Perspective!

While coaching a client this week we began a conversation about perspectives and keeping them! There are times that it is easy to lose sight of the things that we hold true to ourself and know comes from our higher self. I would like to say that I always have a focus on my perspectives, but I know that not to be true. There are days when that little nagging negative voice comes over to my house to play! When those days happen it is easy to lose sight of the important things to do with your creativity. The truth of the matter is that sometimes that nagging little voice actually takes over the creative space and just makes a mess of things. In our conversation it became very clear that at that moment that voice seems to be getting very loud, you must STOP! BREATHE! Let it have its 15 minutes of FAME and then say..OK NOW BE GONE! We all can be stopped in our tracks with this negative side of ourself, no matter how successful we may be! Some long held belief that we just aren't good enough, or do not deserve to be this happy! It is just a part of life I guess, but keeping hold of our perspective makes you come back...Back to the space that is happy, that does know that you deserve the happiness! So that is my wish for you today...That you keep sight of your perspectives! That you know when the negative comes, that following right behind it in bigger footsteps is your positive...your perspectives...STOP! And BREATHE it back in! It is like a clean fresh breath of brilliant creative air!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

My heart is a sweet maui onion

This painting was inspired by my friend Debs, from Key West!
She wrote a wonderful poem with this title and it inspired me to paint this picture! Debs is a marvelous writer, a new/old friend (you know the type that you have just met but feel that you have known for years) a patron of the arts, a personal cheerleader, a wonderful soul...and I am honored to have her in my life. I will finally get to meet her in San Diego in a couple days, after being friends on the net for a year...So this is a very exciting thing for both of us...Two peas in a pod...members of the same tribe of Muse women...And this is my tribute to her...Thanks Debs for everything. So that is my wish for all today, that you let the people in your life know how much they mean to you. That you honor that blessing of having them in your life. And that because of them your life is more complete!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Saturday, September 16, 2006

There is no picture today! I am actually feeling a bit under the weather...
I also know that I have hit the wall while running! I am not sure what happened, but
guess I will blame it on to much sugar!! I have been posting in my "blue book journal" today, and this coming right after such a week of happiness! But, I think that is it!I can never quite figure out why it is that I just can't STAY THERE in the happiness. Why is it that for whatever reason I do not think I deserve it for long? So today I am in the "blue funk" I am slowly coming out of it!! But I think that I will have to really focus on the gratitute that I have within MORE today than ever...And that is my wish for you today....FOCUS...FOCUS...FOCUS....I just got this mail and I will share with you while I ponder it also:

Your body is constantly renewing itself via the thought forms and energetic patterns you radiate. Change the self-limiting patterns and negative forms to those of positive, expansive vibrations and you change your body, your reality, and your world. (Archangel Michael through Ronna Herman) - www.RonnaStar.com
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Reflection Fr"I"day!

Another week has passed! As you are aware this week has been filled with happiness and my being aware of it! That is not to say that all has been happy!! My daughter and grandson moved out this week and so that was a very sad day! I did manage to stay out of the house all day so that I did not have to witness the final departure! However, I know that I will adjust to this, I have my grandson here today, so things appear fairly normal!! I also know that the time that we spend with him now that he will not be here every day with be EXTRA SPECIAL!!!!!! And that makes me very HAPPY!!So as usual one must remember that there are two sides to every coin! Yes, sometimes things appear to hit you badly and cause a little sadness, but then FLIP it over to the other side and perhaps the sun is shining. So that is my wish for you today...FLIP...Take a look at the other side of things...turn it over gently...hold it for what it is and love it...Cause you never know what kind of happiness lies around the corner or the other side!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Pods of Inspiration

I have become really aware of happiness this week, and what part that plays in the creative process! The love that surrounds me, the singing and dancing around the house...the silly stuff that just makes me giggle right out loud! When I am totally aware of it all...when I let myself be in the moment with it..WOW!
I realize how content I am...those "little" annoying things no longer throw me out of wack, or take over me! (Remember that saying: "Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill")I am not sure why I do that, but I must admit that I do...And yet this week I am totally aware of "mole hills" and I have not made them into "mountains" and I am so PROUD of myself!! I am just singing and dancing in all the HAPPY around me! WOW AGAIN! So that is my wish for you today, that you WOW yourself with an awareness of your happy! That you do not make mountains out of mole hills, or if you start to you stop and say..HEY THAT'S A MOLE HILL! LOL!!! Because, those mole hills usually take care of themselves with time, and a small smoke bomb!! So enjoy your day, sing and dance in your happiness...It is a beautiful thing!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Burst of Growth

