Her journey is beginning and is becoming more defined every day. Despite the details that have been laid before her, she is strong.
Week 3
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Words to Live By: Week 3
My friend Jeanine has cancer, but cancer does not have Jeanine.
Her journey is beginning and is becoming more defined every day. Despite the details that have been laid before her, she is strong.
Week 3
Her journey is beginning and is becoming more defined every day. Despite the details that have been laid before her, she is strong.
Week 3
Monday, June 22, 2009
Project Words to Live By: Weeks 1 & 2
My friend, Jeanine, once asked me, "What is your gift, and how are you using it?" Such a big question to answer about oneself. How does one answer that? It's hard to answer without feeling bragadocious or arrogant.
The more I thought about it, the more I found myself answering that question about other people. Last year, I made Jeanine a picture answering that question about her. And as she read all of the things I found amazing about her, she was overcome with emotion. I was able to make her aware of the gifts she gives daily to her friends and family, and how much we appreciate her for that. The list contained gifts both significant and seemingly insignificant - but all - invaluable to those who are closest to her and love her most.
Almost a year later, Jeanine and I spoke about that very question again, this time, in a different context. And through our conversation I realized that my gift is my ability to nurture those I care about in my life. This next year is going to be a challenge, but she has the support of family and friends to help her get through what life has decided to throw at her.
Inspired by Jeanine, I've decided to begin a new project. Each week, I will send her a painting inspired by words that evoke empowerment, positivity, and hope. Each painting will represent one week she has overcome breast cancer. For me, it my way of supporting her and investing in the gifts she possesses.
Week 2
The more I thought about it, the more I found myself answering that question about other people. Last year, I made Jeanine a picture answering that question about her. And as she read all of the things I found amazing about her, she was overcome with emotion. I was able to make her aware of the gifts she gives daily to her friends and family, and how much we appreciate her for that. The list contained gifts both significant and seemingly insignificant - but all - invaluable to those who are closest to her and love her most.
Almost a year later, Jeanine and I spoke about that very question again, this time, in a different context. And through our conversation I realized that my gift is my ability to nurture those I care about in my life. This next year is going to be a challenge, but she has the support of family and friends to help her get through what life has decided to throw at her.
Inspired by Jeanine, I've decided to begin a new project. Each week, I will send her a painting inspired by words that evoke empowerment, positivity, and hope. Each painting will represent one week she has overcome breast cancer. For me, it my way of supporting her and investing in the gifts she possesses.
Week 1
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Monkey Business
Of all the animals on the planet, I would have to say that I find the monkey the most intriguing. After all, I have one named after me. Aside from the fact that they are relatively close to being human, their mix of humanity masked in fur and mischievousness make monkeys undeniably captivating. There is a strange connection one feels with a monkey because of its human-like qualities, yet there is a sense of apprehension, too, because, well, it's a wild animal.
Despite the fact that they are wild animals, monkeys are a symbol of our own humanity as well. Case in point - the San-saru that reside at the Toshogu Shrine in Japan teach us that one should hear, see, and speak no evil. And think about all of the ways we use monkeys to describe our own shortcomings and pitfalls:
In my line of work, I bare witness to the shenanigans of the corporate jungle on a daily basis. Such inner workings of corporate America has even inspired a book. It is the subject of this book that inspired these series of monkey paintings I did for my friend, Alfonso (a.k.a. "T-Bone"), back in 2006. With "Who's Got the Monkey?" on my brain, I created these paintings for him as a reminder that when people pass their "monkeys" to him to handle, he can eat a banana and do his monkey dance, or, alternatively, fling poop at someone's head. Lucky for me, he doesn't fling the poop when I pass the monkey (well, not all of the time). Thanks, T-Bone.
Despite the fact that they are wild animals, monkeys are a symbol of our own humanity as well. Case in point - the San-saru that reside at the Toshogu Shrine in Japan teach us that one should hear, see, and speak no evil. And think about all of the ways we use monkeys to describe our own shortcomings and pitfalls:
- Monkey on my back
- Monkeying around
- Monkey see, monkey do
- Funny as a barrel of monkeys
- I'll be a monkey's uncle!
