For the last month or two,

I've been mulling over options for my word of the year for 2024.  (If you're not familiar with the concept, here is a good post for an outline).

After considering the words notice and focus, I was reminded of this Rumi quote: 

‘When I run after what I think I want, my days are a furnace of stress and anxiety; if I sit in my own place of patience, what I need flows to me, and without pain.  From this I understand that what I want also wants me, is looking for me and attracting me.  There is a great secret here for anyone who can grasp it.’ 

And a meditation reminded me of the feeling I had this past month as I saw people going through my artwork, really seeing it in so many ways.  They discussed it, asked questions, looked deeply and with great interest.  It made me aware of how little we, as artists and more importantly, as people, rarely have the chance to be really seen.  And, unique to artists I believe, is the intense attention to the miracles around us because as we notice and focus on so many things that make up our environment.  

I wonder what our world would look like if we could only truly see each other and the world we inhabit.  Would we finally realize that we are all one?  Would we understand that damage to any being is damage to ourselves?  Would we begin to know that the planet, too, is a sentient being, and that what we do to the planet is what we do to ourselves (and vice versa)?

As Haley Jacobson says, “I have lived in my body long enough to know the compass always points inwards’.  What we focus on is not only speeding through our own psyche like an out-of-control train, it affects those around us and the energy of the planet.  We can only stop the wars, the destruction, the intolerance, the bigotry, and the hatred in the world by defeating it in ourselves.  And truly, the only way we can do this is to truly see that ‘you and I are one’. 

Some of my favourite synonyms for the word see are discern, understand, visualize, recognize, know, examine, observe, notice, and witness.

My commitment to 2024 (as you may already have guessed, is to see.  I have a deep desire to really know each person I meet and to understand their being.  I want to see the miracles that surround us and to perceive the possibilities inherent in each moment.

The reminders I create each year get posted from one end of the studio to the other, and keep me focused on my desired outcome.  

I'm wondering whatyour word for 2024 will be.  Have you chosen one yet?  What are the connotations that have you drawing towards it (and vice versa)?  Enquiring minds want to know - and see!  

What chaos -

 - this time of the year, isn't it?  I sneak into the studio to play when it get's too much for me, and I've no doubt you all do the same.

My December play prompt has been late materializing, but I'm finally into it.  I took a piece of the 'cover-my-tables-to-the-max-butcher-paper' that had been replaced, and tore into it with alcohol markers, inks, high flow paints and Posca pens.  While nowhere near done, 

it's great fun to see what is happening.

This project could continue well into 2024, and I'm not even betting against 2025.

Lots to look at,

and if your eyes are already glazing over, 

feel free to skip to the end (assuming there will be one).

This shot is a week or two further into the process,

and the following ones are up to date (likely until this afternoon).

Really, who has more fun than artists?  I just can't think of a better way to spend my time.  💗

Sending you all the best and brightest of holiday wishes; may the lights of peace, hope, love and beauty shine on you throughout.

Whew! The days are...

 ...flying by as we near the end of the year!

I've managed to get some work in on the 3' x 4' panel, and that's a good feeling.  

Some of the details are really starting to make a difference.  Photo-heavy below:

And just to get your mind back on Christmas, I'm showing you a plate of goodies (all gone now, unfortunately!).  They were scrumptious!

See you next week as we really get into the spirit!  I'm wafting scents of Christmas baking in your direction now.  xo

It's all Steve's fault...

Steve attended the open studio this past week, and had some questions about the duo from Arcturus.  He made me promise to share the story with you in a post.  Hang on to your hats, because  here it comes.  

Some years ago, I was in the back yard when I heard a crash in the garden.  It was clear on inspection that there had been a terrible accident.  A vessel of some sort had crash-landed in the strawberry patch,  and the wreckage was horrendous.  Climbing from it were these two characters.  With the help of their technology-past-my-comprehension-translator, I was able to get some of the story.

Travellers from an asteroid circling Arcturus (in the constellation Boötes), they were on their way to the far-away star of Earendel, nearly 28 billion light years from earth.  An errant satellite circling earth damaged their ship, causing it to drop so unceremoniously onto our planet.

Drog, the larger of the creatures, is a full grown Frompion who was based on the asteroid circling Arcturus. 

The smaller entity, Merch, is his offspring and was born on their journey.  Not-yet-adult-Frompions have, as you can see, fewer tentacles, most of which have a small eye at the end, usually pointing downward so they can see where they are going.  

Adult Frompions lose their physical eyes as their tentacles become all-seeing from the top to the bottom of their length. It was clear that Drog was intently listening and watching my whole conversation with Steve.

Shape-shifters of lightening speed, it's challenging to catch them at their tentacle regeneration.  I've just managed to catch this one extending its newness into the world. 

It's unclear to me how they manage to move from place to place.  I suspect that they have pseudopods hidden beneath their base.  

Whatever the full story, I know that Drog and Merch are constantly on the lookout for ways to reach their home again.  Sometimes when I catch Drog peering down at me from the top shelf, I worry about what he is plotting.  

Whatever it may be, I'm trusting you all to keep an eye out for any out-of-place Frompions.  Who knows how much trouble they could cause in our galaxy?

It's not true...

...that Covid has gone on forever, but it certainly feels that way.  My introversion has been so strong over the past three years that it took a lot of thought before I could convince myself to host an open studio for those in our neighbourhood.

With the stage set, 

the mulled cider and goodies ready to go,

the corners mostly tidied,

and the Lunacy Gown on display,

it was looking pretty spiffy.  Even the (definitely unfinished) 3' x 4' panel was on view, mostly because it's awkward to move very far.

There were signatures out for guests to peruse, 

small and large paintings to see,

and something unique in every corner.

I'd say it was a success from most viewpoints,

and it was definitely a pleasure to see so many friends and neighbours enjoy the craziness that goes on in this household.  

I have a story to share for you next week about two of the pieces because one of my neighbours strongly recommended it's one for the general public.  😉  

In the meantime, have a fabulous week, and remember that Christmas is just over three weeks away.  Yikes!!