Thirteen Things Thursday

1. Berry school was delicious! Raspberries and saskatoons are dancing in my head (like sugarplums, only different).

2. Spent the day dreaming with Randy.  Combined efforts are our best foot and we're putting it forward.

3. I get to see my son today.  We're galavanting around the city together.  LOVE.

4. My friend is coming to spend the weekend with me at the lake.  Just the girls!

5. The home school art class project went well and is very promising.  Finally!  An attempt at marrying gainful employment with LIFE WORK seems promising. 

6. I have a puppy!

7. my 18 yr old just offered to poop scoop the yard (!!!) How proud am I?

8. The sun is shining in the living room window so hard that I can't see the screen. It's delightfully distracting after cold, dark winter days.

9. The stomach flu has left the building.

10. soft, sage green

11. The seed-starting shelf is coming upstairs this weekend! I will start onions.  And, I hope to get some gogi berry seeds from my neighbour. Planning the garden makes me happy.

12. My daughter.

13. Freedom to express myself visually.

Art Journal 21, Good advice

Honouring a friend. She was so sagely in parts of her life.  In others she was a very young soul. I liked this advice, this very good advice. I use it often. No more demons in my head.

Cool pocket/envelope.  I like the idea of creating and using space to put things that can be pulled out and reminisced over (I hate that I am ending this sentence with a preposition but how else would I format it?). This envelope is made of one page of a calendar.  I have gazillions, as I choose my calendars on these options:

1) does it have big squares/enough room so I can jot down my crazy life?

2) does it have beautiful pictures? I'ma gonna hang the thing for a year on my wall, is it art?

The envelope is sealed with 2 brads and hemp string.

Hemp string and handmade paper. mmmmm yum. 

Art Journal 20, Maya Angelou

Does your lizard brain get in the way? The lizard brain is that part of your brain which helps you survive, the part that influences your thoughts on how to preserve your sex, your strength and your place in the pack, so to speak.  It's ancient, and it's active.  Daily.  

Survival is pretty important, so I won't knock that scaly, old thing that leads us from "the edge" to safety, into the arms of "the norm".  BUT, and you had to know there would be a BUT, I will suggest that we be aware of why we are making the decisions to stay safe, to follow the expectations of society, and why we don't let ourselves teeter on the edge, even if that edge allows us to blossom into a great and wonderful being. 

K, enough talking in euphemisms. What I'm really talking about here is that scary thought of diving into what you know to be your true value, your gift and allowing that gift to be what drives you every day. 

Lots of people are doing it.  Loads of people are trying to shake off the icky old image that they wore while pursuing their former career, now that they are unemployed due to what my friends in Costa Rica called "The World Crisis" (oh my, how can one country have such an effect on the whole world???).  And in this shaking off, they are starting to recreate what it means to be an individual again.  Entrepreneurial ventures are taking off and succeeding left and right.  There is a near-audible, visible movement toward greater self-motivation and innovation.  

In this time of greater communication via the interweb, we have opportunity, literally at our fingertips, to access loads of information on how to be brave and take this giant step.  There is heaps upon heaps of advice offered because the people who are successful know that to entice business, one must offer some advice on how they do it.  Plus, there are some very generous, kind people out there, who's gift it is to help people.

So go.  Be bold.  Listen to the lizard brain when you are actually on a cliff edge, but nudge it aside when you're simply looking to do what you'd do best.  There's some great reading, in Seth Godin's blog here

and in Sandy Dempsey's The Dreaming Cafe, here and in the wonderful words of Maya Angelou, who's poetry I picked for my 3rd poetry page in my art journal. To see the 1st and 2nd poetry pages click: Shel Silvertein, and Edgar Allen Poe .

Art Journal 19, Edgar Allen Poe

Edgar Allen Poe. Dark. Scary. Raw. Vulnerable. 