- If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys
- Monkey business
- Make a monkey of me
In my line of work, I bare witness to the shenanigans of the corporate jungle on a daily basis. Such inner workings of corporate America has even inspired a book. It is the subject of this book that inspired these series of monkey paintings I did for my friend, Alfonso (a.k.a. "T-Bone"), back in 2006. With "Who's Got the Monkey?" on my brain, I created these paintings for him as a reminder that when people pass their "monkeys" to him to handle, he can eat a banana and do his monkey dance, or, alternatively, fling poop at someone's head. Lucky for me, he doesn't fling the poop when I pass the monkey (well, not all of the time). Thanks, T-Bone.
"I am not nearly so interested in what monkey man was derived from
as I am in what kind of monkey he is to become."
- Loren Eisley
as I am in what kind of monkey he is to become."
- Loren Eisley
Thursday, May 28, 2009
He Had Me
People may not know this about me, but I am drawn to the nerdy, artistic type. Have been all my life. There's just something about a man who is oddly, uniquely, and wonderfully geeky and who can express himself through the arts. I just happened to land myself that kind of man, though many people may not know it.
My husband is a surprising combination of funny, intellect, sarcasm, wisdom, cynicism, compassion, and creativity. Only few people have been exposed to the artistic talents that this man has. But, ah, lucky you, I am going to share a few of his hidden talents.
On my twenty-sixth birthday, the very month we started dating, Jason drew me this picture.
The moment I laid my eyes on it, I knew I could love this man. See the detail in the picture? The boy pays attention to details and recognizes beauty. Besides, I am a sucker for handmade gifts.
After four months of dating, Jason drew me this picture.
It's still one of my favorite pictures to date. Mind you, we've never actually sat on a swing together, but don't you think love is like that? At least new love is - swinging in a tree with your initials carved into it.
And though he does not draw much any more, I still have other treasures to share.
I'm not certain of the impetus for the following drawing, but I find it striking with its use of color and diagonal pencil strokes. It makes me want to wish upon a star.
The next picture was given to me by his mother at Easter. It was a piece Jason created in high school. He said it was garbage because of a minor mistake he made on it during its creation, but I could not bare to throw it away. I found it interesting, imperfections and all.
It hangs in my office at work and reminds me of the incredible patience he has.
I am trying to encourage him to do another piece for me - my favorite portrait of us from our wedding. I know he has it in him. I just hope he's willing to bring it to fruition.
My husband is a surprising combination of funny, intellect, sarcasm, wisdom, cynicism, compassion, and creativity. Only few people have been exposed to the artistic talents that this man has. But, ah, lucky you, I am going to share a few of his hidden talents.
On my twenty-sixth birthday, the very month we started dating, Jason drew me this picture.
The moment I laid my eyes on it, I knew I could love this man. See the detail in the picture? The boy pays attention to details and recognizes beauty. Besides, I am a sucker for handmade gifts.
After four months of dating, Jason drew me this picture.
It's still one of my favorite pictures to date. Mind you, we've never actually sat on a swing together, but don't you think love is like that? At least new love is - swinging in a tree with your initials carved into it.
And though he does not draw much any more, I still have other treasures to share.
I'm not certain of the impetus for the following drawing, but I find it striking with its use of color and diagonal pencil strokes. It makes me want to wish upon a star.
The next picture was given to me by his mother at Easter. It was a piece Jason created in high school. He said it was garbage because of a minor mistake he made on it during its creation, but I could not bare to throw it away. I found it interesting, imperfections and all.
It hangs in my office at work and reminds me of the incredible patience he has.
I am trying to encourage him to do another piece for me - my favorite portrait of us from our wedding. I know he has it in him. I just hope he's willing to bring it to fruition.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Lyric Fever
The power of a song. Words that move you, set to various rhythms and tempos, putting a soul to the intangible emotions we have. Melodies that capture the human experience. Lyrics that so accurately define a moment for all of us. That is the power of a song.
For our monthly journal meeting at work, I asked members to bring along lyrics to their favorite song. I also brought various art supplies to the meeting (scrapbook paper, paints, and markers), so that the group could capture a favorite lyric from their songs in the form of a poster. I got the inspiration for this visual display of words from the site, Kiss the Paper. The sisters who collaborate and maintain this blog are given a topic every week in which to post responses to one another. The topic for Week 32 of this year long project was "What's Your Theme Song?"
Sarah McLachlan - "Into the Fire"
The topic got me thinking about lyrics and how they can inspire and make one feel connected to the world. I often have music playing in the background when I am painting or drawing, so why not catch these lyrics like fireflies and allow them to light up our minds as well as our ears?
