Sunday, January 27, 2008

A COLORFUL MONTH

"The woman who works with her hands only is a laborer; the woman who works with her hands and her head is a craftswoman; the woman who works with her hands, her head and her heart is an artist." - St. Francis of Assisi

END OF THE MONTH It's worth blogging on as we savor the last four days of January. Where does the time go? I would love to think that 2008 will be a more relaxed year, one that moves a little slower but the reality is that time really does fly. I am challenged this year to do at least one painting a week. BUT there are endless things to do and my painting project is always interrupted. I find myself driving from place to place and spending more time inside my Beamer, doctor's office, bank and grocery store, than I care to do. Thankfully, interruptions and errands didn't stop me from sketching. Even the very cold weather and non-stop rain this past week. It was so cold that when I go to our garage it felt like I am inside a big freezer. Yesterday, when I woke up, the view from our backyard is so beautiful and refreshing. I am blanketed with mountains covered with snows. This sight is rare in our city. I like to look at the white mountains but not live among snow. The colors of our plants and trees are suddenly bursting with all shades of green. The colorful roses are refresh and breathing well after drinking lots of rain. The myriad rains were showers of blessings too. I was able to work on many preliminary sketches. I tried to focus and concentrate on my painting ideas and not think about hundred other things that need to be done in life. Although life is rushing, when it comes to doing a painting, I take my time. I always start w/ a sketch and don't just throw my oil paints on my canvas and hope for the best. Like a good traveler, I have a road map for my artistic journey this year.
A PAINTING WITH A HEART This year, I am working on few small and many large paintings. This month, I finished 2 huge paintings. When dry, I will post some of my paintings. Mean while, here's a favorite Southwest oil painting ( 18" x 24"). I worked on this painting many years ago and gave it to my son Ryan when he moved to his own condo. This is a labor of love. I painted it with passion. I noticed that when I put my heart into my painting, there are many unexpected compliments and gratitude. When my painting touched others, I know it got a HEART.
THREE LAYERS TO CREATIVITY As an artist, I discovered that there are three very different layers to creation: the labor, the craft and the elevation. St. Francis explained the creative process beautifully in the quotation above. Labor in creation is showing up to do the work. Craft is how you go about doing it. Whatever I am doing- painting, blogging, scrap booking, and cooking, I am there in mind, body and spirit. Do I hum while working with the.... ING and KING, enjoying the process of creating? Yes, I do! Passion is present. Passion is the creative energy that induces elevation- that high -five moment in creation when craft becomes an art. Whatever I do, when I put my hands, head and heart into it, I am an ARTIST according to St. Francis. This new year, he inspired me, not to be just an ordinary artist. I'd like to be a St. Francis woman artist, one with a HEART.
PAINTING IN FAITH To keep me motivated, I also read daily inspirational blog like "Writing In Faith" by Sandy Carlson. She's one of my latest blog-mates. Her blog elevates and keeps me going. She often dropped me beautiful comments that are so uplifting. It has some spiritual overtones but not preachy. She's writes beautifully with her hands and heart, plus she puts her heart into it. She embodies the ideal artist of St. Francis. Please check it out here: http://slchome.blogspot.com/

I realized that my artistic dreams and goals in life couldn't be achieved with my own efforts and skills. I needed God's help and the support of my family, friends and art-blog-mates.

21 comments:

Lloyd Irving Bradbury said...

how abvout labor creation complryion
when does one stop?
Sometimes i do three in a week then none for 3 months
right now i am learning about what i do not know about it all
also pleaswe leave the artist some words she needsus.http://winsomegunningartwalk.com/?p=574

Ebb Tide said...

Hi Lloyd! I stopped when I am physically exhausted but when the adrenalin rush and inspiration comes, it's very hard to stop.I think it's normal to have uncreative times. I use those time to travel,research, collect ideas.

Anonymous said...

Beautifully expressed. Thank you for your kind words. I have returned your link.

Ebb Tide said...

To the artist - thanks for dropping by again. Your comment is most welcome and appreciated.

Anonymous said...

Just checking ... the words in your blog has really provened that you have been transformed to a high level writer ... keep it up.

Ebb Tide said...

To my hubby- thanks for believing in me. Love your comment.

Anonymous said...

Good, you have colorful month despite of the hard pounding rain and cold. You're blessed to have a good life. May God continue to bless you in the next month.

Ebb Tide said...

Angel- thanks for those beautiful words.As always your words are angelic sounds to my ears.

SandyCarlson said...

Ebb Tide,
That's very sweet! Thanks so much. I became so engrossed in your blog post that I read my own name with a start! I am deeply moved by your kindness.

I like the words of St. Francis. Thanks for highlighting them. They are few and exact and perfect.

I agree with you that blogmates make the road easier. There is so much kindness on the Internet. I love it and am grateful for it.

God bless.

Ebb Tide said...

Hi Sandy! Thanks for your comment. "Love It" like the ice mix from the Cold Stone Creamery. I think we have to support each other's blog instead of getting jealous. I know you have many viewers and I am happy about that.

Lloyd Irving Bradbury said...

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Jude said...

Hi Ebb,

Thank you for your great comment! Yes I have many things to cope up especially in my blogging routine. By the way thank you for featuring me in your Nov. 2007 blog post. It was great to be written in your blog. Your work is great! You are a wonderful artist. Okey back to my easle and continue my painting. Have a great day!

Thanks,
Jude Maceren
artist

http://paintingsbyjude.blogspot.com

Celestine said...

i love that quote... st francis of assisi? really?

Ebb Tide said...

Hey Jude! You're welcome! I am glad you drop by my blog although your're extremely busy painting.

Ebb Tide said...

To Celestine- I am glad that you like the quote fr. St. Assisi. Hope you drop by again.

SandyCarlson said...

I like to come back here to read and re-read what you've written and to admire anew what you have painted.

What a beautiful blog. I am here tonight to say thank you and God bless.

Lloyd Irving Bradbury said...

STORM IS OVER
WHITE WITH SNOW
MELTING AROUND
ALL OF ME
and YOU ALL

Ebb Tide said...

Hi Lloyd! Good for you. Our storm is not over yet. Tomorrow, there will be more rain comming to So. California. The snow on the mountains are starting to melt. Might have new snow after the rain. I am tired of the rain. I'd like to see more sun so I could start painting.

Ebb Tide said...

Sandy, I appreciate you revisiting my art blog. I do the same thing especially when I like the blog. Sometimes the second time around is much better.

Lloyd Irving Bradbury said...

Went to grumpys met the coffee clotch gang
Walked there but difficult with piles of snow blocking forest
So a lady name sue gave me a ride hone also they bought a pancake dinner from church to feed a starving artist.
now trying to get iy toether. cooking noodles
The radio just re ported freezing rain to night will it be sloppy and slushy for a walker like me

Comment by Lloyd

Ebb Tide said...

hi Lloyd! Thanks for sharing your day. Soon the cold and stormy weather will be over and we can work on our masterpieces. Did you cook hot noodle soup/ My favorite is the popular ramen noodle soup. Very satisfying.