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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Tweet from the Future!

My tweet from the 10 years from now future me: Create more! Travel More! Love More! Regret less! DO IT NOW! #Trust30

More from the 30 day writing challenge:

10 Year Text by Tia Singh

Speak what you think now in hard words, and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said today. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Imagine your future self, ie, you 10 years from now. If he/she were to send you a tweet or text message, 1) what would it say and 2) how would that transform your life or change something you’re doing, thinking, believing or saying today?
(Author: Tia Singh)

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Thought is the Seed of Action

Today's post is something a little different for me.  I stumbled upon a website via Twitter (#trust30) last night and was intrigued! It's basically a 30 day writing exercise, tho I have started it at the end of the challenge. If you are interested in reading more about it here is the link!  http://ralphwaldoemerson.me/

I recieved this email prompt this morning!

Personal Recipe by Harley Schreiber

I do not wish to expiate, but to live. My life is for itself and not for a spectacle. I much prefer that it should be of a lower strain, so it be genuine and equal, than that it should be glittering and unsteady. I wish it to be sound and sweet, and not to need diet and bleeding. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Think about the type of person you’d NEVER want to be 5 years from now. Write out your own personal recipe to prevent this from happening and commit to following it. “Thought is the seed of action.”
(Author: Harley Schreiber)

So here is my response for the world to see!  Ok, maybe not the world, but at least a few loyal readers! :)  And I do thank your for reading!


My Personal Recipe!

I do not want to be a Bitter, Negative, Hatful, Discouraged, Sad, Jealous, and/ or Inferior feeling person, now or 5 years from now.
I don’t think anyone sets out wanting to be a Bitter, Negative, Hatful, Discouraged, Sad, Jealous, and/ or Inferior feeling person.  But it happens all the time.  It might start with a small hint of one of those emotions and then snowballs.  How can I avoid having those feelings?  I may not be able to avoid letting those feelings slip in, but I can avoid letting them take over and running away with all hope and happiness. 
For me things like assumptions, over expectations, non-clear communication, not being assertive, and not dealing with past issues are sure fire ways to attain all the emotions and to become a person that I do not want to be.  

Assumptions:  Remember the Odd Couple?  One of my favorite quotes was “when you assume you make an ASS out of YOU and ME.   I remember this from childhood and probably because of the “sware” word.  But it is true assumptions can cause all sorts of trouble!   So I try to ask, rather than assume.   It’s pretty simple when I remember to do it.  

Expectations:  Wow, this is a can of worms!  Expectations of other people and of yourself can be hard to get a grip on.  I’ve found some balance between expecting the worst and non-realistic expectations.  It’s hard, logic comes into play, and for some, including myself; logic is hard to remember when emotions start popping up!  But if you stick to the facts it makes it easier.  

Assertion and communication:  These too often go hand in hand.  If I’m clear about what I want, need and expect from others and myself there should be a clear outcome.  And if there isn’t then at least there a place to start to figure out where there breakdown occurred.  This goes from dealing with employers to boyfriends.  This is what I want from the relationship, how can we make it happen?  Clear communication is a great tool for planning and goal setting.  This is what I want, now what are the steps I can take to get there.  Being clear and honest with oneself and others leaves very little room for misunderstandings, which lead to hurt feelings and eventually resentment.    If my feelings have been hurt, the best way to resolve it is to bring it up to that person.  They may not even be aware that it happened.  A misunderstanding of what was said could be at fault.  I need to give them and myself a chance to work it out.  Harboring hurt feelings leads to resentment and negativity.  Some people think that a person cannot be assertive without being aggressive, this is not true.  Being super angry to be able to stick up for yourself is probably not the best way to go about it.  :)
 
Forgiveness:  Forgive and forget?  Ugh.  Wow this is a tough one, at least for me.  Of course there are different levels of injustice, assuming it was actually an injustice and not an imaginary situation that I haven’t clarified.  For me I can forgive someone but it’s very difficult to forget.  Regaining/re-giving trust after an indiscretion is very difficult. I think forgiveness can happen without trusting the offender, but this may be up for discussion.  Of course this will vary depending on the situation i.e. professional vs. personal relationships.  

I don’t have the key to being a positive & happy the entire time person thing worked out just yet.  If I did, I’d be marketing these steps in an e-book, and I’d be rich by now!   No one wants to feel bad, but some people don’t know how to feel good, and the closest thing they can come to is justifying why they feel bad.  That person did that; this person said this, etc. etc.  

I will not be that person, now or in 5 years.  I want to be in control of my emotional destiny and physical destiny too!   I want to be a positive person for myself and others.  I may have bad things happen in my life and still be disappointed with things that surround me, but that doesn’t have to make me who I am.  I think I am much more than the sum of my experiences. 

Who do you NOT want to be in 5 years?  Or who DO you want to be?  Happy Sunday!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Hiroshige, a Man After my Own Heart!

