New pages of life's book...

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.

St. Augustine

We are off on adventures right now so I am getting more creative with the Creative Quote.  So far I have made and given away 3 stones, but then realized I didn't have any of my creations to add to today's image (only this one I just began).  A good problem, I suppose, as I love leaving gifts with people who have added to our travel experience.

I first saw this quote a few years ago in a shack on an empty beach in Baja Mexico.  The shack was full of weather proof bins of books so that anyone who came could take or leave a book for the next traveler.  Beautiful!

Wishing you new perspectives, experiences and a traveler's spirit, where ever you are.

What is perfect?

The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection. 

~George Orwell

This can be so tricky, and is something I am working on.  We see "it" in our head, and then when "it" doesn't look like we planed, hoped, wished, then "it" isn't as beautiful. Perfection...  What is that, anyway?  I know in theory that nothing's perfect, but this quote reminds me that being human means just that- we are human and make mistakes.  So I strive for less perfectionism, more trying and enjoying life.

Here I am trying and enjoying life.  I am learning to draw figures and faces that are not flat.  This is one of my first figure drawings that incorporates layers of colour to show movement and depth.  She has a super long arm, her noes is unique and her hips just kept getting bigger, but I am trying!

So, as I learn this new skill, I plan to strive for a more realistic look, which in truth, is not perfection.

Enjoy your week!

What is in your highest good?

Trust that you know what is in your highest good.

~Sandra Kunz

I have been on a reflective journey through a workshop with Raecine Ardis and using Sandra Kunz' Messenger Cards.  These are insightful and invoke so much introspection and journaling.  This is just one simple, but impactful quote that inspires me this week.  

This reminds me to make choices that feed and help me be my highest self... to think before I purchase, or feel the rush of  rash, shortsighted decisions.  Does it match with what is in my highest goals?  

Hmm.  Lots to ponder and keep me learning and striving to embody my best self.

Wishing you a week of reflection, learning and joy.

If you are interested in her work, here is the link to her website...

http://www.youranimalspirits.com/

Silent strength

Silence is a source of great strength.

~Lao Tzu

This is the beginning of some animal totem paintings.  

The white buffalo was calling me this week.

I am working on listening and being present more often, to quiet the inner chatter.  

Silence and introspection are my friends.  

Enough said.

Find joy and learning in your mistakes

The person who doesn't make mistakes is unlikely to make anything.

Paul Arden

This quote was mentioned in an art journalling class and I wrote it as hand-lettering practice.  When I made the mistake in the word mistake I thought it was so apropos.  Then, when I was looking up who to attribute it to, I realized that it had been misquoted, and there came a second mistake to fix on my page.  So, this piece has been a lesson in being okay with mistakes.

This is something I find I am still working on.  In art journaling, your journal is supposed to be a place for collecting pieces that remind you of life, for play, exploration and consistency.  So far, for me, it has been a little of that, but mostly something I don't pick up, because the idea of working on it- of "making it beautiful" is daunting- paralyzing, actually!  So interesting, since I have felt so free to continue to mess around on new, larger pieces of paper and the work that has come from these sometimes astounds me.  Maybe it is the fact that the journal is bound and a whole statement unto itself.  This might be why many art journalers use loose leaf and then put it together after.  Well- I am still finding my way.

Interesting, since I was reading an article in Happinez magazine in which the Australian musician, Xavier Rudd, states, "Don't be afraid to fall at times.  It is the beautiful think about life: it will teach you."

In this photo I also included another learning point for myself as an artist- the fact that though these beach stones are strong and sturdy, the very fine vintage thread that I crochet around it is not.  Very late last year, when I was transporting the meditation stones I create to and from a holiday market, my friend found that a few had gotten broken in the transport.  A stinging lesson, as these were big pieces- ones I was so happy with and proud of the delicate work!

So there again, I have these three stones saved as a reminder- that life holds so many paradoxes- things can be strong yet delicate and breakable, that mistakes, though seemingly bad, can be a beautiful space for learning.

I hope you can be in the frame of being this week where you can honor, celebrate and learn from your own mistakes, while remembering to keep the grand joy of life surrounding you!

Seeking Simplicity or Sophistication...

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Leonardo da Vinci

Simplicity. 

It seems so many of us are seeking it.  I have been working to simplify my life in many ways.  This week, it was to test out simplicity in painting.  I love colour and texture and beautifully patterned layers, but there is something relaxing about seeing less.  This is a life lesson, which I have spoken about- seeing less in our house, less on our calendars and less money go out of our wallet.  It sounds so simple.  And once you achieve it, that IS an ultimate form of sophistication.

For this painting, I chose a simple Baja view, 

since my summers there have been a glimpse into the simple life...

Laugh in the sunshine

A good laugh is sunshine in a house.

~William Makepeace Thackeray

This is one side of a little bookmark I made recently that I thought I would use today. Life has been busy, but beautiful.  When I began this challenge I wanted to ensure I was creating consistently, while spreading my love of quotes.  I am proud to say I am doing both!  This week I created at least 5 new stones, 4 paintings and 5 small drawn pieces like this.  Not bad for a working girl.

Wishing you a good laugh this week!