When I was in my late teens, my mother gave me a beautifully bound set of Poe's work.  I devoured it .  His work is deliciously different than anything I had read. He goes into the place in the minds of man that we generally don't like to go. 

I love the famous poem, Raven. The imagery lends itself well to the ingrained (learned?) fear some have for black birds.

Here, I show a little of my process.  Something I realize now I have not done much. Perhaps I will have to slow the creative process a bit to share that.  The cut-out for the raven was free hand-drawn and cut out with a rotary cutter.  The toothbrush was used for splattering the white paint.  The paint I use is artist's quality, simply because I have yet to find a student's quality that I am happy with mixing colours.  I could buy hundreds of colours of craft paint or just a few tubes of more expensive, but higher quality and therefore easier to use, artist quality. I used "grunge" board cut outs from a scrap booking store.

 Oops, now I have to admit a prejudice I have.  It did not start as a healthy, well-balanced prejudice.  I admit that I have always thought that art wins out over crafts, in the craft vs art argument. One of my first visits to a scrap book store (drooling over the paper and tools) turned a little sour when I was told what I wanted to do with the materials and equipment were "so 70's" and reminded the young lady of what her mother would do way back when.  I should have asked if her mother is an artist, but what I did was take my really cool paper home in somewhat of a huff and left them sitting in storage... until I began my art journal.  Now, I feel a little sad for that young girl, that she defines what can be done with materials by what she is told she can do.  Now, I use that paper and those yummy tools in my art journal, where appropriate.  And now, I smile as I see the word  "grunge" describes my use of these things.  

Art Journal 18, Shel Siverstein- Rain

....and all that I hear as I lie in my bed 

is the slishity slosh of the rain in my head - Shel Silverstein. 

Life is silly sometimes.  I like being silly.

Art Journal 17, Oliver Ridley Turtles

While in Costa Rica, we went to the next beach, Ostional (a harrowing 1 hour 4 wheel drive taxi ride, driven by a lovely local, name of Abel) to see a bunch of turtles laying their eggs. It left an impression on me, not all good; I felt mixed emotions about their preservation.  At the same time, it was a thrill to see such powerful mamma-nature stuff going on, right before our eyes.

Art Journal 16, Whyte Ave. Wonders

These funky adverts, post cards and stickers came from a pile just inside the door of a pretty cool little shop on Whyte Ave. Edmonton. I'm not sure why some of them were there, as they were advertising events in far away places, but I scooped them up eagerly and used them in this simple collage to remind me of my "mommy/daughter day".  

Art journal 15, HEY!

Quick.  First thing in the morning, who gets your time? What are your first thoughts as you wake to a new day?  Does the old hamster jump on his wheel in your brain and start running, running, running, with thoughts of bank balances, chores, relationships in need of a lifesaver? 

KKKKKKKKK! (sound effect of me throwing a monkey wrench into your works)

Now find a new plan.  Redirect your thinking, even if it's for a short time away from baby, husband, work, or any other of life's "shoulds" to YOU.  

Wake up in the morning, and before you put one foot on the floor, decide to have one good thought that will carry you thru the day.  Practice, and see if you can do it automatically before stirring.  There might be mornings when there are several false starts, many tricky attempts, but keep trying.

Replace the previously grumpy and worrisome inner-voice with an enthusiastic, energetic "HEY!"  That should get your attention.  Allow this voice to reason with your doubts and fears.  Let it tell you with the voice of a warm, soft mother's voice that there is a way, and you'll begin today.  Be gentle, be fun, be kind.  Love yourself.

Art journal 14, bad entry?

AK!

The temptation was to not put this entry in at all.  I think my husband's words were "...a scrawny coyote".  Self deprecation is charming right?  Well, not really.  One of the things that I am trying to foster, both in my daughter and in myself is to never, never, never negatively critique one's own work.  Let the other person be the judge (see my husband's comment, the shyter).  Yet, here, in my account of my art journaling journey, I want to assert that to DO ART is important. 

