quote:
PS: "Major life events can paralyze your creativity. If you uncover what's going on behind the 'big picture,' though, you can bring yourself back into being in the moment and loving your life." (Guillermo Cuellar)
I agree with Robert, and with Cuellar - major life events, even good ones, can greatly affect creativity.
When I read this quote, I must say I felt a bit relieved. Over the past two months, I have had my share of illnesses, and I am still a bit under the weather with a sinus infection that won't let go. And during this time, my creativity has suffered. On the flip side, I have had more time to think, and let ideas percolate.
My husband and I went to the Florida Keys this past week. I wasn't sure I even wanted to go, but I am glad I did. One of the highlights of the trip was having a first encounter with Key deer. These miniature deer are only 26-32 inches tall, and they only live on a few of the Keys. Naturalists think that these deer were separated from the mainland deer during the last ice age, about 12-13,000 years ago. Their small size matches the land area and vegetative growth they need to survive. As an endangered species, the deer have developed a fondness for people. Although it is illegal to feed them, many of the locals do give them bits of vegetables and fruit. And instead of being nocturnal, they are on the same time schedule as humans.
Our first encounter was with three deer. They all licked my fingers. My husband spent several minutes scratching the ears and face of a small male. After they realized we had no people food to give them, they went about their business. We went into the refuge, and around every curve, we saw deer, eating and laying down, soaking up the winter sun. None of them seemed to fear us.
The Keys are mostly an unspoiled landscape (except for Key West, which is a real tourist trap). I took a few hundred pictures of the clear water, the mangrove trees, and coconut and palm trees. Presently, I am working on a series of palm frond paintings. The light on the fronds was beautiful, and I hope I can do them justice.
Back to major life events - even though I was not feeling well most of the trip, the experience was unforgettable and nourishing. For a little while, I forgot all of my petty problems, and experienced the harmony and healing beauty of nature. I really didn't want to come home.
It snowed this week. Another beautiful gift - the whiteness of the snow provides a tremendous amount of reflected sunlight - just what we all need in the dead of winter - lots of light!
As I continue in this New Year, I can feel a major shift in my thinking, and I am learning to channel negative events into my right hemisphere, and find the positive message. I think that is a good way to approach the winter cold and darkness - to find the light and warmth.
paint yourself a great day,
Cathy
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Adversity
A Happy New year to all!
My New year didn't start out so well. I was in the hospital the first part of December of 2008, then I when I returned home, I seemed to catch every bug and flu going around.
I feel much better, though a bit rattled by the whole ordeal. Back at my easel, the doubts of whether I can still paint keep running through my tired head.
Adversity teaches us to be patient. We are not in control of very much of anything. All we can control is how we react to various stimuli. That's about it. We cannot control anything happening outside of ourselves. The realization of how little control we have comes with adversity.
In adverse situations, we just have to let go, and let the universe do its thing. Through adversity, I learned that we are not complete little laptops that can be plugged in and always perform up to a given standard. We are human, and we are frail creatures. Think about it. We need water everyday, several times, and we need a constant intake of nutrients, just to stay alive. We need other humans to help us. We cannot do much by ourselves.
Not meaning to start the New year off with a negative frame of mind, I want to put the positive spin on this. By needing other people, the need goes both ways. Artists need to create art that other people need in order to enjoy. Art, without someone appreciating it, is not really art. And how can something be self-expression, if no one hears it, or sees it? For example, Van Gogh's art was never even considered beautiful until after his death. That is unfortunate for poor Vincent, but we have so much more in the way of getting ourselves out there than he did.
I don't know if anyone out there even reads my stories. Eventually, someone will. I am putting myself out there, because somewhere along the line, someone will connect with what I have to share. If I can positively affect one person, I am happy with my efforts.
Generally, speaking, adversity stinks. But accepting our humanness and limitations can be a very liberating thing. Knowing that we aren't all knowing is freeing. Knowing that we need other people is comforting. And knowing that we will be ill, is knowing that there will be someone to care for us. And expecting that things may go wrong makes the inevitable easier to swallow.
So this year, I start off by embracing my limitations - all the bumps and warts that make me human. Beyond that, I just hope i get the opportunity to paint, and make someone happy. To ask for little is to receive a lot.
Best wishes to all,
Cathy
My New year didn't start out so well. I was in the hospital the first part of December of 2008, then I when I returned home, I seemed to catch every bug and flu going around.
I feel much better, though a bit rattled by the whole ordeal. Back at my easel, the doubts of whether I can still paint keep running through my tired head.
Adversity teaches us to be patient. We are not in control of very much of anything. All we can control is how we react to various stimuli. That's about it. We cannot control anything happening outside of ourselves. The realization of how little control we have comes with adversity.
In adverse situations, we just have to let go, and let the universe do its thing. Through adversity, I learned that we are not complete little laptops that can be plugged in and always perform up to a given standard. We are human, and we are frail creatures. Think about it. We need water everyday, several times, and we need a constant intake of nutrients, just to stay alive. We need other humans to help us. We cannot do much by ourselves.
Not meaning to start the New year off with a negative frame of mind, I want to put the positive spin on this. By needing other people, the need goes both ways. Artists need to create art that other people need in order to enjoy. Art, without someone appreciating it, is not really art. And how can something be self-expression, if no one hears it, or sees it? For example, Van Gogh's art was never even considered beautiful until after his death. That is unfortunate for poor Vincent, but we have so much more in the way of getting ourselves out there than he did.
I don't know if anyone out there even reads my stories. Eventually, someone will. I am putting myself out there, because somewhere along the line, someone will connect with what I have to share. If I can positively affect one person, I am happy with my efforts.
Generally, speaking, adversity stinks. But accepting our humanness and limitations can be a very liberating thing. Knowing that we aren't all knowing is freeing. Knowing that we need other people is comforting. And knowing that we will be ill, is knowing that there will be someone to care for us. And expecting that things may go wrong makes the inevitable easier to swallow.
So this year, I start off by embracing my limitations - all the bumps and warts that make me human. Beyond that, I just hope i get the opportunity to paint, and make someone happy. To ask for little is to receive a lot.
Best wishes to all,
Cathy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)