7-9-14



I just want to take the time out today to say THANK YOU.

To all of you...
working hard in this world
for being dependable, reliable... honest.
tireless, motivated, determined
cheerful.... even on bad days
supportive & encouraging.
Thank you for your consideration
your generosity
for being there
for lending a helping hand
for picking up the slack
and for your kindness.

Thank you.
You are beautiful.
You are appreciated.

7-8-14



This week is a doozy.
I am trying to get in some semblance of a routine -- part-time job, volunteer work, etc...
and ... I am trying hard to get my basement studio in order... which has flooded again.
>>sigh<<

Some days (weeks, years)... it seems like all you is run, run, run... on this never-ending hamster wheel... and wonder if anything is getting done. Deadlines come and go... opportunities missed...
it can be incredibly frustrating. I know it is for me.

One of the topics in this book I'm reading, called "Get it Done".... is on making lists.
NOW. I am a great "list maker" from way back.
I make lists of my lists. (no joke).
The catch here, according to the author, is to not only make a list... but to prioritize it.

For instance, if you've seen my lists... it seems endless... with no rhyme or reason it would seem... as to what task really is of more importance that it get done. Or urgency, as it were.
Once of the author's suggestions, is to make a chart instead of a list... with columns.
Like this:



Column 1: the item or task at hand
Column 2: how much time you think it will take to complete the task
Column 3: how much it will cost to do the task
Column 4: do you really want to do it? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being YES!
Column 5: ROI/ Return on Investment. Will this help things in the long run? will there be potential orders, further jobs, marketing, warm fuzzies... etc


