Monday, May 31, 2010

is your imagination out of focus?



Art and Soul Radio's Musing for the week...

One of my favorite writers, Mark Twain said “You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” What helps you bring your imagination into focus so you can really see what is?

My musings on the quote: mindfulness...it takes practice to live fully in the moment and be present in your life...fully and mindfully experiencing all your senses, often will unleash vivid imaginings and delightful bouts of creativity...

it rained during my morning walk along the beach...i noticed other people scurrying off the beach...i stayed and felt the drops hit my arms and face and clothing...they were neither hot nor cold, yet the breeze from the ocean cooled my skin and felt good...

the soft rain added a fresh, clean fragrance to the salty sea air...i breathed deeply...it tasted salty on my lips as an upward curving of the corners of the mouth indicated pleasure...



the drops made a soft tapping sound as they fell on the ocean and sand...i stood and listened to the rhythm of the rain as it mixed with the sound of the waves as they moved toward shore...

i searched for a rainbow...there was none...however, i noticed the patterns the drops of rain created in the shallow water near shore...i tried to capture the circular shapes as they expanded and grew into one another...i took several photos as i watched the ever-changing patterns form and reform like an infinite kaleidoscope...knowing these patterns will find their way into my art...



when the rain stopped i noticed two feathers floating in the water...they created intricate dance patterns as they bobbed about...twisting and turning...growing close then separating...i watched this performance for quite some time until a large wave washed them from my sight...

mindfulness takes time and a commitment to yourself...i made such a vow years ago when i moved to this tiny island in the atlantic...i would take a mindful, prayerful meditative walk by the sea every morning as long as i was able...at this moment i am able...

Saturday, May 29, 2010

CreaTive Retreat 2010...

i am back home from a month-long teaching tour and retreat in the mountains of north carolina...


i taught 3 classes

and was even able to sneak in a class of my own with Martine House, fiber artist...called Fiber Fun Surface Design...i learned so much that will add to my painted purses class next year

a magic cloth piece with water-soluble stabilizer, found stick & leaf, beading


detail



sampler piece with dyed silk, manipulated tyvek, gold foiling, cording, free-motion embroidery, beading



sampler piece with dyed silk, manipulated tyvek on mesh, gold hot glue embellishment, machine embroidery, beading



painted/manipulated tyvek, tyvek beads



cording & free-motion embroidery on purse, silk cloth with machine embroidery & found feather



sampler piece on rusted cotton, beading with found objects

i promise more photos of the classes and the mountains to come...