I have been having a very HAPPY week creatively! And I have to say I have not been doing a lot of art! I have dabbled in some here and there, I have been looking at a lot of wonderful magazines filled with all sorts of visual eye candy. I have been thinking of art, dreaming of art, day dreaming and just generally being happy with that. I use to "beat" myself up when I was not creating...You know, how do you call yourself an artist when you aren't even doing anything!! When one day I realized...this down time is PART OF THE PROCESS! My mentor calls it my "INCUBATION" time! And she is right...I have come full circle this week! I have been working so long and hard on getting the paintings ready, doing my altered book, creating a few projects (small ones) for a few coaching clients, that I was a little tired. I didn't even realize that I was...But, now after having taken a few naps, looked at some of the magazines, gone out for a few lattes and did a little window shopping I realize that I was. Now I am ready to start again...I have had a BURST from this down time!
Tomorrow is another day and I can't wait to step right into it! So that is my wish for you today, that you realize the value of your down time. That you know it is really an honoring of who you are and what you do. To receive that burst is an important step, but you have to allow yourself the time to be quiet so that you can receive it fully! It is BIG ... it is beautiful...and it is all about your creativity!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

SMILE!

I am really enjoying doing my daily affirmation journal. I think it is because it is a positive message every morning, and I really don't think about it to much. I am not offering it for sale so it does not have to be perfect...things can be misspelled and the paint can be out of the lines...It is also something that I keep for myself (and share with YOU!) but I do not keep to many art pieces for myself that I make. Most get sold and some very special ones go to very special people in my life! Anyhow, this piece sort of reminds me of a christmas ornament...and for whatever reason once it was complete it just made me SMILE! One of those deep down within you smiles that make you feel warm all over and just make you glow. I never know why somethings do this, but I certainly am glad they do! So that is my wish for you today, that you become aware of something in your life that causes you to experience one of those deep smiles...and rejoice in it...do the happy dance...throw your arms up in the air and give out a big TA-DA!!!!!! Smiles..just start and make the day perfect. So here is to a perfect SMILE DAY!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Magic

Do you ever just sit down at the studio table, or wherever you do your creative work, and you have no idea what is driving your hand to draw something? Your brain is not even in the process! Well, that is what happened with my morning affirmation today!I sat down picked up the pencil...and the drawing really just drew itself...The paint jumped out of the tubes onto the paper...and before I knew it ...It was done!! Like magic...That is how I feel about art most of the time... It is just pure magic. People often ask me where I get ideas from and I always feel sort of silly when I say things like, well...they just come to me...or well...the piece just sort of tells me what to do! But that is the process for me!! It isn't like I do still life paintings or portraits...I just see this design or a color in my mind and I just have to paint it!! So that is my wish for you today, that you see your magic in whatever it is that you are doing. That you recognize the power it has and let it just awe you! Make it appear on paper, on wood, on canvas with metal, with beads with yarn or fabric, with ink and pencils...wherever it can!! Just pull the rabbit out of the hat of creativity and make your magic! WHAT A SHOW!!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Reflection Fr "I" day...

It seems that the older I get the faster the time goes by! Perhaps it is because I am so wanting to do so much more, now that I am older. There just does not seem to be enough hours in any given day to do everything that is on my list!(remember when you were a kid and you use to tell your mother you were board?!Well those days are long gone!!) I am staying the course however! I am not giving up! I am standing on my tip toes reaching up toward my stars and waiting to spread those wings open wider than I can possiably imagine! I have so many things that I want to do!! I am traveling very rapidly these days, and I really am liking this fast pace (at least at the moment!) I am working on so many things right now, the paintings, the wall art, my daily affirmation book, the altered book exchange, getting ready to go to California (I have a Kaizen-Muse Conference that I will be attending in 2 weeks!) and then of course there is just the daily stuff, the bed needs to be made, dishes, wash, bathrooms cleaned...*you know the really fun stuff!! Books to be read, phone calls to be made!! But, I am finding the time and space for it all, and that is making me so very happy. So that is my wish for you today. That you take all that you do, and make it happy! Whistle while you work!!! Sing a song, make a painting, dance~~I will leave you today with a quote from Robert Fulghum......
"Be aware of wonder, live a balanced life, learn some and think some and draw and paint and sew and sing and dance and play and work every day some!"
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Remember the fire in your heart!

