wk 14-09
Yep, week 14 finally done! My first of four exploring the Hebrew script. This one reads atsind which translates as now (oh the irony!).
Couple of months ago I read through Finding Your Own Visual Language by Jane Dunnewold, Claire Benn, and Leslie Morgan with the intention of "eventually" working through all sixteen exercises outlined in the book. I looked at Exercise #1 - "Splitting Shape" and decided I did not want to spend time cutting and pasting so I created dozens of split-shapes in Photoshop. I especially liked working with the hexagons and am planning to make stamps with them... 
when I get around to finishing Exercise #2: Make 30 Stamps! So far, one stamp done. I have a set of carving tools but I really want to get these Micro Hand Carving tools. I wonder if they will improve my stamp making skills.
Creative every day: 133 of 365 done!
Now what?
I was going to use "lethargy" to describe the state of the studio these days or maybe "inanition" regardless it is my own fault and while I've had a little talk with myself I'm still not making a serious move to correct it. We're heading off later this week on a mini vacation: restaurants, theater, galleries, and relaxing with no household responsibilities... perhaps I'll find a reset button and come back super-charged and inspired.
For now: Daily doodle and get another weekly collage done.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
one down, eight to go
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Staring at the blank page...
Just begin!
Clearly, there should be some sort of Blogging Reconciliation Room (i.e. Confessional) where I could plead: Excuse me Blogger for slip sliding away. My last posting was 53 days ago. These are my mea culpas: laziness, grumpiness, stubbornness, unsociableness and pity-party-selfishness.
Now, what act of penance do I make and how do I amend my life? I think I've been self-punishing myself by NOT getting my tuckus in the studio. It's time for this lethargy to end.
Weekly collages for weeks 12 and 13 (karma and bhaga):
Creative every day: 125 of 365 done!
Now what?
Creatively... what have I been doing? Not much. I have managed to keep up with my daily doodle - 16 square centimeters that kept me on creative life support. Playing the piano and violin slipped to about four days a week.
Talking with a friend over tea yesterday, we both acknowledge that we were in a malaise of sorts. Lots of factors may be contributing: our age; the recession; aging parents; friends dying; children of friends dying; thinking about the future; not thinking about the future... we sang a chorus of What's it all about Alfie? had some more tea and a second Walkers Stem Ginger Biscuit.
For now:
Time to shake it off! Get back to work and stop the wallowing. I didn't do any weekly collages in April and I really like the Hebrew script! Now for the month of May I planned the Devanagari script. Surely, I can get nine weeklies done by the end of the month. Oh... and get back to the sketchbook. It's a start.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Now - March
wk 10-09
March's script is Bengali and my first of four weeklies this month is the Bengali word for "now."
Creative every day: 68 of 365 done!
Now what?
I'm stunned that this year seems to be going by so fast. Sixty-eight days gone and except for the fourteen days I "lost" in February, I've been very happy with this year. I feel more aware of how I spend my time and have enjoyed re-committing to playing music. I feel more balanced. Unfortunately, I haven't been spending much time in the studio. I need to set up some sort of ritual to coax myself into the space. Maybe just set up and turn on the space heater - a warm room might just do the trick!
For now: Going to work on Tuesday NYTimes crossword before I go to bed.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Finished February (Finally!)
wk 09-09
"Kusa" is the Tagalog word for initiative and pairs nicely with my intention to commitment twenty minutes to a variety of interest throughout the day. Of course, this little collage took me fifty minutes but I watched Newshour with Jim Lehrer while I worked!
Creative every day: 61 of 365 done!
Now what?
I spent some time with the Bengali script today, getting a feel for how to write the letters and wishing I had studied calligraphy!
For now: Off to see if I can get Tuesday's crossword done in the next 20 minutes or less.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Hello March
wk 08-09
A simple little heart and really a joy to create, nestled in the heart is "asawa" - life partner. Just one more weekly collage using the Baybayin script and I feel I've barely scratched the surface of what I would like to learn.
Creative every day: 60 of 365 done!
Now what?
February was an interesting month. I'm trying not to dwell on it or whine about it, instead just move on and make the best of March. This month I'm going to challenge myself once again to post every day as it might just give me that kick to be more creative.
