Tread softly for you are treading on... your own dreams

Two posts in one day! Its like a dream come true...
Haha, just kidding. True bloggers will post regularly. I can only do what I can I suppose, but that is what this post is all about, as you will see.
My dear mother has caught the vision of another artist, caught it like a fever and is spreading that vision around as often as possible. Like she always does. I'm sorry if that sounds bad but its true, mom, you do like to crusade but I don't want anyone to think that I am making fun. Her passion and the passion of those she admires is something to be shared for sure. Which is also what this post is about. Maybe I will get to my point instead of wasting all these lines "telling you what I am about to tell you".
Talking with Tesla is a visionary book about a local artist who, in his dreams, makes the acquaintance and later deep relationship with the less-famous-than-he-should-be-inventor and scientist, Nichola Tesla. Its real. Its touching. Its even profound and possibly earth moving. Its really hard for me to get through. Sorry Nichola. Sorry Alex. Sorry to everyone who knows the passion and importance of this vision being taught here in the book. Maybe I'm too eclectic... in an ADD kind of way. I like so many things but not all at once. I can't seem to stomach t.v. right now. I'm not in the mood for my usual video game to calm me. And I certainly can't sit through Talking with Tesla tonight. Maybe try again next night? I hate when I get like this; as if nothing can please me and I feel wound up and irritated. Until I find something to soothe me or I "just choose something" and go with it until the feeling goes away. That's self-medication for those who like to take their lives into their own hands, folks.
The point I wanted to make that is taking so darn long to get to is this! *sheesh*
Alex pointed out a very key factor in artists that I picked up in a random page of his books. DOUBT. For me, I am speaking of doubt that comes from us artists. "This is all wrong!" "I am not good enough." "Nobody likes/understands my art, why should I even try?"
People who are familiar with the book will know this part: where Nichola shows Alex a room, in his dream, full of art that would be devoured by society as some of the best and most beloved "long lost works of art". I didn't read the whole sequence, but famous artists and people who very well could have been great had these works that would have been revered and cherished by all the world (or those who could appreciate what they were looking at anyway) but they were locked away in this room, never to leave and never to be talked about or appreciated by anyone. Alex replied, aghast, that it was a sin and a crime that they should never be known and Nichola told him that they were locked in that room by the artists themselves. How can this be? Isn't it true that the very artist who painted it wouldn't simply turn around and throw a masterpiece under lock and key to be kept in the dark forever?
Well, the only person who could obliterate priceless art from the world, more surely than the vengeful fires of the Nazi's when they burned literature, is only the artists themselves when they lock away the light that is inside. When we allow ourselves to be consumed by doubt and the ugly thoughts that surround doubt, we lock away something most vital and we encourage it to die. Because its too painful to try. Because we might fail. Because it might not be good enough or it might not turn out how we thought it would. A most precious gift is suddenly turned into the poison of self-doubt and fear becomes all-consuming. Our lives become lulled. That is death, folks, make no mistake. People who do that to themselves have become the walking dead and they kill their own dreams more surely than the world ever could.
As an artist, it feels like a constant drug. Use it to guilt others into pitying you or into liking your work. Use it to justify to yourself not trying. Its disgusting and I don't even want to talk about it anymore. Its a poison that kills us from inside, stronger than the devil's own power, and its a poison that numbs us into believing that it is ok to live this way- then, into believing that there is no problem even to be ok with. Its just life. Why argue? Nobody even bothers to argue anymore.
I will admit, out of fact, that I am not a great artist. Its just a fact that I do not practice like I should and I do not apply the techniques that I know to the work I do because I am sometimes lazy. And then when I do a good job, I want plenty of praise to validate what I've done, plenty of it because if I don't get enough even a good job is suddenly worthless. But those things aside, I do know who I am and I refuse to die inside. Its really really hard to put yourself out there as an artist and to say "Here I am! This is what I do, its how good I am." Its hard to show people just what you're made of and to look back without excuse, especially when its not "very good" art. You have to really love yourself in order to be able to do that. To even keep making art everyday-and even if no one else saw it-to keep on loving yourself even when you've become deeply disappointed in the result. "This is the best I can do?" we say to ourselves in despair. "That is the best you've got?" we fear the words from others. We fear this so much that we forget that self-progress is slow and hard to grasp. That is why God is perfect. He can watch us, moving so slow, sometimes purposefully ruining our own lives with selfish acts. And he still loves us- not just loves us, but with a perfect, unadulterated love. He believes in us because he knows we can do it- do ALL of it, that we ever dreamed of and more; but only if we believed in ourselves even half as much.
