Drink in the night!

Dance beneath the stars as you drink in the night.

~Christy Ann Martine

It was the language that caught my eye for this quote.  I love the idea that you could drink it in so fully that you might become drunk on the night!  I have been realizing how much movement is important to keeping us fresh- dance, music, hiking, embodiment practices, etc.  And the stars are always out, no matter if we can see them or not, so anytime is a great time to dance and drink in your movement.

This painting:  Silhouettes seem such a simplified message, without getting too caught up in the details.  We can do that sometimes in life.  I also love ancient rock and cave paintings and etchings, and for this painting, I wanted to capture the movement and simplicity that those can convey.

I hope you find some movement and simplicity under the stars this week!

Listen to the wind

So I listened to the wind for the answer.

~Martin Sexton

I love the simplicity of this quote.  

This might just be the answer to many problems, large and small.  

Maybe time and nature are all we need to solve our troubles. 

(If we let go and  allow them to be solved.)

This painting:

I've been practicing faces and watercolor- which, as a medium, can seem so elusive and unforgiving.  It is coming along, but an still striving for a more "effortless" feel.  Maybe I need to go listen to the wind and let it come together when it comes. I am enjoying the journey!

Enjoy your week!

Little Magic Things

The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper. 

~W.B.Yeats

I love collecting random finds- mostly from nature, but I do have a collection of mangled metal things, having lived in "the city" all my life.  I love looking for the unexpected, the beautiful in little things that have been dropped or have fallen to the ground.  Nature leaves us such lovely gifts.  I hope we can continue to find ways to be more present and alert to notice and enjoy these unique finds.

This painting:  I am constantly drawn to both chaotic, lively slashes of colour, texture and imagery, and to paintings that minimally share such simple beauty.  Here is one where I was trying the later.  I have been enjoying my Senelier watercolours and will soon be dabbling in Daniel Smith watercolours, too.   So little time, so many beautiful supplies to test out!

Enjoy the little magic things this week!

Life flows on...

Life flows on within you and without you.

~George Harrison

This quote always intrigues me and leaves me thinking of the layers it has to offer.  I am lucky to have a Mum who loved the Beatles, so that, growing up, I was able to find their "amazingness" and lay for hours listening and contemplating life.  I love them all, but George may have been my favourite.  He wrote some deep songs.  What does this quote mean to you?  Oh the possibilities...

This painting:
As with life, I had a different vision before I began, but this turned into something else entirely.  Both the piece still in my head, and the actual result are beautiful, so this keeps me painting.  I used an Aquaboard for this, and the possibility of the unknown is always the draw.  I added so much liquid- water and ink, that these abstract swirling trees flowed and this quote came to mind.  And so I decided to leave it as is and not try to embellish the flow.    (This is glittering and amazing in person, so I am realizing that I may need to take that Jane Davenport course where I learn to scan my images sooner than later...)  If you are ever nearby and want to see it in person, then that can be arranged... ;)

The other painting to go with the other quote may come to be on another day.

Enjoy the flow.