Lots of activity this past month!! We have transitioned into summer, spending time at the pool and camp and lots of fun art projects, movies, etc. My daughter and I are making friendship bracelets for each other. I’m surprised that she’s gotten to the friendship bracelet-making age already!
There’s something developing within and I don’t even know if it’s something I can describe, but I’ll try. It began with a feeling or intuition that we are all connected, meaning there is no separation between one person and another. Probably this grew out of my study of Mussar, my increased faith, and my idealistic tendencies. I started a bit of a reading binge… I can’t get enough information on consciousness, mysticism, spirituality, and the intersection (or impasse really) between materialist science and the spiritual world. As the neurophysiologist Sir John Eccles wrote, “we have to recognize that we are spiritual beings with souls existing in a spiritual world as well as material beings with bodies and brains existing in a material world.”
So that reading has led me to pay much more attention to my emotions, my dreams, and to pause more often to check in with myself, something I really don’t do much. Full steam ahead, I usually say. Type A for sure.
A conversation changed what I think of as my direction. Maybe I will share more later, but I’ll just say that I’m not going to bow to fear any longer. By that, I mean fear of success just as much, if not more, than fear of failure. Just because something hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it isn’t meant to unfold, right? I want to combine all the inspiration I’m absorbing into mixed-media art.
So yes, I’m back in full swing ART mode! Perhaps you’ve noticed that I haven’t been creating much art lately. It’s been about 10 months actually. And that has bothered me and affected me more than I realized. I feel pulled toward it more than ever and I have pages of ideas jotted down in a notebook. I’ve been having a blast and it’s only been a few days so far. The one above is my first canvas I’ve completed.
A major gift in all of this is that the inspiration only comes when I’m not in the driver’s seat. I have to make an effort to sit still, to read or reflect or write or let art unfold. It’s hard to sit still but I’m doing ok so far. Taking other things off my plate has helped a great deal, the biggest of which was my own expectations of myself.
One thing I will do is take the month of July and part of August away from blogging, just as I’ve done in past years. I may pop in every once in a while to say hello. I plan to try to take myself off the rigid habit of scheduling every single task, and blogging takes up a lot of that. Though I would say it’s my favorite of all the things I do, I still think a break is a good thing.
Many of you have decided to take social media breaks, something I admire. I probably won’t do that. In fact, I’ve gone the opposite direction and gotten on Periscope (the latest social media tool) and back on Instagram. I found two classes through these: one is Kelly Rae Roberts’ mixed media class (which I kept saying I wasn’t going to take!) and the other is a 10-day photography course with Henry Lohmeyer called “wide open: photography and vulnerability” and it begins July 6. “Each photo that I take is about what I’m processing, what I’m feeling, what I’m being. If you can concede to this notion and completely believe that each photo you take is about your own personal journey, what’s in you, then anything you see becomes a photo worth taking, a feeling worth expressing.” I’m looking forward to learning from Henry.
I’m reorganizing all my craft space. There may be another tour coming soon. Maybe I’ll do a Periscope video?
What are you up to? Enjoy your summer!
I recently read this quote, “The conscious mind is the editor, and the subconscious mind is the writer.” ~ Steve Martin. I also think of Elizabeth Gilbert saying something like art is a collaboration with spiritual beings. I believe that art comes from a spiritual place so it make s sense to me that you want to create art. I can’t wait to see what you create!
Thanks, Patti! I’m having a great time, even though I am getting behind on some things. It’s worth it! Love that quote.
Hi Naomi!
I love your latest canvas! Gorgeous colors and textures and so FUN! To me, summer is a time to have fun. After my break last month, I am finding myself a bit slow to get started again. I enjoyed my month off. I missed people mostly, but enjoyed the extra time and the slower pace it provided. I hope you do too!
Amy Putkonen recently posted…What are You Working On? July 3, 2015
Thank you, dear. I think breaks are great things! That said, I’m glad you are back!
Glad to hear you’re reclaiming something you love with your art Naomi, and that you’re also honoring your need to take a little blogging break. It’s exciting to hear you’re discovering more and more about yourself and then showing up fully. I always think it’s important to understand our cycles of creativity and implementation require the natural rhythm of reflecting and quietness as well, and finding our personal rhythm is an ongoing process. Wishing you a wonderful summer!
Deborah Weber recently posted…There’s always room for more love
You are right… cycles are a good thing to recognize. I hope you have a lovely summer as well!
Yay! Welcome back to creativity. I won’t go on a break either, except for those I have to do, like when we go on vacation 🙂
Linda Ursin recently posted…Relax and enjoy your summer
Vacations are good for me too, at least the short ones. No laundry, no cooking…
As long as I’m married to this guy, vacations usually means more physical work (housework etc.) and less downtime
Linda Ursin recently posted…Creative Explorers Podcast – Episode 1 – My reason for doing this podcast
Same as a mom… I think of it as more of a trip away from the usual and less of a vaca.
Yes, I’m taking steps to fix that though
Linda Ursin recently posted…Creative Explorers Podcast – Episode 1 – My reason for doing this podcast
I’m so glad that you’re in full art mode! Woohoo! Isn’t it fun? Summertime is great arttime. I hope that you have a blast. By the way, I love the look on that bird’s face — so blissful.
Speaking of creativity, I remember so clearly my friendship bracelet-making days. Thanks for reminding me of good times with friends when I was a kid. As for modern-day creativity, Periscope looks awesome for sharing. Thanks!
Harmony Harrison recently posted…Swimming Brains and Journal Pages: A hypothyroid update and a peek inside my art journal
Oh! One more thing! Years ago I had to give up the whole Type A routine when I started to have health problems that were exacerbated by self-pressure. So, I decided to go from a Type A to a Type “Eh!” said, of course, with a big shrug and sheepish grin. This still makes me laugh and helps me break out of pressure mode. 🙂
Harmony Harrison recently posted…Swimming Brains and Journal Pages: A hypothyroid update and a peek inside my art journal
Love “type Eh!” I’m going to have to adopt that!
So nice. I at times take breaks from creating too. Don’t really know why it happens. Suddenly I stop and don’t create anyting for long periods of time to come back to it equally suddenly one day.
Anna recently posted…9 reasons why you can’t avoid falling in love with Buenos Aires
When we have so many passions and they all are interesting, I guess that’s bound to happen.
WOW! what an inspiring post! You are making magic for your soul and I am thankful that we are connecting today (via web) — your words here speak to my heart and I feel like I too need to make more space to create freely, without judgement or expectation! The courses sound divine…..photography is something I sometimes immerse myself in too much (“Mom, put the camera down and come swim!” was something I heard last night. Tonight, I did not take the camera (but I did take the puppy, so hands still a bit too full) and we swam in the big sea (high tide, full moon). Maybe tomorrow we will go swimming with our hands totally free and then leave some space in the evening to come home and use our hands to make a messy creation! Wishing you all sorts of magic as your bloggy break opens up more space for you to PLAY!
Christy, I love what you write here… it is so playful and forgiving and joyous. 🙂
I am enjoying my RV and absorbing plenty of live Rock and Roll! I got a new camera and am having fun with it. I really want to go out on the waters of some lake and take a lot of pictures. A special thing about this camera is that it is waterproof. People even use it for underwater photography, and the macro mode is really a lot of fun. It has navigational aids built in: a GPS, magnetic compass, and barometer, fun for my inner gadget freak. My next trip is to Albuquerque and Oklahoma City. After that, I am looking forward to staying home in Colorado for several months. Enjoy your break from blogging!
Your new camera sounds great! Share some pics when you can. 🙂