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Learning to slow down, because life's too short ~ ~ ~

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The Reverence of Poise

07.29.2022 by Barbara Grant //

watercolor painting of cup of tea

This morning I played “poise” in a word game. Then I sat with my coffee to ponder this word’s loveliness. I looked it up to make sure I understood it’s true meaning: 

  • graceful and elegant bearing in a person 
  • composure and dignity of manner 
  • balance
  • equilibrium

Yes, as perfect as I’d imagined.

On the way to the groomer Roxy and Ringo peered at the driver behind us as the light turned green. He HONKED immediately, because I’d waited a split second to smile at my pups in the rear view mirror gazing at a man in a hurry. I did not rush. I allowed him to speed around me, feeling no slight but wondering what has changed in me? Why no flood of rage and indignation that would normally ruin my day?  Curious…

This happened another day recently while looking for a parking spot. The shop owner greeted me at the door. Boasting that it was I who had caused the barrage of honking and yelling in the street just prior, she sighed, “Happens all the time; people are angry.” I have to admit I felt a wee bit powerful, and it didn’t wreck my day. I was, in fact, giggling at those silly folks.

What’s the story? I’ve not always been like this. I can be as impatient as the next person if I’m tired, hungry or in pain. I remember one incident specifically when I was riding my bike, a vehicle almost ran me off the road. The driver cursed me for being in his way. I was livid and chased him down where he’d pulled over to refuel and let loose in such a rage I didn’t recognize myself. I’m ashamed now – did I need a protein shake? a nap?  But perhaps he learned a little something about the rules of the road that day.

This new way of being patient with the rudeness of others is new for me. It’s not something I’m trying to do. It’s just happening. I can tell by my heart rate and blood pressure, which are just staying calm ~ ~ ~  I’m not sure where it is coming from. 

Maturity? I do meditate regularly; maybe it really does help. Or am I’m getting accustomed to the anger that seems to be everywhere. But forgiveness and happiness are out there in abundance, too. It’s like going to the zoo; we’re exposed to all kinds when we open ourselves to the world. Some people are sweet and funny, some are impatient and mean. 

My friend sent me a lovely card recently. Inside she wrote this quote by Thich Nhat Hanh: 

“Drink your tea slowly without rushing to the future”

photo of handwritten quote
(her abridged version to get the point across to my hurried mind)

I put it near my place mat as a reminder. Then I researched* the full quote, which is:

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.”

sketch of cup revolving around the axis of the earth

This is a hastily sketched diagram to help me visualize the tea in my cup reverently revolving with the axis of the earth. 

I’ve been working on slowing down. In actuality, my aging body has been assisting in that endeavor. I would like to focus more on drinking my tea with reverence but am not sure what that means. My gut tells me I might begin by returning to my first paragraph to concentrate on the meaning of poise.

As a connected effort, I’ve begun seven small watercolors focusing on a ceramic mug made by a dear friend. I cannot look at this cup without imagining how her hands formed it. When these paintings are finished they will be available in my shop as blank greeting cards with envelopes.

photo of 3 watercolor paintings of cup of tea with cup next to them

*The full quote pulled up on online at https://ma.tt/2019/01/thich-nhat-hanh-on-tea/ was posted by Matt Mullenweg on 1/23/19 and links to Thich Nhat Hanh’s book The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation at Amazon.com

Categories // Creative Process, Just felt like sharing :) Tags // art therapy, artist friends, being kind, creative energy, slowing down

Liking Your Own Shape

05.16.2022 by Barbara Grant //

It took the scenic view of a beach in Hawaii to provoke me to action with my artwork. It wasn’t the beauty of the sand, sea and sky. Not this time. It was 30 years ago…

I was sitting on a hillside in the shade to protect my fair skin, a tablet on my knees, sketching families enjoying the open air. I noticed a woman enter the scene like walking skin and bones. She carefully set up her space with her beach towel. I could not avert my eyes, capturing poses quickly as if she was a model in a live drawing session. I was riveted!