Just another update...I have completed another painting!!
I have decided that I will be doing 12 paintings and a wall installation. Why? Well, because I usually paint on wood and one of the designs that I see in my heart would look better on wood! So I have decided that it is what I should do!! Actually by finishing this painting it became more aparent to me...I am remembering the fire in my heart. I love the feel of the texture that objects that I paint allow me. I sand and finish and there are just so many steps to it..I guess I like all the steps. I must say that I am having great fun with the paper, but I have started the wood piece and my heart is singing! So that is my wish for you today, before I get back into the paint, that your remember the fire in your heart. Even if you think that fire was put out a long time ago, with age or someones words. REMEMBER IT! REKINDLE IT! Know in your heart that it is still there and needs you to honor it. So whatever it was(or is)take it and take time for it. It will make your heart sing, I know that to be true!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

The Bitter and The Sweet

I have a journal that I call the "Blue Book". This is a journal that I write in when my "shadow" side is showing itself. I have learned recently that if I allow those feelings to come out on paper then I do not wallow around in the shadow area very long. I see what it is that is making me a little sad and I am better able to address it. This is the page that I have been playing with today. I titled the page, the bitter and the sweet, because that is how I am feeling. We have had our daughter and grandson living with us for the past 8 months. It has been a wonderful and yet at times difficult thing. They are moving into their own apartment and that will be final this weekend. So, even though I know in order for them to grow as a small family, and even though I know that I really want my time and space back, and even though I know that it is the best thing for everyone to become whole...I will not have the wonderment of a 1 and 1/2 year old exploring my world every day, I will not have the nurturing that I instinctively do daily, I will not have another artist who stays up till 1 in the morning to cheer me on and give me support. Once your children have left the nest you have an adjustment time, just when you think that you are so comfortable there, someone might come back, and you have to readjust again...and then they leave once again...READJUSTMENT! And although I know in my heart this is not an ending, but rather a beginning of a new chapter in our lives. I can't help but think that that first morning when I sit down to have my cup of coffee alone, that the chatter of a little monkey boy saying...MO-MA! will be missed very badly. Guess I'll just have to go out for that cup of coffee!! So my wish for you today is to adjust. Adjust to the things that happen in your life that you know are bitter/sweet. Know that all will work out for the best for everyone involved
And in the end, everything will be exactly the way it was suppose to be!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Birthday Flowers

This is just a small picture of the beautiful flowers that my friend Debs sent to me for my birthday celebration! Flowers are meant to be shared, the beauty, the fragrance, the perfect creation of nature.I thank her for being in my life and giving so much of herself as a friend to me. I want to acknowledge all those who have sent me wonderful E cards and good wishes. My day is starting out perfectly WONDERFUL! So this is a little BIRTHDAY GIFT that I present to all who enter here today. The gift of love that you are all so much a part of my life, and a visual of the perfect beauty that you present to me every day!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today is the day of my birth..The beginning of a new year for me! This is the morning affirmation I did for the celebration of this day! Today, I will take the time and reflect on getting to this 55 year old mile stone! The events, the people, the ups and downs, the great happiness... all that have made and shaped me into the woman that I am today! I am content with my life as it is at the present moment. I have great hope and joy for the coming new year. I am on a path that I will honor and be present in every day. That is my gift to myself! To be aware, to be and recognize all the happiness that surrounds me. To allow myself time to breathe and create all that my heart tells me to. It is all wrapped in shiney paper with ribbons and flowers and stars. And that is my wish for all today also, that you be aware of your moments. Of the things that add to you and discard those that subtract from you. That all the people in your life be gifted also, by your love and passion. So, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ME/HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