For now: Time to play the violin and work on Monday's NYTimes crossword.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Weekly Collage (yet another)
wk 05-09
Finally! finished January's weekly collages. I haven't put titles on my weekly collages for some time but this one almost demanded that I call it "Dragon in the Year of the Ox" - not only because I was born in the Year of the Dragon but also because I've had a dragging start during these first 18 days of 4706.
My theme for February's collages will focus on the Baybayin alphabet, the spoken language is Tagalog. Baybayin is used mainly for decorative purposes these days as the Latin alphabet is used to write Tagalog. I also want to read about the culture and history of the Philippines (yup, Wikipedia's a convenient place to start.)
And, of course, I've already found a couple of recipes I want to try: Bibingka and Bibingkang Galapong... not exactly low fat. So, to balance it, how about some healthy Filipino dishes: Beef and Shrimp Sinigang.
Now what?
I've found Triumph in Twenty from The Vigorous Mind effective in getting me back to playing the violin and piano on a regular basis. Twenty minute blocks of reading and chores also seems to work well - not so much with exercise and studio time, 20x3 works better! But in trying to figure out how to be smarter with my time, one of my best tools is to set the timer for twenty minutes because as soon as I do that the procrastination stops and I get to it.
Making my computer time more efficient is next on my list. I've been using Google Reader for some time to manage the blogs I read and over the last month I've started using Tweeter. I like Tweeter for news updates (BBC, Times, MSNBC, etc.), along with NPR, Science Friday, etc. for those "generalists" tidbits that they tweet. Micro-blogging for keeping in touch with family and friends has been entertaining, although (yes) it can be another time-stealer.
For now:
To the studio for the next 20x3 to make some progress on two weekly collages - I want to get caught up!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Weekly Collage
wk52-08
Nothing like starting the new year by finishing up the last weekly collage of 2008. I had sketched it quite a few days ago but with all the activity never got around to working on it. I must confess I'm much more relaxed today so working on a "Joy" themed piece was almost fun. It's done and I am moving on.
Creative every day: 1 of 365 done!
Now What?
For a year I typed "Living consciously..." and wondered what I would do come Jan. 1st. So here I am ill-prepared and wondering "Now what?" I had looked last week for some daily guide... a book to encourage me throughout the year like Hendrick's A Year of Living Consciously. I was tempted to get a book from this series The Intellectual Devotional but it just didn't feel right. This morning I found two other books - An Incomplete Education and The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge. Interesting, but... (I did just open up another window on the computer, checked my local library, and reserved both books - lovin' the internet!)
What I do know is that I'm learning how to behave when I don't have all the answers and everyday I intend to guide myself with passion and a quest for continuous learning. With that in mind, I have some strategies for what I want to accomplish in 2009, and improving my skills and my habits are integral parts of the process.
For Now:
I ordered a copy of The Vigorous Mind after reading Jenclair's post and I'm working on my very own Renaissance curriculum for the first 100 days of 2009.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Weekly Collage
wk 40-08
I was sitting around this afternoon trying to think of something that would capture the "Remembrance" theme for my weekly collage when I looked at the bulletin board and saw the sun bookmark I had pinned up there. The bookmark was a memento from those corporate work days. Grabbed it and then I found some 'integrated circuit board' fabric -- perfect!
Living consciously...
For practice: What do I most need to learn today?
I believe in a learning paradigm -- figure out what I need to do to make my life better and do it. I've spent more than enough time in the past (while I was living it) and looking forward seems to suit me fine. My big problem, so much I want to learn, I have to be disciplined and figure out what I need to do to make sure I address critical issues.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Weekly Collage
wk38-08
I don't know why I thought that a yellow background would be a good choice. Made it work the best I could. The quote is from George W. Russell --
Our hearts are drunk with a beauty our eyes could never see.
Living consciously...
Back to feel your feelings or more specifically learn to be a expert at recognizing them - pay particular attention to the major ones: fear; hurt or sadness; anger; and sexual feelings or sensations.
Hmmm. Hendricks says that simply feeling them is a key to staying in balance. There are days that I do get caught up in a whirlwind of feelings which I think is a fairly normal thing. I think learning to ride the wave without drowning in them is what I usually try to do.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Weekly Collage
wk 37-08
I was working on the very last of the scrap - sewing half pages and collecting the trimmings. I figured I'd make another scrap wallpaper for the other bulletin board in the studio. As I was ironing the this new piece of wallpaper, I started thinking about this week's weekly and (duh) why not use this piece of fabric? So I did. I like the way it turned out and it's fairly close to the drawing I did on the 3rd of Sept.
Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart. ~ Kahlil Gibran
(Edited on Wed 10 Sept: I can't believe I forgot to add the quote that inspired the original sketch - better a day late than never.)
Living consciously...
My favorite part of the reading, a quote from 'graffiti discovered in Harvard Business School Lounge': What are you pretending not to know?
I just love it. The reading and the practice hit on one of my passions -- make a commitment to learning. The journey's endless and I haven't been bored yet.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Weekly Collage
wk36-08
The theme for this month's weekly collages is 'Beauty' and I was not at all inspired. I checked the dictionary for a definition to start with and then search for some quotes. I found several and started to write them in my journal. The first quote had the word 'heart' in it as well so I looked for other quotes with both beauty and heart. For this weekly I used a quote from Christopher Morley -
In every man's heart there is a secret nerve that answers to the vibration of beauty.
I did get a little carried away and sketched out three other ideas for the weeklies this month. I may even use them - I'll see how I feel next week.
Living consciously...
Over the next several days Hendricks promises to talk about conscious sexuality and begins by asking if your childhood family treated it with openness or embarrassment.
Clue #1. I was born in the early fifties. Clue #2. My sisters and I were embarrassed by our parents 'playfulness.' Clue #3. My children seem fine with my husband's and my playfulness (although they have been know to say "you guys are weird" which I think has more to do with the fact that we are old... in their eyes!)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Weekly Collage
wk 34-08
I was trying to figure out how to end this month's theme of 'transformation' and I know I wanted to use the scraps that have been so much a part of my life over this last month. I grab some strips out of this drawer and pondered. 
I knew that this weekly would be added to the growing pile of the previous weeks' weeklies. At some point I need to gather up the weeklies I've done this year and figure out which ones I can combine to transform into a larger quilt. I know that there are some pieces that I will want to leave whole but the one I did this week I would have no problem chopping up!
Living consciously...
Hendricks asks in today's practice to remember a time when, in a moment, you found something humorous in a time of grief.
This is an easy reflection. Tears and laughter have comforted me often in times when I thought grief was too deep of a pit to crawl out of.
I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge -- myth is more potent than history -- dreams are more powerful than facts -- hope always triumphs over experience -- laughter is the cure for grief -- love is stronger than death. ~ Robert Fulghum
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Weekly Collage
wk34-08
I stumbled into this weekly. My intention this morning was to do something with the fabric that is on the shelves in a jumbled mess.
I did empty the bottom shelf onto a chair and start to clear the desk to put the fabric on it. I came across a pile of fabric carcasses - those pieces that were created, then discarded in the process of making something. 
Thought I might just as well play with them and see is they'd work for the next "Transformation" weekly. 
It wasn't long before I was inspired.
I still have to deal with the fabric.
Living consciously...
Okay. It was good read today. And the practice is one that I could certainly use around this house. May have to plan the practice for the weekend when I have time to work it into the day.
To be conscious is to remember. I have a good memory but I do fall short sometimes of honoring the commitments I make to myself. The practice encourages: visualizing the agreement; repeating aloud; linking the agreement to other beliefs; and asking someone to help you remember.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Weekly Collage
wk 33-08
This was a quick one. All that prep worked paid off. I was holding fourteen strips of crumbs, playing around with just sewing them all together, when it struck me that they might make an abstract landscape. Good enough! 
wk 32-08
The Crumb Bear is ready to be quilted. I like the brown bar across the top, kinda reminds me of a torii.
Living consciously...
For the practice, Hendricks asks if you have not reached acceptance: what is one thing you can do today to move yourself forward in your journey?
This is one question that bears asking daily -- not just with dealing with loss. It is the one-small-step that matters and if that doesn't work at least lean into the direction of change to move yourself forward.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Weekly Collage
wk31-08
My, oh my. I do believe some sort of scrap demon inspired this. But it's done and I'm moving on. 
I started off the morning by getting the crumbs in their container with random strip (under 2 inches wide and most of them less than 12 inches long)in the back of the drawer. I was going to work with the crumbs to create a weekly but as I was getting ready to toss the trimmings from my week long scrap management I decided to use some to make the 'creature' above.
I sorted out some like colors and fused them together into a few color blocks, fashioned a "face", and threw down some more trimmings for hair. The eyes are creepy and tend to stay fixed on me as I walk around the studio.
