Fabulous Artistic Inspirations!
November 16, 2008
Wow, what a week and I still have another to go in my crazy 12 or more solid days of
working. Thank goodness it’s all about ART or I would be a raving looney (I’m not already am I?). In these flurries of intense work times when I am mentoring others more than in my studio making my own stuff I have to sleuth out quick shots of inspiration to re-tool my own spirit, keep me going “to the other side” so that I am not diminished in my passion to help others find their path and their voice. This helps me to get to my studio time still awake and eager to get to that work instead of fried, crispy and burnt toast-like. Here are some of the places and things that help me retain my energy and strength to do and do and do:
www.workshopontheweb.com – Online newsletter that offers quite a few free taster articles on mixed media exploits! Just looking at the pix is inspiration and perhaps I’ll have time to try out the techniques, too.
www.silverwave.com – Native American, New Wave and more music. Free mp3 samples to listen to. Some of this music is haunting.
www.allartsupplies.com – probably the best priced supplies around in many respects. Tons of different categories, mediums, etc. that I love to look at and think about when I have a moment. This inspires me to focus on what I want to do when I get the chance.
I love resources and being able to find a thing or learn a thing. I hope these places inspire you to go forth and create!
Voting Day and Civilization
November 4, 2008
What makes people civilized vs. uncivilized? I think one thing that makes people civilized would be the knowledge and understanding of others. In this respect, education is invaluable. I know that “intellectuals” have been given a bad name the last 8 years and this is something I don’t understand. How can you dismiss the endeavor to gain knowledge?
Mark Twain said: ”Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness” and this is true because of the knowledge gained when traveling. Learning the customs, ways, and environment of others expands awareness of those others.
I hope when people vote today that they will think beyond themselves and their personal goals, motives and desires. I hope that everyone will look within themselves to see if they are voting to make sure that everyone thinks like they do or if they can see the larger story at play. The civilized person votes looking at the picture larger than themselves.
The best book on this subject: “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle.
If you really want a mind expanding experience read “A New Earth” and “The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield at the same time. Just read a little of each every day – get one concept under your belt at a time, then percolate those for the day. The parallels are amazing and I can’t help but think that if I read through both again but be in different places in each book than I was the first time around I would get some other perspectives that I didn’t get before. The juxtapositions between the two builds a totally different awareness then just reading one at a time.