An Explosion of Color

I had some postcards made up at VISTA.COM to send out for the ART opening in October. They had a rather fun and funky look with a lot of bright color that appeared to resemble what I do to some degree. So I decided that I would make a painting based on that postcard. Its sort of a theme thing that I have in mind. I decided that the first painting to go up will be the one with the woman walking out of the black and white world and stepping into the color...Then I will have this one next to it...cause my work tends to be all about the color!! I certainly do not consider myself a GREAT artist, but rather a whimsical one, who plays with the emotional aspect of my art. I like to put words on the paintings as I have done that on most of my furniture art pieces. Anyhow, this is the painting that I just finished! It is fun and funky a little like the postcards, but alot like me! So that is my wish for you today! BE A LOT LIKE YOURSELF! To often we let other people and things direct how we act and feel about ourself. Once again that comparison thing comes into play and we end up not being true to ourself. Be gentle....Go forward..
Try not to judge yourself. As a friend of mine told me this morning, "allow yourself to be in the moment of who you are is self-loving." So that is my wish for you today
LOVE yourself! YOU ARE TRUELY UNIQUE!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Show Your True Colors

I am keeping up with the task! PHEW! Considering that I have known about this show for a year, you would wonder why I would wait till the last minute to do these paintings. Well, let me defend myself to myself!! First I said YES to the show, because well, honestly, it was a huge ego boost! Secondly, after I said Yes to the show, I couldn't figure out why I had! Mostly because I paint on objects, furniture, wood pieces,you know, objects! So that is when the FEAR kicked in. Fear of not being good enough, fear of looking silly, fear of failure, better yet fear of success! So I put it off...and off...and off. Till finally as the deadline approached I had to STOP being fearful. I had to sit myself down and give myself a good talking to. You know one of those heart to heart talks. Why was I so afraid? It really isn't any different than painting on wood. Its paper..so what. Its still paint, and brushes and ideas and color. NO BIG DEAL! I could still do the paintings that I see in my minds eye! That is when I had to let go. Let go of the fear and start to paint. My goal is to do a painting every two days, and I am keeping to the goal. Then I will have to mat and frame them, good thing I know how to do that!!(I use to be a custom picture framer) So this is the one that I just finished. I call it SHOW YOUR TRUE COLORS. And that is my wish for you today, that you show your true colors especially to yourself. The fear that you may feel when starting something is just a little bit of the unknown. Sometimes the fear just lets you know that you are on the right path. Believe in yourself and the creativity that longs to be released. Let go of the fear of trying, and honor your creativity, by doing so you will be honoring yourself.
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Stepping Into Color

Well, another painting down. Actually this is a mixed media
one...Stepping out of her black and white world! Or something like that!! LOL...This was a really fun piece to work on because I never see in black and white! Only shades of various colors. I have lately been more aware that there are people out there that only see things in black and white or shades of grey. So this painting shows me just
what color does for me. It brightens my day, softens my outlook on things and just plain makes me HAPPY! So that is my wish for all today. Look for the color in your world, in your life, in your day. There is bound to be something that will make you smile. I mean deep down from the tips of your toes to the top of your head smile. My day is starting out that way just by posting this picture. I hope it brings a smile to you also.
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

September 1st Reflection Friday

I started this affirmation journal when I was given an assignment for my creativity coaching class. The class has ended, but I have decided that I want to continue with my pages. Something that really has become a focus for me in the morning. It also, helps me to be aware of the positive voices that I have close to my heart for the art work that I am creating. Reflection Friday is when I look over the pages I have done for the week and I find what it is that they have said to me and the lessons that I have learned about myself. I am learning alot! Hey, who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks!! It is my birthday month, and I have changed the eye for September too! So September will be the beginning of a new year in my life! I am excited and looking forward to this adventure!I want to take a moment to and thank my personal MUSE, Jill Badonsky, for her strong belief in me and for directing me to my creativity. And to all my friends, both OLD and NEW who support and love me during all my days! And of course I would not be taking home the "Oscar" if I did not thank my family for loving me in such a strong way that I have become a much stronger person because of it! That is my wish for you today. That you too are excited and looking forward to the adventures of your life. That you take a few moments every day and recognize the positive feelings that you have within yourself for yourself. That you acknowledge them and all the people who support you. It is a very powerful and emotional beginning to any day. I highly recommend it!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie