Wishcast Wednesday: what do you wish for the New Year?

CLICK For Larger View

Hi my fellow wishers and dreamers.  Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studios the wish prompt is "What do you wish for the New Year?" 

Today's wish had me reflecting back over this year which was filled with many cracks, breaks and openings, some were expected and welcomed while others simply rocked my world.  I am still trying to find the balance over here in my little corner of the world.  It comes as no surprise now that my word for 2010 was OPEN; I almost want to rephrase it as "BREAK OPEN"!  It will be interesting to see where these openings take me as I move into 2011.

Here is my wishprompt/poem for the 2011 New Year.

Simple wishes for the 2011 New Year

A year filled with more courage and less fear
A year filled with letting in joy and good cheer
A year filled with creative vision becoming clear
A year filled with really loving those held dear
A year filled with finding my truth and being sincere
A year filled with trust in the healing happening here

We had a blizzard here Sunday into Monday with snow totals close to the 2 foot mark!  The picture above was taken from my living room and it shows the wild drifts coming up to the windows in some places.  I love the way this came out, it looks cozy and comfy.

I wish you and your loved ones a very healthy and happy New Year, may it hold all that you wish for.

Namaste,
Karen

Tuesday Tunes: Nina Simone

Please enjoy the music styling of Nina Simone and her song "feeling good" for today's Tuesday Tune.  Her voice gets to me, you can  really feel the emotion in it and I am feeling this song today.
The above picture is from the blizzard we had here Sunday into Monday.


Lyrics:

Birds flyin' high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel

Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me
yeah, its a new dawn its a new day its a new life for me oooooooo
AND I'M FEELING GOOD

Fish in the sea, you know how I feel
River runnin' free you know how I feel
Blossom on the tree you know how I feel

Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me
And I'm feelin good

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what i mean dont you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleepin' peace when day is done that's what I mean
And this old world is a new world and a bold world for me

Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the crime you know how I feel
Your freedom is mine, and I know how I feel

Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me
OH I'M FEELING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD


Enjoy your day.
Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What is your winters wish?

Heart SunFlare 2010

Good Morning my fellow wishers and dreamers.  After recovering from my funky virus this week a close friends Dad passed away and I have been there lending support  so my shopping and holiday preparing time was put on the back burner, I just had to let it go.

I had finished some prior and will run around tomorrow finishing up what I can and it will be what it will be and that is OK. I am releasing the stress of the holiday season and embracing the community spirit of sharing this time with loved ones be it in times of joy or times of grief.

The picture above is one I took last week just pointing and shooting into sun. The sun flare produced a heart shape which was so cool and why I like taking flare pictures so much, you never know what will happen!

Ok so I venture back into my poetry/wish challenge.  I am a bit rusty but I am commited to sharing so here is is, my winter's wish: (PS:  I could not decide between these two versions.) 

Blooms of spring, summer heat and fall harvest passed
the time has come to prepare for winters blast
embracing the gifts found in this dark time of year
sinking into the stillness of winter without any fear
moments filled with introspection as well as community
Winters wish knows alone or not there is always unity

and

Blooms of spring, summer heat and fall harvest have passed
the time has come to prepare for winters blast
embracing the gifts found in this dark time of year
sinking into the stillness of winter without fear
moments of introspection as well as community
winters wish is filled with peace love and unity

I also wanted to point you in the direction of my friend Lisa at Dandelion Seeds and Dreams and the project she is working on putting into place for Half Sky Foundation which provides "individual care and stimulation for the children living in Chinese welfare centers".   If you would like what like to learn more and vote for Lisa on facebook please click Lisa's linked site above.

From my heart to yours I wish you all that you wish for this holiday season. Much love to you and yours.

Namaste,
Karen

Fearless Friday Self Portraits

TGIF my friends.  I am so glad this week is over, I was sick for most of it but feeling a little better today.

Inspired by Vivienne McMasters "You are Your Own Muse" e-course which I just finished I will continue doing self portraits here once a week on Friday.  The courage my fellow class mates and Vivienne show in their self portraits has pushed me to come up against my own fears.

I have struggled with self-esteem and body image issues on and off for years and Vivienne's class along with Susannah Conway's Unravelling  classes have really opened my eyes to myself and the world around me which is helping me to know that I am enough in each moment.

The above self portrait was taken today at work sans makeup, using my phone camera for this quick shot.  After viewing the picture  I kind of like the way it came out though  it's a weird angle and a bit goofy that's me in this moment!

Have a great Friday.

