Create It Forward Exercise

This January I received the following note from a Facebook friend:

Awesome idea: I pledge to Create It Forward this New Year!I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 folks who leave a comment to this update.HERE'S THE CATCH: U MUST in turn promise to post this and send something U have made to the first 5 posters on your status (plus me!). The rules are that it must be handmade by U & it MUST be sent to your 5+1 people sometime in 2011! It's more fun if we pass it on!

Please don't respond to that - I am only quoting it. That exercise/giveaway has already begun, BUT, I will do another blog giveaway soon, because it's been so long. I am working, gradually, on this project. I am using India ink, Prismacolor pencils, and some really nice natural fiber paper (tobacco, banana) I discovered on a lark at a local discount store. I am keeping it simple and fun, letting creativity flow rather than get hung up on how naive and simplistic my drawings are. It is fun!

No April Fooling - I really am working on it!

Work Space - Before & After

Part of my problem is that when my family went through what it went through, I chose a coping mechanism that is no longer helping me cope and certainly isn't productive. I have really been trying to break through and overcome that, and I cannot stress enough that it's by God's grace and help. This is my story and He's an essential part of it, so I cannot shy away from that aspect. If you aren't a Christian and are reading this, just bear with me and maybe I can explain it. Many people believe in coincidences but I do not, I believe they are "God things" - something He sends your way to get your attention. It can be a gentle reminder OR a kick in the butt to get on the path you're supposed to be on. God sent me these messages variously and in other ways, but the three that apply to what I am thinking about today are my being introduced to The Artist's Way, Geninne's Art Blog and the TV show Clean House. These are tools and things that woke me up and got me moving when I was finally ready to change.

I have always been a bit messy. When I was going through situations with my family, my father's sad and unfair circumstances, the raging and erratic addiction(s) of other loved ones and all the pain and turmoil these circumstances caused, I was trying to cope and be strong on the outside. My messiness got out of control. On the inside I was hurting, and as best as I can see it from my own armchair psychological diagnosis, I let the interior of my home just grow with clutter and messiness that was sort of a manifestation of all the confusion and mess I felt about the situations that were hurting me. But I could always clean up my home, I could not clean up any of the messes that my family was in, those were beyond my control.


I still mopped, vacuumed and cleaned the kitchen and bathroom, generally kept house, but I let stacks of things pile up and overtake areas of my home. I also couldn't part with things, no matter how unsentimental, or unusable they were. I had a 'I might need it someday' mentality. You can imagine how I did not part with sentimental and personal things if I was holding on so strongly to the unsentimental things. I never refused anything people gave me, whether or not I liked it or could use it. It was one of my ways of avoiding things within myself, because I couldn't let myself take the time to do art or anything 'for me' if my house needed serious attention. There is a hierarchy of things that need tending to in my life. The house came after my family, and I don't need to tell you that there is always plenty to do to take care of family first. Then of course, we are in the ministry, so any type of ministry and doing good for others ought to come before anything I might want to pursue. My little mania and foolishness (as Neicy on Clean House calls it) became crystal clear when I moved here, and was on a steady (albeit slow) path of emerging from this stuff that was blocking me. I set up an art space in my room and repeatedly began to let thing pile up on and in front of it rather than use it. I was blocking myself.



I still struggle, I'm not going to say otherwise. I thank God I am not where I used to be, even though I am not exactly where I'd like to be. I'd like to be as productive as someone like, say Geninne (see above link) or my friend E. who is a working jewelry artist. I used to let my dissatisfaction over what I was not doing paralyze me from what positive steps, however small, I was actually taking. Now I celebrate the small victories and don't agonize over the setbacks in the same unproductive way. I still have a long way to go, but I want to show today how things are. Things are looking up.

Hodgepodge

I found this very cool photography/art site and had to share:
Hundreds of Tourist Photos Weaved Into One. Do scroll to the bottom of the page when you are done and click on some of the other art projects, many of the projects are G-rated and cool.

Truths For Mature Humans(I tweaked the original one that went around via facebook, email forwards and blogs)
1. Ask yourself, is it true, is it kind, and/or is it necessary before you pass along any information.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet? (After years of trial and error, house-wifery, & some semi-OCD tendencies I have actually come to terms with that one, sort of.)

