Sometimes I feel like the sun
sometimes I live in the darkness of night
sometimes, I am happy inside
Other times, I feel like I’m on the run
But, whatever, where-ever
I am always with God
Life IS
PL Precept # 11 Always be with God
When we live with God
we appreciate and accept
Life IS
Oyashikiri
First, let me begin by telling you I do not collect dolls. I have over the years belonged to the CDAA (Canadian Doll Artist Association) a club that no longer exists. We were doll artists from all over the world who had an interest in one of a kind dolls. Certainly not the kind of doll pictured above.
I met a lady in a shop, who over time, we developed more than a hi, good day, how are you relationship. I found out she is an avid doll collector, not the one of a kind type of dolls but in particular ones from a Canadian company, that have a certain look to them, and a wardrobe. Like myself, she is a crafter, and artist, with her hand in many different project. We are many such “creatures” on the planet, and we thrive on the exchange of ideas and the inspiration we get from one another.
It is in appreciating the differences in the people we meet that we ourselves grow. I truly believe that. Seeing their “vision” and “creativity” inspires me to look at the objects that come into my sphere of “seeking” when I’m out on a “treasure hunt”
The doll above, I’ve seen over the years in fancy boxes in shops that sell to the doll collectors, and have passed them without a second glance. Today I saw this young lady with her beautiful hair rather messed, and untidy, hanging all over the place, her shift which once had been clean and starched, was now faded, dusty and had a staining (that brown coat of “age”) that made her look shabby. To add insult to her condition, where other dolls were priced at a respectable price, she had been marked at a ridiculously low price. The colour of her outfit doesn’t really show properly, but the dress at one time looks like it was a pastel Easter green. Her crochet vest was perhaps an off white or linen colour. Her mother would have been proud, her undergarments were still white.
Yes, I brought her home, used a crochet piece I had to put her hair up so that I could get her clothes off, I’ve soaked the grime out.. and will give her a cleaning when I have time to get back to her, Why did I do that. I have no idea. I know I will not be starting a home for wayward dolls. At the time it seemed the right thing to do.
We all get old. Some more gracefully than others. The kindness we show to others, and the reason for our actions at times is not clear to us right away. But I know for a fact, that goodness, begets positive. When we live with a desire to live our lives with pure intentions, life is good. There is always a reason for our actions. When you believe this, the moments of awareness become more frequent.
Today was Monday, tomorrow is Tuesday, how wonderful is that! Sleep with dreams of soft pastel wonders, and tomorrow wake to a day filled with vibrant colour.
A recent expression.. I was experimenting with my new watercolours on canvas and tissue. Life is good, share your happiness with others.
PL Precept #19 Begin once you Perceive
PL Precept #16 All things Progress and Develop
Oyashikiri
Good Evening everyone. Mixed media is when an artist uses more than one media or technique to work on a canvas or project. In this instance, I had a canvas I wanted to recycle I applied gesso, then acrylic and when that dried, I went on with water colours. I have used water colour on acrylic before, but this time I wanted a dark background, so wasn’t sure how the water colour would show.
I was pleased with the results, I sculpted the canvas first with different tools, then applied the water colour to bring out the “feeling” I wanted. My water colour pallets were the Medallic Accents (Prima) nothing too fancy, and the Prang Ovals by Dixon.
Because I basically work to express myself, I use products that appeal to me, either colour range, and price. plays a part in what I get. One could say, self indulgence. I create to please my need to express visually what is passing through my frontal lobe. This makes for happy happy, I know I’m happy when I hear myself humming.. I paint, I hum. =^_^=
What does it mean, I’m asked, or what am I supposed to see? is another one. The short answer, is whatever you want to see. If what you see speaks to you, Enjoy. There is no rhyme or reason, my expression, whether writing, painting, or sculpting is because I want to. I gave up a long time ago trying to please..
We learn in PL, we, WE have to be happy, it is up to us to be ourselves. If we don’t know what we want, or what makes us happy, how on earth can we share honestly with another human being. It is no one else fault if you are unhappy, no one can make you unhappy unless you give them the power to.
OH my.. must not get going on one of my pet philosophies… Just wanted to share with you, my happy “dark forest” Makes me smile silly.
A holiday Monday for some, others are back to work.. hope your week-end was a good one, let us have a joyful start to another week.
Look who came to visit. He is from Malaysia..his ribbon said..Yu Pin Wan, does anyone know what that says? Google translate didn’t help me. Doesn’t matter, I think he is darling and will let him stay for a while.
Oyashikiri
Blessings/Namaste
PL Principle #2 I will not have complaints about others,matters, nor the weather. Rather I will always be creative and will look for shortcomings in my own thinking and actions.
AT home I have a recliner, but basically I sit around with my feet up, and my whippet is never far.. .
Yup I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk, working on the computer, or doing something with my paints and stuff. In this picture, I was trying on shoes.. I did go an buy them. (some things never change)
I watch programs that take me underwater, and show me creatures that live in the sea. Except, in this case, I was swimming underwater, my avatar was swimming with mermaids.. ah ha! that could be a bit of fantasy… but… I was there, via my AV .. I was the avatar and the mermaids and other swimmers were friends, it was a benefit to raise money for a charity RLF (Relay for Life) hmmm sounds like a familiar event. we were all there visiting in real time.
