Day 124 - Officially

Watercolor
I got behind again in my posts but with Day 124 I am officially caught up. I hope I can paint more tomorrow but house cleaning beckons. Surprisingly I'm looking forward to it. Art isn't the only therapy.

Day 123 - Friday_Deux

Watercolor
I think I've posted about Fridays before and how much I love them. They are MY personal day and night (most of the time) although I do work every Friday. It is one of the few moments of the week that I feel I get to myself, and do just what I want to do. I had plans but canceled them so I could paint and watch sci-fi, two of my favorite things to do. Can you say geek city?

Day 122 - Living

The rest of Day 121 List:

6. See a rut as an opportunity for change.
7. Any moment can bring an awakening to what really matters.
8. Experience your spirituality as a gift and a process.
9. Reverse the golden rule: Treat yourself as you treat others.
10.Dreams give your life color and momentum. Let them inspire your passions and propel you forward.

Artwork forthcoming!

Day 121 - Whole

Watercolor

Thoughts on Whole Living from July/August 2006 Body and Soul:

1. Calm is a place you create in the midst of chaos.
2. Take comfort in the uneventful.
3. Kindness is in our nature; practice giving and receiving it freely.
4. For a centered spirit and a quieter mind, commit to a daily walk.
5. Think of sleep as a ritual; prepare for it each night.

Day 120 - Finishing

Unfinished Watercolor
I have learned a great deal about finishing the race, finishing the course, finishing the painting and not finishing my french fries. It's been a good 120 days of painting and drawing in that it's given me insight into completing projects. I can do it when I am compelled but I am only compelled out of a self driven nature. You can't make anyone do anything they are not ready to do unless they are in jail or a hospital. I like finishing, but it's a struggle for me and may always be.

Day 119 - Exhaustion

Unfinished Watercolor of greenhouse - large project
I am exhausted from work and all the projects I am trying to complete. Not sure what to cut out but I have an idea...

Day 118 - Painting

Drawing for Watercolor Portrait
I am finding this process of creating 365 days exhilarating, daunting and a mystical challenge. At times I can't wait to get to my paints, create a new drawing and let the color explode. At other times, I drag to the palette and canvas and get only a few strokes completed before calling it a night. The important part is that I'm showing up to do the job so I know it will eventually reveal a creative process that will become my personal gift that no one can take away.

Day 117 - Think

Watercolor - Cedar Grove Tulips
My Dad had a phrase for everything, but one of the ones that I think of often is TTT. Think Things Through. Anytime I'm about to make a rash, quick, impulsive, important decision, I hear my Dad's voice in my head. I haven't always heeded his good advice, but I find myself doing it more and more lately. Lots to TTT.

Day 116 - Back

Watercolor. Start of Tulip Study
I am learning more than I thought possible this year, especially in the last 6 months. If I have learned ANYTHING, which I hope I will retain, it's that we can't go back - ever. I can't have my husband back, I can't get my son's father back and I can't undo things I've already done. But this one thing I can do...forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. (Philippians 3:13) I am all about moving forward, learning from the past, but not wanting to go back. That is the beauty of the present and of life.

Day 115 - Grateful_Again

Watercolor of my niece Kelly
I spent the afternoon and evening with my son. I hadn't seen him for almost 6 weeks (a long time for us nowadays) because of a work assignment he had out of the country. Today was a great reunion. He is happy, and I am happy. We've traveled a long, hard road since my husband and his Dad died over 3 years ago. I still miss Pat with all my heart, but I am ok about moving forward as is my son. I am SO VERY grateful to have him. My gift from Pat.

Day 114 - Sunny

Watercolor Point Pleasant, NJ
Today is gorgeous. It felt so good to do everything thus far. Workout, diner with things to read, painting, breathing. These days are very special and meant to be savored. Now to diner with a good friend.

Day 113 - Love

Watercolor I just finished from an old project

<< 1 Corinthians 13:7 >>
Two translations I particularly liked of one of my favorite Bible verses:

New Living Translation (©2007)
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.


GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.

Day 112 - Regrets

Watercolor in progress
"Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience." VICTORIA HOLT

The quote is from the Simple Abundance Companion by Sarah Ban Breathnach. She asks herself every morning this question: "If she should die at night, what would she regret not having done that day?" The only thing you can do about the past is to let it go, but you can do something about the present even if it's a small action. I like how she asks herself is there someone you need to tell "I love you" or "I forgive you". We all have those people in our lives and sometimes it's just a matter of postponing the act because of pain or hardship. I'm going to really think about this today...

Day 111 - Beginnings

Watercolor
On my way into work this morning, I listened to the Best of Bruce Springsteen CD that a good friend bought for me. It lifted my spirits and felt like the beginning of a new chapter in life. I think this is going to be a wonderful summer...

Day 110 - End

Drawing for Watercolor
The end of the semester is almost here which means tons of work, finishing projects, numerous meetings, and an urgency on all things that will cease upon graduation day. It's been a good semester and it is sad to see this crop of students graduate and leave. They are talented and wonderful people. End of one era, beginning of a new one.

Day 109 - Loneliness

Watercolor
From GriefShare.com:

"You need to recognize God's discipline of loneliness when it is assigned to you and receive it with both hands saying, 'Lord, I would not have chosen this, but I will receive it. Now teach me what I can only learn in loneliness.'"