The author gives an example of this list in practice by talking about how she usually make her won Christmas cards... but was feeling overwhelmed one year. She applied the columnar list idea above... and realized she really didn't have the time or the inclination to do it. She then gave an example of how she had come across a clipping to send to a client. She decided (based on her list) to mail it out quickly, and as it turns out... the client was pleased and offered her some additional business.
Now. Applying that to my art business... I can see where it could come in very handy.
Looking at projects in terms of time involved, money involved, inclination... and potential return on investment.
In short... I'm going to try it :)

~~~~~~~~~

on a complete aside...
The photo for today's post is one I took of the woods near my house on a walk the other day.
It was gorgeous. Slightly overcast... getting ready to rain... the wind was slightly blowing...
and it seemed everywhere I looked... there were these "doorways" made from fallen trees and branches. I'm trying not to read into it too much... but I feel like I am stepping into something wonderful here.

7-7-14


so... (when we last "spoke" about this thing that is an art business)... we were talking about what to do when you are in a creative slump; and I offered some ideas from a couple books I am reading.
Today I thought I would talk a bit about perfectionism.

Yes, most of us share this trait... at least from time to time.
And there are a lot of good points about being a sort of perfectionist.
But it can also be a bugger.
Now the one book I was reading.... dealt with the idea of perfectionism as a form of resistance.
That it was a stumbling block... a form of procrastination... and I can totally see that.

One of the hints in this book... is to entertain the idea of GOOD.
Ie: it may not be perfect... but it's good.
And at lease it's out there... with potential tweaking in the future if need be... but it's out there.
Because, the idea of perfectionism causes (most) of us to do nothing.
Whereas the idea of "good enough" at least gets us working... and doing... and acting on it.
Because, as the author shared... while we are waiting for the "perfect" thing or idea...or gift or whatever... time is passing by and we are stagnant. Stuck. Sometimes we just have to do something... and make it better as the project or situation goes on.

I will admit that I am somewhat of a perfectionist.
I put out off doing things because I want to do them right.
I want to do them well.
I don't want to let so-and-so down.
I don't want to disappoint.
And yet, by putting things off to do when I feel better.... well rested... able to do the task at hand...
I've already disappointed. Because it's late... or because I am overwhelmed and am stressed now to get it done... or whatever. You get the idea.
Whereas, if I would just do a little... it would probably be enough.
Course, the other thing I need to learn is to not do everything for everyone... but that is another story... and for now... we are talking about perfectionism.

So... what are you putting off that you are not doing simply because you think it has to be perfect?
Get out there.
Do it.
It will be OK.

for the weekend



I have found this week; that I am going to have to take some much-needed time out...
and really, really think about my life here and things that really need to change.
Things I need to fix, things I need to get rid of..... things I need to compromise to some extent on.
One thing is for certain... that I have not made near enough art, or taken near enough time out to make art... since moving back to PA. And that has got to change.

There is this whole conflict of doing what I want to do... and the need to work a job to pay the bills... and somewhere in there is the ability to do both... and I need to make it happen.
Like yesterday, but alas. Now will have to suffice.
And so it goes.


In the meantime, here are some awesome links I've gathered for you for the weekend:
*30 things I've learned
*RedTwine ( a neat blog site)
*artist Carol Rosetti
*a list of "Life Hacks" to make your life easier
*the Blue Forest of Belgium
*some of History's most Creative Minds... and their sleep schedules
*the deYoung Museum in San Fran
*everytime I go to look at the Colossal Website... I find something cool
-----here
-----here
-----here
-----here
-----here
-----here
-----here
*9 mind-bending epiphanies
*14 ways to raise the vibration level of your home
*recipes for Nourishment Bowls (yum)
*and lastly, ...some wonderfulness by Mary Oliver


7-3-14


I apologize for the lateness of my post today...
But I hope you are all doing well... and enjoying your summer...
and I will write more tomorrow.

7-2-14



So what do you do when you feel like you are in a creative slump... or worse; like all your ideas are crap?

One of the books I am reading, talks a lot about right brain versus left brain thinking... and how that impacts coming up with new ideas or solutions to whatever creative endeavor you are working on.

How we, as artists, tend to be more right brain thinking... whereas accountants; as an example... would be more left brain thinking.
Truly though, we are a mix of the two... and what we tend to strive for (or at least some of us) ... is that balance. That fine line between anally-retentively making to do lists and the free-form nut who can't get anything done because we have too many ideas swirling in our head.

