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

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The shape of a tree

11.14.2022 by Barbara Grant //

It has been a beautiful autumn in the Midwest. I didn’t want to miss out on any of it as we drove to spend a few days with family in North Carolina, but our timing was right; we travelled through hills and mountains of delightful color along the way. 

photo of back of truck driving on highway in ‎⁨Pisgah National Forest⁩, ⁨Clyde⁩, ⁨Tennessee Valley⁩, ⁨United States⁩
‎⁨Pisgah National Forest⁩, ⁨Clyde⁩, ⁨Tennessee Valley⁩, ⁨United States⁩

Many of my friends say this is their favorite time of year. My mother loved the fall colors but what followed – the gray and brown shades of November – began her descent into an annual bout of Seasonal Affective Disorder. *

I feel fortunate that I don’t mind winter in Wisconsin. To me it is a productive time to hunker down in my studio without the distractions of pleasant weather and lots of fun things to do outside. You just have to put on more clothing! Since I’m outside to walk my dogs daily, I have an ample collection of coats, hats, gloves, scarves and boots. While Roxy & Ringo sniff and explore, I am able to observe the changes in our neighborhood. 

This time of year what I really enjoy are the shapes of trees. The leaves have dropped to reveal the contours of their branches and crowns. It makes me want to photograph them! Draw them! Draw them with crows and vultures…or abandoned nests of twigs. They light up my imagination with ideas. Mostly I just admire them for their beauty.

photo of tall tree with no leaves
Elm tree at ‎⁨Lynden Sculpture Garden⁩, ⁨River Hills⁩, ⁨Wisconsin⁩

I remember standing in the middle of my childhood living room practicing the memorization of the poem I was to recite in front of my class the next day! Recently I reminded my sister of this and she was able to proudly spout the whole thing from memory:

Trees

by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

(Poetry Foundation.org)

photo of dogs looking out the back of the Subaru
Ringo & Roxy looking out the back of the Subaru

*(Seasonal Affective Disorder) 

Categories // Creative Process, Poems Tags // creative energy, inspirational friends, nature

Newsletter: Wrapping Up a Fun Summer

08.19.2022 by Barbara Grant //

I advertise that these newsletters are sent with the change of the seasons, but oops, we missed Spring! Along with a beautiful bouquet of 🌷🌷tulips🌷🌷 Bob gave me Covid for Mothers Day. He was back on his feet quicker than I thanks to a VA infusion, but all is well. I share this here in case anyone reading this wonders, like I did, about lingering symptoms. When I recently had my routine physical, my doctor assured me I was on track to getting back to normal; she told me that some bounce back in a couple weeks, but for others it can take up to six months. So if you’re one of those, hang in there ~ ~ ~ 

Though I’ve been slowed down, I have continued to be productive in between naps on the couch: 

I participated with The Oddball Artists in the Prairie Art Center exhibit in February. Since the pieces were quite small I was able to contribute 5 paintings and meet the deadline with a little help from my friends. One of the guys in our group is a framer; he gives us tiny frames he constructs from scraps that the frame shop can’t use. Bruce creates perfectly square miters. I love that he wants to save this splendid framing from the dumpster. I’m able to pass this recycled savings on to my collectors!  

artwork
Rusty Lasso at His Peak
back of painting
(back)

Above is one of my favorites included in the exhibit, entitled Rusty Lasso at His Peak. The inspiration came from a twisted piece of rusty wire found while on a walk with Roxy & Ringo. I’m showing the back side also, because it makes me smile. Thankfully a friend with a similar sense of humor noticed it for sale on my Etsy shop and scooped it up. It makes Karen laugh, and this brings me joy!

painting of sunrise at end of middle of road

In contrast, I finished a larger oil painting (30″ x 40″) for a friend referencing a photo she took alongside a country road. The weird thing is she didn’t realize till later that she’d caught some geese flying through the sky! Her boyfriend gave it the title, Last Resort Sunrise. Long story . . .

back spine and front cover of book Visions of Recurrence by Paul Turelli

I created my fourth book cover for Colorado author & artist Paul Turelli. Visions of Recurrence became available this spring. Fourth in the Series of Dreams: Danny and Jennifer are now in mid-life and the story shifts to their teenage twins, Julian and Stephanie. James, their dear friend, mentor, shaman and spiritual guide, brings the family to a new realization about destiny and choice. The following link provides more information if you are interested in exploring this series: Visions of Recurrence on Amazon.com

sketch of kids climbing tree

I’ve started some sketches for my next commission of “Kids Climbing a Tree.” Here’s one scribbled while waiting in the doctor’s office. It’s on my mind… Looking forward to this project! 🙃🍃🍎🍂😉🍁

Bell Jar Vintage shop in Geneva IL

What is left of my “Money Bags” collection is currently on display in my daughter’s awesome shop in Geneva, Illinois. Bell Jar Vintage is the perfect venue for these quilted artworks. Thank you, Dori! 🥰 

Display of Money Bags in antique shop
Bell Jar Vintage
313 W State St Geneva IL 60134

My previous blog is entitled: The Reverence of Poise. It’s about slowing down, not rushing, having composure. I’ve illustrated it with a watercolor painting entitled “Pondering Tea”. This little painting is part of a project I’ve been doing recently. I’ve been painting on watercolor card stock as warm-up exercises; a way to test various color combinations, designs and motifs. They have matching envelopes, so if they turn out nice, I send them to family and friends or add them to my Etsy shop.  I’ve been having lots of fun with these simple, functional creations.

Maybe that is the key – they are functional; they can be a vehicle of communication, a way to connect with people. Using a pen or pencil, loosening up stiff knuckles to write a little note, looking up a street address, purchasing a stamp, and hey! a chance to use those free address labels that come in the mail 🙂 And on the other end…somebody gets a surprise in their mailbox!!! Calming down now to ponder another cup of tea:

watercolor painting of teacup
“Pondering Tea”

Bob continues to enjoy his contract photography work for a rural Insurance Company. He’s  often surprised at what he’ll stumble upon, such as a traveling Farrier using her rasp file to trim this mare’s hooves, or a deer head in a basketball hoop. Think Milwaukee bucks slogan FEAR THE DEER!

deer head in basketball hoop

But equally interesting are these visitors that have graced our backyard this year. A neighborhood coyote. A deer apparently struck by a car. Right rear leg is broken. A friendly deer allowing Bob to approach within 4 feet of her.

coyote in snow
deer with broken leg
deer

A Blue Heron we’ve nicknamed Alex has visited our yard on multiple days recently. He has taken a  fancy to our lawn ornament, a blue heron that moves with breezes. Daring to come inside the fence, he may be getting frisky. Alex came back another day stalking for dinner. This is his “Catch-of-the-day.

heron
heron
heron
heron
“Catch-of-the-day”

two standard poodles

These creatures may appear to be lounging under the kitchen table, but let me assure you their senses are perked up and on the look-out for any wildlife lurking in the back yard!

Dang, they were both looking right at me but – you know… squirrel! 🙄

p.s. Can’t end a newsletter without adding the most meaningful book I’ve read recently. That would be a gift from my friend Toodie. We are both big fans of The OverStory by Richard Powers. His latest novel is Bewilderment. So good.

Categories // Limelights on my friends, Newsletters, Reading Tags // art community, creative energy, fun in the studio, novel

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

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