When I told the group about my project idea, they had mixed reactions. Some had trouble picking one song as a favorite. And understandably so. It's like asking a mother to choose her favorite child. The songs we love are so unique and different and satisfy different purposes in our lives, it's hard to pick just one.
One member in our group expressed that she was a lyric junkie. She cataloged lyrics in her mind to help her define so many experiences in her life. I could totally relate. Hearing a particular song, a particular lyric, can bring me back to a moment in my past. "Rikki Don't Lose My Number" by Steely Dan helps to me remember my biological father and the love of seventies smooth rock that he passed on to me. "Little Jackie" by Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam makes me think about the summers I spent in Jacksonville learning how to skate with my best friend, Kyla, when I was ten years old. "I Could Fall in Love" by Selena reminds me of my first kiss on the beach in Emerald Isle when I was seventeen years old. "Sunday Morning" by Maroon Five brings me back to when I first started dating my husband and all the driving I did between Burlington and Chapel Hill in our first month of dating. All of these songs, and so many more, help me to remember my life.
What would the soundtrack of my life look like, I wonder? If you could create the soundtrack of your life, what would be on it, and what would each song signify? Sounds like a new project in the making... Although I suspect, it will take several volumes for me to complete it, but oh, what a trip down memory lane it would be!
For our monthly journal meeting at work, I asked members to bring along lyrics to their favorite song. I also brought various art supplies to the meeting (scrapbook paper, paints, and markers), so that the group could capture a favorite lyric from their songs in the form of a poster. I got the inspiration for this visual display of words from the site, Kiss the Paper. The sisters who collaborate and maintain this blog are given a topic every week in which to post responses to one another. The topic for Week 32 of this year long project was "What's Your Theme Song?"
When I told the group about my project idea, they had mixed reactions. Some had trouble picking one song as a favorite. And understandably so. It's like asking a mother to choose her favorite child. The songs we love are so unique and different and satisfy different purposes in our lives, it's hard to pick just one.
Procol Harum - "A Whiter Shade of Pale"
One member in our group expressed that she was a lyric junkie. She cataloged lyrics in her mind to help her define so many experiences in her life. I could totally relate. Hearing a particular song, a particular lyric, can bring me back to a moment in my past. "Rikki Don't Lose My Number" by Steely Dan helps to me remember my biological father and the love of seventies smooth rock that he passed on to me. "Little Jackie" by Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam makes me think about the summers I spent in Jacksonville learning how to skate with my best friend, Kyla, when I was ten years old. "I Could Fall in Love" by Selena reminds me of my first kiss on the beach in Emerald Isle when I was seventeen years old. "Sunday Morning" by Maroon Five brings me back to when I first started dating my husband and all the driving I did between Burlington and Chapel Hill in our first month of dating. All of these songs, and so many more, help me to remember my life.
K.T. Tunstall - "Miniature Disasters"
What would the soundtrack of my life look like, I wonder? If you could create the soundtrack of your life, what would be on it, and what would each song signify? Sounds like a new project in the making... Although I suspect, it will take several volumes for me to complete it, but oh, what a trip down memory lane it would be!
Joni Mitchell - "Both Sides Now"
"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
- Berthold Auerbach
"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
- Berthold Auerbach
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Dancing with Paint
I think I want to get back to painting again.
"Well... just do it."
It should be that easy, right? I mean, I have paint and I have brushes. So what's the hold up?
I have these four orange canvases that have been haunting me ever since I started them last April. I can see the finished product in my mind, but I have just been so neglectful of them. Painting never used to be this arduous for me. I used to paint a lot. I used to write a lot, too. But then my heart was broken so badly that I almost thought I would never recover. A long bout of depression kept me from doing a lot of things in my mid-twenties. I had given up simple pleasures like painting and writing because I felt there was nothing left inside of me to share or to celebrate. But slowly, over time, I recovered. My heart healed, and I began to revive all those bits of me that had seemed so lost.
I was the same and, yet, I was different - ever changed from that experience. For those who are close to me, they know me as that happy-go-lucky gal who sometimes has a bite to her. They know that bite wasn't always there. The scarring from being cast away so and the strength to overcome it was what put it there. What seemed like misfortune at the time was actually the universe pointing me in a different direction and a different destiny. And though its been quite some time since those days of self pity and self loathing, I am ready to find myself again through that intimate dance between brush and paint. Too long have I allowed the shadow of that memory to suppress the joy I once had. I am ready to dance again.