This was my very first attempt at Japanese Woodblock Printing! AKA moku hanga! I copied a Hiroshige print.  I have a lot of cleaning up to do!  My paper was too wet, but I was impatient.  The red is too strong, and didn't act like I thought it would on the bird.  Will remove it from that area on the block.   4 blocks make up this print.  Hand printed in the Japanese method. I have a lot to learn but will be a fabu time doing so!  I'll repost when I clean up my blocks and reprint with less "chatter" and a little different color.  I took a wonderful workshop by Barbara Mason at the Atelier Meridian here in Portland! 

Here is the original Hiroshige Falcon.

How Do You Throw In The Towel, When You Don't Even Have One?

You don't!  I've heard from a lot of discouraged people this week, myself included.  Maybe something is going around.  Maybe times are tough.  Maybe we all fall into a funk at times.  Things happen, things change, moods take over.  What remains constant?  Art.

Must focus.  Art, art, art.  Art.

ART!!!

:)  Tomorrow is a new day!  Tomorrow art will be made! 

What will you make?! 

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Bike Love Show @ Angst

I looked out this morning and the sun was gone...

Nothing like a Boston song stuck in your head for weeks!  Everyone! "it's more than a feeling..."

I was going to post the video but didn't want to startle anyone. 

It's raining again here in Portland.  Yesterday was soooo lovely!   I did my Business Foundations homework, or tried, outside.  Did my daily marketing, some yard work, and rearranged an ef-ton of furniture.  Rearranging the entire house isn't exactly fun, but nessessary.  Granted the house is only 780 square feet, not counting the garage(aka my future painting studio) but I have a LOT of items.  Too many items.  The goodwill pile is growing.

Anyway. I say all that to say, that I'm organizing and de-cluttering my life. From house to brain.  Spring cleaning for the soul, if you will. 

What do you do when you feel disorganized and cluttered?

Friday, June 10, 2011

More Changes Here,There and Everywhere!

Yesterday was a hard day.  I was really struggling with what I'm doing in my life.  Primarily around the business/job area.  Taking these business classes and listening to the negative voices in my head and around me regarding making a living off of art was getting to me.  I may yet decide that having a day job is the best option, and I am looking for that perfect day job.  or I may decide I have a better idea for a business.  But for now, my business Almost Monday and my oil painting need to be the focus of my site/blog energy.  I've been given the greatest gift of time and I should not squander it on doubt and depression.  I've been really productive over that last 6 months and will continue to do so.  But I am allowing myself to enjoy the summer weather while I can!  Any small business is a lot of hard work!!
And I'm not afraid of hard work! 

The changes - My domain name will now point here, instead of directly to etsy.  I'll be using this blogger page as a website until I'm at a place to have a "real" website.  I'll be practicing some different marketing techniques and also expanding my general knowledge of business and art.  I'll be focusing less on unemployedness and more on the making of art and business.  

Suggestions are always welcome!  I love hearing from you!  It makes me know I'm not just talking to myself!  I really appreciate each one of you as you listen to me ramble through my life changes and struggles!

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope the sun fills your yards and warms your heart this weekend! 

Thursday, June 9, 2011

The Busiest Unemployed Person Ever!

Summer is almost here in the Pacific Northwest!  This will be my first summer unemployed for longer than I can remember - early ninety's maybe?? I'm excited, sad, and BUSY!!
You may or may not not what I've been up to, so I'll recap!

  • Painting - Have another commission piece that I've started.  Wait till you see this request! 
  • Printmaking - Etsy, print of the month, rephotographing project, typical etsy stuff
  • Print/portfolio Exchanges - Multiple!!! 
  • The Falcon - Still running the Tuesday night painting group - this month we have the lovely Mila! 
  • Drypoint Workshops -  I need to schedule one soon!  Debating of switching venues...
  • The Art of Action - and online course "Wish there was a plan for turning your dreams & ideas into ACTIONS?"  

  • Mercy Corps - Social Media Workshop 
  • PAN - Print Arts Northwest - Just volunteered to be on a committee.
  • Travel - Trying to figure out how I can take a long vacation this fall and travel around eastern europe & down into Istanbul. And also visit a few friends! but if this is going to happen I need to figure it out quickly!!!!

Last but not least, lots of kitty petting and cheese eating!  And yes, I am looking for work as well while I try to figure out how to be what I want when I grow up! 

What are you up to??? 

Thursday, June 2, 2011

June Bug.

I don't know where you are in the world, but here in Portland, Oregon we are experiencing the 3rd coldest and 2nd wettest spring in the history of keeping track.  and it's unpleasant.  I need some good ole sun shine, blue sky and warmth!  Don't get me wrong, I really can't imagine living many other places on earth for many different reasons, but about now, i'm dreaming of a hot climate and blues skys with a tad of tropical sun and sea for good measure. 

Today I'm playing catch up and clean up.  I participated in one and helped in another workshop last week and went out of town.  So needless to say, i'm behind!  on everything!  I've been experimenting at the Atelier Meridian with sugarlift, auqutint, and solarplates and it's been great fun!  I can't wait to post some photos of what I've been working on! Printmaking is an amazing subject to study!  Oh the possibilities!

here's a bit of a preview!


Here's hoping that your weekend is full of sun and fun!  Happy early weekend everyone!