This is actual size - Acrylic on wood
I'm calling it Little Puppet
This is why my art is taking so much longer right now. I'm more interested in detail. I was listening to a Christian sermon/inspirational type thing that Joel Osteen put out called Your Best Life Now and he presented an idea that I liked quite a lot. I don't agree with all Christian ideas (which is another blog altogether), but this guy is just spot on! I would go to his church if I lived in TX. Anyway... the idea he was talking about was that anything you do, you should do like it's FOR God. I've always tried to live my life with excellence and integrity, but I think I've failed some in that area when it comes to art. I get focused on production and trying to get the ideas out of my head and don't execute them as well as I could if I just let go of the time stress.
So this piece has a lot of time in it... I thought of the process more in terms of doing the best I could do instead of thinking about what I could sell it for at the end of the process. I will have to put a nice frame on it to enhance the work.
I am happy to report that I was not offered the full time job. There are benefits to having a full time job, but I honestly just don't want to let go of some of my other priorities. I have been spending 1-3 hours in the gym every day working my butt off and I'm enjoying the results of all that training! I couldn't do that if I had a full time job. The animals would take priority. I couldn't make such nice meals for my friends and family... nor could I take such good care of my home and gardens.
Yes, the money would be nice, but I have faith that I'm on the path I'm supposed to be on and following the things that make my soul feel uplifted has to be the path to prosperity. I would have taken that job if it had been offered. The Universe puts us in the right places at the right times for the right reasons. I feel much more at peace when I have faith that things really are as they should be and just do the best I can with what I have. I never experience lack unless I choose to. I have tons of friends who generously help me in all kinds of ways. I'm glad that I will continue to have lots of free time to make nice parties and activities and good meals for all of us and help enhance the lives of others rather than spending all my time and energy in a single job where the main benefits are measured with $$$'s.
Onward and Upward
O es I ominidi Usi
Dominoes Nabisco
Om.
Comments (25)
I love the Puppet and the blue fraying patch edgework stuff I don't know how to describe. I like that guy's idea. It goes along with the idea that you should be thankful and that you should use your gifts and talents.
Marvy.
I love this painting! Obviously this job was not the one for you .. I am sure your perfect job oportunity will be along soon .. perhaps you are working in your perfect job right now. Have a great day. :o)
I love this painting.
Love your attitude.
your attitude amazes me. i wish there were more like you.
O es I ominidi Usi
Dominoes Nabisco
Om
hugs and love
I think we can claim Christianity without claiming the same things as the ones who think they have a direct line to God.
I like that idea of doing whatever you do as if it is for God. In so many ways, art has been, and still is, a spiritual mediator.
@knitsteel - I don't claim Christianity or any other religion. I like the idea that God has no religion. By living without labels, I don't limit myself or my journey. That point of view also helps me keep my mind and heart open to hear the Truth wherever I might encounter it. The biggest problem I have with most religions is that they all say I'M THE RIGHT ONE - FOLLOW ME OR PERISH lol... I am planning to go to church this Sunday for the first time in years though
I'm open minded. 
@FogOfConfusion - The garden has to have all kinds of flowers for it to be any fun. I think it's great that people are in all stages of their spiritual journey!
@quiltnmomi - Thank you
@whiskeywench - Cake decorator sounds like fun. I've played with that some. I wish I knew people who eat cake so I could make some pretty ones for them. All my friends are on a training diet lol
@LindaRae - I agree. It was like an affirmation that I'm doing the right thing already - and it was fun to go through the process
@BoureeMusique - The frayed edge stuff is where the dull saw blade splintered the edge of the wood a little. I liked it too so I enhanced it.
I love that puppet dude!
I want to move him around, maybe you could make one out of wood as a sculpture and connect the parts with rubber bands?
Oh that was so well said. I need to listen to you more often. You are a wise sage.
Jobs have a way of disrupting the creative process, as well. I'm not sure why that is. Maybe because so much of what emerges as art is really internalized for some time, before it comes to exist in the physical world.
Ha, i thought you quit making art. And all of a sudden your art improves. Funny how that works. : )
I think you and i have the same priorities- I was just talking with someone about the same thing last night over chocolate cake with butter cream frosting. The only difference between successful artists and the ones who whine about being poor and unrecognized is that the successful ones aren't half-assed or lazy and they put themselves RIGHT out there. Something about being authentic to yourself, too. It takes a little sacrifice at first, but you don't really notice it because your creative quality of life is WAY better in the meantime : )
"In order to have more, desire less."
I love the colours and textures.
Good for you. Money is never a good measure for anything = )
I love the art = ) It's gorgeous. I'm really glad you're refocusing on it.
I have a demo lesson on Monday. I'll be taking a half hour lesson with about 30 kids, teaching them about the League of Nations. After this, the job will be confirmed.
an uplifting piece of work (not a pun or play on the image either)....i like your blog on life as a piece of creativity too
since i am putting myself -in opinions out there- my belief is that when we divest of the ego (even just a little) then we do/act/live from where we are meant to- from God. our actions then don't belong to a me or mine or I but they are about listening and being divinely driven. what an amazing act to stand stripped of wanting, ego driven-ness to simply being to listen and then do... that is service, humility because the action- the energy for the action- nothing belongs to the me... -g
Thanks for worring about me. I have another week like this one next and I am a little worried how I will hold up. That is a lot of hours and a lot of manual labor for one person to have to do. I've already told myself. When I start to feel bad, I'm staying home. No amount of money is worth risking my health or my toes. (see blog).
I like the detail.
oooh awesome, i especially love the colors. i'm curious about your style - do you plan your artwork out beforehand or do you just go with the flow?
Dominoes Nabisco? I'm going to have to remember that one.
I understand what you are talking about. When I write songs, the process happens so quick and it feels complete within an hour, yet they all could probably be worked on more. Your work looks great!!!!
Ah, you understand priorities. =)
I like the painting. I like the idea of part time job too.
RYN: I so know what you mean. I have two situations right now. work as you know and a relationship that I just pretty much ended this weekend because I just can't give anymore. I sent my resume to a recruiter today for the job part. I'm tired of not being able to breath. I feel like I'm stuck in a jar with both these things and even though I care a lot about the relatioship and the job pays really good. I really want out of the jar, the quicker the better.
The painting is wonderful. I like the puppet.
Your life is as it should be and when change is needed opportunity presents itself often as many choices. It sounds like you are busy living and playing and communicating with the world, both in your art and with your vision. You are mighty wise for making life what you want it to be. The perfect job will happen at just the right time. I want to see pictures of your garden! "Hugs"
@suzyQ_darnit - I call it "marinating" lol
@moontree_studios - I never quit making art... I think I expressed that poorly. I'm just making it more slowly so it will appear to xanganites that I've virtually quit painting. I'm always working on many projects at once. Painting is the area of art where I do the least work. A lot of what I make and do never goes on here at all.
@TheBillion - Sometimes I start with a sketch. Sometimes I don't.
@theScalesandtheScorpion - That's actually a Frank Zappa reference. Ever heard Apostrophe?
@Mellygirl - I know you're in tune with what's going on... I'm sure change is coming your way! hugs