A year of change, letting go, learning and gratitude.

Whoosh! Blursday everyday! Deep contemplation! An introverts dream! Change, upset, gratitude, tears repeat!

Any one of these could be the title of a post about 2020. It’s the only year I can recall, in which everyone anxiously awaits its end. Me, not so much!

It’s been challenging, sad and difficult, as it has for everyone, but personally I am ending this year deeply steeped in gratitude… for a year that has given more than it has taken. I know I am one of the lucky ones… and that is not lost on me.

Given all the free time… I have taken countless art classes and workshops,  foraged for seeds, stitched by hand, improved my intuition skills, become a better cook, healed emotional wounds, meditated more regularly, walked new trails, improved my relationship and best of all “stressed” less.

Although the year started with plans that will never manifest, as well as, things looking dire — having had so much quiet time created a cushion to land, when tragedy, pain and sadness came. Art provided the most constant healing outlet for me. It has provided assurance, that no matter what art was created in quiet, it can soothe hurt and provide answers… and for this I am grateful. I hope that I will be guided to share this knowledge and these gifts with others, in the coming years.

All the best to anyone reading this. May you find joy in art making too.

Working with a Local Craftsman

Layachi has been working with leather since he was a child. He started at around 9-years-old. He was probably fetching pelts and tea at that age, his hands too small to hold the tools, but no matter he is a MASTER craftsman now, and an amazingly nice guy. While in Tetouan, Morocco in February-March 2016 …

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Morocco Brings Change

2016: Just back from Morocco… and I feel deeply affected by my experiences there. It seems that I go to Morocco to somehow initiate BIG changes in my life. This was my fifth trip and I do already feel changed, sure more is coming. The biggest change is that I am embarking on a new …

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The Healing Garden

Encinitas, California is a magical place. It’s filled with wonderful places that help heal and restore. One such place is The Center for Creative Renewal. This oasis was started by art therapist Ellen Speert, and has been offering artists a quiet place to rejuvenate since 1981. Their mission is to “provide an environment of creativity, stimulation and professionalism, …

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Getting “Grungy” with Seth Apter

The San Diego Book Arts (SDBA) recently welcomed back Seth Apter for two two-day workshops in San Diego. I attended the first workshop, “Cover to Cover,” which was held September 16 & 17, 2015. This workshop was about using mixed-media techniques to create a one-of-a-kind, unconventional artist’s book. Using vintage book covers as the base, and making a series of double-sided “pages” filled edge …

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Make Someone Happy!

Making someone happy can be simple. In fact the simpler the better… make the next pot of coffee, bring them toast in bed, pay for lunch or make something from scratch—cookies or art or a cocktail! Do it without expectation. It feels so good. You’ll be wondering why you didn’t do it sooner. Oh and if you …

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Is change good?

Depends on how you look at things! As adults we understand that nothing remains the same and that things are always changing. Yet as soon as we get comfortable (complacent, laissez-faire) inevitably something shakes us and slaps us across the face. It’s as if the Universe is saying “WAKE UP things are about to change.” …

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The Little Things

It’s the little things that make one’s life interesting and worth living! Depending on the day, joy comes from different events. Snuggling with my dogs, listening to the rain, walking on a beautiful trail, Gelli printing with friends… or laying in bed watching a movie! Sometimes it’s the little things that others do. A sign …

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You Are Powerful!

If you believe in a Universal Intelligence. If you believe in God. If you believe in possibility. Be reminded of this… anything is possible and you can make it happen! Focus, stay positive and allow yourself to be guided. Then wait for the magic and be ready for the unexpected! You are powerful beyond measure.

Abstract. Landscape. Figurative. Minimal.

Anything is possible… don’t “qualify” yourself. Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993) was recommended by a printmaking friend, as an artist I should research, because of the breadth of style which he explored and mastered throughout his career. Not one to dismiss his muse, Diebenkorn allowed the process to change course radically, and often. He was a master …

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One of my favorite places.

See the Video: I love to travel. I wish I did it more. Sometimes I just get in the car and go. One of my favorite places on earth happens to be close by, so I feel gratitude for having Joshua Tree within driving distance because it’s one of the most magical places on earth. …

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Salvation! Out in the middle of Nowhere.

The news came, while I was en route from Joshua Tree to Encinitas yesterday morning. A sadness came over me. “Leonard Knight died in his sleep early this morning”, the voice announced. Leonard created Salvation Mountain. He dedicated his life to God, his message of Love and creating this magical place. Salvation Mountain, just east …

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Pearls of Wisdom from a Trusted Source

I love Ira Glass. I can remember the first time I heard Ira’s voice on This American Life (for those of you who don’t know who he is… he hosts This American Life out of Chicago). I can remember the show (although not the title)… and the story about a guy who raised bugs in …

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Loving Kindness of Strangers

A few weeks ago a perfect stranger named Jennifer, left a note on my windshield letting me know that she thought she’d witnessed someone hitting my car. She wasn’t 100% positive, but she took the time to write the note, take down the make and model of the vehicle, the license plate number and leave …

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Thank You

While enjoying my coffee, snuggled in bed with all the dogs this morning, I read an interesting article about hand written “thank you” cards. A good time of year to be reminded of the value of such notes.  Especially notes of thanks. My art coach, Alyson Stanfield, agrees and has emphasized the importance of hand …

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Accomplishing just about anything!

Every few months I catch myself getting so distracted that I don’t get anything done — it’s being in the “zone”, only it’s the wrong one. This “distracted zone”, is insidious, addictive and numbing. My breathing is shallow and I cannot focus, read or create. I remember the days of getting so much accomplished, which …

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Surrender to what is

The moment you completely accept your non-peace, your non-peace becomes transmuted into peace. Anything you accept fully will take you into peace. This is the miracle of surrender. — Eckhard Tolle Sent from a good, good friend… reminding me to surrender!

Inspiration… with paint.

Inspiration can influence one’s work, how one sees, how one thinks and how one feels. Alexa Meade, who was on Ted recently, had that effect on me. Alexa was divinely inspired to paint, and was given a series of steps to land her there instead of in Washington, behind a desk. Often artists are asked… …

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