Namaste,
KAren

Something fun for you while I am still out sick

Hi from the sick couch!

Hi!
I am still recovering from some funky cold/virus over here but I wanted to post this great dance party video going on over at Joy Tanksley's Blog.

Joy is so full of life and fun and boy is she a brave one.  Enjoy the dance party.


Boogie with Eliza! from Joy Tanksley on Vimeo.

Wishcast Wednesday: How do you wish to Soar

here is my view from the couch as I recover from a virus

Hey my fellow wishers and dreamers. I am taking a break from wishing and poetry this week as I am recovering from a virus but I wanted to pop in and say that I am here wishing you all that you wish for and for myself I wish to soar into 2011 in good health!!

I wanted to share this link over at Neil Kramer's Citizen of the Month where he has bloggers singing holiday music, it will make you laugh, cry and get into the holiday spirit. Enjoy!  (click below to enjoy the concert!)

Neil Kramer's Fifth Annual Blogger Holiday Concert!!!

Tuesday Tunes... Joni Mitchell

As I recover from a virus/cold (tis that season!) I leave you with this song sung here by Joni Mitchell. This song always gets to me and touches something in me and that is what I love about music, do you know what I mean?

Lyrics:
Just before our love got lost you said
I am as constant as a northern star
And I said, constantly in the darkness
Where's that at?
If you want me I'll be in the bar

On the back of a carton coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice

Oh you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
And I would still be on my feet
Oh I would still be on my feet

Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil
And I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid
I remember that time that you told me, you said
Love is touching souls
Surely you touched mine
Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time

Oh you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet

I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds
And she said
Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed

Oh but you are in my blood you're my holy wine
You're so bitter, bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet

Wishcast Wednesday




Clouds over Squam Lake

  Hi!
Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio's it's Wishcast Wednesday and the prompt for today's wish is:
"What do you wish to transform?"

In keeping with my commitment to writing poetry in response to the wish here is today's poem:

Transforming doubt into trust
By clearing out the mental dust
Transforming  fear into brave
By accepting all that I’ve forgave
Transforming tears into joy
By embracing all I that I enjoy

My goal is that by doing this practice of writing at least once a week with no judgement that writing will start flowing more naturally
I am also trying to use only original pictures that I have taken, this gives me a reason to go out and explore my world in a creative way.

All that you wish for I also wish for you.

Namaste,
Karen

Tuesday Tunes : Jonatha Brooke

Lyrics: Woodie Guthrie  learn more here:  Jonatha Brooke

Oh little bird
Oh little bird I wanna sing like you
The whole day through
Oh little bird why can't I be like you?

Oh little bird
Oh little bird I wanna be that brave
And never save
My loving for some other rainy day
You fly away
When it's cold and you can't find another way
But you will sing and you will love until you find a place
You can stay
You can stay
And sing your little heart out til your dying day

I'll fly away
When it's cold and I can't find another way
I will sing and I will love until I find a place
I can stay
I can stay
And be as bold as you until my dying day

Oh little bird
Oh little bird I wanna sing like you
The whole day through
Oh little bird why can't I be like you?

Oh little bird
Oh little bird I wanna be that brave
And never save
My loving for some other rainy day

Oh little bird
Oh little bird now I will ne'er be blue
Because of you
Oh little bird now I can sing love true

Monday Inspiration over at Dandelion Seeds and Dreams

Today is Monday and over at Lisa's Dandelion Seeds and Dreams that means sharing inspiration.

My inspiration for Monday is this video from Misty Mawn, it really struck a chord with me and I feel like I know what she means about being an artist, I just have to BELIEVE it!

Namaste,
Karen

Reverb10 Day 2 and 3

Self Portrait:  Soaking up vibes at Squam Lake

I am taking part in Gwen Bell's Reverb10, which includes daily prompts to help you reflect on the year.
Today I am doing Day 2 and 3 together.

December 2 - Writing.
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)

Response:  Jeez what DON"T I do to distract myself from writing and creating, let me count the ways.  One big one that I can work on is cutting back how many hours I spend watching TV.  The TV is on from the minute I get home until the time I go to bed, even if I am not sitting in front of it that whole time it is just on in the background, always.
I am going to make a commitment to myself and leave the TV off next week from the hours of 4pm to 8pm, with the hopes that I spend some of that time in creative space.  I'll let you know how it goes at the end of the week.

December 3 – Moment
Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

Response:  I was really surprised with this one, I thought I would not be able to come up with a moment that I felt most alive since this year was an emotional rollercoaster for me filled with anxiety and uncertainty but I came up with more than I expected.

If I had to just give you one moment in detail it would be when  Jen Lee read a blessing I pulled from her magic blessings container during class at Squam Art Workshops.  I still remember how it felt with her looking me in the eyes and reading TO ME.. really to me not just at me, do you know what I mean?  The blessing was:  "You don't have to get it right, just keep showing up with your whole heart!"   that moment felt sacred, like there was nowhere I could hide from that message and I was being seen for what seemed like the first time. 

It is so hard to describe this moment, I remember thinking Jen's eyes were so sincere as she spoke to me and the smell from the fireplace was in the air, the sounds were of the other participants waiting for their turn, the anticipation could be heard in their breathing but there was also a stillness, something big was happening. 

There were so many moments during Squam where I felt alive here are some more because I want to acknowledge them:

Learning from and geting to know the lovely Queen of polaroid Susannah Conway.
Being taught songwriting by the amazingly talented, down to earth Jonatha Brooke.
Elizabeth MacCrellish reaching out and holding on my hands as I struggled with some anxiety.
Sitting by the fire at the end of the night with my Squammie mates, who I feel are now lifelong friends.
Jen Gray making me feel so at ease when she knew I was terrified during the songwriting class.
Walking through the woods with no fear morning, noon and night.
The wind and sun on my face as I stood on the dock looking out at Squam Lake.

This reflection has me seeing  that athough my year was filled with  much turmoil there were plenty of moments where I felt truly alive, even within that turmoil and not just at Squam.  This online community I have been a part of this last year has been more of a blessing than any of you know.

I knew I would not be able to just pick one from that weekend but heck this is my blog and rules are meant to be broken, right!

Wishing you all a wonderful weeked.

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wed/Reverb10




Self Portrait:  Vivienne's McMasters class.  Blurry

 Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studios the Wish Prompt is "Where do you wish to go slow?"  In keeping with my goals to combine Wednesday Wishcast with poetry excercise here is my poem for today:

What a gift it would be to go slow
To have patience as I change and grow
What a gift it would be to go slow
To have faith even when I don’t know
What a gift it would be to go slow
To have compassion as I find my flow

I am also participating in Gwen Bell's Reverb10 and the prompt today is as follows:

December 1 One Word

Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
(Author: Gwen Bell)

My Response:

Word for 2010 = break.  There were many cracks and breaks to my heart and spirit this year through upheavall, emotional chaos and change.  November has been especially tough for me but as my friend Liz reminded me this is traditionally a time of harvest and contemplation.

Word for 2011 = open.  Though change can hurt at times I don't want to rush to cover up these cracks and breaks,  I want to sit with them and see where this expansion takes me.
Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Namaste,
Karen

Tuesday's Tunes

What I am listening to.  I love everything about this song, the lyrics speak to me loud and clear.
Enjoy!

King of Anything Lyrics

Keep drinking coffee, stare me down across the table
While I look outside
So many things I’d say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet and count the cars that pass by

You’ve got opinions, man
We’re all entitled to ‘em, but I never asked
So let me thank you for your time, and try not to waste anymore of mine
And get out of here fast

I hate to break it to you babe, but I’m not drowning
There’s no one here to save

Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

You sound so innocent, all full of good intent
Swear you know best
But you expect me to jump up on board with you
And ride off into your delusional sunset

I’m not the one who’s lost with no direction
But you’ll never see
You’re so busy making maps with my name on them in all caps
You got the talking down, just not the listening

And who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

All my life I’ve tried to make everybody happy
While I just hurt and hide
Waiting for someone to tell me it’s my turn to decide.

Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?
Let me hold your crown, babe.

Monday Inspiration Celebration

Late Afternoon Sun:  Self Portrait:  Vivienne McMaster's Class

Hi over at Lisa's Dandelions Dreams and Seeds today is Monday Inspiration Celebration.  Right now I am being inspired by poetry and this one below is one of my all time favorites.

This Poem just knocked me off my feet, It literally felt like a punch to the stomach, my reaction was so strong. It speaks loudly and clearly to something in me.


Here it is : The Author is Jewel Mathieson

We have come to be danced
Not the pretty dance
Not the pretty pretty, pick me, pick me dance
But the claw our way back into the belly
Of the sacred, sensual animal dance
The unhinged, unplugged, cat is out of its box dance
The holding the precious moment in the palms
Of our hands and feet dance.

