Arting...

...in the time of Covid is certainly a new experience for those of us who are creatives.  Between the isolation, fear and obsession with the news, it seems like the muse can be a long way away.

I have been sporadically using the studio in an attempt to get my art brain on, and, quite frankly, it has been elusive at best.  

I've managed to do some card-making,

make a couple of no-sew masks (one's in the wash so you'll need to wait on a photo of that one),

experiment on some canvas pad paper with texture and colour

in a couple of different modes,

do some gel printing using the bottom of a plastic clam shell for some cool patterning,

finish a mini thank-you booklet for a friend who did a solid favour when we got back from Mexico, (there are more of these in the works, too)

and do another spread in my black and white journal.

Texture is heavily thickly richly on my mind these days as we begin to move toward being in a world that has changed considerably.

Like you, I wonder what that will look like, how it will feel, what new patterns will develop.  Are we moving towards something bigger, better, brighter, inclusive, kinder, loving?  May our new-world texture include all of these, and more.

I'd love to hear your thoughts - please tell me in your comments what your practice includes right now, whether your muse is running strong or running ragged, and what you hope for in the time to come.

I've been wondering...

...about the space between.  There is a gap between what we know/see/feel and what we miss/forget/misinterpret.  That space between is filled with something, and I've been looking for it, mostly through meditation and creativity, and occasionally with my camera.  I thought you might be interested in seeing some of the latter results.

Those negative spaces are filled with light

or colour

or growth

and often all three.

I think our time of social distancing/isolation/quarantine will be the same.  I'm hopeful that when we look back on this (as I'm sure we will), we'll see how this opportunity for growth created a massive worldwide upsurge in kindness, tolerance, compassion, and love for all living things on the planet.

This article by the Dalai Lama speaks to the challenges and the possibilities in this space between.  And Elizabeth Gilbert tells an amazing story in 'this is who you are and this is where you live'.

I hope you're exploring and finding new things about yourself and others in the world we're experiencing...I'd love to hear your comments below.

It's another dark and light...

...or black and white day, as I play like a mad woman in my small journal.

Last week I showed you some spreads that I feel are apt for the crazy times in which we live, and I've got more of them for you this week.

This one is self-explanatory; we're being called upon to be more of who we are, and sharing that with others.

While we're social distancing at home, we have friends and family who working away from home, and others who have been unable to return to Canada before the borders closed.  

We have no idea where this is all going, but I suspect we'll need a great deal of willingness to adjust.  

 W have a choice about how we proceed, so why not choose the up side?

Even self-isolated in our homes, there are dozens of things every day that are magical.  My gratitude list grows longer by the minute.

My word for the year is expand, and if that's not happening with this pandemic, I certainly don't know what is.  

We're called upon to do things in different ways, and even be who we are in ways that are vastly changed from 'before'. 

I keep a semblance of sanity by spending as much time outdoors as possible.  In a small and quiet town, that is relatively easy - how does that work where you live?  Are you getting some tree energy?

Whatever your circumstances, however you're managing, I think this reminder is a good one - we can all help each other by shining our own light around us.

As always, I'd love to hear about your week.  What are you creating?  How are you adjusting?  What's your favourite technique for living in a pandemic.  

An 80-spread journal, ...

...even one as small as 6" x 4", is an undertaking.  I've been playing in a black one since early fall, and I am still only about a quarter of the way through.  The journal is intended as a reminder of the things I've learned over the years.

I started by stenciling each of the spreads with a white pattern, and then adding to it little by little.  Some of the patterns are so beautiful they may stay the way they are without any additions, rather like a time-out for children.  😇.

I've chosen some spreads to share that seem particularly apt for these times that are so fraught with uncertainty.  It seems very important to me right now to spread the love.

Having been quarantined, and now released into the wild, I can safely say that remaining connected with Mother Nature is hugely important.

There is a great deal to be said when it comes to accepting a time of grief - and a great deal of learning as well.

Now, more than ever, it's important to stay connected to those we love (and that can encompass every person on the planet).  Thank goodness for social media, I say!

Making your days count can mean anything from sitting with the grief, to volunteering on behalf of those who are shut in, to supporting essential workers, or making peoples' lives lighter with music, art or laughter.

I think the ability to turn things around is one of humanity's greatest gifts.  We can dial back our greed and materialism, we can turn our thoughts around,  and we can remember that love trumps hate every time.

 And this page, finally, reminds me to face it, accept it, and do what I can to help.

I'd love to hear what you've learned through your life that is helping you cope with the current pandemic...after all, I've got some 50+ pages to complete, and can use all the help that's available.    

Q is for...

...quarantine, and we've got another five days to go before we are out of it.  Then I can make a SI (self-isolation) door sign.

Feel free to share

The world is turned upside down right now, and everyone is realizing that they are not only connected, but involved to the max.  We're bereft, bruised, and battered, but not yet beaten.  And if you are, like ourselves, turning to social media, I'm hoping your feed looks like a humanity turned to love.

I've been so very heartened by wonderful groups on Facebook like The Kindness Pandemic, Hearts of PG (now a world-wide phenomenon) whose story is here, and locally Creston Community Support.  The Kindness Pandemic is sharing stories submitted by people who have experienced episodes of rampant kindness in their areas.  Hearts of PG is a group started to entertain children on walkabout with their families - they can spot hearts in the window in their area, and people are encouraged to share photos of the hearts they have added to their homes.  Creston Community Support is a local group that is working hard to deliver to shut-ins and those in quarantine, and run errands for those who are unable to do so.  It's an incredibly caring platform, and I know there are hundreds springing up around the world that are doing the same.  

In Vancouver, at 7 pm every night, thousands of people open their apartment windows and cheer, whistle and shout out their appreciation for all the essential staff (doctors, nurses, grocery store heros, truckers and so on).  Here at home, our daughter is supporting us with grocery runs, laughter and comfort.  Our librarian delivered a couple of boxes of some 45 books, a good friend picked us up from the airport, milk and bread in hand, and a gym friend delivered for John's volunteer work.  And that's just the tip of the kindness iceberg.

There are outstandingly funny things on my SM feeds as well - 

and inspiring music, readings, university courses, art instruction and much, much more.

I've been occupying myself with sorting through holiday photos from Huatulco, Mexico, and they remind me there is beauty and pattern everywhere, whether we're aware of it or not.  

I'm going to leave you (and especially The Stardust Factory) with a hint of what the paintings in world-renown museums are doing while we're distancing ourselves.  

Post found on Facebook

Please, tell me what you're doing during this pandemic.  How are you coping?  Are you and your family/friends well and safe?  What are you learning?  Creating?  We've been friends for a long time, and I'm concerned for you.