Playing with Light

I am just beginning to understand the system of notan. One of the most interesting aspects of being artist is the constant possibility of learning new things. The subject came up in the previous two issues of International Artist Magazine. Notan is all about light and the patterns made in the simplest version. I am beginning to practice the skill of seeing everything in black and white patterns. Reducing the detail our eyes see to simple shapes is one of the most important steps in en plein air painting. I knew that. So the first step after setting up all the equipment is to spend the time gazing and simplifying. With notan the next step is to see the patterns in black and white, only black and white. This is not as easy as it sounds. There are thousands of shades and variations in tone and value, our eyes can see at least ten thousand at once. Reducing this to two takes practice. Once I have managed at least a partial reduction the composition of elements is much easier to see and to assess. Either the dark or the light must have a dominant role, fifty-fifty is boring. The shapes of the dark and the light must vary in size and in placement so that an interesting balance is created. There is usually a moment when a choice must be made whether to put this particular shape in black or white to improve the flow within the format. My brain is usually screaming at me, “But it is black!” It needs to be white… “But is it black!” It seems this argument comes up in other areas of my life too…. Life is good.

Moonbeams of Entreaty

I am back in my studio today for the first time in what feels like forever! Suffering from studio withdrawal has lead to some instances of disintegration; however, all is well. Moonbeams is a group of three in my new collection of paintings calling for an awareness of personal responsibility for our world. Everything is connected. Everything. My personal contribution to world peace is developing a peaceful heart. There is no chance of war with anyone who has a peaceful heart. Those who have peaceful hearts can be recognized by the calm joy that pervades their being. They listen. They forgive. They take on the responsibility of the circumstances that surround them and they say, “I’m sorry. I love you. Please forgive me.” This opens the door to reconciliation. Most people are searching for someone to listen. They need to be heard and validated before they can begin to heal. Once they understand that they have been heard they become aware of some of their problems and may even recognize the roots that perpetrate them. All because someone took the time to listen, to care. I have been blessed with many listeners in my life. I have been doubly blessed with listeners who ask pertinent questions about why I am stuck and how I might move past my circumstances…. Like I said, I am still working on a peaceful heart. I hear it is a lifetime process. I am thankful for the awareness and the opportunity. Life is good.

Decisions Amid Disruption

Moving is somewhat disruptive. I did take some pictures. I did try to load them onto my new computer. Somehow the memory card does not fit into the slot allotted for such activity and I chose not to call the company for assistance as I decided I did not have time. That could be an illusion. Time is very much like money. Once the decision is made there seems to be a sufficiency if not an abundance. Choosing not to go swimming this morning because of a lack of time is also a questionable decision. I suspect the lack of routine is more to the point. I am avoiding the kitchen for the same reason. I had a lot of help unloading the boxes and everything is out into the cupboards and, in one case, flowing out onto the floor as space is also at little on the short side. It needs some order. I have not taken the time… So, today, I choose to put my time and energy into cleaning the place we left behind in preparation for the new tenants. I choose to repair cupboards, replace baseboards, move fridge and stove, lay linoleum on shelves and everything that can be shut off or isolated from the coming drywall dust…. I choose to buy some milk, fresh fruits and vegetables for our home so my intention to organize is stronger. I have not found the pepper yet… Life is good.

Renovations

We are going to have a blast all day. I have forgotten to take any pictures of the before scene. I will take my camera today. Studio time is at a minimum; we just drop in to pick up some tools and materials for the small renovations we are completing in our new home before we move this Saturday. I am so thankful for the time to do this. We met with the contractor a couple of days ago and he will begin work in the spring. It will not take long once he has begun. In the meantime we will settle in and downsize. The space is small yet comfortable. Space is always at a premium it seems, like time. What we do with that which is available is the key to our happiness. My daughter and I had a glorious Saturday ripping out ceilings in cupboards to open up more storage room. Today we sand the fill and change the bright salmon tones to something more subdued to match the rest of the walls. We will cut and install the baseboards too. Our attention will be focused in the kitchen after that. Things need a little rearranging. Perhaps I will have time to reconfigure another wasted space beside the newly installed dishwasher. And my studio? Well, it will just have to wait. The new studio is like a big barn at the moment. Before the contractor gets to it we will have two other professionals visit it: an electrician and a gasfitter. There is also a small matter of door replacement. Packing? Sometime before Saturday I will complete the packing. I have never been so laid back about moving. I think it is the gratitude that fills my heart as we ready ourselves for the day. Things will get done, on time. Tomorrow I take the day off to learn new things about this computer and visit my massageuse. Life is so good.

Moombeams of Joy

At the moment I am not experiencing much joy. There is a little stress in the air. Yesterday, my blog day, I was packing, hosting stray cats and people and meeting several major commitments…. My blog never came within range of my sonar. Neither did my studio. So why am I stressing? Yes, I am moving and my life is busy… so? I just read a book about having a peaceful heart “The Anatomy of Peace” from the Arbinger Society. The book suggests that I may be suffering from boxitis. One of my favorite boxes is “I must appear to be….” and the word I usually fill in is ‘competent’. The conclusion I might draw from that is I feel I have no control and every little error or moment of forgetfulness may result in a barrage of self-criticism and abuse. Last night, when I forgot my purse at the event we were attending, I called myself a couple of names. Sigh. Of course as soon as the anger and resentment bubbled up I knew I had entered the box. I have a friend who can see it coming and can sidestep the entrance… One of these days I will be able to do that. In the meantime I will take some time to forgive myself, love myself, breathe and let go. I do not have control and that is OK. This is the moment that counts and it will be pleasant because I choose to notice the beauty in it. Ah, joy! Thank you for visiting me again.

Words

So here is the mysterious creation I promised for this week. I am so enjoying the serendipitous nature of the new techniques I am pursuing. Beginning with random splatterings and multiple layers of colour separately applied, there is a glow that inspires the image. It is a calling. The painting dictates the direction; I follow. Every once in a while I allow my head to tweek the path. Occasionally I know better, most of the time I would have better spent my time following as before. Of course as a result of moving with the flow I find myself spending copious amounts of time just gazing. Gazing time is time well spent. It may not look like I am doing anything except sipping a warm cuppa yet in that moment of connection new vistas open wide, unpredictable solutions present themselves and adventurous risks beckon. Sometimes it is a challenge to gather the sufficient amount of courage to take the risk; once done the results are almost always spectacular. Here is the poem and the psalm that go with it:

Words of love dispell

malignancies. Let us change

our hearts, cure the world.

Nous avons la force

de créer le paradis.

Choisissons nos mots.

John 13:34-35