It is not God's plan to give you everything you want for your life or to ensure that you are always comfortable and problem-free. God has made life so that it is filled with times of receiving and times of letting go. And He wants you to learn to be content where you are now, because He is with you.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:12-13).

Day 108 - Trials

Watercolor

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:2-5).

ARTWORK FORTHCOMING

Day 107 - Look

Watercolor: Cathlyn's Rose
Look to This Day
A song by Robert Kreutz

Look to this day.
It is the very life of life.
In this day is all the truth.
In this day is all the reality of existance.
Only in this day is all the joy of living.
Only in this day is all the pleasure of growth.
Only in this day is all the beauty in all that surrounds you.
Only in this day is life, life!
Yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision;
But today makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,
and today well lived makes every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, look to this day.
This is the day;
Only in this day is truth and life!
Only this day. Look to this day!

Day 106 - Commute

Watercolor
When I'm in my car commuting, as long as it may be at times, it's actually a God-send. I think, I have quiet time, I talk (safely of course) and I reflect on new ideas and projects. It's good to make the most of what could be an unpleasant ordeal. Oh, every once in a while the Jersey in me comes out when someone cuts me off...

Day 105- Anew

Watercolor

From Julia Cameron:

As artists, we are spiritual sharks. The ruthless truth is that if we don't keep moving, we sink to the bottom and die. The choice is very simple: we can insist on resting on our laurels, or we can begin anew. The stringent requirement of a sustained creative life is the humility to start again, to begin anew.

Day 104 Persistence

Watercolor

Persistence is a unique skill. I don't really see it as an attribute or character trait. I think it is something learned and only by adverse circumstances. Difficult challenges create frustration, which ultimately creates patience, which teaches a person how to be persistent through a tough task.

Day 103 - Quiet

Watercolor

My night was quiet. Ate dinner, watched TV with my dog, painted and quietly slipped into bed to enjoy sleep. The quietness of my house, my room was beautiful. I am not sure why I enjoy that so much.

Day 102- Simple

Watercolor
I had a great weekend - hard work in a friend's yard pulling weeds, raking, cleaning up a porch and a bathroom - good food at Tierney's, great movie - The Last Waltz. It was a memorable time filled with laughter and fun. I am amazed that the simplest times are by far the best.

Day 101 - Gift

Watercolor/Photoshop
Watercolor
From my wise nephew Jourdan:
Make a gift of your life and lift all mankind by being kind, considerate, forgiving, and compassionate at all times, in all places, and under all conditions, with everyone as well as yourself. This is the greatest gift anyone can give.

Day 100 - Triple

Watercolor Children's Book
100 days of creative art. A milestone for me. More to come.

Day 99 - Work

Watercolor Children's Book
I love to work. I don't know why but I get such satisfaction out of finishing a project and of the actual work process. Tomorrow I'm doing yard work with a friend and I can't wait. It reminds me of the times I worked in my yard with my dad - multiple wonderful memories. I plan on making more in my future.

Day 98 - Catchup

Watercolor - Finished portrait
Again I've fallen behind in my posts even though I've been drawing. Weekend will be busy helping a friend with yard work and having fun in the mix.

Day 97 - Anandaprema

Watercolor
My friend was recently given a name by her Guru. This was a very important event to her and a blessing by all accounts. The name means bliss and pure love. Congratulations dear friend.

Day 96 - Alone

Watercolor Photoshop Enhancement
Watercolor
Alone time is very important to me as I need it to create, to recharge and to think. I find some people don't seem to understand that and I don't know how to help them "get it" without hurting them. Spring is a perfect time for this type of reflection. Growth and independence.

Day 95 - Judge

Just Watercolor
Watercolor with Photoshop enhancements

If you judge people, you have no time to love them. ~ .....Mother Theresa

Day 94 - Maundy_Thursday

Unfinished Watercolor
Maundy Thursday is also known as “Holy Thursday” and is the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples (the Last Supper). Jesus also washed the disciples' feet as an act of humility and service showing that we should try to love and serve one another in the same manner without accolades as to how wonderful we are for doing so. Today starts the celebration of Easter with reflection on Christ's humility. He didn't come in with guns blazing, scaring everyone off with fancy rhetoric and cries of denigration. Instead, He humbly offered himself to others with REAL love. It's a hard act to follow, but one I would like to.

Day 93 - Missing

Unifnished Watercolor of a friend
My son is away on business and I find myself thinking of him all throughout the day. If I think about him too much, I'll start to worry and think, "Is he ok?", "Will he get sick?" and all kinds of irrational thoughts. He is extremely capable and intelligent and can do just about anything, so I question as to why I start to worry. My mother's words always ring in my ears after these thoughts..."When you start to worry, start to pray." It really does work. And I think I just love him very much.

Day 92 - People

Cut Paper
"The Artist's Way" goes on to state that as an artist we have to be careful to surround ourselves with people who nurture our inner artist and not people who try to overly domesticate it for their own purposes. Certain friendships can kick off the artistic imagination while others can deaden it. Walk wisely.

Day 91 - Time

Cut Paper
Julia Cameron in her book "The Artist's Way" states that creative living requires the luxury of time which we carve out for ourselves, even if it's just for 20 minutes. All it takes to fire off some creativity is 20 minutes! You just have to show up for that time and be ready!

Sick - Day 90

Watercolor
I'd been fighting a cold and it finally won. No voice, no taste, no smell, no drive. Sleep was all I wanted. I still created work but had trouble focusing. Thank goodness the weekend is here to recuperate fully and enjoy Easter.