Day 211 - Ideas

Unfinished Watercolor

So how do you generate create ideas? Here are a few thoughts that I've gotten from friends:

But how to generate ideas? Here are some suggestions:

1) Keep a dream journal.
2) Look through magazines, especially gardening, home decorating and art journals.
2) Read books.
3) Watch movies.
4) Daydream about fairy tales.
5) Think about your own experiences and embellish upon them.
6) Keep a sketchbook.

Day 210 - Serenity

Watercolor 18 x 24

I'm reading the book the Twelve Secrets of Highly Creative Women. One of the secrets is to clear your space of serenity stealers. The author says to get rid of everything you neither need or want in your life.

Places to look for things that disrupt your serenity:

clutter
toxic people
toxic situations
limiting beliefs
activities you dread
over-committing
over-scheduling
over-stimulation
perfectionism
the outdated
the "undone"
habits that aren't serving you

Good advice especially to someone like me who likes to clean things out!

Day 209 - Hard

Drawing for Watercolor

I am working very hard on projects this summer and I'm afraid I'm feeling burnt out. I'm not sure how to rectify it. I can't take vacation and I already workout to the "nth" degree to relieve stress. I paint, play piano, walk my dog, walk sci-fi and it's not helping. I'm not sure what to do. As Scarlett said, "But where shall I go, and what shall I do?" Frankly my dear, I have no clue.

Day 208 - Meaning

Watercolor Card
From happigal.com:

"As soon as you start to pursue a dream, your life wakes up and everything has meaning."

~ Barbara Sher

Day 207 - Crack

Watercolor Card
There's a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in. Leonard Cohen

Day 206 - Successful

Watercolor

I couldn't resist posting this quote from my friend's site happigal.com because of it's relevancy to all I'm working on now:

"All successful men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose."

~ Brian Tracy

Day 205 - Backwards

Watercolor

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards.
They try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so they will be happier.
The way it actually works is the reverse.
You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.
Margaret Young

Day 204 - Food

Watercolor of Sussex County Community College

My favorite points from Cheryl Richardson about food.

Our beliefs about what's possible or not possible show up in our relationship with food.

Change requires a tolerance for discomfort.

Strong feelings = strong cravings.

You gain weight when you're not paying attention.

Day 203 - Trials

Watercolor
Your greatest spiritual growth comes through your questions and trials. You may not like a situation, but often you must accept it and seek growth, not stagnation. from griefshare.com

Day 202 - Grace

Watercolor of my niece Grace

Definitions of grace:

A state of sanctification by God;

Elegance and beauty of movement or expression;

A sense of propriety and consideration for others;

A disposition to kindness and compassion;

(Greek mythology) One of three sisters who were the givers of beauty and charm;

A short prayer of thanks before a meal;

Be beautiful to look at;

(Christian theology) The free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God; "God's grace is manifested in the salvation of sinners"; "there but for the grace of God go I"

Day 201 - Visualizing

Watercolor
"Visualizing what you want on a daily basis prepares you to manifest it."

Day 200 - Progressive

Watercolor

It is day 200 of my blog. I am stunned I've reached this point even though I plodded through, resisted, persevered and pushed through most days of painting. As much as I love to draw, paint, digitally render and create, it is a struggle to bring forth something new. It is rarely easy but it is always rewarding. I look forward to see where this will take me. I greatly appreciate those who have joined this journey with me.

Day 199 - Pomegranate

The Pomegranate

"A single fruit grew on that tree, a bright pomegranate fruit. Persephone stood up in the chariot and plucked the fruit from the tree. Then did Aidoneus prevail upon her to divide the fruit, and, having divided it, Persephone ate seven of the pomegranate seeds."
-The Golden Fleece
by Padraic Colum
(1881-1972)

Pomegranates are an ancient symbol of birth and death. Their bloodiness was associated with fertility, health and life. In Christian paintings, Mary is frequently seen holding a pomegranate. The god Rimmon's (2 Kings 5:18) name means Pomegranate and was associated later with Jesus, representing him as a sacrifical divinity who passes through death into life.

Pomegranates are also seen as a forbidden desire in Jewish lore, based upon the Tree of Knowledge.

Many tantalizing legends and stories are built around the pomegranate, making it a fascinating fruit to paint, read about and eat.

Day 198 - Computer

Watercolor

I am working on the new computer that my son built! He is not only an incredible and intelligent person, but he has been the joy of my life. It is a beautiful thing to work on a great piece of equipment and not worry about "issues". It was a good day installing, reconnecting, reworking, copying files and all the good stuff that we geeks love to do. Thank you, son. You are my greatest gift.

Day 197 - Vision_Map

A vision map is a visual interpretation of what you would like in life and where you want to go. It helps guide you to where to go next in seeking the best out of life. A vision map allows you to dream and create a picture of what you want to accomplish and show you steps to get there. By asking yourself, what do you love to do, what brings you happiness and what would you do if you could not fail, guides you into creating a unique vision map that reflects your individuality. It is an adventure and journey on its own.

