Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Just Telling

I was talking to you in the shower this morning all about confusion and direction. And so I decided to try and tell you what I was saying. Know now, there will be no showing, just telling.

First, I will say that my feeling this way is not new. "What way is that" you ask? I don't know that I can describe it except to say I feel my passion changing. All is well in my life and home and family. At times I need change. And that is what I have been thinking about. Change. New ways. New things. Revisiting old passions. New directions.

This is very hard as now I can't remember all the random things that were spewing forth just like the shower head that I lingered under. I suppose I don't have to tell you that this has been simmering for a while now. Here are some of the changes that I share with you.

The first that comes to mind is the fact that I am compelled to blog less. By that I mean, I have slowed with posting as well as reading other blogs. I think we all need a break some times. But the fact is I feel lazy about it. Not as much ART to show and too lazy to post about anything else.

I see a little change in my ART. But that is not unusual. I don't think. If we grow with our ART, then one's ART is an evolution. It's just that I am not satisfying myself. Even though, I'm always happy with my latest painting and know it has merit, I'm left with the strangest question of "what's the purpose?". And that is when, why and where I seem to bog down.

The table shot from my last post is just exactly where every thing still sits in my studio, except a little something I did this morning which I will tell about later. Someone ask if I always worked with multiples and the answer is no. Never. But I was trying a new direction. I was excited to build these little house and wanted to do six at one time. And then offer them to you. I got them to this place and stopped. There in front of me was a hurdle to high to jump. But I will. Soon.

I miss reading books, an old passion. So I went to the library on my way home Friday and checked out Angels and Demons. It consumed me just as I remember all of my passions do. I finished it Sunday afternoon. A fabulous read.

Now this is really personal. I was in dire need of new undergarments. I bet many of you are too. So, last week I found myself in Victoria's Secret. Definitely a new direction in the bra department for me.
"What size?" she said.
"I don't know."
"Would you like a fitting?" she ask.
"Sure." and then she measured. And then I told her there was no way! I would not, could not buy that size. But I did. Change.




I have changed my office hours. I am now on the job at 9am rather than 8am. Mornings are my best time. I feel so energetic and accomplish so much in that one hour. Just doing little house chores that have patiently waited for me. You know, things like picking up that yellow headed straight pin that has been on the window seal by my chair for ages and taking it to its cushion home. Or spot cleaning that little accident on the carpet. Or reading the Sunday paper. Or filling the bird baths. Or folding underwear. Or polishing a silver tray. Or playing in an ART journal.



That's what I did this morning. I dared to start a journal page that I fully intend to mostly write on. And here is a challenge from me to you. I will tell you exactly what I did and then you can do it too. This particular journal is a book; so, first I put some color all over the page. There was a big butterfly that I had stamped onto the inside of a used security envelope using several acrylic colors. It was cut out and waiting. I picked it up and glued it right in the very middle of the page spread. I heard a whisper about symmetry. And listened. I placed it a little closer to the top so it was not actually in the very middle. I started wondering what's next and happened across some black and white prints of some of the original sister angels. I had mirror images of several of them. I heard the symmetry whisper again. "Oh, I get it, she is challenging me to make a page that is symmetrical." So, I took mirror images of one face and cut the face down the middle of the nose and mouth. The same face. I wanted to use both left sides and place them along the right and left edge of my journal page. Now what? Maybe it is a house in the making. I found some of my collage papers from the last project and found a spot that I could cut mirror images of. I cut a 2 blocks and 2 triangles. Now, each side my my journal spread has a house built of a block, a face, and a triangle roof. It is all very symmetrical except the butterfly is a little toward the top. I brought it to work for maybe some art-at-desk today. Mostly writing and doodling on the spread about from my house to your house. Ha, then it won't be symmetrical.



Oh my goodness! This is the weirdest thing and happens to me often. It is when I know I'm in the flow of things when after I have done something I realize the why of it. Have you read Angels and Demons? I have wondered in what direction that book would send me. If you have read the book then you know what symmetry has to do with it. I cannot believe that not until I typed the above sentence about the writing on the page and thinking how that would break the symmetry did I realize the connection.



With that I leave you.

New directions,

Sharon

19 comments:

  1. This is quite the post. Jam packed with thoughts and feelings. Interesting to say the least1! I love your houses and find them incredibly inspirational. I can't wait to try a few of my own. I am a lurker and find google reader so fast to scan each day. I've have slowed my blogging and commenting down too!! Sometimes you just need a change and a break all at the same time!! Enjoy what you love....life is too short to live any other way1!

    Hugs Giggles love your work by the way!! You'll be missed! But I have you on reader and will know when you're back!

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  2. You always have your finger right on the pulse.
    There comes a time in most every bloggers life, that we stop to think about the what and the why of what we are doing.
    I noticed that the traffic on my blog is going down and wondered about that..."am I so boring" I thought to myself...then looking at my own blog reading habits I realized that I often scan blogs through the Google Reader and then go on...and only go on to the blog when I feel I have something to contribute...or when something has moved or interested me.
    Everyones life is so busy and there are so many time wasters available to us in this day and age and so much competition for our time.
    I, like you, long to go to the time
    when life seemed to follow a slower rhythm...and simpler pleasures.
    That being said, I adore reading great blogs like yours and will miss you...and will relish each time you come back.
    Take joy!!! I will be here when you come back.

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  3. Sharon, I hardly know where to start! Reading your post today was a bit like watching my own private Twilight Zone episode! Today, I have polished a silver tray, folded underwear, cleaned up a spot on the carpet, and spent lots of time thinking about what I'm doing and not doing where my art is concerned. (I've also been planning to read "Angels and Demons" and desperately need a visit to Victoria's Secret, but those things haven't come up today!) Since starting a blog has been high on my intention list, you've given me lots to think about.