My own self-doubt as an artist eats away at me relentlessly, even when I'm not "acting" as an artist or when people don't know I love art and try to portray life through my weak drawings. Self-doubt is buried so deep in my bones that my dreams as an artist and my love for myself doesn't even have a chance! It bleeds me out every day and then it bleeds twice as hard whenever a friend or my husband looks into my eyes and says that they believe in me and that they think I am great. It hurts worse than anything when they say that because I don't believe it. Because I let self-doubt take over my dreams... well, I don't even give them over to self-doubt. I take them myself, with my two hands and I lock them in that same prison as those other artists and when I turn the key, self-doubt turns to me like an old friend and says "That's right. Everything's fine now and you don't have to be afraid anymore. Lay those fateful dreams to rest because they will only hurt you when they fail. As we both know they will. But I won't fail you because I am strong." And its true. My dreams might fail. And self-doubt will never fail because it is strong and that strength is fed by the power we could have given our dreams. It becomes a black hole and it sucks the life out of us until we are dead, just like I said before.
How do we fight this disease? Its just like the disease where our own immune system that is supposed to protect us starts attacking our own blood cells instead, slowly killing us. I think I would prefer that kind of death and that's a terrible thing to say. I just want you to understand what it is we are talking about. The body can suffer and that is one thing, but its also a temporary thing. When the spirit suffers it can go on, and it can resist healing on every level, and it drags the body down to an early grave. And then when we die, our spirit goes on (energy can never be destroyed, only changed) and in this new life it will continue to suffer and to suck all the life around it. This is how the darkest of evil and the most powerful too, is created. It comes from light and from power, and if that being of light allows themselves to lock away their dreams and become this black hole that never heals but only hides from the pain, they become the very devil that we fear is trying to tear our world apart.
And so we see, every evil in this world is because we allow evil within ourselves, and if it didn't start there it could be no where else. And since we allow this evil to be nurtured within ourselves, quietly at first, then numbly, then openly, we allow it to become nurtured everywhere that there could be light. That is why this world is so miserable, folks. Because we made it so and we continue this act everyday. Until we choose to heal ourselves and to love ourselves completely just like our loving Father and Mother in heaven do. When we let light in, darkness has no place to hide. In fact, it only stays when we want it to, when we secretly let it.
For the sake of everything good and for the sake of your own life! Cast self-doubt from your heart. That is what part of me is saying to the part that buys into the pain. In those moments when I let go and just feel love, I am no longer afraid because there is simply nothing to fear. Everything is love and its all around us. If only we'd let it be IN us too, always. Instead of wishing for more love but secretly harboring the pain of self-doubt.
Some people might read this and think that its a little off the deep end. That's ok. This isn't written for you. Its written for me. And for those who can hear the same call as me. Believe in yourself. If you do, I promise your life will be fuller, easier (in a way) and not so full of hidden pain that poisons so many of us. Find some way to anchor that light into your heart and don't be afraid to USE it to pull yourself out of self-doubt, depression or shame over who you are or what you can do.
So even if I can't get through another paragraph of Talking with Tesla, I think that it has spread the vision far enough in that one small message. And far enough is as far as me because its not my business if others "get it" or not. They choose to hear or not hear. What's good for me might not be for them. But I hope they find a way to learn the lesson of loving themselves. For me, at least I received a few levels of self-healing in this moment because I was able to acknowledge my darkness and bring it to light. Show it to others, but more importantly, show it to myself. If you never bring it into light, it can never go away. So here's a part of me saying, "I want to live!" and letting go of that dark shadow that weighs heavily on me as an artist and as a human being.
A quick side-note. I would like to explain why "self-doubt as an artist" is such an important subject here. "Why not just say Self-doubt as a human being instead?" Because "artist" isn't just a pretty picture some people make. Its a way of life. Alex explains it I think, well- my mom explained to me that Alex explained it like this: Being an artist is an entirely different way to look at the world. We simply do not see life, the universe, and everything the same as ANYbody else. The same can be said of other professions I guess, but I just wanted to point out that being an artist isn't a profession. Those who are truly artist are in their hearts children and heavenly spirits and nature and human life. I doubt there is any valid way to explain it because I feel I am failing miserably to get the point across. Who knows, maybe you have to be an artist to know just how different it is. Anyway, so I just wanted to address self-doubt as an artist because, to me, being an artist is being a part of life, its a special calling. And for that kind of light and passion to be experienced by one person and then have it be their job to express that passion and light to others... well, that requires a very special poison. And there's none better that I know of. Know it, know what it is that I am saying, so that in your own way you can guard against the complete void of not believing or not loving yourself. I mean, its worse than that isn't it? Its even as far as self-doubt.