We have come to be danced
Not the jiffy booby, shake your booty for him dance
But the wring the sadness from our skin dance
The blow the chip off our shoulder dance.
The slap the apology from our posture dance.

We have come to be danced
Not the monkey see, monkey do dance
One two dance like you
One two three, dance like me dance
But the grave robber, tomb stalker
Tearing scabs and scars open dance
The rub the rhythm raw against our soul dance.

We have come to be danced
Not the nice, invisible, self-conscious shuffle
But the matted hair flying, voodoo mama
Shaman shaking ancient bones dance
The strip us from our casings, return our wings
Sharpen our claws and tongues dance
The shed dead cells and slip into
The luminous skin of love dance.

We have come to be danced
Not the hold our breath and wallow in the shallow end of the floor dance
But the meeting of the trinity: the body, breath and beat dance
The shout hallelujah from the top of our thighs dance
The mother may I? Yes you may take ten giant leaps dance
The olly olly oxen free free free dance
The everyone can come to our heaven dance.

We have come to be danced Where the kingdoms collide
In the cathedral of flesh
To burn back into the light
To unravel, to play, to fly, to pray
To root in skin sanctuary
We have come to be danced! We have come."

~ by Jewel Mathieson from her book This Dance: A Poultice of Poems

Soulful Sundays: What I am feeling in this moment

Through the Mermaid Looking Glass: Self Portrait

Some days all I feel is empty inside
Can’t run from myself , nowhere to hide
Who will I be when I let go of others needs
What will happen when I sow my own seeds
Where will I go and who will I know
Unknown for now I’ll just take this time to grow

Wishcast Wed: what do you wish to invite in



loving taking pictures with sunflare.. they are magical

Hello my fellow wishers and dreamers.  Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studios the wish prompt is "What do you wish to invite in?

I have been very quite these last few weeks and I am coming to see that in November I slow down and instead of wondering what is wrong and why I feel down I am realizing it is a natural feeling for this time of year.   The days are shorter and colder and I just want to read a good book under the covers and eat LOTS of carbs! 
November also has the anniversary of my Dad's passing and my body holds that memory even if my mind doesn't  want to think about it, so this leaves me feeling a bit low also.

Next year I would like to remember this and honour my rhythm of slowing down this time of year by not taking on too many projects that I just won't finish and this way I won't beat myself up for not doing enough.

In keeping with my goal of combining wishcasting with poetry exercising here is my wishcast poem for "What do I wish to invite in?"

Invite in the stillness that comes with slowing down
Invite in the smile when I’m feeling the frown
Invite in the compassion the faith and the trust
Invite in the creative, this one’s a must
Invite in the expansion of an open heart
Invite in the knowing each day holds a new start

I wish all my American wishcasting friends a very happy Thanksgiving filled with love and nourishment and I wish my Canadian friends a happy belated Thanksgiving ;-)

Namaste,
Karen

Working my way of out the November Funk

I hope this Monday finds you doing well.  As I slowly emerge from my November funk I thought I would share with you this video.. I love this song and the video is very creative and cool.

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to Celebrate



My Dad and Me...

 Hi friends. I have been a bit silent here as I give myself time to sit with the memories of my Dad who passed away 7 years ago today after a battle with cancer.  I was involved in all areas of caretaking while he was sick and I think my body holds the memory of that time since each year since I am very low energy and blue around this week.   I am going with the flow over here and being gentle with myself.

In keeping with my plan to combine poetry exercises with each Wishcast I wrote the below poem for my Dad and others in my life, those I knew and those who I did not get to meet.  The wishprompt was what do you wish to celebrate.

I wish to celebrate those who have gone before me
dear ones I knew and others I never got to see
they paved the path that now stands before me
each playing a part in who I’ve come to be
though they don’t know their effect on me
their stories are part of mine, that I can see

Wishing is happening right now over at Jamie's Ridlers Studios.

May all you wish for come to be.

Namaste,
Karen

Monday Inspiration:Girl Effect

Willow Tree at Storm King:  Willow trees have always been a source of comfort to me

Hi friends. I have been a bit silent here as I give myself time to sit with the memories of my Dad who passed away 7 years ago tomorrow after a battle with cancer.  I was involved in all areas of caretaking while he was sick and I think my body holds the memory of that time since each year since I am very low energy and blue around this week so I am going with the flow over here and being gentle with myself.