One of the suggestions to help with this; is to have some sort of activity that keeps our physical being busy... and allows our brain to work at a more free-ing pace. Example... how great ideas come to you in the shower. You are busy (doing what you do in the shower) ... which allows you to more creatively think of things. Another example is running. The act of doing that 2-5 mile work-out gives you time and frees your mind to explore options and ideas that you may not have been able to come up with before.

My solution this week?  --taking a walk in the woods.
It was super hot and humid, and the woods were slightly cooler (although I was hiking up-hill....  so I was definitely having a work-out). This actually worked for me. It allowed my physical body to be doing something... while my brain was able to relax a bit and brainstorm.

7-1-14



clover... white and pink

Think of me, when the sun is just waking--
drying up the night's sweet dreams
too soon off it's bed of grass

Think of me, when the sun is high--
burning creases in the foreheads of men working in the fields
and drops of sweat down the deep folds of women doing laundry.

Think of me, when the sun is setting--
it's work done for the day
tallying up everything it has done on some magical list
for the moon to read at night...

But please, think of me.




(in the Language of Flowers, clover... pink and white... means "think of me"... 
hence the theme for my random poem for today)

6-30-14


Sometimes blockages are thrown in our way.
According to this book (that I read this weekend)... part of the reason for this is that you are (in fact) doing what you need to be... and that "resistance" is making these blockages... stumbling stones in the form of other people, minor tasks, procrastination, etc. in order to deter you from your path.

 According to the author(Steven Pressfield), "The whole aim of Resistance, is to prevent you from doing the work you are called to do. Resistance wants you to take it easy, to be ordinary and mediocre, to take the low road. Resistance is the reason so many people place a basket over the brilliant candle that shines within them. The fight against Resistance is, Pressfield says, a war to the death."

 Now, I'm don't ascribe to all the philosophies that Mr. Pressfield believes in, and that is OK.
But he does have some points about resistance.

 As an example:
"Resistance is Insidious. Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work. It will perjure, fabricate, falsify; seduce, bully, cajole. Resistance is protean. It will assume any form, if that's what it takes to deceive you. It will reason with you like a lawyer or jam a nine-millimeter in your face like a stickup man. Resistance has no conscience. It will pledge anything to get a deal, then double-cross you as soon as your back is turned. If you take Resistance at its word, you deserve everything you get. Resistance is always lying and always full of shit."

for the weekend


I am happy it's the weekend... not that it doesn't mean I'm not working.
In fact, this am I am setting up at a Flea Market...
and later tonight I am working at the Artisan Center here in town.
It's been a busy week.... but I am hoping it's been a good one as well.
But for now; I am really tired.

Which brings me to this... are you resting?
One of the main points I've read, is the great importance of self care.
I know, as a mom and wife, artist and self employed business owner... it can be rough.
Add into that a part-time job and volunteer work... and it could be a recipe for disaster.
I, for one, know that I tend to put my own needs last on the list... as do alot of people.
And I understand it... but am working on changing that for myself.

There are so many demands on each of us.. that sometimes one has to step back and say
"whoa... wait a minute"...
So. I am hoping that you all get some rest this weekend...
A little R & R...
...and spend some time to just sit and watch the fireflies.


Here are some cool links for the weekend:
*Liverpool's art festival this weekend.... and here
*London in the 1980s
*Yosemite in 1861
*street art from around the world
*Bunny as muse - a trip down the rabbit hole
*unimaginably large animals
*Iceland!  ... and more Iceland!
*recipes from CSA (community supported agriculture)
*artist Lori Nix
*why kids (and everyone) need a pet


**and 500!!! new fairy tales have just been discovered in Germany.
This makes me happy :)


6-27-14


The photos for today's post are of my kitchen table.
As you can see... I've started a project per my commentary on my blog this week; about finding time... even if it's just 15 minutes a day... to work on a project you WANT to do.
I have chosen to work on a collage piece.

Now. I did collage many years ago... and loved it... I even sold several pieces...
And for the past year or so; I've been hankering to start again.
Each time I went about to do it though... something would get in the way.
Be it work, time for other projects... an endless to do list... you get the idea.
It's been on the back burner for far too long.

Ironically, or maybe not... I've several artist friends... who have suddenly started doing collage as well... or perhaps, like me.... they are more willing to bring it to the forefront again.
Either way, it seemed fortuitous ... and I feel "destined" to try again at it.

I hope you are doing OK with your projects.
I hope that you have somehow managed to carve out some time in your day for art.
And I hope you are having fun :)


6-26-14



so... how do you make more time?
