New Space

New Space
You will love the view!

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Something to Consider in Creating the Life You Want

"At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want." -Lao-tzu

The problem most of us have is that we seldom take the time to "listen." Remember, you cannot create the life you want until you first figure out what it is you truly want.

O'Keefe Revisited


I've never felt the desire to live in the desert, but each time I reach a time of transition in my life I seem to end up visiting there. There is something about the dry, barren terrain that sort of cleanses my soul. The dry hot winds sweep it clean, and I am ready for a new beginning.
My trip to Taos and Santa Fe was just such an experience. If there was a theme to this trip it was Georgia O'Keefe. I visited Ghost Ranch where I was able to see many of the sites where she painted and also the house she first rented then bought there.
I also had the opportunity to visit her house in Abiquiu, NM. It took Georgia 10 plus years to purchase this house from the Catholic Church there. She wanted it for the surrounding gardens where she could grow her own fruits and vegetables. Once she did buy it she remodeled it into a beautiful adobe home and studio. Here I realized that Georgia felt much the same about her surroundings as I feel about my home studio and garden. It was her "place of peace." I was listening to NPR and the interview of an author as I was driving last week. I cannot recall who the author was nor what he had written, but his words stuck with me. He said, "Creativity flows out of silence and solitude." I find that for me this is certainly true. It is in the silence and solitude of a peaceful interior that creativity blossoms and grows until it must be poured out.
I have always enjoyed Georgia O'Keefe's art, but it was not until I saw it in person at a retrospective at the Chicago Art Institute that I truly related to the spirituality of it. On this trip I also visited the O'Keefe Museum in Santa Fe, my second time. This time the show was "Abstractions," which I found especially inspiring.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Imagination is the Preview of Life's Coming Attractions

The above quote comes from Einstein. If you want a life you love, you might begin by imagining just what that life would look like. Write it down in detail. Create a vision collage that includes all the things you imagine, and keep it where you will see it often in a day's time.

So often I see coaching clients who are dissatisfied with their lives, but they have not taken the time to really determine what they want their lives to be. You cannot create the life you want until you imagine in detail what it is you do want.

Take the time to imagine.

Feeling Inspired!


Emerging from the New Studio.....


I have felt led to explore some new painting techniques which include layer upon layer of paint with sanding in between. This results in a rich and glowing surface which reminds me of an "inner glow." This is #1 of my "Door Way Series."

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Settled Into A New Space

Hi and welcome to my first blog. It is my intention to post bi-weekly and to put together a monthly newsletter. If you are receiving this link, please take the time to let me know if you would like to be on my blog email listing and receive updates from me. It is my hope in this blog to:
* share articles on the creative process
* share inspirational quotes and stories
* share artwork in process
* feature the work of students of all ages
* share coaching guidelines for creating what you want in your own life
* let you know who I am and get your feed back so I can also get to know who you are

I am so excited to announce that I am finally settled into my new Garden Studio. If you have visited the Foundry to find that I am no longer there, I apologize for the inconvenience. I have been a resident artist at the Foundry Art Centre for five years, and it has been a wonderful experience. I've made many friends, and I am sure some of you saw my work for the first time there. However, once I completed the garden studio it began to call me back to paint in the solitude of my home environment where I am surrounded by flowers, nature, and Koi. So in May I gave my notice and moved at the end of my contract in June.

I want to extend an invitation to visit me here in my new studio. Call first, (636) 577-0591 or (636) 441-3828, so that you will be sure to catch me in. When you arrive, walk to the back and ring the bell beside the gate.

My new work has a new look, as I expected. Over the last several years I have struggled toward a more minimal expressionism, but I think the busy life I was leading conflicted with creating less busy art. These new paintings, however, are much more minimal. I feel they validate my choice to work again in solitude and in a more Zen like setting.

The photos show you my new painting environment, and I welcome you to come and share with me here.