With the kinks worked out about reducing the dpi, making sure it was a jpg and  finally uploading the photos, I can now show you how much fun the  Glorious Abstract class had.  The photo above shows the class with our class mascot, Emma.  They are standing outside the Stables Gallery and workshop space.  What a group of great people!

The space at the Stables is roomy and perfect for creating.  The gals brought their I Pods so music saturated the air.  There wasn’t any way for people to not be creative……being in Taos, absorbing the light, smells and textures of the surrounding area.  When you have a room filled with those who are wanting to learn and are willing to put their egos aside, try new things, be open to failure so they can succeed…..you have the makings of magic.

Of course the shopping in Arroya Seco was a fabulous way to relax after a long day of painting.  Ice Cream at The Taos Cow made the afternoon perfect.  A soft rain fell as we sat outside on the porch of  The Taos Cow and shared our thoughts.

Not everyone is privy to this energy as they are not yet awake.  It is like when you purchase a new car, all of a sudden you see the model you just purchased everywhere.  You have awaken something within you that was asleep.

Opening our brain to new things is one of the most important aspects of the creative life.  Learning new techniques,  a new way to hold the brush, how to blend colors,  finding a new surface to paint on when you get bored with canvas or paper.  When I am writing there are times when only a pencil will do.  Interesting how our bodies tell us exactly what we need and if we are connected to our feelings when we are painting we are told many things to improve the painting.  Of course, the problem is we over ride this information and we struggle with getting the painting “right”.

Go to the studio today and as you paint relax into the creative flow.  As you are painting remember when that feeling comes that shouts “use red”, but you know red does not work at this place in the painting…..use red!  Trust your gut and give it a try.  We grow when we are willing to take chances.  We grow when we are not afraid.  We grow when we no longer care what others think.

Today…..grow.

This is my studio. This is my last studio.  It may be for a day or twenty years…..but it is mine.  It is filled with soul.  It is filled with an infusion of creativity that screams “Welcome”.   It has come to me with open arms.

Last night I painted the cold gray concrete floors with a warm transparent Terracotta stain then  a layer of  vibrant Tuscon Gold.  They merged into joy.

I have waited a lifetime for this  passage…. childhood, marriage, birth, children, divorce, sorrow, death, disappointments ( in self as well as others), caretaker, widowhood, success, sickness, transformation…..only to arrive at the gate of “myself”.  How lucky can a person be?

I drink a glass of wine to the birth of who I am….I drink a glass of wine to life….I drink a glass of wine to YOU.

With my mindset in tow I figured out how long it should take and prepared my psyche.  Oh, how wrong I was!  I forgot about inspections,  electricians, drywall, wet concrete, painters,  the sealing of the concrete floor that has to sit for 3-4 days before I can stain the floor, rain, drying time, etc.  Having the best crew in the world didn’t help with my impatience.

I guess what I am saying here is….. I need a little help.

How do you handle your impatience? Does it effect your your ability to write, paint, create?

I need some “feel good” advice.

(PS….I would have added photos of the studio in progress but the files were too big ….another thing to learn)

The Tao Te Ching teaches personal empowerment. Tao means the journey of our lives, Te means our essential nature and Ching means a sacred book,  It is made up of three characters “to go” ” straight” and “the heart.”   The Tao is a journey of discovery and fulfillment that comes straight from the heart.

To create we allow our heart to be open …wide open. Having our hearts open also requires us to be centered.  Being centered means that we stay in touch with who we are at a deeper level.  It means becoming more aware of our own energies, values, and priorities. We as artists are the luckiest people in the world.  We have the privilege of going within and finding out just who we are.  Our creations reflect no only who we are but how we think and  feel.

So, when you go into your studio how important is the act of creating to you?  Is it just a job or do you feel you must create or die.

What does integrity mean to you?  Does integrity mean something different in your art than with yourself?

Integrity as a concept has to do with perceived consistency of our actions, values, methods, principles, expectations and outcome .

Integrity means the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change.

Integrity means to complete what you say.

Integrity means you stick to your personal code of conduct….what you have decided  is right or wrong.

Integrity means honoring yourself.  It doesn’t mean you have to “feel” like doing the job or even like the job…..it means you do the job because you gave your word.

Saying and doing are two totally different things…..integrity is doing what you promised.

Integrity is a skill….it is developed over time.  It is developed with experience and observation.

Integrity must be maintained.

Integrity gives us a foundation from which to draw on for future projects.  We automatically know our strength because we have proven it to ourselves  (this one is really important)

Integrity is our secret back up system.

What is artistic integrity:

• Always painting with passion
• Never copying  but taking ideas and tweaking them to make them our own
• Being original….not normal
• Having the courage to take a chance
• Always remembering your artistic vision comes from your life, your thoughts…..your courage
• Creating a painting because it comes from your soul and not for recognition or prizes
• Being willing to be scared….to create on the edge
• To continue creating when doubt in yourself appears
• Doing your very best each and every day

These are but a few…..What are yours?

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.”

I have two critique groups that meet once a month and  they bring their work for me to critique.  The group last week brought to mind that we as artists easily segue our thoughts without a blip in the radar.   One member of the group got up and showed her paintings.  We discussed them in great detail and as she was taking the last one off the easel she casually stated….now all I have to do is decide whether to get plan D or J of my medicare.  The group burst into laughter.  It all fit.  We all understood.   The segue from art to medicare didn’t seem unusual…..we were all in the flow.

Being in the “flow” while painting is essential.  When we are one with our painting the painting speaks to us.  One of the most important jobs we have as an artist is to listen.    When I am painting, the painting speaks to me through my gut and my heart.  I get that special feeling in my body.  Have you ever started a painting and it seemed to paint itself?  Why is that?  Why do some paint themselves and some never get off the ground?

What does it take to get into the “flow”.  I will share with you what it takes for me.  When I enter the studio I am filled with a calm excitement.  What do I mean by calm excitement?  I am in control of the butterflies in my stomach.  Why calm?  Well,  I am the type of person who gets excited about an idea and I want to get it done asap.  Decide to paint the bedroom…..no problem, I paint it that afternoon.    That ” get it done now “mentality has been taken down a notch since I have been remodeling my new, old home.  Nothing is done immediately!  I must have chosen this house to re-evaluate my patience.  Oh, it has been hard!!!………back to art.

I have done my thumbnail sketch, mentally selected my color scheme (warm or cool), decided on the size of canvas, sketched the design on the canvas, selected the brushes I am going to use.  I am all set up.

What I do now is sit back and relax.  I calm my mind, my body and allow the future painting to become one with me.  Little too woo woo for you?  Why not just get on with it and paint the painting?  I could do that and the painting would probably turn out just fine.  However, I don’t want a ” just fine” painting.  I want a painting with soul.  In order to get soul into a painting we need to go beyond the normal way of painting……we need to go within ourselves.

How do you think the Olympic hopefuls become winners?  They develop ways to go deep within themselves.  This place is their strength.  This is also the place where you find your real strength.