Afterward… holiday over, I did my homework. I knew what I’d witnessed did not seem healthy. It had been an intense experience for me. I immersed myself to learn all I could. Back then the research was just beginning to come out regarding eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. I learned about body image and how difficult it is to escape the social influences that teach us to look in the mirror with critical eyes. I acquired an understanding of how control issues can intertwine with eating disorders and mental illness. And sadly, I became aware of the deadly consequences in many cases.

Anorexic Sunbather

What resulted from my immersion in this fact-finding exercise was a small body of artwork from my studio – an installation* displayed in an exhibit, which included an Altar piece, drawings of The Anorexic Sunbather and my 20-page illustrated booklet entitled Liking Your Own Shape.

It was a long time ago, but I still remember that at the opening reception various women approached me about the subject of eating disorders. Several quietly wrote notes in my comment book sharing their feelings. I specifically remember one woman, a friend of a mother who’s daughter suffered from anorexia; her sad eyes met mine after reading through my booklet, which was displayed on a music stand. Those are the kind of connections you don’t forget.

My Altar piece, was destroyed by water damage in storage some years ago, but the drawings survived. I came across a yellowed copy of the booklet in my files recently. Paging through I mused at the illustrations that flowed out of my psyche with such force. And I realized this subject is still relevant. I decided to have copies printed to bring it back to the present and into the future. It is available in my shop in three sizes.

Liking Your Own Shape
Liking Your Own Shape
Liking Your Own Shape
Liking Your Own Shape

* I’ve learned the Gallery is no longer exists at 1633 N. Damen Avenue in Chicago. But during the summer of 1991 it was Gallery 1633 Show 8: Artists: Aimee Chappell, Barbara Grant, Joseph Rodeder, Robin Bresemann, Micheal Hopkins, Charley Whittle, Wendle Yudis, Paul Lorenx Gallery Artists: Bill Boyce, Montana, Leslie Lenz, Kirk Smith

Categories // Art for worthy causes, Creative Process Tags // art community, art therapy, beach scenes, body image, eating disorders, view of self

Morning Exercise

04.27.2022 by Barbara Grant //

Here’s my morning routine once I’ve made coffee. I grasp the banister leading down to my studio with my left hand while doing my best to not drip from the mug in my right. At the landing I make my way straight to the watercolor table . . . 🎶 A n t i c i p a t i o n . . . 🎶 because, if I’ve left this space the way I love it, it is with something unfinished… when I left it yesterday it was still drying… I can hardly wait to see what’s next to do. Is it finished? This is the problem solving time – assess, consider options… ☕️(coffee emoji)

painting of birds
Through a Screen

Watercolor is not my only medium. In fact, I came to love this habit late in my career. It snuck up on me as I learned to use it working with sufferers of Alzheimers disease. It’s so fun to play with! Not that it is an easy medium to work with. Not by any means; it is probably the most difficult in my humble opinion, and the least forgiving. But if you just want to goof around and have fun, it’s a blast.

painting of butterfly & dogwood
Blue with Dogwood

I had been using scraps of paper at first, but soon realized good watercolor paper makes for better fun. Then I started using my little experiments for Bookmarks. Then bigger pieces for Postcards to send to family & friends. Then larger papers folded into blank Greeting Cards. Finally I $prang for nice paper with matching envelopes and have so many extra watercolor exercises I’m putting them on my Etsy Shop for sale. This is my spiel:

“I enjoy painting notecards as warm-up exercises: a way to test various color combinations, designs and motifs. If they turn out nice, I send them to family and friends. No two are alike; freehand, including my unique quirks and slips. They are originals – not prints! But since they are exercises and may include bloopers, I put a lower price on them. It’s still quality paint & paper and interesting composition. You will find them in my notecard section $4 each, free postage 🙂 “

painting of fish
Polka dot Fish

Categories // Creative Process Tags // don't waste anything! learning as I go, fun in the studio

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