A good friend of mine started her art journal not too long ago. It was a Friday night, just the girls, and a lovely setting of newspaper and paint and scissors and glue. The conversation, while we were getting ready, went something like this:

Friend "OK, I've got pencils, paint and some loose paper"

Me "Why loose paper?"

Friend "to paint on"

Me "Where's your art journal that we bought together?"

Friend "Well, I thought I'd just start on some scrap paper"

Me "But the whole point is to have it in the book, so you can refer back to it, see where you were that day"

Friend "What if I wreck it?"

Me "What?"

Friend "the book. What if I wreck those nice sheets of white paper?"

Me "Oh no you don't!  We're gonna dive right in, bring that journal"

This was before our sensory exercise in which we discovered our inner brave child.  The page did not look so daunting and we had a lovely, deep exploration of feeling and expression.

This painting, not so much.  But I did reconnect with my watercolour set, and played with eyes and technique.  I feel rather good about this mangy wolf and his weird forest. 

Apollo

Art Journal 13, Faerie grass-mixed media

Who hasn't wondered whether Faeries really dance around the faerie ring at night? A world of shiny dew, deep deep loamy smells, and a sprinkling of majik.  Fall asleep in the ring and you'll slumber forever. Catch the flitter....blink, and she's gone.  

Mixed medium; acrylic paint, magazine strips and woman (centre) with polymer medium, and black ink roller pen.

Art Journal 12, Desert intensity

This was perhaps the most non-intentional art journal entry.  Only the process was deliberate.  I'd cut a picture out of a magazine to use in the practice of transferring. After prepping the surface with gesso and some lovely warm desert, sandy colours, I painted the surface (to the left of the desert dude) with gel medium. Put the picture upside down on the surface, and smooth out the bubbles. After, spritz with water, and rub the excess paper off, leaving the image on the paper. It was not as intense as I'd like, so I'll be playing with this some more.  Did a bit of research online for images of clothing like you see here.  I love LOVE drawing wrinkles in clothing and wanted to simplify this fella's look by using fewer brush strokes to catch his essence.  Altho I don't think this is traditional garb for Afghanistan, that's what he makes me think of.

Art Journal 11, The Web of Life

It seems that I have been remiss in telling the whys of my Art Journaling journey.  I love the idea of documenting one's walk thru life with visuals.  

I've tried the written journal, and altho I feel very good about it while doing it, I'm easily distracted.  Days, even weeks later, I find that I have forgotten to make those day's entries.  Also, for unknown reasons, I find that most of my written entries seem to be negative.  There are a few books tucked away here and there that I have made family members swear they'll burn if anything happens to me. Good to get the nasty stuff out, just not so good to share, or reminisce. 

That I am by nature an artist, one that enjoys beauty and interest in most everything I see is why I want to keep an art journal. Because I see these things, it makes me want to express that which I see and also makes me want to share with others the joy of that expression.  

Deep, meaningful relationships with people are high on my list of important life-affirming things.  Because of this, I developed a keen interest in what makes people tick; psychology.  

Marrying the two passions as Art Therapy is a natural transition.  My attempt here, in this blog, is to find what interests people, to share my journal entries as an  opening for discussion. Art inspires.  Art heals. Art brings forth life, love, passion. 

As I head in the direction of new-found expression, I invite others to do the same.  Please share with me, either by email barnswallow@xplornet.com , or following on this blog and sending me links to pictures of your art journals. 

The Web of Life

There is a quote that is attributed to Chief Seattle (incorrectly, but see here for the speech that is in question.  It is, despite arguments of it's origin, lovely).  The quote: "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. "

Permaculture in Alberta Winter

Not many articles on the net will bestow the virtues of Permaculture whilst speaking of Alberta in the winter.  In fact, many would say the words Permaculture and winter are an oxymoron. Permaculture, an up-and-coming practice, for the lack of a better word, encompasses the idea of living with permanence and agriculture simultaneously.  I like to think of the -culture part of the word as just that, Culture; how we live.  