I am the cute one ( sorry E) Siamese cats are just that much more adorable. Especially the Dinky avatar ones. =^_^=
Now, true in the day-to-day world, I am not going to put on a sea witch outfit and jump into the Ottawa River, or the St. Lawrence. (river that divides some of Canada from the USA) but my friends are from all over the world, and we really do meet and chat in-world when these events take place.
We wake up every day, and often we are always doing something within a certain mile radius of our home base With the social media blossoming like it has, we get to stay in touch with so many friends, and their friends, whether they live close to home or not. Golly gee, now they even have to warn us about “fake news”
So…… I ask you again…. when is fantasy real? =^_^= gives a Shirley Temple smile, and skips off the screen. (for now)
PL Precept # 15 All is a Mirror
Oyashikiri
PL Precept # 7 Everything exists in Relativity
waves good night to everyone..
Church in the morning see you then =^_^=
Three pounds of hamburger for $1.00
4 loaves of bread for $0.50 cents.
3 packages of hamburger buns for $1.00
Onions, celery, peas and carrots were the vegetables of the day, along with the potatoes of course, or in our case, the bag of rice. Your shopping cart could be full for just over $10. Kraft Dinner was 4 for $1.00 and sometimes 6 for a dollar. Baked beans, came in all two flavours .. baked with pork, or molasses. Maybe there was one with a tomato sauce.
Mother whipped up dishes with chicken hearts, giblets, and often Sunday would be a roast of Beef, or Port heart. I recall her chicken livers and green peppers. Chinese dishes of course, all flavoured with garlic, ginger, and one of the soy sauces. I still like these meats today, but I do see that they seem to be less the flavour of the day.
When she made up the giblets in a garlic and bit of honey sauce stir fried with the cabbage, the sauce was oh so good over the steamed rice.
The icing on the cake, was when she would brown the rice that was stuck to the bottom of the pot… then carefully pour in some boiling water just as it got all crispy. That was dessert. We seldom had sweets for dessert till much later .. This served me well, I don’t crave sweets, however, do admit to drooling for creamy butter filled buns from the Chinese grocers.
When I first started to cook for my own family, I recall gathering up cook books that showed us how to cook minced beef in hundreds of ways. I’m thinking of this because today, I decided to do up a meat loaf for hubby. While whipping it up, my thoughts drifted to when it wasn’t an unusual happening in the kitchen but rather a weekly dish that was served up in a zillion different ways, with either roast potatoes or rice.. and of course the obligatory side dish of a veggie.
Do I eat this way now. Nope, no, and no. I can’t remember when I last had peas or carrots. a la frozen mixed vegetables sometimes with corn. Now I overdose on brussels sprouts, okra, and tender green shoots from the Chinese grocers.
Oh how time changes… =^_^= thanks for sharing the trip down memory lane with me.
My husband will have the meat loaf to himself (which he likes) .. I am steaming pork ribs with Okra and red peppers for moi in a black bean and garlic sauce. Can you hear the anticipation !!!
PL Principle #10 I will live in true harmony with my spouse.
Oyashikiri
Good day everyone….
No two artists when looking at a blank canvas see the same thing. Two photographers looking in the same area, along the same street, will each have a different “capture” in their lens. Ever heard these words.. ” you were there, didn’t you see bla bla bla” Well, you both might have been there at the same time, but you both very likely didn’t see the same things. Each would have viewed the scene or circumstances from his/her own perspective.
Now the word “artist” what does it imply? Or the word “crafter” are they one and the same… hmmmm. you thinking about it?
Does it come down to how quickly you want your pant to dry? No two mediums dry the same way ,even when choosing an ink pad, you have to know what you want to do with the ink you are using.. if you use the wrong kind, your inks can bleed or run… even when you thought it was dry… kinky right..
That is why I love life and all the artist challenges it provides. When I make the wrong choice, .. I get to start over or try to work with the results of my 1st choice. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it just doesn’t. A friend draws in chalk, she lives the moment, when it is gone, she has lived the experience, and moves on.. that is a beautiful way to let go.
I loved the play of shadows and light on the bramble above. It struck me at that moment that it was full of intrigue. Today should I see it again, I might not give it a second glance. It would simply be a mass of twigs and branches waiting for spring and rejuvenation.
La vie est belle, it is our perception that can cloud or colour our view.
I prefer arylic and water colours to oil… why…. paint time… =^_^=
Oyashikiri
PL Precept #1 Life is Art
It was a beautiful day .. I took to the roads .. you’ve often heard me say how I love driving the highway, headed out of the city core. The stretch of roads I take have a lot of country side along the way. It is a way for me to unwind.
I’ve undertaken the huge task of clearing my work table, and letting go of the bits and pieces that seem to get left behind after each and every project. I think that last over-haul was perhaps last fall when I was working on the greeting cards for the church.