How do you find the time to take care of people, take care of the house, get groceries, pay bills, run errands, work here, work there, work around the house, do this volunteer work, that social group thing, go to this event, support this thing, ... and still find time to do art?!
--let alone make the bed... or do the dishes... or walk the dog.

I don't know.
I know... not what you wanted to hear.
But I don't.
And it's so unique to each person... what qualifies as making it to the top of your list
---that thing that you end up making time for... above all else... that is what makes you YOU.
And what you make time for... speaks volumes as to who you are.
Deep down.
Where no one looks.
That is you.
And this thing that you really want to do?
It has to be done.
Or you will shrivel up and die.
Maybe not right away... but it will kill you.
In inches... in millimeters.
But it will eat away at you until you can't stand it anymore.
Trust me. I've been there.

So here's my challenge.
For the next couple of days take 15 minutes to do something you WANT to do.
It can be first thing in the morning (if that works for you) ... or the last thing at night (which may work for me).. or somewhere in between.
But do it.
Take 15 minutes.
Set the timer if you have to... or count out about 4 or 5 songs on the radio (not including commercials).
See what happens.
I'm guessing... at the end of a week... we'll be amazed at what we got done.
(and yes, I'm doing it too).

6-25-14




(...carrying on the topic of getting work/ projects done from monday's post...)

For some people, the hard part is deciding which task to tackle first.
As a (retired) nurse... triage isn't the problem.... but getting started sometimes is.
There are some tasks that are on "the list" simply because I feel guilty about NOT doing them.
And... at least according to the book I'm reading... it should be taken off the list of things to do.
(unless it will make you feel oh so very much better by doing it).

In the book, they have a "numbering game" of sorts that is supposed to help you narrow your list of projects down so that you have a top project in the end ... a place to start.
The author also suggests that you rename your list from a "to do" list... to a "could do" list... thereby taking some of the pressure off.
But if you're like me... the pressure is there regardless.

Mind you, the book is a good one.
I am finding though... as I go thru it; that my problem isn't so much knowing what to do...
but in finding time to do it. I think on a certain level; it is about making time.
About deciding that your art/ project is worthy of the time.
That it will make a difference... if only to you.

There is no way to add more hours to the day. (I don't have that kind of majik... how about you?)
So the problem lies in managing the time better...
and valuing what you do.

6-24-14


Today was a bizarre and somewhat frustrating day.
Thunderstorms and torrential downpours one minute.... trying to clear the next... then rains again.
Work was crazy as well... mimicking the storms I suppose...

Lessons for the day became:
-do one thing at a time. Others will have to wait.
-prioritize who demands your time.
-your time is valuable... even if others don't think so.
-your work is valuable. If everyone could do what you could do... the job wouldn't be there in the first place.
-compromise is painful sometimes... for everyone involved.

Now granted. These are not "new" lessons.
But sometimes life has a way of re-enforcing what you really need to learn and put into practice.
Head knowledge is one thing.... putting it into practice can be another.

And then came Mama Fox.
I am quite convinced she was telling me to "wise" up. .. hence my ramblings today.
According to one website on totem animals:

"If Fox has made Her appearance in your life;
The solution to a problem is at hand. The Fox spirit is the grand problem solver. She will guide you to solitude and silence until the way out is shown. A healthy combination of persistence and patience will strike a balance that picks apart a problem until it is solved.
Alternatively, are you having trouble adjusting to a new living situation or job? Do you feel like you’re barely scraping by? When sly Fox crosses your path it can be a signal to open your eyes, so that you can see the situation for what it is – not as you wish it to be.
When a situation or environment is difficult allow yourself to be fluid and adaptable. You have all the tools and resources you need to turn money, career, or living difficulties around."

--wise words indeed.

6-23-14


I've been going thru some sort of transformation these past couple of weeks...
although it's very difficult to formulate into words...
or even begin to figure out what all this may mean.
However, it is indeed present... and working.

A week or so ago, the daughter and I took a ride in the jeep and came across this majikal place.
I believe we were on sacred ground.

Things are changing... changing indeed.

And I am reading.
My current book is one on procrastination... yes, I know.
One of my greatest problems (at least in my mind) is that I put off doing things.
Not  because I don't want to do them... or because I don't have an urgency to do them...
but more because I am afraid of some aspect of it.
Nervousness around messing it up.
Of doing a bad job.
Disappointing people.
Fear of failure.

And we all do that to some degree...

