Evolve

On one of my many hikes out to a favorite swimming spot. After winding our way through a maze of paths laden with roots and rocks. Past a corridor of boulders left eons ago from glacial shift and melt. Where humans now hook themselves into harnesses and ropes, looking for hand holds, foot holds (whatever holds) in hopes to conquer the climb up each rock face. I think I have found my new "office space".

Hiking is, most often, meditation.

In between throwing the ball ahead for Mu and Margi to chase after and retrieve and looking back to make sure Veda is still trailing behind (she has slowed a bit at almost 13, but still keeps up like a champ!), my mind settles into the pace. My eyes look down at the soft, rooty earth laid out in front of me, there is an owl feather! Then they shift up, look at how the sun streams through branches in the pine grove... I can hear the highway in the distance. It is hard to believe anyone could cut through such a beautiful place to lay pavement and have vehicles whiz around. Instead I pretend I hear waves.

Then my mind drifts. Nature always has been and always will be my muse.
I think about the history of my creative endeavors. I think about all the things I love to do, to create, and all the things I would love to learn. I think about where I started, how I started and how my work has evolved.
Evolution is human nature.
It seems evolution is an art form.

And then I thought about how I do what I do (a question I actually get asked often). And I wonder: "Is this success? What DO I consider success?" (A difficult question to answer, for me at least)

I am so grateful to all of the people who have encouraged me over the years. All the people who have supported me,especially those who are friends and family and demanded to compensate me for my work, even though I would endlessly try to give it to them for free.

In thinking about my past work and where I am now, what I am creating and how I have evolved, I am thinking about what it means when we support handmade. Each time you buy an item from an artist you aren't just giving them some of your hard earned cash, you are telling them 3 things.

1. That you appreciate (value) and encourage their work.

2. That you believe in them.

3. That you anticipate the future of their creativity and seeing what their work evolves into.

This may not seem obvious, but it is true.
I couldn't have done it without all the wonderful people who have helped me evolve.
So, thank you.
I appreciate you, too.
I also look forward to seeing where my creativity leads me. This is my natural path.
And to me that is success.

How do you define success?


p.s. The hoodie above will be in the shop soon!!!

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Living in an artful way

" I was not in a position to say I will not continue painting or I will continue painting...

I am preoccupied with trying to know myself in order to communicate with others.

Painting is not separate from life. It is one. It is like asking - do you want to live?

My answer is yes- and I paint."

-Lee Krasner

While browsing through pinterest, I came upon this pin.

Lee's quote about working perfectly describes how I feel about creating art.

And although, I find it a bit unoriginal to say, I don't know anything else.

I have heard the question many times:

"Does art imitate life or does life imitate art?"

I think that is a silly question because for me they are one in the same.

Art is more a way of life than that of a mere skill to be practiced (although it does require persistence and practice, obviously). I think, for many artists/crafters, it is a necessity, it is a way of finding and learning about oneself. It is so much more than just making something. I am fascinated with how life and the world around us can be interpreted through art. Sometimes it is tangible, sometimes it really is not, but whatever it may be it is a way of evolving, learning and discovering both what is known and unknown.

Art, like life, is so simple and so complex.

I find art to be such a simple word for such a broad scope. It covers styles, techniques, materials and mediums, but I feel like it goes much deeper than that. I feel that art can cover everything pertaining to existence right down to a breath, seeds sprouting and pushing up through the heavy earth, the way snowflakes are formed, the sound of waves crashing on rocks, and even the simple act of an everyday human routine. Everything we do can be interpreted artistically, even routine. Routines are part learned, part comfort, part emotion and part expression of that moment in the day. I love to observe routines. I find that routine, much like prayer, is a way to focus, reflect and organize the art of everyday and make it tangible, or make a path from one artistic form to another of artistic expression.

Every minute of the day is an opportunity to live in an artful way.

