Work In Progress
I have been working on a series of collage paintings for several weeks based on meditation, dream work, and self healing. My inner focus has been on finding balance in my own life between the everyday and the spiritual, taking time for meditation, reflection, and restful awareness.
It is very difficult to move beyond the constant bombardment of information and stimulation we receive on a daily basis, as our pace of life keeps accelerating, so it’s not surprising that anxiety, stress, and insomnia is on the rise.
How do we find an oasis of stillness in this crazy world? We take ourselves out of the “business as usual” equation if only for a few minutes at a time. Go for a walk, read an inspirational book, turn off the phone or watch the grass grow, anything that allows you to slow down enough to allow your breathing to slow, blood pressure decrease, and those stress hormones return to normal.
Reflections Of The Inner Spirit
This is a close up of one of the collage paintings I am currently working on. Today I added more collage elements to her body and will be layering in more background color tomorrow.
Perfect Afternoon
I love a leisurely Saturday afternoon spent with time to sit and relax with good friends, as we enjoy several cups of coffee and wile away a few hours in conversation about everything under the sun. Smiling faces, camaraderie, and hugs makes for a perfect afternoon.
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Alan Watts: A Conversation With Myself – Part 1
Ode To February
February Sunset
Rose Arizmendi (C) 2008
“The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within.”
– William C. Bryant
“I stood beside a hill
Smooth with new-laid snow,
A single star looked out
From the cold evening glow.
There was not other creature
That saw what I could see,
I stood and watched the evening star
As long as it watched me.”
– Sara Teasdale, February Twilight
Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. Henry David Thoreau
Serenity
I find serenity and peace of mind on my daily walks as I observe people and things in nature that catch my eye.
Often I bring my sketch book or camera just in case I find something that may give inspiration for later paintings and also bring back happy memories.
Sometimes all we need is a little extra inspiration and imagination to help keep the creative juices flowing, and my daily walk seems to do the trick for me.
A White Rose
Rose Arizmendi (C) 2008
The world is a rose, smell it and pass it to your friends. – Persian Proverb
In The Garden
I spent most of the day cleaning up our garden, removing fallen tree limbs, raking up dead leaves, and emptying water out of the bird bath.
Afterwards I was so tired I needed to rest for awhile, so I decided to take some time to sit and relax in our garden, it was so peaceful and calming as the warmth of the sun soothed my tired achy body.
In the garden
A Beautiful Day
It was a warm and sunny day and as I was working on a painting, the birds were practicing their spring love songs right outside my studio window. What a beautiful day!
Flowers in the neighbors yard
Luther Burbank Gardens
Ancient Roots
It is never too late to be what you might have been. – George Eliot a.k.a. Mary Ann (Marian) Evans
C’est La Vie
This morning my art table was covered with paint, paper, gel medium and gesso, so I cleaned it up a bit before concentrating on the new piece I wanted to work on today.
I continued working this afternoon in the studio until around dinner time. Having finished some areas that needed more work, I decided it was time to quit for the day, and began cleaning up my work area.
There is something so wonderful about getting your fingers all sticky with acrylic paint and gel medium, except when you notice you have managed to get some of it on the sleeve of your favorite sweater.
Oh well, C’est la vie. The most important thing is I did what needed to be done and had fun doing it.
Sunny Afternoon
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. -Unknown
Lunar Eclipse
Lots of people turned out to view the lunar eclipse tonight, the last total lunar eclipse until December 21, 2010. I wanted to try and take some photos, but I couldn’t get a good shot.
I started this piece today, but was feeling a little under the weather so I put it aside for another time. Afterwards I made some tea and then took it easy for the rest of the afternoon.
Dreamer
Later I took our dog Rupert for a walk and I just happened to notice our calla lilies were blooming. I am a huge fan of calla lilies, and I love to photograph them every chance I get, so here is one of the photos I took today.
Calla Lily
Mr. Rupert
Here is a photo of our little dog Mr. Rupert. He is such a sweetie pie !
Lost And Found Files
As mentioned in prior posts, I have been organizing, clearing out and making backup copies of my files. Yesterday, I found all kinds of painting files in folders I had managed to hide from myself.
Paintings, sketches, photographs, and collages I found lacking in some way or another, yet after a couple of years have passed, I find myself looking at them with fresh eyes.
They were lost and now found, below are a couple in various stages of development.
Calla Lily With A Rose (C) 2003
Crow Messenger (C) 2005
Digital Collage