direction

I read this morning that without a clear direction set in your mind so deep that you don't have to think about it , you will wander away from whatever you really want.

This was eye opening for me. I have a mission statement but it is not ingrained in my mind so much that I don't have to refer back to it.

And yes, I do get way layed.

How do you ingrain something in your brain???

I came up with 3 things I am going to do starting right now that will do that. First I am going to write it down on the computer screen. Where do I spend a lot of time, right here so that is where it will be. I will make it a wall paper so I can see it every time I walk over here. Good double use of computer.

Second I am going to illustrate it. the more ways I see it the better.

Third I am going to give myself a reward for every time I read it. That might sound silly but we berate ourselves when we don't stay on track so why not reward yourself when you do. It will make the mind path deeper to look forward to getting a little encouragement. I am going to say Good Girl every time I read it, think about it or do it.

If I had a gallery

If I had a gallery I would devote it to work done by children.

Children that are unspoiled by thinking that art must be done a certain way. Children that have found their voice at an early age.

the voices of children are wonderfully free of all the self imposed restrictions that we have over time.

Most art schools and creativity groups are trying to get back to that time where you did not stop yourself from being unique.

Why not just start before all that happens.

Maturity in art usually reverts back to when you first started. Look at Bonnard and Matisse and even Picasso.

Trust

I am reading a book on trust. One thing jumped out at me that shook me to the core. If you don't trust yourself to do what you say you are going to do, then you won't trust anyone else either and everyone will actually sense that in you. This is so true.

Did you ever meet someone and did not trust them and you did not know why?? Well their eyes must be betraying them.

I did not know that if I say I am going to do something like get up early and exercise and then I don't , I am not able to trust myself to do what I said I would do and that will undermine everything else connected with my interactions with everyone.

What a shocking thought. small things maybe but big consequences. The biggest consequences.

my granddaughter

I have one granddaughter and she is the most wonderful creature ever to walk on this earth.

Every word out of her little mouth is full of delight and joy. Even when she cries , it is only for a few seconds (I think she feels obligated to do the baby thing every so often)

I love to stare at her face when she is asleep and try to vibe all the good things in this life for her that I can. I try and squeeze a billion tons of love into her soul so she will be strong and brave.

I do believe the more you encourage and bless your children and grandchildren they will grow up knowing how to trust . If you trust yourself and your parents then you will develop a healthy trust for God.

I was fortunate to have parents that made me eventually do that so I am grateful.

If you did not have such an easy time of it then you have to find people who will be like that and you have to be like that for the sake of your kids.

The great thing about this world is that there are lots of people to pick from. Lots and lots to pick from.

May I help you

Did anyone ever ask you that?? Of course. and I am sure you said that to someone too. I have a new motto. Always say yes to that question.

Who knows what they know and you might need an extra pair of hands and you might actually bless them in the process.

I know sometimes I say Oh no I can do it, like I am some sort of independent super person that never needs anyone.

Next time somebody offers, I am saying yes, even to that grocery store guy who will carry your groceries. Maybe he needs a break and wants to go outside and get some fresh air. Maybe he will talk to you and you can share some amazing bit of wisdom with him in the two minutes you have.

You might have a chance to give more than get in an unexpected place.

I believe there are no coincidences, so everything counts.

new Show

Let me tell you show for Soap Lake. I did these paintings with the total freedom of doing exactly what I wanted to paint. If there were no "what will sell" idea going on in my brain. Just what do I need now.

I like simple and clean and fresh lines. one idea , full of energy and life and color that is a little muddy.

that is what I let them be.

I am rolling in the muddy colors right now because it is a nice foil for the clean crisp expressive lines.

I want someone looking back at me that inspires me to beauty and freedom and aliveness. That is what I need now and that is what I painted.

Every morning

Every step of the way to going somewhere can be more important than actually getting there.

Getting there is just the end of the road

Every time I have a show and it goes well, the next day I am very depressed.

I am sad because all the work is now done and I have to sit there for awhile and not have a deadline or two more paintings to get done.

I hate that part of it.

I love the almost done but I hate the done.

It's the ride.

When I get my house decorated just the way I like it and it feels like home, time to move. Start over.

That is what is so great about failure. You get to start over really soon.