vacation

Haiku September 1, 2012 September

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September blue sky

Yellow-brown leaves spiral down

Nature heads for rest.

Art Prescription:  It’s still pretty hot out there. We rode bikes on Tobacco Trail today. Now grilling some fresh NC eggplant, squash, pepper, and onion, to go over a pasta with some NC feta cheese! There are subtle fall hints in the air. Nature is just a little more quiet, done with their big spring and summer jobs…ready for a bit of a rest. I love living in an area that has definitive seasonal change. It’s refreshing! Here is a painting that I started as a demo last weekend at my Art Prescription workshop.

Haiku August 31, 2012 Full Moon

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I sit in child’s pose

Aromatic coffee brews

Cup of warm wake-up!

Art Prescription:  I’m a ritualistic person. Maybe I’m boring, but I like my life to have a pattern, a familiar routine, creature and other comforts…it’s the small things that make daily life full of grace. Like, my husband always makes me coffee. When he hears my feet hit the floor, he hits brew, and I come downstairs in a half awake state to the gurgling sound of the drip machine and a waft of java aroma. I bend to the floor in child’s pose to wake up my muscles. At least one cat comes and claims me as theirs, licking my head.  My grandfather did the same for my grandmother. Her coffee would be waiting for her on their kitchen counter. Wonder how many years this ritual took place? Which leads me to the full moon. A good time for setting wishes.

Haiku August 30, 2012 Wealth

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What is wealth? Fortune?

One’s worldly substance, purpose

What does your life mean?

Art Prescription:  Long busy day at my nursing job caring for people from all walks of life with minor and major health problems. One thing about my health care career is the constant awareness of how for each and every one of us, our lives could be changed in a moment. So was does wealth mean to you? Do you spend your days with substance, purpose? Does your life have meaning and direction? For some of my friends wealth is a first class ticket to anywhere in the world, for others it’s running marathons and staying fit, some find wealth raising healthy happy kids, some in going to church or temple and spending quality time meditating, some find it in being able to go a day with-out their addiction, volunteer work for the needy feeds wealth…Basically what I’m getting at is that we each have to carve our own and very personal definition of wealth and then do the very best we can at attaining it. If you know what IT is…what are you waiting for?

Haiku August 26, 2012 Biking

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Wheels spin round and round

Legs pump up and down, movement

Wind whips through tee-shirt.

Art Prescription:  A perfect day for biking. Sam and I packed our bikes up and went over to the Tobacco Trail, a 7 mile ride on a paved trail past homes, roosters, kudzu, and wildflowers to downtown Durham. We sat and rested a bit, checked out the Cow Parade (artist painted cows for UNC Children’s Hospital), and then made our way back. Peaceful riding along chatting. We are so lucky we both like outdoor activities. I have to confess it’s hard for me to not incorporate art into many of our outings, “let’s go hike and sketch,” “let’s ride over to the garden and check out the exhibit,” “let’s take pictures for me to paint.” What’s that saying…you can take the girl out of the creative, but you can’t take the creative out of the girl.

Haiku August 23, 2012 Mind Power

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Mind creates a thought

Spirit listens, makes choices

Road block, end, new path?

Art Prescription:  Daily life creates many options for our minds to ponder. Whether it’s choosing to eat well and take care of our bodies, or something big like a major job change, I believe how we think at our core effects us deeply. Is the cup half full or half empty. If it’s cloudy,  is their a storm brewing or a silver lining. Does everything come with a judgement of bad or good? Or is it possible that some things just are…and don’t have a bearing on this one life we live here and now? Lots of philosophical questions to ponder…

Haiku August 21, 2012 Plant a Seed

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From seed leaflets grow

Stalk rises up, new leaves sprout

A sunflower blooms!

Art Prescription:  The birds and squirrels share sunflower seeds in my garden. Fun to watch a new sprout grow about four feet tall and bloom a bright yellow sunflower. True to their name they do seem to be reaching for the sun. The real flowers are actually the tiny bits in the middle, and the yellow “petals,” are called rays. I did this plein air sketch in my garden. I’ve been taking an online class with Val Webb on watercolor lettering. A new tool for me is white ink!! So playing around I added some design in the background of my sketch. Try this in your sketchbook!

Haiku August 21, 2012 August Change

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Light fades, days shorten

Summer vacation over

August, back to school.

Art Prescription:  Sam and I have not had a proper summer vacation, but I know from following my friends on Facebook that travels are coming to a close and it’s back to school time.  Remember how long summers were as a kid? It was truly a season all to itself. Despite technology I think the thrill of a new notebook, colored pencils, pens, and arranging your desk is still something to look forward to…then homework starts. The lure of something new, a new school year, a new Autumn, new projects! Let’s go to the art store!! (went to Jerry’s Artarama in Raleigh today!)

Haiku August 20, 2012 Social Beings

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Quiet studio

Walk to seek social contact

Neighborhood friends, dogs!

Art Prescription:  Art can be a lonely endeavor at times. Creativity needs quiet, and as humans we also need social contact to thrive. I mix it up by going to the Wellness Center most mornings to swim or do yoga, and then round out my day with an evening walk in my neighborhood. Since we have cats, I get to say hello and pet all my dog friends, I like their owners too! Balance is the key…how do you maintain balance?

Haiku August 19, 2012 Walking in the Rain

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Iddy biddy frog

Rain chases from swollen stream

Jumps! into the grass!

Art Prescription:  I like walking in the rain, it’s peaceful. A long loop on an overcast, drizzly, Sunday suits me fine.  Our neighborhood path winds it’s way along the street, and because this land was once wetland we have a few easement ponds and streams. We have geese and ducks and turtles, herons, hawks, cattails. Along our way this morning we found a couple of – just from the tadpole stage – frogs. They are so cute!! Reminds me that nature always has a surprise!