    Your blog offers me so much pleasure and inspiration so I'll be waiting impatiently between postings but I wish you every success as you continue your journey!

    Sherry in Little Rock

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  4. Cheers to you and new directions.

    Renee xoxo

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  5. Hi Sharon:

    You have said a lot of things that I have thought over the past couple of years. One of the things was that we work so hard to have a nice home, things, gardens,
    and then the free time is spent maintaining these things and we never get to just be and do or even stare out the window without thinking what do I really have to do today.

    I don't have a blog as I did think it would be a thing that might just thrill me beyond words and then become really a lot of work.
    Lots of things I have loved have become work and not so lovable any longer.

    So what I am saying is not about myself but about you having to do what you have to do to feel the way you would like to feel.

    Small things can make one feel really good, when I got so busy outside I told my husband that
    I should now put the collage things away, and he said why do that? He can see that I feel better with the things out and the painting that you have inspired me to do.

    I hope that you get from others as much as you give. We all need that
    validdation in some way. I always think the best compliment in the
    world is "How Did You Do That!" it really means they care about the accomplishment be it whatever it may be. That is what I thought the first time I saw your work in
    Cloth Paper Scissors, plus that a little breathless at the thought of trying.

    Up North with rain Emelie

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  6. I'll miss your regular posting as I do so enjoy your writing and your beautiful art. However, when you have something to say I'll be here. New directions are our souls trying to refresh themselves~~~~it's a good thing....
    I did read Angels and Demons when it first came out and was riveted to it.
    Keep doing what you love and you'll always be happy.

    Carolyn

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  7. wonderful food for though Sharon xx

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  8. I think this is common with artists. We need to restock the eco-pond and take a breather from art,to drink in the passions of life, to fill up our cup. While I will miss the regular posts, I hope we can still peek at your doings now and then.
    Trying not to feel like my new friend is now moving out of the neighborhood. sniff

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  9. Sharon, I understand you perfectly. As I know we are the same age, let me say that sometimes I just have to stop, slow down, do something different so as to find the direction I need to go. It's not always easy to figure it out, so stopping just lets everything "catch up" to me and at the quietest moment...the right direction appears to me. Sort of like the writing on the wall. I don't always know if it's the right direction....but I do know it is THE direction for that moment. Key words: "Quietest moment." Enjoy your lovely Texas home, the birds, your books. Blog when you feel like it. I'll be patiently waiting to see what is next. And, do take care. We love you out here!!! Pat

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  10. I also agree. I do think it's an artist thing. We think and feel differently. I bounce around from one thing to another. From collage to sewing to painting. I have so many things that I want to accomplish that some days I just don't do anything because I can't decide which thing to do and then that frustrates me.
    At my age, I feel I need to do what pleases me and let the rest go.
    Whatever you decide...you are the one who introduced me to the blogging world and I thank you deeply for that.
    xo suze

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  11. Sharon thank you for sharing your change with all of your loyal readers. It is wonderful to see you progress and where it takes you, even if you don't post frequently, I personally will be watching when you do.
    The bra experience reminded me of last year when my daughter insisted we had to do something about the "girls". Her, Gianni and I went to a dept. store and had the funniest time trying to get Mawmaw's "girls" in the proper shape. Another one of those "moments"

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  12. Sharon, as always, you offer plenty of food for thought. There is something in the air right now, I think, that suggests changes. I too am needing a little bit of a different focus. My camera is my mew thing - must be the excitement of choosing a new one. We are visitng Stonehenge later this year, and I need a camera with a good zoom. And that leads to an need to get to grips with Photoshop etc. don't you love new stuff!
    Have fun in doing different things, whether it is reading, painting,gardening or something entirely different. Just don't abandon us completely!

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  13. I want to be able to say something witty, supportive, thoughtful and from the heart...but everyone else has already beautifully expressed my thoughts! I am so glad you are following your heart Sharon...in the end we all get to benefit from that! I'm expecting a wonderful journey for you!

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  14. Wow,Sharon...thanks for sharing. It seems like a lot of women are needing to take a blog break and ponder the direction of their lives. I can so relate to what you are saying. I have been thinking the same things. Please continue to post occassionaly so we can share the journey. For me it is with my women friends, even if they a blog friends and don't know it, that I grow and change with.

    Happiness to you:-)

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  15. Hi Sharon,

    What a post...reflecting a lot of what a few of us feel along the way I think. Lovely to hear your thoughts.

    Angels and Demons...I have heard a lot of good reports on this book, but have yet to read it. I am a bit of a reader too and usually read at least one book a week.

    I understand where you are coming from with the frequency of blogging. I try and blog once a week, which gives me plenty of time to blog and I check out peoples blogs when I can...especially my favourite ones!

    Jacky xox

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  16. How boring it would be if we just stayed in one place.Art is apart of you, but it is not you. Sometimes we need to step back. You may need a new path even if we all love where you are, we may love what is coming more.
    Hugs, Mary

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  17. I would love to spend hours blogging and surfing the art of friends and fellow bloggers, but I,too am evolving. I look forward to learning more, returning to work and getting healthier and more artistically fired. Kudos to you for going with the change. Gina

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  18. I Intended to comment here last week, when I first read this post. Time and work both got away from me. There is so much here that I felt a kinship with... I'm so glad to know it isn't just me with some of these thoughts and feelings. I don't know why that is so comforting, but it is.
    I have ongoing questions/struggles??/contemplations regarding my intention with my art. Intention is key for me ~ sounds like it might be for you too. I'm so much more content when making art from my heart and following the muse, rather than fulfilling an obligation or preparing for an art event. I don't know how to reconcile all of this, but I still keep looking.
    Cheers,
    Gaye

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