By writing down words, phrases and putting them together with images you draw or cut out of magazines you can get a picture of a summary that directs the vision you want in your life. You can create a logo to center your vision and then connect lines from that logo or central focus to the variety of items you want in your vision of an ideal life. This is the first draft of a vision map and can be embellished with images, paint, colored pencils or magic markers and other creative touches. Later a more detailed vision map can be created.

What particular dream is your strongest desire right now and what would you love to do? Great questions to get started.

Day 196 - List

Pencil Sketch

I am not sure who wrote this list, but it has so many good thoughts...
13, 34, 43 are my favorites.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Day 195 - Road

Watercolor

My favorite lines from The Road Not Taken:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (1874–1963)

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Day 194 - Bird

Photoshop with pencil drawing
Pencil Drawing


I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Maya Angelou

The free bird leaps
on the back of the win
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and is tune is heard
on the distant hill for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

Day 193 - Happiness

Watercolor

"We tend to seek happiness when happiness is actually a choice."

Day 192 - Quotes

Watercolor - still working on it.

Two of my favorite quotes from Tolstoy's War and Peace:

* Love hinders death. Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love. Everything is united by it alone. Love is God, and to die means that I, a particle of love, shall return to the general and eternal source.
o Thoughts of Prince Andrew Bk XII, Ch. 16

This one really made me think:

* To love life is to love God. Harder and more blessed than all else is to love this life in one's sufferings, in undeserved sufferings.
o Bk. XIV, ch. 15

Day 191 - Tolstoy

Photoshop Drawing

I actually went out and bought a copy of War and Peace and started it as my summer reading project. I never read it before and listened to a Teaching Company lecture on the book and was fascinated by Tolstoy, his belief in God and his perseverance. It is my mission to complete this book by September! We'll see!

Day 190 - Race

Pencil

"... run with patience
the race that is set before us ..." Heb. 12:1-3

Patience always seems like a hard lesson. Anything worthwhile requires patience which requires a price. In the world of creativity it means training and years of persistence and preparation. I believe endurance is a key to patience.

Two more of my favorite verses hold these lines:

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness ..." (2 Thes 4:7, 8)

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all,
but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I therefore run, not as one that beateth the air:
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:
lest that by any means when I have preached to others,
I myself should be a castaway." (1 Corin 9:24-27)

I find myself taking the focus off the race many times. I need to stay on the goal, which requires self-discipline and the desire to achieve. I find myself tired at times and want to let the determination slide but I keep thinking of these verses and I try to rely on God to keep me moving forward.

My husband's headstone reads "Looking Unto Jesus" which I took from the verse below. It really sums up my faith, which constantly requires patience and endurance. I'm ok with that.

"run with patience (endurance, persistence) the race set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith ... For consider Him that endured ... lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Day 189 - Journal

Photoshop

I find journaling to be a creative outlet. My journals are filled with images more than words, but sometimes I write down important quotes, lines from poems or books or Bible verses, as well as my thoughts at the time.

I found these three ideas to creative journaling at Cloth, Paper, Scissors - one of my favorite creativity magazines:


1. Journal the same thing three ways: normal, with eyes closed, and then with your non-dominant hand.
2. Change out paper pages for fabric.
3. Journal your summer bucket list—leave room for notes as you complete each item!

Day 188 - Heat

Watercolor - not the best image, but trust me, it's coming out great!

I am a German/Irish woman who cannot stand the heat so I must get out of the kitchen. I love the cold, snow, ice, skiing, ice skating, walking in the snow - basically all but shoveling (and yet, that would be great in this heat wave). It has been a difficult set of days trying to get work done. It's over tomorrow, for a short break, so I'll make the most of it. Thank you God, for my new air conditioner courtesy of my boss! Sleeping is once again, one of life's great pleasures.

Day 187 - Mandala

Watercolor

A mandala is a Sanskrit word that loosely means circle. It represents wholeness and can be a blueprint for our relationship to the the world that is within and goes beyond our bodies and minds.

It can have spiritual meaning and can be used as an aid to meditation.

For me, it establishes a sacred space in my art.

I am working on a series of mandalas as part of this creative blog project.

Day 186 - Pets

Watercolor

My dog is my lifeline to my old life and my new. He is my constant and yet I know he won't be here forever. I feel blessed to have had this dog in my life. My gift from God as I see him. Faithful and beloved.

Day 185 - Cleaning

Watercolor

I am on vacation soon and of all things I want to clean my house. I plan on a mass attack of scrubbing, dusting, vacuuming and the most fun of all - throwing out, selling and giving things away.

I think that cleaning and clearing releases negative energy and makes room for new ideas and dreams.

Summer cleaning is a great way to attract new creativity and opportunities.

I'm ready.

Day 184 - Peaceful

Watercolor

peace·ful

Free from war, strife, commotion, violence, or disorder, pertaining to a state or time of peace; not argumentative, quarrelsome, or hostile: a peaceful disposition.

(from dictionary.reference.com)