I think, I at least, part of my problems is that I don't know which of the 37thousand tasks I have running around in my head.... to do first... and while I know it's important to just get something/anything done... it's hard to know where to start.
To take a page from her book:

"You have so many great ideas, and you can't decide on which one to follow through on. Or maybe once you finally settle on one and get into it, you get bored and drop it like a hot potato for something new. I know. One of the side effects of being a creative genus is that you have a billion great ideas and a lot of skills and talents, so it can difficult to figure out where to focus. "

And so, here I am.
On the precipice.


for the weekend




It's the weekend!
This weekend is the first Flea Market weekend where I work part-time; 
and it's also the local Relay for Life event in town.
Not many of you may know; but I am also a cancer survivor.
Actually.... I've had cancer a total of 5 times... 
but (in the whole scheme of things) only 1 of those episodes was "scary."
I am very grateful.

Events such as this in your life; tend to make one much more aware of how very precious life is...
I know it really made me take a harder look at what I wanted in life.
Sometimes though... we need a gentle (or even not so gentle) reminder.

Tonight as I walked home from work...
I could see the stars above me.
I got a big jump, hug and some kisses from a neighbor dog.
I could hear the goings on at the relay... and new what a celebration it was for the attendees.
I enjoyed long, deep breathes of clean country air.
And took some time to watch some fireflies.

It's a good evening.

For the weekend, I've gathered some links for you that I hope you will enjoy:

A first look at Universal's Diagon Alley
The Seven Sutherland Sisters- Barnum & Bailey show
37 Books Every Creative Person needs to Read
10 Paradoxical Traits of Creative People
A "take no shit" list for your well being
a great recipe for Focaccia
 a peek at artist Louise Bourgeouis' home
Duke Ellington's album "After Midnight"

6-20-14



It's hard to believe that the summer solstice is tomorrow.... and the start of a season with Litha.
Of course, judging by the sunburn on my neck; I would say the the summer weather has definitely come at last ... not that I am complaining. And yes, I burn very, very easily.

It's been a busy week.
I think I've slept a  total of 4-5 hrs in the past 3 days... so I suspect that I will be "down and out" for a bit. On the plus side; I did manage to get some essential items off of my "to-do" list... which is a relief.

My mother is back from a visit to the Lancaster area to see family... and had a wonderful visit.
The hubby has been busy with some on-line classes.
We've been trying to be more "civic minded"... and have attended some wonderful meetings locally lately... and are encouraged by some very strong grass-roots efforts to build commerce here.
And, I am proud to say, I have tried to be a part of that as much as I can.
Including... the start of (what looks like it could pan out to a very cool) Flea Market venture here.
It's an exciting time, here at the Russell house... and I just wanted to thank you all for coming along on this ride... see ya tomorrow.

6-19-14



Anyone who knows me... knows I have a deep and abounding love of ferns.
One of my favorites (course, they all are in my favorites) is the interrupted fern (osmunda claytoniana).

After searching a little on them, I found that they are named after the botanist John Clayton. That these ferns were known to have grown (as evidenced by fossil specimens) in Europe; as far back as the Triassic period. That the early Native American used them medicinally for blood disorders and venereal disease (who knew?!).
For me, I have mainly seen them as ornamental plants in gardens... but there is also a vast number of them that grow wild in the woods here. And so, it was with great delight that I was able to take photos of some of them this past week.

And, ironic... that it is these "interrupted" ferns that I predominantly took photos of to be featured on today's post.... when my life in the past few hours... seems to have suddenly and inexplicably been interrupted. 

Sometimes, things seem to be going along really well... the occasional minor set-back or glitch... but all things considered... moving along... moving smoothly... even getting ahead (dare I say) in some areas...
when WHAMO...POW!... kerplunk... there it goes.
Off track.
Derailed.
Set back.
Interrupted.


So what do you do?
Well... I ranted and raved for a few minutes.
Then, realizing I had little (if any) control over the situation... decided to just "suck it up" and do the best I could given what I had to work with.
It's all any of us can do really.
Realize how badly we messed up, neglected, set aside, got behind... failed in one way or another the task at hand... due to our fault... or someone else ... or the universe... or it being Thursday... or whatever the case may be.
It really doesn't matter. It is what it is.
And sometimes there's only so much you can do with a situation that sucks.
Take a deep breath.
Know that you are not the only one.
You are not the first; nor will you be the last... to fail.


The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson


Here are some links I found when doing a google search on "what to do when it all falls apart."
--by Erin Pavlina (intuitive counselor and writer)
--by Jeff Haden (author, business and tech expert)
--via the Nerd Fitness website
--by Carolyn Elliott (writer, psychic, author)
--by Elle Sommer (motivational speaker)