Art

Today I painted and drew in my art journal. A tree, of sorts, made manifest in the background, so I just doodled it in and filled it with color. I painted on canvases, too. It was a glorious day at the studio. Quiet with only my music blarin'. 

And earlier this week I managed these entries in my art journal. It's been fun. Life is Good.

That's what I made today … and then some.

Peace.

A Gem of Gratitude

This morning's reflections reminded me that this Thanksgiving holiday is the *first* Thanksgiving holiday that I've not "had" to travel in … some 34-ish years.

In these reflections I recognize that I miss Little Rita, my mom, in my own way … and yet, I do not miss all the traveling (and upheaval) that that relationship fostered. I also recognize the lengths that us two-leggeds will go to for LoVe. We're foolishly amazing. Or amazingly foolish. It all depends on the moment, methinks.


In this acknowledgement of shadow and light I walked into today's reality and into the mirror of this holiday week with a new gem of gratitude to light the path. And what a shiny gem it is.

Peace.

Botanical Liqueurs

Today I started three small batches of botanical liqueurs, experiments all. Thus the small batches.

The first one I made is an adaptation of SNAP, made by Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. I measured a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, rooibis, clove, astragalus  and vanilla beans, then covered it with brandy. The molasses and sugar will be added after these herbs have macerated for 6-8 weeks and I've had a chance to taste test without the sweetness.

After I got this going I looked through my shelves of dried botanicals and intuitively picked out herbs that might be interesting together. This throw-em-all-in-jar technique is "new" to me. I tend to make such things as "simples," one herb at a time, and then blend the finished products together to create libations. I have to admit that the risk in this approach is quite exciting! In any event, this blend held goji berries, cardamom seed, fennel, astragalus, vanilla beans, orange peel, lemon peel and, of course, brandy.

In the third jar I lovingly combined cocoa, banana chips, astragalus and vanilla beans, topped it off with the brandy, checked my notes, made sure they were all labeled, and shelved them in a place of honor, with lots of love and offered them a blessing before going on with my "weekend" tasks.

That's what I made today.

Peace.

Flight of Dancing Fancy

Today I played in the studio with my Muse. I lit her incense, poured her some red wine and played her some music, and among other things this image showed up. She's a work in process and has already transformed since the photo was taken.

That's what I made today.

Peace.

Dona Nobis Pacem

Play with Paint

Today I multitasked on a few works in process. All creations are works in process, even after they're "completed," just like us. Though none of these near completed.

But a day to sip coffee and tea, mix colors, burn incense, throw paint all the while listening to music with the volume jacked up a bit is a swell way to make play on a Sunday afternoon. Yes. Yes it is.

And I Swooned with Effy.

That's what I made today.

Peace.

A Mirror More Me

…work in process… 

For me this is a pivotal time of year. Holistically. Meaning: In a number ways that impact a number of aspects of me. But for now, for this post, I focus on one.

Historically, the month of October has been a time of linear reflection for me. A time to reflect back over the past year, consider what sustained me and what depleted me, what challenged me and what my annual evolution "looked like." This year I was not called to that particular mirror. Oh, I reflected back over the past year, but not with the fierce intensity of years past. This year the veracity of the process shifted—with me. Oh, I found myself paging through journals in preparation for workshops and in seeking inspiration for workshop development, but not to reflect back. Rather, to reflect into The Now and into the future.

As my awareness on this shift came into focus I realized that this past year had been filled with a kind of high intensity verve that had linked me—quite consciously—throughout most of the ride. I had chewed, savored, swallowed, digested and assimilated all the vital and meaningful experiences throughout the year. All the nourishment, the savory and the bitter, were already integral. No need to reflect back.

I welcomed that change. I greet it today with open arms and heart. As I step into my 55th year, I feel (for lack of better phrasing) more whole and holy than I have felt in a very long time. Possibly ever. In this life, anyway.

But, hey, that could change too. And I'm cool with that. Because I know what I've known all along, consciously and not, that it is not the reflection that I seek that bolsters my evolution … it is the reflection I see. Now. Always Now.

So you, kind reader, pause now. Conjure your mirror, your reflection. What do you see? Now.

Peace.