Again

It's been a long while since I have last posted...yet again!

The "here we go again" faces...lol

There has been an immense amount of stuff going on with me in the last 7 months...all good! I have been working my tail off in order to become a bit more financially stable. I have a long ways to go as I have just begun the journey. The journey is looking super bright though, and the good thing is as of right now all of the jobs that I have been working are looking towards the ultimate goal.

So we will be starting off a bit fresh here, and I am looking forward to what me being open to documenting this leg of the journey will bring. I am looking forward to it will connect me to, and how it will enhance me as a creative individual!

With that said, here is a quick view of some of the doodles I have been doing for an online doodle class that I have been taking.

Corner of Gratitude:
Openness

Pearls of Wisdom:
"Faith is a state of openness or trust."
~Alan Watts

Your Thoughts:
What have you been closed to that may be the key to what you desire and/or have prayed for?

Until next time...

Coming Together

I don't have a whole bunch of words to write. I don't even have an exciting picture to share. I just have a few simple Pearls of Wisdom that sums up where I have been and what is happening in the last month.


"And we know that all things work together for those who love God, and to them who are called according to His purposes."
~ Romans 8:28

"Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together."
~ James Cash Penney

"Some say if you want success surround yourself with successful people. i say if you want true and lasting success surround yourself with people of integrity."
~ Charles F. Glassman

Corner of Gratitude:
Letting go and being okay

Your Thoughts:
What are you okay with letting go of and knowing that things will work out just fine?

Until next time...

Proper Preparation

It's been amazingly beautiful outside...a mixture of clouds and sun, and even perhaps a sprinkle here and there.

It's a day that reminds me that life sometimes takes these incredibly different turns from one minute to the next, and even though those turns are unexpected...all is well anyhow.

I don't necessarily say this to say anything other than this is how I am feeling at the moment. There aren't any super drastic changes or turns that have occurred since the last time that I spoke to you. All is going really well...Steady Eddy to be exact.

And that is what I need...

In this season of stability, I am watching the roses grow from seedling up in great anticipation of smelling them when they blossom. I'm not rushing the process. In fact, it's the slowness of the process that is allowing me to dig deep into self introspection and love the journey!

I'll be ready for what comes ahead because now, I am properly preparing myself for the journey!!

What a wonderful feeling!

In the meantime...here are a few things that have been birthed creatively in the last few weeks:

Corner of Gratitude:
Understanding me

Pearls of Wisdom:
"True stability results when presumed order and presumed disorder are balanced. A truly stable system expects the unexpected, is prepared to be disrupted, waits to be transformed."
~Tom Robbins

Your Thoughts:
What are you okay with today? What does your stable place look like today (if you have one)?

Until next time...

The Art of Stability

This last month has been interesting. I am learning that as an artist I must be stable. Even dreams deferred need legs to stand on. I've been taking the last month to do exactly that...strengthen some things that have been weak for some time.

The first step in becoming stable is to have a steady stream of income coming in. That has started. I am in no way in the place where I need to be with this, but I am grateful for the jump start.

I have been working as an advocate to young ladies, which has been both rewarding and trying. I am seeking to understand to be understood with them. I am looking to be the Godly example in action...one they see instead of just hear. I am looking forward to seeing them finding the root of where their discomfort lies and watching them cut it off at the root for it never to grow again.

Then comes what this blog is about...my art journey.

The SquashSmarts mural that was started about 2 months ago is making good headway. It's amazing to see something go from thought to fruition, and from paper to wall. I will be visiting them one more time for some finishing touches, but the students and the young lady in the picture (that I love dearly) have done an incredible job of getting the project done.

 

 

Art never stops. Creativity doesn't stop...even when I do. My body sleeps, but there is forever thoughts ruminating in my mind of what is, what could be, and what is to come.

They are almost all consuming...thoughts of art that is.  Sometimes they are released, sometimes they remain until they are finished being developed, and other times they just stay put. They never seem to go away though.

I wouldn't have it any other way though. They make me feel...

Corner of Gratitude:
A mind for the arts

Pearls of Wisdom:
"The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place; from the sky, from the earth, from a piece of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web."
~Pablo Picasso

Your Thoughts:
What makes you feel?

Until next time...

An Unpredictable Journey

Hola ladies and gentleman! I do pray that your Memorial Day was spectacular because mine surely was!

It's been about a week and a half since the last time that I posted and things are moving along pretty smoothly. I am still getting adjusted to my new job working with young ladies, and my art outside of the mural that I have been working on with SquashSmarts has taken on a different meaning for right now. 

Let's start with the mural. 

I worked on the bulk of the largest wall of the mural last week. Since this is a project that I am working on with the students, I am getting the design down and the students are working on the painting part. I used a projector for most of the project after I came up with the design that the company was pleased with. It makes it easier and faster to get the project done. However, for this portion of the mural I needed to do things free-handed. And I would have to say I surprised myself! The space is huge and at an awkward angle. I had to stand on my tippy toes to get some of it taken care of.

I have one more week working with the students, and then they will be flying on their own. I believe that they can do things on their own and do it great! I will go back when they finish painting so that I report how it has come out here. 