As an artist it is easy to get lax, I find that I need to challenge myself to step outside the box, much like with my writing. I can get very motivated, the ideas spring endlessly past my gray cells, yet I’m not smitten enough to take action. Then out of nowhere, I know the time is right. Since last week, I’ve noticed a lot “gemstone” colours, spring colours mainly, I’m rather excited to see what is around the corner.
I got knitting needles today, I’m not keen on knitting, but I found myself looking at square in the Michael’s’ store, they ask for donations of 9″ squares, they are put together to make colourful blankets for one of their charities. Who knows. I do know how to knit, it just doesn’t appeal to me.
PL Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point
There was more than one face in the above painting, but I pulled the one out.. because she was watching … =^_^=
Oyashikiri
PL # 2 To live is to Express One’s Self.
While my latest card says to Dream and Be Happy… I’m trying to find the balance between discomfort and ”darn that hurts” It is distracting. On talk show radio today while driving around from errand to errand… (I was being productive) there was a feature on how Emergency rooms are having to deal with dental emergencies, and are not equipped for the problems they are seeing.
It seems there are many people for one reason or another don’t go to a dentist, and then suffer terrible pain at some point when they encounter a severe tooth problem.. ie. they need a root canal etc. They are in so much pain, the doctor says they can’t answer a question properly the pain has distracted them so much.
As I listened, and wondered, hmmm is the pain subjective? I myself was caught by a sudden burning sensation in my right ear. Ooohhhh that hurts as I put my hand up to the ear, trying to sooth it with some warmth from my hand. Then I remembered that the dentist had told me that I had the equivalent of a sprained ankle in my jaw.. and I was to rest the jaw, not chew down on foods that would stress the jaw. He said “it is a warning sign” that if I didn’t take care of the situation now.. it could lead to bigger problems.
Even suggested a mouth guard.. yes … a mouth guard… and he gave me an estimate of the cost for such an appliance. Oh dear… I recall making a mental note, to **try to talk less =^_^= ** ** refrain from eating pistachios for a while** and try to eat foods that were easy on the jaw, like soups, etc. The discomfort was an instant reminder that I have not been following my “good intentions”
Even the finding of great fancy scissors that another crafts person parted with and a wonderful discounted bargain price failed to take my attention away from the “raging” ACHE in my jaw.. which shows itself through the ear.
So.. my obvious lesson today, is to stop being lazy .. and stubborn.. lazy, not taking the time to make and eat homemade soup that is nourishes and soft and easy on the jaw.. stubborn, thinking that I did it for a few days and that was enough, I knew better??? Wot! So if I have a discomfort, whose fault is it??………………….MINE
It is called owning the decisions we made and the results of……
Oyashikiri
the results of cleaning my brushes on the back of a book… liked it so left it that way the black is gesso
note
As we drove along, the winding road seemed to disappear into a wall of fog. There was a surreal atmosphere of quiet that wrapped itself around the truck. We paused in our conversation to take notice of our surroundings.
Suddenly ahead we saw flashing lights. 2 men were standing by a truck, the drivers side door was open. One man wore a bright yellow vest with a big fluorescent red X emblazoned on his back. As we watched, he helped the other man put ona imiliar vest.. Ahead of the stopped truck was a big lit up panel blocking the way, It too sported a big red X.
Slowing down, my husband rolled down his window… the one man who was already dressed in the special outfit, walked over to the truck, asking us where we were headed. When told where we were headed, he said, that we could go no further on the road we were on, but needed to take a detour that would be identified when we turned the truck around.
My husband ever the news-hound, asked for information, and surprisingly we were told that there was a man with a weapon barricaded up ahead, and the whole area was cordoned off… As we made our way to the detour, we thought about what we had been told. Here we were out for a leisurely drive, content in our “world” and minutes away, was a very serious scene being played out. Children were involved, the “suspect” was holed up in an area very close to a school.
This is very serious, we knew it was happening, but there was nothing we could do but proceed with our own “day” and let the “drama” play out as it may. This was early afternoon, we later heard on the news, that the incident ended shortly after 5, no one was injured. Maybe not physically, but what kind of “mental” stress was placed on the people who were involved in the incident.
On our way back, the fog had lifted, and the sun was shining. It brought home for me, how important it is to live each moment with appreciation. We never know what is around the corner.
PL Precept # 18 Each Moment is a Turning Point
Oyashikiri
NB* we had a wonderful drive, the detour proved to be a meandering back road that was delightful. WE did get to Montebello, my sister, was able to tick the destination off of her to see list. In life, there is always BALANCE . and as noted, by the time we were heading back, the sun was shining and skies were blue.
Out of the night, the eyes stare down and fix on the emotion and passions of “desire” the colours shout and harmonize to dominate the midnight skies. Fireworks in the sky …Q
My sister’s colours, charm and delight with the quiet passion of one who colours from her heart, bright and cheerful and full of warmth. Mother’s Pansies …… V
Oyashikiri
PL Precept # 2 To live is to express One’s Self
2 sisters, two styles,
PL Precept # 1 Life is Art
How we express ourselves, whether on canvas or another form of expression, is us, being true to ourselves. We are all unique, let us respect and do our best to understand the differences and challenges around us.
We are all ONE.
PL Precept # 11 Always be with GOD
dymoonblog 