6. Was learning algebra really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.

13. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. “Do not machine wash or tumble dry” means I will never wash this – ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn’t answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone I know the entire day. What a waste. Conversely, when I leave the house in my sweaty, bleach marked housework/work-out sweats, on a quick, unplanned trip to the post office, or to grab one quick item from the store, I know I run into plenty of people I know.

17. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. I appreciate kindness now more than ever.

20. I wish Google Maps had an warning for bad neighborhoods and areas of town; and excessive and lengthy construction zones.

21. Sometimes, I’ll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it. Same goes for songs.

22. There is no reason to make low-rise jeans for plus-sized people. I am plus-sized and I don't appreciate it, in fact I'm tired of seeing low rise on any body size.

23. Irregardless is not a real word, can we please agree to stop its usage?

24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

25. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?

26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

28. Someone said, "Profanity is the effort of a feeble mind to express itself forcibly." Mark Twain said, "When angry, count to four. When very angry, swear." Can we all agree that cussing is so common it has lost its meaning, and then agree to do it infrequently so that it will actually be shocking again, or dare I even say appropriate in the rarest of situations?

29. There’s no worse feeling than that millisecond you’re sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

30. As a driver I'm annoyed by pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I'm annoyed by drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I'm usually annoyed by (and fear) bicyclists.

31. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey – but I’d bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!


Would you add anything?

What works for me - Support Local Arts

I was thinking about the 16 Charitable Ways To Celebrate Valentine's Day article I posted right before V-Day, and recalled another idea I got from somewhere(not original to me). This isn't about pure charity, as the linked article is. This idea is about art festivals, craft fairs and gift buying. I enjoy going to the great art festivals and fairs that we have in our local community - and I always admire and appreciate the various original and handmade arts, clothing, jewelry, etc. But I can never afford to spend a bunch of money on myself. Now, I walk around them with the idea of what holidays or occasions I have to buy gifts for in the near future. So instead of getting a plastic toy from the local stuff-mart, I look around at the arts and crafts and see if I can buy a birthday gift at the fair. This also works for wedding, baby shower or holiday gifts. There are all kinds of unique and original T-shirts, kites, wind-chimes, hula-hoops, jewelry, and of course paintings, photographs and sculptures - among so many other things - all beautifully crafted. Last year I was able to buy some adorable and original tie-died onsies and socks for a couple of baby showers. I feel like I am supporting local artists and not buying a bunch of toxic junk made in *a large communist country that often has problems with lead paint, moldy drywall and poison in its products. I reason that I have to buy gifts for these occasions anyway, and like many people who enjoy a little "retail therapy" it feeds the need to shop and buy but it also helps the artist, blesses the recipient with something very unique.




The gift shops at local museums and state parks can also be a good place for unique gifts and by shopping there you're more than likely supporting a non-profit organization.

I think I might occasionally do a "what works for me" post, if it proves to work out. These are just little tips and such on a variety of subjects.


Photo by Wade Rockett.

10 Little Goals for the New Year

In no particular order.

1. Master Hula-Hooping and do it almost every day.

2. Read more chapter books aloud with my children.

3. Walk outside more.

4. More Sunday dinners, home-made, in the dining room on the good dishes.

5. Pare down various things in my life and house, to try and have a simpler life. Get rid of excess things.

6. Try to start a small internet and flea market business.

7. Continue in my weight loss and fitness, it'd be cool to lose one full clothing/dress size by the end of the year.

8. Focus on the women's and girl's ministry ideas I have been given.

9. Do art daily - sketch, draw and even paint.

10. Canoe more often.

Article on John Lennon Has Me Thinking About Faith, Art & Life

I took this picture in Strawberry Fields in Central Park last summer.
I did some New Year's cleaning and organizing this past weekend and came across an older issue of the magazine Guideposts. I enjoyed this lovely article about one woman's encounter with John Lennon, and have it here for your enjoyment. My comments follow, so this it a longer entry today.

"

The bicyclist pedaled closer, his face unshaven, his eyes hidden beneath round wire-rimmed glasses. Hair spilled from his wide-brimmed hat. His clothes fluttered in the breeze. "How you doing?" he shouted, waving hello. A hippie, I thought, dismissing him as I walked up the busy street with my family. He coasted past, vanishing down the road. Something about him seemed familiar. A minute later another bicycle raced by: a Japanese woman, with long, curly hair—and an unmistakable face. "That's Yoko Ono," I said to myself. Oh, my…That "hippie" had to be John Lennon. What are they doing here in Karuizawa?