Procrastination tastes JUST like promises!

Oh my, it has been quite a while since I ever wrote! I knew I was putting it off but... Oct 2008 was my last entry, so much has changed since then! I believe it was Nov 1st when my husband and I found out we were going to have a baby and yesterday, Jan 29 2009, we took the first ultrasound and saw our baby's little legs and tiny heart pumping away. Of course, we always knew it was a girl but since some people can only believe the facts in front of their face, they had to wait for the ultrasound to confirm the gender.
My husband and I were watching "The Matrix: Reloaded" last night and making comparisons to the gospel, as many people do. I mean, there are so many similarities, small and large, how could anyone NOT draw conclusions about certain lines or certain characters and the roles they all play? Everyone has their own ideas I guess. Anyway, something was said in this sequel to the first movie about one's beliefs do not require another person to believe in them in order for them to be true. How true that is! People everywhere look to others for validation and for acceptance, or if not acceptance then some kind of justification to prove that they have a right to believe something that others don't.
People! We do NOT need to buy into what other people think of us when we think something new or different! Our belief is all that much stronger when we stand by it without excuse and without checking to see if everyone is OK with it or not. (I want to point out here, I introduced this topic by saying how religion and the Matrix have similarities but now, when I talk about beliefs, I am no longer talking about religion. I was originally going to make a different point but I couldn't think of the religious topic discussed in the movie and so I moved on to something I really wanted to talk about because it has been bugging me! sorry for the confusing tangent.)
ok, back to supporting our beliefs...
I had a dream last night and it has been bothering me all morning so I know I must write about it. My mom was telling me about a class she's taking and reminded me of the importance of "therapy writing" which is, when something is on your mind- write about it! It will help you to understand how you really feel and get it all out without having to tell it to someone's face and have confusion or hurt as a result. In my dream, a brother of mine came to the house and for some reason we were going to have a prayer- so I asked if he would give it. He figited and kind of mumbled something about "come on you guys, hurry up or we'll be late" -his was of avoiding what I had said. In real life, he does not believe that a woman should take charge of certain things because -yes, husband and wife work together- but it is the man who is the patriarch and has the final say and takes charge over certain events in the household. So, since it was not my husband who asked for a prayer, he hesitates and he figits and waits for the "man" to take over like he should.
This drives me crazy to no end! As a guest, how could he possibly have the right to tell me "my place" inside my own home?! How is that ever right? And besides that, each husband and each wife out there has their own dreams and desires. Put a very unique person together with another and you will get different family values and rules than if you put that same person with someone else entirely. You see it all the time on that t.v. series "wife swap"... what a crazy show. But it proves my point here, which is: Every household has values and rules that WILL be different than yours no matter where you go- and this is within family members too, I mean we were even raised in the same religion and such! So I guess he thinks that since we were raised similar and all that, that something he believes to be the foundation of family should be everyone's same foundation- esp. if they have pretty much the same lifestyle and values.
Now, I am not saying he is wrong. Don't think I am some kind of feminist, saying that the wife should take charge and the husband should not. My belief is that husband and wife have equal but seperate roles in the family- this means that we both have the right to speak for the family and make decisions! Why does he not get that? Does he think I am trying to take over my dear husband and rule the household? No! I just want equal and fair recognition for us both! *sigh* But, I don't want to go on... that would mean I was trying to justify every point of mine and have a one-sided argument with a brother who isn't even present.
I believe that my husband and I have love and respect for one another and we feel good doing things this way. If I ever found out that he was just "going along" with it so I'd be happy, I would never accept living like that- husband and wife should be unified together... as much as possible. He likes things that I don't and I do things he doesn't agree with but for the most part, we still talk things over like adults until we can find middle ground. But, thankfully, I didn't marry a man who is going to pander to my wishes just to make me happy. He is strong-willed like me and that means if he has needs, I can count on him to let me know what they are, instead of having me knowingly or unknowingly walk all over him and lead him by the nose.
Sometimes its hard for me to get what I want across to my husband but I know that it is because he is no push-over and I realize more and more that I could not have survived long with anything less. Any relationship that I get in where the other person says yes to everything I say just because I have a strong, assertive personality- that relationship "can be" pretty great but it wont be as strong (I think, anyway) and it defininetly won't be very fulfilling for me (I know from experience).
Anyway, normally this is something I would save for my journal at home but its easier and faster getting all this out with typing like this. You know what? I've found that some kind of writing is best done typed because of the speed and neatness of it all- and then some of it requires the more natural approach of paper and hand. I want someone to do the research: what kind of writing is more suited to what kind of approach? But then again, maybe its different for every person. I just want people who prefer pen and paper to recognize the usefullness and editing purposes of computer word programs. And the people who prefer typed to recognize the romance and intimacy that can only come from writing with your own hand and using physical work with the pen and paper- its like a relationship. One is more 'useful' and the other is more 'creative'... What do you think?
That's all the drama for now, folks. Sorry I was away for so long. I have TONS of artwork to add, well- maybe not tons but enough to remind me that my procrastination is disguised like a promise, playing like a broken record in my head to make me feel useful by thinking of it but never really get it done. Oh, the cunning tools of the devil! Satan has got hold of my head! hahaha just kidding... Anyway, so I have art to add and lots to blog about our new family of husband, wife and now little baby girl (who still has no name yet...) And let's not forget our trio of daring cats! The adventures of Silly Milo, Grumpy Hannah and Weird Shen coming soon! Hooray.