Living consciously...
Instead of wishing for things, Hendricks recommends this affirmations as practice for the day: My greatest wish is to live in a state of harmony and grace and to gracefully and lovingly accept that which I cannot change.
Okay. Harmony, grace, gracefully, lovingly... not words I would choose to use.
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. ~ Mahatma Ghandi
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Weekly Collage (almost)
I started this final weekly collage for the month with a handful of scraps. Optimistic and at ease with what ever happened as I began to work.
What a mess.
Maybe when I quilt it I'll feel the harmony!?!?
Living consciously...
In the reading, Hendricks encourages communicating your feelings as you would the time of day - no need to dramatize, hide, or feel ashamed - "It's 7pm and I'm mad." His goal is for you to learn how to communicate the feeling effectively.
I'm still learning to identify the feelings effectively! I figure if I learn to become all zen-like within myself, I'll be less likely to go postal on someone else. Being aware of how a little mid-afternoon anxiousness is impacting my creativity and what I can do to mitigate that is my goal. Be aware, "ah, it's 2pm and I feel anxious," and let it pass. Now, about those positive feelings, I want to dramatize those... like Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia! Loved the women on the dock.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Weekly Collage
wk 29-08
Oh, I did so enjoy working with these fabrics!
This happiness consists of nothing else but the harmony of a few things around me with my own existence, a feeling of contentment and well-being that needed no changes and no intensification. ~ Herman Hesse
This quote is from Hesse's "Happiness" Essay written in 1955. (1997 translation here by Gary Busch)
Living consciously...
Hendricks writes that "People's lives don't change through insight; they change through experience." and then for practice - Ask Yourself: What have I been reluctant to experience?
I agree except, Hendricks uses this to suggest that we're running from feelings of sadness and pain. I don't want to look backward. I want to run toward feelings of joy and exuberance.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Weekly Collage
wk 28-08
I used left over scraps from the previous weekly collage in this one. A mixture of laziness and being 'at ease' with using the pieces of fabric littering the studio. I quilted the tie-dye fabric using some purple thread. Easy.
Living consciously...
I got an early start and attempted to do the practice first thing. It required more alertness than I was prepared for this morning. Briefly: go to a secret you have long held; identify the quality that got you into the trouble; find the flip side of the quality; and reflect on how it has been a gift to you and to others.
What comes to mind is wrapped up with emotional intimacy issues - I don't want it fixed, I just want to be heard but my buttons get pushed when someone gives unsolicited advice or asks close-ended questions and then I tend to go silent. It's not so much a "secret" anymore, letting go of some ego issues has given me a stronger voice to speak more directly to how I feel without judging if someone was hearing me right. (This shadow still falls over spousal discussions - but I'm more aware and it's getting better.) On the flip side, I think I'm a good listener and am able to empathize with others.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Weekly Collage
wk 27-08
I haven't named the weekly pieces all year (at least I don't think so) but the whole time I was working on this I kept thinking "Three-Part." It's not particularly original but as the machine was whirling I couldn't help but think of three-part harmony. I then got really distracted and kept thinking of the Andrews Sister singing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. Before long, I found myself at the computer rediscovering The Puppini Sisters. I heard of them last year on NPR's Morning Edition (listen to the interview here.) They sing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy on the following YouTube...
Living consciously...
Today's practice: Take yourself back to the moment of your birth...
I'm having a déjà vu moment - NOT of my birth but of Hendricks already recommending this practice. I don't think as an infant I was aware of all the hope and possibilities 'out there' and I sure it took some time to develop a directed curiosity. But, I do want to continue to be curious and excited about my world... without crawling back into the womb!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Weekly Collage
wk26-08
It felt good to get into the studio and work on this weekly piece. 'Contentment' was definitely what I felt while I worked and watched Wimbledon. I started with a study in black and white but couldn't leave it alone so I framed with a hand-dyed fabric and added heavy orange quilting lines.
Living consciously...
Think of a time when you have chanced into being at the right place at the right time, somehow creating change, making a difference.
I have a few "big" make a difference moments that I recall but I hold some of the "smaller" moments more dear. In the same spirit as random acts of kindness, I believe that if we all lean into making a difference in even the smallest ways, we might just elevate the human condition and make it better. Could happen - certainly doesn't hurt.
