Big Magic: Favourite Quotes from Liz Gilbert

I was writing this book recommendation for Big Magic to a fellow artist and writer and thought I'd include it in a blogpost for my sorely neglected blog.  So, here you go:

The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say YES. She tells a wonderful story about how she got an idea and when she lost interest, it found Ann Patchett. The similarities between the plot lines were astounding!

Whatever you do, try not to dwell too long on your failures. You don't need to conduct autopsies on your disasters.   I think the point is not to wallow and flog oneself.  Take off the hair shirt and do something else.

Done is better than good. (Liz's mother)  VASTLY different from Mum: 

If you cahn't do a proper job, don't do it all! 

So I repeat Liz's mother to myself whenever I think that I don't have time to do something or all the right materials, etc. etc.. Do something; it doesn't need to be perfect or up to "Queen Anne" standards. Growing up, "Proper job" meant perfect, and her way, and it never was. Coupled with the criticism from teachers, it paralyzed me into procrastination for important projects. As an adult, I create deadlines for myself so that I feel a sense of urgency and that it's more important to get it done than to be perfect. It's prolly why I'm such a planner nut. 

Conversely--and in addition:  You might think it's procrastination, but--with the right intention--it isn't; it's motion. And any motion whatsoever beats inertia, because inspiration will always be drawn to motion.  

If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you don't bring forth what is within you, what you don't bring forth will destroy you. ~Gospel of Thomas

People don't do this kind of thing because they have all kinds of extra time and energy for it; they do this kind of thing because their creativity matters to them enough that they are willing to make all kinds of extra sacrifices for it.

Anyhow, what else are you going to do with your time here on earth--NOT make things? Not do interesting stuff? Not follow your love and curiosity?

OK, off to create . . . something.   :-)

The Search for Robert Smith in The Anonymous HeART Project

The Anonymous HeART Project is a British charity auction featuring art created by "artists, celebs, and high profiled names."  There is some AWESOME art in the 457 pieces for sale. Here's a list of contributors with thumbnails and links to all the works.  I'll squirrel into a few of my favourites--first up: Dogs!

Home

Greeting card worthy, don't you think?

Puppy Love

Collage. The hearts, oh the hearts! 

Daisy

This one!  Captures the moment.

He Is Not Allowed on The Furniture

For the Frenchie lover!

Folk Butterflies

The top 2 look a bit mothy.

Growth

Another greeting card.  :-)

And back to Robert Smith, because originally I was looking to see if I could figure out which piece was his. As I'm clicking thru I'm thinking he would prolly do something abstract.  Perhaps this?

Joy

LOVE this!

Roses

Being With Meow

LOVE CATS!  :-)

Perhaps this?

Self-Portrait

Messy hair and whatnot.

AH-HA!  FOUND IT:

I Could Have Held on To Your Heart

I weeded out anything cute, intricate, or "Untitled."  The "If only I'd thought of the right words...." is the give-away. There are certain phrases that always pop up in his songs again and again. (See what I did there, for all you fellow Curists out there?  You're welcome).  Since the bidding is up to 3900 pounds, I'm not the only Cure fan who has figured it out. 

I wonder how many of these he did or if this was the first one?  Someone might look at this and think he just said, "Mary, where's that spray paint?"  and sprayed and dripped.  "There, that's done." 

Some works are like that. Others can be agonizing because they aren't matching the vision for what you want. "Noooo, the drip needs to go this way!"  Does that sound too artsy and pretentious?  I know my fellow Creatives are agreeing. "Oh, the agony of not getting it just right!"  That's the Perfection Paralysis we can fall into.  And here I thought I was just doing a quickity blog post . . . .   :-)

Featured Artist: Sonya Gonzalez

Artist Sonya & I connected via labyrinths, when I sent her directions on how to draw them. And LOOK at her artwork! She calls these collage labyrinths:

Flower Labyrinth & frame.

You can see (and buy) her artwork at her Etsy shop. And she has another website with more of her artwork: Cards by Sonya. Her art work is so cheery and full of whimsy. I thought as I was scrolling thru that it's reminiscent of Chagall, one of my favourite artists. And then look at this collage labyrinth:

The Chagall Labyrinth; collaged Chagall calendar & Sonya's art work. BEAUTIFUL.

Appreciation

I can't begin to express how grateful I am to have received such WONDERFUL comments for my artwork yesterday. No one has ever said "astounding" to me before. THANK YOU, Jean! And to be acknowledged for sharing my creative process--I'm always fascinated to read about everyone else's creative experiences. It doesn't matter what the medium is: paper, beads, clay, fabric, etc., I appreciate the energy of creativity that went into the final product. I think it was Julia Cameron who said that part of being created in God's image is that like God, we are creators.

Some of us follow that calling. Growing up in all my geeky-quirkiness, it's always such a JOY to connect to other artists. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been called "weird" or worse throughout her life. I used to want to be "normal." Once you accept yourself for who you are, you define your own normal. And then you discover that your normal is someone else's too. How cool is that? And then weird becomes an acronym:

Wonderful Energetic Intuitive Radiant Delicious

THANK YOU ALL for your kind words of support, encouragement, and inspiration. MUCH LOVE, :-) Hali

Healing Art

My sister Ruth, besides having the healing hands of a Reiki Master/Chiropractor, is also a stained-glass artist. She uses found objects in her work and creates one-of-a-kind pieces. She's v. intuitive in her work and connects to the person's spirit she's designing for so that each piece reflects healing and support. We both have the same creative process in our artwork, only I'm working with paints. She adds prayers, healing energy & happy intentions to her pieces the way I do when I'm painting.

She made this for me a couple years ago and when she gave it to me, she said, "I don't know why there's no purple in it, but this was the piece you needed." I had it hanging in my office at the bay, but here in my river house, surrounded by green everywhere, it is the perfect thing to hang in my picture window. Green is the colour associated with the heart center, and with healing...so it's v. appropriate. Thanks, sweetie. WUV you. :-) Hal