Whispered Love Notes from our Guardians

Sometimes in life, we need to take the time to really see the beauty all around us for what it really is. God does not come down in fiery clouds and glorious praise, but visits us in small and precious ways. I found a collection of photos online of beautiful and natural representations of Angels. The first is a uniquely shaped piece of wood on a fallen tree. Its angelic form is so obvious and yet most people would probably not notice if they were walking along. I feel that the woods are a sacred place where our hearts resonate with the energy of our Mother Earth. Seems like that little angel made of wood is sitting on the log, contemplating the trees just as I do. (Mom, you are the inspiration for this one. Thank you for sharing your love and connection with the trees and with God and all his wonderful creatures)

The next is not a picture that looks like an angel, but if we could see them- I would imagine him sitting on that chair, in the sun with the cats. Just look at the animal's peaceful expression, as if they had some loving presence enjoying the evening with them. Animals are so much more sensitive to spiritual things- they always speak from the heart, instead of just living in their heads, where we get trapped so often in life. It reminds me of the story of Saul -I believe it was- who was riding to a city against God's will and he hardened his heart against the promptings of the Spirit. His donkey kept turning away from the path because he could hear the message loud and clear. Finally, as Saul was kicking the mule and saying how stupid it was, it opened its mouth and spoke, telling him what was so obvious to anyone that had ears and Saul was rebuked for not listening. I probably got the story wrong but the point is, animals are sensitive to the spirit because they take the time to slow down and live in the here and now- as should we all.

The last is a beautiful form of light up in the trees and I like this one because I always think of spirits sitting in high places, watching over us all the time- just like in one of my favorite movies, City of Angels with Nicholas Cage (if you haven't seen it, I strongly suggest watching! its wonderful) Its a funny thing, but whenever I see a plastic bag caught in a tree or a balloon getting blown around, or something like that- I always think of what fun "ghosts" must have playing with these light yet physical objects. Its as if a plastic bag in a tree provides the perfect spot to see everything from up high- yet, since they have no bodies, are nestled in something that is light enough to move around and somehow makes them feel more connected to the physical world. Its such a silly thought that I always laugh and shake my head- but just because its childish, doesn't mean its not fun to think about. And lastly, I like this picture because it reminds me of my spirit animal, watching over me from above but not too far away, reminding me to be true to myself.
Its sights like these ordinary yet special pictures that remind me to take the time to think of our unseen guardians. Take the time to feel their loving presence every day and you will find yourself enjoying life more and uplifting those around you- which is my personal prayer everyday. I hope you enjoyed this little menagerie of beautiful photographs and if you wanted to see more, you can see them at centerofbeing.com where I first saw them. Next time you feel a warm kiss of wind or see a stray feather on the ground, or any omen that you associate with, think of all the people that love you- weather they are seen or unseen, they are always right beside you.

(And now you know where my desire to draw angels comes from. I always want to share how I feel when I get a whispered love-note from my angel guardians. I want to become a great artist so that when I paint or draw, I can share the inspiration and warm glow that comes from being sensitive to the loving presences all around us)

Spirit Tree

I did this one last night after Daniel and I got a blessing from my father about our lives. It has many meanings for me but I think that it is just a nice picture to share so I decided to post it. Hope you like it! Do you see any improvements/setbacks when you compaire this to the first?