The Girl Effect organization is my inspiration this week for Lisa's weekly inspiration prompt over at Dandelion Seeds and Dreams,  it is a great organization and is well worth taking the time to learn about.  The below video is Kidan from Ethiopia and her story touched me the most.  Some of the videos speak of how the girls turned their life around with going to school and working to help their families.  Kidan's story is a bit different as she would love to go to school and become a doctor which would be a great help to her community, instead her Mother  in another scene tells us Kidan cannot go to school because  she has already been engaged at the ripe old age of 13 and she doesn't even know it yet.  The family is basically marrying her off for cattle. 

This story stopped me in my tracks because something like that happening here is so unimaginable in this day and age and it is common place in these villages.   If you could spend a few moments learning more about this project and sharing it with others maybe we can spread the word and find out how to help girls and their families in developing countries learn how to help themselves in ways that don't endanger their children.

Thanks to Tara Sophia Mohr over at Wise Living for giving us the space to share our thoughts on The Girl Effect.  You can join in over at Tara's blog through this post on "writing your post about the girl effect"

Much love to you all on this day.

Namaste,

Karen

Wed Wishcast / AEDM Day 10

Hey Dreamers, Wishers and Creators.. I am checking in today with a post for Wed Wishcast over at

Jamie Ridler's Studios and AEDM DAY 10 at Leah's Art Every Day of the Month. I have been using Jamie's wishcast prompts as inspiration for poetry writing as I am a newbie and can use all the inspiration I can get.  Today's wishprompt was "How do you wish to grow older?  Turning this around a bit a wrote a poem to my older self, here it goes:

A note to myself as I grow older,
Did you stand in your truth as you grew bolder?
Did you share your story through image and word?
Did you keep speaking until you were heard?
Did you find healing in living the creative way?
If not that's alright.. there's always TODAY!

And the AEDM is another shape picture I drew, I have been drawing these to test different mediums.  Today I used watercolor pencils.  After shading in all the areas I then applied water to half and left half dry.

Have a great day and may you find time for wishing and creating.

Namaste,
Karen

Art Every Day of the Month Day 9

CLICK PICTURE FOR LARGER VIEW

I wanted to show you a fun self portrait for Leah's Art Every Day of the Month, to not take myself too seriously today.   I LOVE Hula Hoops, now I am no pro but ..I.. do.. not.. care, it is FUN FUN FUN and It was a challenge to shoot these with one hand on the hoop and one on the camera, that was kind of fun also.  I just ordered a gorilapod and am looking into tri-pods.. for those days when I would like both hands in the picture ;-D.. May you find some time for joy today.

And I wanted to say congratulations to Leah and her husband on their news which you can read when you click the above link.. wishing them much love and blessings.

Namaste,
Karen

Art Every Day of the Month Day 7 and 8

Happy Monday Everyone!

I have been noticing while participating in Leah's Art Every Day of the Month and Fearless Painting over at Connie's Dirty Footprints Studio that i am loving flow and shape on paper. 

I am trying out different mediums, these two were made with oil pastels and metallic markers.  The process of  filling in the blanks with lines and color has been very meditative.  I'm not even concerned with the end result just the enjoyment of it.

I am also using this post as my post for Lisa's Monday inspriration. 

Have a good day and may you find some time to create.

Namaste,
Karen

Art Every Day of the Month Day 6

Happy Saturday!  Today is Day 6 over at Leah's Art Every Day of the Month.   For today I am merging my self portrait photography class and my painting class.  (You are your Inner Muse and Big/Dirty Footprints Studio... the [painting exercise was all about shape.. where others filled their pages with shapes mine did not want to be anymore than this and that is ok with me..

Have a great weekend and may you find time to create.

Namaste,

Karen

Art Every Day of the Month Day 4

Broken

Hi!
Today for Leah's Art Everyday of the month I am posting the above picture I took in October and my thoughts on it as I look through a creative scope as a way to tell my story.

Here is my thoughts on the picture:
I feel broken at times and this picture is perfect for that - this is a mirrored fence at "Storm King Art Center" and I find this really tells a clear story of how I feel and where I feel broken.. my root.. my core.. but then I see my foot moving foward and I know I am on my way to putting myself back together.

May you find time to create today.

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wed and Art Every Day of the Month



Hello my fellow wishers and dreamers  today is Wishcast Wednesday over at Jamie Ridlers Studios and today the prompt is:  What Do You Wish To Enjoy?

I am late in writing today because I wanted to work my poetry chops with these wishprompts and it took me awhile to come up with one today, letting yourself enjoy things, seems easy yet we can make it so hard on ourselves.

