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Haiku July 5, 2012 Self Actualization

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Reality, goals

Self-actualization now

Contentment with life.

Art Prescription:  Life is a challenge. We all go through the ups and downs of daily life, family crisis, the air condition quit and it’s a 100 degrees outside. But never fear, lest we get caught up in the things that don’t define our lives, just a few days. According to Maslow, and this is my translation, if our perception of reality matches our expectations in life, then we are happy. We accept simplicity and accept ourselves and others. It really is about the day in and day out moments that make up a whole…how did you spend your day?

Maslow lists the following characteristics of self-actualizers

1 more efficient perception of reality and more comfortable relations with it
2 acceptance (self, others, nature)
3 spontaneity; simplicity; naturalness
4 problem centering

Haiku July 3, 2012 Hot, hot, hot!

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Sweltering, fiery

Sultry July comes in hot

Hazy thick moist air.

 

Art Prescription:  It is July, but dog-gone it’s HOT! 99 and above is the forecast. Flowers need water almost twice a day, especially in pots. I’ve had two uninterrupted days in my studio and playing with some new mixed media, modeling paste and collage. Very experimental and I’ve painted about 5, really, paintings on two matching canvases, not satisfied yet with the results. I’m always amazed at how much time it really takes to create! It takes time to day dream, sketch out ideas, think about composition and color, and at times it’s really hard to manifest what you have in your mind onto the paper or canvas. Always remember to work, step away, look at your painting from a distance, go for a walk, and come back with fresh eyes!

Haiku July 2, 2012 Minding the Garden

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We reap what we sow

Plant briars, no roses grow

No care, life will wilt.

Art Prescription:  All the health care debate news has got me thinking about reaping what we sow. I’m not sure what the answer is for America, it’s so complicated, but I do know we each have some personal responsibility for our own health and well-being. We only have one pass at this precious life, and our day-to-day choices make a difference in our future.

Haiku July 1, 2012 Pool Politics

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“Five more minutes.” “Two.”

“Four more minutes.” Two and half.”

Four…wonder who won?

Art Prescription:  Oh my gosh it’s HOT! Temperatures topping 100 this weekend. Had to water my garden almost twice a day to keep them from withering. Of course the most sensible place to be in weather like this is the pool. As I walked by on my evening jaunt, I heard a familiar bargain going down at the pool. Kids are always trying to get just a few more minutes of pleasure. For them five minutes means the world. As we get older we tend to measure our time differently…always looking ahead, planning, racing with the clock. Perhaps we should think like a six year old this summer, and wager for just five more minutes of doing something we love!!!!!!

Haiku June 30, 2012 Teamwork

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Floor laid with teamwork

Two heads are better than one.

Grateful for brother!!

Art Prescription:  Sam and my brother Joel laid a new bamboo floor in our bonus room today. It looks fabulous!! And how wonderful to hear Sam and Joel working together and laughing and talking. Not sure what the record was today, 105 degrees, but we are setting some records here in NC. My newest paintings are waiting for my return… Cats are very curious about their new floor.

Haiku June 29, 2012 Heat Wave

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Big fat bumble bees

Buzz Purple Veronica

Land bloom after bloom.

Art Prescription:  Breaking records here in NC, heat wave. Supposed to be 105 degrees with a 115 degree heat index this weekend, wicked hot. Home from work I ventured out to make sure all my pretties were well watered. No matter what, my time outside brings me peace. The bees seemed not bothered by the heat as they flew from bud to bud drinking sweet Purple Veronica nectar. For me a bit of nature time helps me decompress from work, gives me time to think and examine nature, life.

Haiku June 28, 2012 White Wine

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Wine glass beads with sweat

Refreshing French white wine cools

Tingles on hot day.

Art Prescription:  It is almost July, but wow it’s getting hot. Here in NC  the forecast for the next three days is 105 degrees. Looks like outside activities will be early morning or probably just the pool!! Today’s quote comes from Tao Te Ching:

“See the world as your self.

Have faith in the way things are.

Love the world as your self;

then you can care for all things.”

Haiku June 27, 2012 Clear Sky

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Cool clear blue sky morn

Spring-like temperature, June

Nice “cold front” surprise.

Art Prescription:  What an unexpected wave of cool temperatures! Almost needed long sleeves for our morning walk. A perfect day for plein air painting.  Nothing makes me happier than being right in front of the plant I’m drawing, trying to describe its personality and curves with line and paint, so much richer than working from photos. This brings me to a conversation I had with a friend yesterday…we talked about how different people are in how they choose to live their lives. Some people live just on the surface, never diving into a deeper meaning for their circumstances. For me and my friend, depth is important. Each and every day we seek to find meaning and purpose and if we can express this creatively! bravo!

Here are the paintings I’m working on:

Haiku June 26, 2012 A Creative Life

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Generate happy

A place for the mind to go.

Do work then step back.

Art Prescription:  My mission with The Art Prescription is to motivate everyone to live a creative life, with the underpinning that it is good for your health. When we create we are in the moment, like meditation or yoga, focused, sending our brain good messages to increase our well-being chemicals like serotonin. Realizing that most people work and feel the time constraints of daily life, I’m brainstorming on a list of creative projects that are attainable in the busy life we all lead. What ideas do you have? What would work in your life? Send me your ideas!!!

“How to be creative in 10 minutes or less”

a la “how to have great abs in 10 minutes or less”

Creative prompts for the busy working woman who wants to have a creative spark into her daily round!

1. have a little space set up for daily journaling

2. save scraps and/or quotes you love – fortune cookies

3. write, scribble, draw with crayons, colored pencils, pen and ink – just put something on the page

Chances are if you give yourself 10 undivided minutes, you might want to continue…

4. just do something everyday to keep the well from drying up

5. even if it’s just commentary on your work day – write it, and paint the page red

6. list what you accomplished that day, instead of a to do list

7. list 3 things you are grateful for

8. See, hear, or taste something new – write it down

9. Notice at least one thing about nature.

10. Allow your imagination to have a life of it’s own, always write down your spontaneous thoughts – they might lead to something!!

A few random thoughts after a glass of wine….