My husband, Stephen, was a minister and we moved to this Japanese mountain town five years earlier, in 1971, to work at the missionary camp his parents managed, a place where people came eager to experience a new world and deepen their faith. But it was hard work raising our three young children, Becky, seven, Peter, five, and Debby, two, on top of the chores that had to be done. I cooked three meals a day for up to 50 people. Nights I set up the coffeehouse we ran.

"Come to the Power and Light Company," read the signs we put up along the machi, the main street in town, inviting the community for free coffee, cake and conversation in English.

Missionaries had been coming to Karuizawa for years to enjoy the cool breezes coming off the evergreen slopes of Mt. Asama, the charming little shops that lined the machi, which sold cherry-wood carvings and kokeshi dolls. The Japanese elite fell in love with Karuizawa too. Emperors, diplomats and entertainers built grand, Victorian-style homes with gorgeous moss gardens. That must be why John is here, I thought. He must own one of those mansions.

I wasn't a Beatles fan. Back in Oregon where I grew up, I adored Pat Boone. Beatlemania shocked me—the moppy hairstyles and the loud, raw rock 'n' roll. "We're more popular than Jesus now," the papers quoted John as saying. I was appalled. How could he be so arrogant? I wasn't surprised disillusioned Beatles fans burned their records in response. Anyway, I decided to put the John and Yoko sighting out of my mind. I'll never see them again, I bet.

That Sunday, as always, missionaries from the different denominations in town packed into Union Church. Midway through the service, I heard murmuring in the back. I strained my neck to see. A man and woman were walking down the aisle, looking for an open seat. You guessed it. John and Yoko. They settled in, but the whispering didn't stop.

"Who is that?" "He's one of the Beatles." "I didn't know they went to church…" The minister cleared his throat, loudly, and everyone went back to listening to his sermon. But I couldn't focus. What was John doing in our church?

Later that week Peter and Debby played in the sandbox in our yard. I sat in a lawn chair, keeping an eye on them while some people from the church were visiting. I just wanted to relax before I had to bake the cakes for the coffee shop. Suddenly two bicycles slowed down at our house and pedaled into our yard. It was them! Their son, Sean, was sitting in a child's seat attached to John's handlebars. Stunned, I got up and walked toward them. What do I say to the most famous Beatle of all? "I saw your signs on the machi and thought they were clever," John said, breaking the silence. "I was telling Yoko here that we needed to see what it was all about." The camp volunteers saw who'd showed up and quickly began gathering. "What are you doing in town?" I managed to ask.

"We're staying at a cabin owned by Yoko's family," he told me. It was crazy. John Lennon, coming here because he saw our sign?

One woman pushed in front. She had a reputation for being blunt. "I read about your divorce—how could you leave your first marriage?" she asked. "What are you doing now that the Beatles have broken up?" Everyone crowded closer. I expected John and his family to turn around and pedal away as fast as they could.

But John just smiled. "Right now I am putting my music on hold to spend time with my wife and son," he said. The woman didn't seem quite satisfied.

"Do you belong to a church?" she asked.

"Of course," he said. "I'm C. of E."

A worried look came across the woman's face. "The See…what?"

John laughed playfully. "The Church of England. Haven't you heard of them?"

More questions came, and he listened to each, answering kindly and politely. He didn't contradict anyone in any way. One of the most famous people in the world—notorious even, to some—in our humble yard, being scrutinized by people he didn't know, and taking it all in stride. Even I had to admit, I was surprised by his patience.

"How could you say those things about being bigger than Jesus?" someone asked. I had wondered that same thing myself.

John shook his head. "When we talk to reporters, we play around with them," he said. "We're just a music group. Don't people know that Jesus is far greater than we are?" Finally, the crowd seemed satisfied. Maybe he wasn't just some arrogant rock star.

Just then there was a commotion in the sandbox. Debby had hit Peter with a plastic shovel. I knelt down to placate the two of them.

"How old are your kids?" John asked.

"Debby's two and Peter is five."

"Sean's about the same age as your little girl, but he's so quiet and shy. Maybe he could benefit from playing with a girl like that." I looked at Sean as John reached down and gently ruffled his hair. In that moment, John didn't seem like a hippie anymore—he seemed like any other concerned dad.