I hope you are enjoying it!

xo

Nova Merch

If any of you are in the Portsmouth, NH area, make sure to stop in Nova Merch where you can find some of my crocheted necklaces and beach stones!!!

Nove Merch offers a unique and changing selection of original art, jewelry, photos, vintage finds and collections, ladies fashion and much more!

A lovely little shop connected to Cafe Killim, just a couple blocks from downtown!

163 Islington Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801

You can get a tasty beverage and then browse the shop!

What more could you ask for?

At the Fair...

I spent Friday getting ready for Saturday's art fair, making some new nuno felted scarves (I think I have to keep this one!) and gathering things, displays and stuff, up from around the house and packing the car.

Someone doesn't want me to forget her!

Sorry Miss Lou, I think it is going to be too hot for you, you must stay here and govern the household while I am out...

We are all set up in front of the health food store (kind of ironic since I worked at one for years!). I am sharing the space with my friend Lara! I think it looks pretty darn good (I hate doing displays, ugh!)

My half of the booth:

All in all it was a pretty good fair and the weather was perfect!!!

It started off a bit iffy, but then the sun came out and we had a lot of wonderful supporters wander their way through! I was so tired at the end of the day, actually I am still tired today, but it was worth it!

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend,

what did you do?

Spring Fair this SATURDAY!!!

This Saturday I will be in the city at a Spring Fair at the First Church Jamaica Plain.

I've never been to this one before, but I am sure it will be amazing!

So, if you are in the area, be sure to stop by!

There are all sorts of activities,

food, yard sale, plant sale

and many artists, such as myself, with wonderful things for sale!

This is the perfect opportunity to show your love and support for your local crafters!

Hopt to see you all there!!!

Location: First Church Jamaica Plain Unitarian Universalist

on the corner of Eliot St. and the JP Monument.

From 10 to 4

Tell all your friends!

Chihuly

Chihuly is on display at the MFA here in Boston until August.

I had gone a few weeks ago, but my mom wanted to take my nana who is a big fan.

So when my sister had to go back to her apartment in the city,

mom, nana, sister and my mom's friend and I all went in to see it.

One of the things that added interest for me was the basket room with the huge wooden table displaying his glass baskets and the wall of Pendleton blankets that were part of his inspiration.

The photos go in order of the rooms.

It is such an amazing burst of color and the size and shapes of his work are fantastic!

It is a great exhibit so if you are in town you should definitely check it out!!!

This was a great way to spend a rainy day!

Hope you are all having a great week,

anything fun or exciting going on in your lives?

I finally have a nice space set up for painting.

I get to look out the windows,

listen to the birdsong

and the chimes in the wind!!!

Update

All last week I was fighting some sort of virus (or something)

and then I was working to get ready for my first art fair of the season,

which was today.

So I have been a little behind on blogging and photographing.

During all this, I have been working on some watercolors.

Here is one that I really like and wanted to use as a banner,

but haven't been able to scan it the way I want it because it is a little too big.

Anyway, what do you think?

Other than watercolors,

I have been crocheting stones,

crocheting cuff bracelets (which I hope to have in the shop soon),

felting owls and mermaids,

and making some nuno felted scarves and headbands.

What have you been up to?

You want to watch this...

If you like watching another artists creative process.

Trust me.

SUPAKITCH & KORALIE - VÄRLDSKULTUR MUSEET GÖTEBORG from elr°y on Vimeo.

How insane was that?

Good Day Ladies and Gentlemen.

...Sharing...

I would really like to share about something that I did, made or saw today,

but since I spent most of the day blowing my nose,

I have nothing to talk about or share pictures of.

(Oh, I am sure I could think of SOMETHING, but that doesn't mean it is interesting or that my brain is working correctly to remember...)

So instead I think I will just share a few photos that I really like and are inspiring me today from my tumblr archive!

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If you can be in any art,
music, painting, sculpture, dance,
if any art can grip on your being,
thats the best way to pray,
the best way to meditate.

Osho