I think this weekend would be as good a time as any to finally put soul into those canvases. With a quiet house, some hot tea, and a selection of dewy tunes playing in the background, I should be in business.
"Well... just do it."
It should be that easy, right? I mean, I have paint and I have brushes. So what's the hold up?
UPDATE: See the finished paintings here.
I have these four orange canvases that have been haunting me ever since I started them last April. I can see the finished product in my mind, but I have just been so neglectful of them. Painting never used to be this arduous for me. I used to paint a lot. I used to write a lot, too. But then my heart was broken so badly that I almost thought I would never recover. A long bout of depression kept me from doing a lot of things in my mid-twenties. I had given up simple pleasures like painting and writing because I felt there was nothing left inside of me to share or to celebrate. But slowly, over time, I recovered. My heart healed, and I began to revive all those bits of me that had seemed so lost.
I was the same and, yet, I was different - ever changed from that experience. For those who are close to me, they know me as that happy-go-lucky gal who sometimes has a bite to her. They know that bite wasn't always there. The scarring from being cast away so and the strength to overcome it was what put it there. What seemed like misfortune at the time was actually the universe pointing me in a different direction and a different destiny. And though its been quite some time since those days of self pity and self loathing, I am ready to find myself again through that intimate dance between brush and paint. Too long have I allowed the shadow of that memory to suppress the joy I once had. I am ready to dance again.
I think this weekend would be as good a time as any to finally put soul into those canvases. With a quiet house, some hot tea, and a selection of dewy tunes playing in the background, I should be in business.
"Every adversity, every failure, and every heartache carries with it
the seed of an equivalent or a greater benefit."
- Napoleon Hill
the seed of an equivalent or a greater benefit."
- Napoleon Hill
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Handmade Market
Today I made my way downtown to attend the Handmade Market semiannual event. Just as the website explains, it "features a juried selection of the best and brightest artists, independent designers, and crafters from NC and beyond." There was no fee to attend, but you could purchase a raffle ticket to win a glorious goodie bag filled with handmade items. All the proceeds go to sponsoring SAFEchild, an organization that works with families to prevent child abuse. Art and a good cause? You know I had to go.
The vendors that attended the event were amazing. There were so many skilled artisans there, and many were willing to tell you about their work without pushing their products on you. There was an array of goods from handbags to jewelry to clothing to desserts. I wish I could have taken everything home with me, but, alas, I could not. However, I did score some awesome goodies for myself. (I even picked up some treats for Buddy and Bailey.)
There is something that can be said about handmade goods - they are just so special because you know you getting something that is one of a kind. And as much as I love to buy these items, I am just as inspired to make them as well. I think that is a part of our culture that is slowing starting to make a comeback. As we begin to realize the effects consumerism has on the environment and on our way of life, it feels good to get back to a time when making something from scratch was a good thing. And besides, it just feels darn good.
Not sure you have what it takes to participate in the handmade revolution? Then check out Etsy and support local artists in your area by purchasing handmade goods as gifts for others to enjoy. Want to try some DIY projects? I recommend starting with Jeffrey Yamaguchi's book, 52 Projects. Not only does it have assignments to spark the inner artist in you, but the listing of DIY projects range from the literary to the artistic to the culinary.
Happy creating!
The vendors that attended the event were amazing. There were so many skilled artisans there, and many were willing to tell you about their work without pushing their products on you. There was an array of goods from handbags to jewelry to clothing to desserts. I wish I could have taken everything home with me, but, alas, I could not. However, I did score some awesome goodies for myself. (I even picked up some treats for Buddy and Bailey.)
There is something that can be said about handmade goods - they are just so special because you know you getting something that is one of a kind. And as much as I love to buy these items, I am just as inspired to make them as well. I think that is a part of our culture that is slowing starting to make a comeback. As we begin to realize the effects consumerism has on the environment and on our way of life, it feels good to get back to a time when making something from scratch was a good thing. And besides, it just feels darn good.
Not sure you have what it takes to participate in the handmade revolution? Then check out Etsy and support local artists in your area by purchasing handmade goods as gifts for others to enjoy. Want to try some DIY projects? I recommend starting with Jeffrey Yamaguchi's book, 52 Projects. Not only does it have assignments to spark the inner artist in you, but the listing of DIY projects range from the literary to the artistic to the culinary.
Happy creating!
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