We talked a little more about our kids. Before I knew it, an hour had passed, and he, Yoko and Sean prepared to pedal off on their bikes. "It's good to talk to all of you," John said. "I've been looking for something this summer, something spiritual," he continued. "I've been speaking with a lot of the missionaries I've met here, about life and what it all means. Thank you for your words." He waved goodbye—and I waved back as they rode off, little Sean perched on his daddy's handlebars.

I had made all sorts of assumptions about John Lennon—that he was arrogant, disrespectful, antireligious, a rebellious hippie. But the man I met was none of those things. In fact, he was modest and self-effacing. Not like my idea of a rock star at all!

I never did speak to John again. But I hope we helped him that summer. He certainly helped me. He reminded me of why I had come to Japan in the first place. To welcome people—not to judge them. And to grow in my understanding of the world.

"

I liked that this article sort of set the record straight regarding much of the demonetization the conservative Christian Church in the USA has regarding that old statement John Lennon made about being "bigger than Jesus." You may also recall Lennon was in the news again recently in December regarding lost interview tapes and the anniversary of his death. I heard a snippet or two of that old interview in the news while the story made the rounds, and it struck me at how much his family values were aligned with mine, though we are so very different. He was weathering criticism for wanting to take a break and raise his youngest son, and his commitment to his spouse, and those types of choices, etc. I find this particularly compelling being at a similar point in my life, albeit much less talented, and with different struggles and situations. I am am concerned with my own things as an artist in 40th decade of my life. I was a productive artist once, and I was an artist before I was a wife and mother, and before my family went through it's tragedy*. Now I am trying to be all the things I want to be and am called to be, as a child of God. It's good to know others have been on this path before and made it work, and it's good to be reminded that my time among the living could be up at any time. There are things I'd like to accomplish, and at least, leave this world with a little more done than I am currently doing.

Anyway, enjoy.

Winter Tree

On a winter's day somewhere north of here the sun shines down
but cannot melt
the icy cold snow of her heart
she is a beautiful tree
but brittle from the freeze
If the dead things can break off
and fall away during a winter storm
In the warming spring
new life will come
and there will be buds and leaves
flowers in summer, then
fruit will come
if...only things
die and break away
in the right season.

©M.D.V.

Today is the First Day

Today is the First Day...of the next season of my life. I have a child who is a high school senior, a child in middle school and one in elementary school. I quit my job, because I need a part time job that will allow my late afternoons and evenings to be free. I need to be here for my family more than my recent job permitted. It was good while it lasted and now it's time to move one. I have big plans for myself. I have things I want to do for God and ministry. I have things I want to do for me (artist & hula-hooper-woot!) and my family. What does God want me to do? Some areas and things I can sense and feel a prompting from Him, and I think there will be somethings that are a surprise and a challenge. God, please help me, I need it.

I'm feeling good...BUT I don't walk by feeling I walk by faith.

Flower Power, part 1

I was having some fun with ze frank's flower maker. Here's what I came up with:

'Pastel Petals'





'viva'

Speaking of flowers...
The Daily Weaving blog had a recent post about Artists and flowers, see it here. It's about a public art project in Charleston, WV. I like good graffiti. It reminded me of the Lizards on the Loose public Art project Orlando, Florida, did in 2008.

art

Regular Reader lil' Art Giveaway - Closed!

I haven't seen much traffic lately, but I know there are at least 2 of you out there! If you email me your mailing address I'd like to send you a small token of my appreciation. It will be small. Reach me at *edited* And on the info/subject line please put "blog give-away," OK?

(c)M.d.V.2009

The give-away is closed now (12/12). Thanks to all who participated!

A "Secret" Site

I sometimes enjoy the Post Secret Site. Be forewarned that a few of the secrets and the corresponding postcard art can be disturbing and have adult themes. However, more often than not, they can be variously artistic, thoughtful, funny and real. The picture below is from that site.


from PostSecret

Do you have a secret you wish you could unburden yourself of? I have a few. I have poured some of them out before the Lord in prayer and that has helped more than sending them anonymously to an artistic stranger. Still, the idea behind PostSecret is compelling and many of the postcards are exquisite little works of art.