In other news, I have been revamping a few things. I saw a few movies in the last few weeks that have sparked some thoughts of mine. I am moving in the direction of having a non-profit youth arts center. I haven't talked about this much here, but it has been a dream of mine for some time. It ties into what I have been placed on this planet to do. I am super excited about it. 

In order for me to get this project off the ground, I need to do some research of my very own. I need to obtain a place to house who I will ultimately call "my art kids". It's the funniest thing. I'm not quite sure how that is going to happen. I really don't. I don't have the funds at this point. I don't have a monetary backing option or grant at this point. I don't even have a laid out plan at this point. 

What I do have though is a crazy faith that this is what God is leading me to do. I am well aware with this crazy faith that if God has given me this purpose that He is also able to bring it to pass. So I give the charge to Him. I don't know what that looks like and that isn't my concern at the moment. My concern is being available to make the moves that He needs me to make in order to make my purpose come alive. 

What a journey....a journey that is so unpredictable, but sure!

Corner of Gratitude:

Trusting without knowing the next steps

Pearls of Wisdom:

"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens."

~J.R.R. Tolkien

Your Thoughts:

What is your purpose? What steps are you taking/making towards your purpose?

Until next time...

Doing Some Juggling

This weekend that just passed wasn't really filled with much art related things, but Monday was piled high with expressions of creativity. I went back to the SquashSmarts camp to do some more mural preparation and even a little bit of painting. 

I had a few students that were on the roster to help me! They were absolutely wonderful, and excited to get to started painting as much as I was. My mentee who does a phenomenal job as the Director of squash at SquashSmarts explained that they were sad that we weren't able to start the week before (due to me needing to get my car fixed). So here we go...

There they are doing a job well done! I had the opportunity to show them a few tips and tricks when it comes to successfully painting murals. They took the instruction well and looking forward to the next steps. And truth be told, I am looking forward to showing you all the finished product!

In other news:

Getting acclimated to my new job is going pretty smoothly. I am enjoying being able to impart a bit of wisdom into the lives of other young ladies. It's such a big part of what I believe my purpose is. I have overcome a thing or two...some self-inflicted, and some just bumps and bruises from life being a bit unfair. All in all, there are some things that I hope to share with these young ladies that will allow them to be better than I was when I was their age. I hope to share acts and words of wisdom that will allow them to see and hear what productive members of their communities look like. 

Now for me to get my creative grind on in the midst of my new job. I know that I am able to do this now. I have grown and am able to juggle being stable and working on my passion. I just have to figure out the best way to get the two done effectively and efficiently!

Corner of Gratitude:

The ability to surrender my way for the best way

Pearls of Wisdom:

"Do three things well, not ten things badly."

~David Segrove

Your Thoughts:

What is the best way for you to juggle your stability and passion?

until next time...

Adjustments

It's been two and a half weeks since I posted last. I haven't abandoned ship or my creative endeavors and purpose. I'm finding that I must make a few necessary adjustments!

Life is happening! That's a really good thing! In the last 2 weeks I have been working, working, and working some more. Some were creative projects, and some not. 

On the creative end:

My art kids had their exhibit! They did an excellent job, and were super proud to see their work displayed last Tuesday. While I was hanging the show, the excitement of them seeing their peers work was priceless. They oohed and ahhed, and it just tickled me so. The night of the exhibit didn't have the turnout that I expected. It was rainy and cold after days of beautiful weather, and I suppose parents were happy just to have a night in. Whatever the case, the interaction with the parents that did come was encouraging. I found out things about my kids that I wouldn't have known unless I spoke with their parents. 

I haven't been able to do much on the mural for SquashSmarts since I posted last. My Emmy (my car) needed to go to the doctors this week. I'm scheduled to go back on Monday to do some more work. I'm excited about that too!

The large painting that I started still has yet to get a stroke of paint, and sketching has all but stopped in these last few weeks. It surely is not something that I like to admit, but it is the sheer truth.

In other news:
I have started a new job! I will be working with a company called Youth Advocate Program. It's a pretty amazing program that works to encourage youth to be productive members of society. I am a youth advocate, which serves almost as a mentor of sorts. I will pick up a whole host of young ladies that I will also call "my girls". I am looking forward to that. I believe that every young child deserves a fighting change to be all that they were purposed to be, and I am glad that I can help. 

The position right off hand doesn't seem like it falls in line with my purpose, but oh the contrary! This is just the beginning! There will be more on that in the future!

So with all that I have going on, I am knowing that I will have to adjust my blogging schedule. That means that I will no longer be blogging 3 times per week (Mon, Wed, Fri.). I am looking forward to committing to posting at least 2 times per week. I know taking away one post doesn't seem like much, but in the grand scheme of things, it will help me from feeling overwhelmed. 

Summer is coming and the weekends will be jam packed. I will probably stick with a weekend wrap up and a mid-week post, but that is not set in stone as of yet.....STAY TUNED!!!

Corner of Gratitude:
Freedom from guilt

Pearls of Wisdom:
No work or love will flourish out of guilt, fear or hollowness of heart, just as no valid plans for the future can be made by those that have no capacity to live now. 
~Alan Watts

Your Thoughts:
When was the last time you recognized the need to adjust some things in your schedule to accommodate changes in your life?  

Until next time...