Self Representation

This is an old one I did sometime between now and Christmas. I was playing with my new color pencils that my husband gave me (along with many other art supplies I got from him as gifts) and I did this free hand piece that can be considered cousin to a "Soul Painting". The reason I make the comparison is because its about "feeling" the piece instead of planning it. Each item has significance, just like sequences in a dream. They each mean something and so it is a drawing with "meaning" instead of just being esthetically pleasing. I think you get the idea.I can't really say what all of it means now, but after I drew it, I showed it to my husband and we discussed what the different colors and images meant. Its a fun activity that anyone, even non-artistic folks, can enjoy.

If you want to try a simple one, here is one of the first activities I did that was like this. It works best when there are several people who want to do it. Everyone has paper and color pencils and first everyone talks about themselves a little... something simple or maybe what they want to accomplish this month or in their life-just to introduce the energy and get everyone centered. Then set a timer for ten min or so and everyone is to draw a tree- and encourage everyone to add whatever pops into their head no matter what it is (like those pink bubbles around the fox's head-don't ask me what those are for! I don't know) This isn't supposed to be a masterpiece, just draw it! And no excuses like "I'm no artist" or "its a dumb looking tree" because when you are finished this tree is supposed to be "You" or where you are in life right now. So if you say things like that- its like saying you are not good enough for your own life, so avoid talking negative about your picture. Now, take a moment for each person to introduce their picture and talk about how they feel about it. For feedback, everyone else is supposed to point out things they notice about the images, colors and feelings they get when they look at the tree. Does it have leaves, flowers or fruit? Are there symbolic colors or shapes? Does it take up most of the page or is it small? What kind of tree is it? Are there animals, people or other significant things nearby? What about the branches or roots? All these things can be somehow tied back to your life and its a great way to discover some things about yourself for your own introspective thoughts. My tree had red bark, and lots of purple fruits but no roots (which means no foundation) however, you can see that in this later drawing my tree has changed into an intricate foundation system and a beautiful pink and gold butterfly and crown at the top. Notice the black arrows pointing in? And the fruit is much smaller, and my animal guardian... the eagle... is far in the distance among the mountains. I should do a new tree now to see how its changed again because I know so much has changed in my life and I am a new person since then. See how interesting this ongoing project can be? Try it sometime! Its like a visual journal... less about "what's happening" these days and more about "who am I" and how do I feel about life. I should do 4 every year and keep them in a journal together = )

Bug Project

So our little project on the side was to make several thumbnails of different textures... as seen here ----V

Then we were to take those textures and make them into bugs. It was a fun little project and my favorite is the one on the top with antennae sticking out. I call it the "Puzzlebox Beatle" because the designs on its legs and back and such remind me of the wood designs you see on one of those chinese puzzle boxes. I couldnt get the camera to show detail very well so you'll just have to use the examples above and your imagination. But that's whats so great about art- you dont have to take it at face value, everyone gets their own interpretation out of it!

(If you click on the picture it will show the detail much better! I also inked the Puzzlebox Beatle..hopefully it worked to help the picture show up better)

Its the end of the world as we know it....This is serious!

Here is a little story about a bipolar artist, kids.
I was sitting at the table working on my project, and I thought to myself "Man, I just love this so much! I'm so glad I changed my major. THIS is what I love doing as a career and I could do it for hours!" ...things of this nature. A couple hours later, I was still working on the same piece only now I was about in tears, I was so frustrated and completely out of hope for the piece (by the way-this isn't that piece. its still exactly right where I left it because I vowed the only time I would pick it up again, would be to burn it!) I got up and started cleaning the house to clear my head but every time I thought about going back and trying again, I just lost it. There was no way it would work and I had worked really hard on that piece! The problem? The teacher had given us this special smooth paper to do our finals on and the color pencils simply would not blend smoothly. And because of this small thing, I almost gave up on it. Luckily, I convinced myself that the regular paper would pass and if not I would show her the two and she would nod and say how wise I was for making that call. The verdict? Lots of people used 3 or 4 different kinds and she spent about 2 min. total talking about my two pieces in our class critique. All that "blood and tears" act for nothing! Oh well, at least I take my work seriously but maybe I should tone it down a little- nobody likes a drama queen. Especially an artist who says her life is over because two colors wont blend and everything is worthless now. Hehe, my poor husband.... has to deal with that kind of thing from me as an artist and writer ALL the time. What can I say? I'm a recovering perfectionist. I try.