Art

little nurse shark
(c)M.d.V.2009
Delighted
to see this creature
unafraid

Art

This is something whimsical~


(c)M.d.V.2009

Art

(c)M.d.V.2009


I was thinking of artist Peter Max when I did this one. What can I say? It makes me feel happy.

Little Art Piece

Purple Growing Paisley,
for Stacey


(c)M.d.V.2009

Getting One's Groove Back

(c)M.d.V.2009


So, I began this blog as a way to journal about life and such,
as a way to rekindle my creativity,
and work through what I think is blocking me.
So, I'm pleased to report that I have been steadily
drawing and sketching a bit every week
and it feels very good.

What I've Been Reading

Somebody on a message board asked, "What are you currently reading?"

I am doing the Bible in a year plan that I linked to in a previous post. I am currently in the books of Acts, Joshua and Job. I am delighted and amazed how the chapters I’m reading seem to be so apropos to something that is going on in my day or week, or somehow relate to some question I’ve had.

I just finished Heart To Heart with Pastors’ Wives by Lynne Dugan, and added A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce to my bag. Those are two books I’ve had around my home for years and years now. I have even picked them up a time or two, but never finished them. My plan is to finally read through the books I’ve collected before I borrow or buy another!

I have also begun (again and in earnest!) the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I have been doing my journaling as part of that book’s exercises, and in addition I have been sketching regularly in my sketchbook. This is a HUGE step for me personally, in overcoming the artist’s block I have been in for so long. I am so hopeful and pleased about this. Someone recently blessed and surprised me with a set of art pencils and other various supplies. God bless them! I have been putting them to productive use.

You might think it’s odd that I am reading two or three books at a time, in addition to a few Bible chapters. I never used to operate that way. I used to read one book until it was finished, often quickly if it was of interest to me, and then begin another. This new way of reading a couple at a time is helpful for my current condition. I like to read a ministry related or Christian theology type of book, and then a fiction or non-fiction book. I read a chapter or two at a time in each book. When I find myself a little bored, distracted, perplexed or even needing to ponder something in one book, it’s helpful to switch gears to another book. I keep a big tote bag with me, with my books, including the journal and sketchbook, and when something I read gives me an idea or an inspiration I can jot it down or draw it out. I am ready to make a note so I can study something I have a question about more in depth later.

I am trying to surrender myself more fully to the Lord in the areas of art, study, prayer and discipline. It is only by God’s grace I can do any of this. I was (and am) so sick of the procrastination and disorganization that plagued me for so long, I have been yielding to the Lord and trying to do better. I have been blessed with some quiet time on my job where I am able to read a little, and been making baby steps toward this end. So that is what I have been reading. What have you been reading?

How To Defeat Yourself, Creatively Speaking

1. Don’t ever sit down in front of your drafting table with pencil or pen in hand.


2. Better yet, place an ironing board in front of the table, and stack it with junk, clothes, clutter and NONSENSE!


3. Tell yourself you will tidy it up and get on track tomorrow, or Saturday, or Monday.


4. Keep telling yourself that and NOT actually do it.




I finally cleared off the ironing board yesterday and put it away where it belongs! I’m not making any resolutions about it or anything. I’m just saying that I cleared a path, and the drafting table is in a slanted position, so clutter cannot stick to it.


As of today's date, my dear and beloved Mother is a 10 year breast cancer survivor. I thank The Good Lord, for my Mom and the time He has given us.

Insanity, Procrastination & Change

One of Big Daddy’s favorite quotes is the following from Albert Einstein:
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
He uses this in his messages from time to time. He illustrates it by walking into a wall several times. Then he will finally stop and turn, or open a door. It drives the point home.

So, today, dear readers, I’ll let you in on a secret. From the biggest things in your life to the smallest, don’t expect any change for the better until you change. The “you” is “me” and I’m writing this to myself. God will send you help if you want to change for the better, but He expects some effort on your part. Only the smallest effort. A hand reaching up. A sincerely whispered, ‘I’m sorry.” A realization. Aha! But if you continue in your old patterns and habits, things will stay the same or get worse.

I will not be happy, completely happy until I pick up a paintbrush, or pencil, or charcoal or something REGULARLY and put it to paper! The dry spell won’t stop until I start. Doing. Regularly. Like. Brushing. My. Teeth.

What insanity are you striving to overcome?

I am also striving to floss daily. I hate it, but I know it’s good for me.