There is no set formula for Permaculture.  It comes with a set of principals that allow a person to interact with nature, and to incorporate many of nature's building blocks into one's own life and living space.   Permaculture principals include "observe" and "use and value diversity".  As well, Permaculture holds strong to 3 ethics; 1) take care of people, 2) fair share, and 3) take care of Earth.  

So, can we tacke care of ourselves in an Albertan winter, use only our fair share, and still take care of Earth?  Our rather "black" industry of oil muddies the sight of many, who speak highly of jobs over the aforementioned ethics.  Our Culture is in dire need of a get-back-to-the-Earth injection. Yet the Earth, it seems, is FROZEN SOLID. It seems the Locavore diet would have us all eating meat and dried berries and forego greens and oranges. What to do? What to do?

In the stead of throwing out all principals and tearing down change, one might consider building their own system.  After all, Nature allows for individuality, diversity.  There are many great "how to"s out there, so I won't try to emulate them.  I will give you some ideas on how to start your own list of practices.  

The first and biggest subject in terms of how to reduce is that surrounding FOOD. We need it, we want lots of it, and we often go to great lengths to enjoy the best of it.  So, what, in your kitchen can you do, that you are not already doing? (ha! I felt Alberta poised, ready to claim that they recycle all of their food packaging! good for you, now some deeper thought).  Which foods do you know that you could get from a closer source so that the fuel costs, road costs, health (pollution) costs to our Earth are lower?  

Oh, OK. I'll help you here.  Eggs.  This is only one small, yet nutrient-packed item that holds such big impact on the environment, physically and ethically.  See this informative article from "Feed Your Eco" blog: http://organicbugblog.com/how-would-you-like-your-eggs/ . 

I live 30 minutes south of Edmonton, Alberta, on an acreage, surrounded by farms.  On and off for years we have had up to 20 laying chickens. I called them my "Happy Chickens" because all the lables out there were confusing to me ie: free range etc (thanks again, Feed Your Eco). I just wanted my chickens to be all about chickeniness, you know, scratching dirt, bawking, eating bugs.  For the longest time, when we weighed the cost of going out to the coop several times a day in sub-arctic temps to take food, fresh water and to collect the delectable hard-shelled morsels, it was worth it.  Until it became too back-breaking to clean the coop.  We now rely on neighbours, who still have a small-scale chicken coop, and sell to us fortunate souls who still appreciate home-grown over store bought any day.  

See, the eggs you get in the average grocery store are not the same beasts as the ones from just-down-the-road.  My 18 year old son will attest to that.  He nags me when we're getting low, wants me to put in a call to our friend, just-down-the-road. What makes the home-built ones special? The taste, for sure.  This is because of the feed.  Mass produced eggs come from chickens who eat a diet of grains that are less expensive to buy bulk.  The yolks of eggs produced by chickens who're eating a good diet are bright orangey-yellow, so creamy that it's hard to lick the remains from your lips, and, to quote a friend/world-class chef from Calgary, "you can tell they're fresh, they sit up so nicely on the plate".  What he means is that the yolk, when fresh, is rounder, firmer and has a taller profile.  

I know that all of the above gushing review is true, as well as the fact that my egg footprint is low.  That's one food item down, hundreds, perhaps thousands to go. Think I'll tackle coffee again.

You don't have a just-down-the-road neighbour to buy eggs from?  Two words: Farmers' market.  Heck, you might even meet the bee keeper, or beef or cheese, or potato producer as well.  When you do, ask about his/her practices.  What makes their potatoes better? Do they have pictures of their operation? Can you come out and take a tour?  Beats sitting in the same four walls, wasting away a perfectly good, sunny Alberta winter day, eh? 

See more on Margot's Permaculture in the left side-bar. Click on "Permaculture".