I am really enjoying som e-courses I am currently taking and they fit in nicely with Leah's Art Every Day of the Month.  Today I am going to share my wishcast poem, a photo I took of a sunflare(above) for Vivienne's You are Your Inner Muse e-course and a painting (at the end of post)I did for Connie's Big Class over at Dirty Footprints Studio.  I am really enjoying painting with no outcome in mind, it is freeing.

ENJOYING POEM

Enjoying the feel of brush in  hand

with no thoughts to where the paint will land

Enjoying the feel of  pen in hand

words and stories shared make the heart expand

Enjoying the feel of camera in hand

showing others the world from where I stand

May all you wish to enjoy be yours

Namaste,

Karen

Art Every Day of the Month- Day 2

Hi.  Today is Day 2 of Leah's Art Every Day of the Month and I find myself feeling low energy after work so I put together a mosaic of my favorite sunflare pictures.  I look for flare often and find it magical when I get a good shot.  May you find some time to create today.

Namaste,
Karen

Art Everyday of the Month and Monday Inspiration

Happy Monday everyone.  I am participating in Leah Piken Kolidas Art Every Day of the Month over at Creative Everyday.  The painting for today is for a workshop I am taking with Connie over at Dirty Footprints Studio and today is was all about just putting paint to paper for me, no final outcome in mind.

I had a hard time at first not having a final product in  mind while painting but as I continued to just move the paint around the paper I really enjoyed the flow I began to feel.  I want to say it was almost musical and I have no idea why I say that, it just was.

The painting is still wet and the lighting stinks since it was late but I was committed to posting something today for the first day of the challenge, it gave me a wonderful sense of accomplishment and I found it was quite relaxing also.

This will also be my post for Lisa's Dandelion Seeds and Dreams inspiration Monday.

I hope you found some time to create today.

Namaste,

Karen

Wishcast Wed: What do you wish to shed?

Shedding Tree at Storm King Art Center - NY -

Good Morning my fellow wishers and dreamers.  Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studios the wish prompt is:  What do you wish to shed?
I love the thought of shedding, like you can shed the old way of being and grow into a new way, one that fits the you that you are now.  I think we are always changing and growing, it is the way of all things.

I have been thinking of how I can bring the creative into my daily life and I have starting writing and journalling more and really honing my picture taking eye, not technical picture taking, just learning to SEE more, if that makes sense.  The above picture is from my trip to Storm King Art Center this last weekend, you can see more pictures here Storm King Art Center Trip.

So I was thinking for the next couple of wish prompts I will write a poem in response to the prompt, I find it is easier for me to write when prompted or inspired so maybe it will work with poetry also.  Here is my poem in response to "What do you wish to shed?"

Shed the skin of worry, doubt and fear
Only then can the way become clear
Shed the should, the would, the could of
Looking within for the true love
Shed the critic, the gremlin, the saboteur
Seeing who you ARE not who you thought you WERE

So my friends what are you wishing to shed today?

Namaste,
Karen

Mondays Inspiration Celebration

I am happy to join in at Lis's Dandelions Seeds and Dreams Monday Inspiration. 

I enjoyed a gorgeous fall day at Storm King Art Center, you can read about it by clicking name.  You walk around about 80 acres and there are all these outdoor sculptures, it was pretty amazing.

Enjoy your Monday and may you find inspiration wherever you go.

Namaste
Karen

Wishcast Wed: What does the “soft animal of your body” wish for

click Pic for larger view

Good Morning my fellow wishers and dreamers.  Today over at Jamie Ridler Studios the wish prompt is: " What does the soft animal of your body wish for", the wish was inspired by Mary Oliver's "Wild Geese" poem.

Moments after reading Jamie's post I read my horoscope over at Free Will Astrology (love him) and this quote from Clarissa Pinkola Estes was part of my horoscope today and it was like she was speaking directly for me and my wish today, this really describes how I felt when thinking of what the "soft animal of my body" wishes for:

What is the wild and instinctual nature? Radiance magazine posed that question to storyteller Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Here's her reply: "to establish territory, to find one's pack, to be in one's body with certainty and pride regardless of the body's gifts and limitations, to speak and act in one's behalf, to be aware, alert, to draw on the innate feminine powers of intuition and sensing, to come into one's cycles, to find what one belongs to."

I love these threads of connections and how when I listen to my intuition it will always steer me clear on my path.  The dreamboard is one I did awhile back and it represents coming home to my body and it seems to fit for todays wish as does this poem I wrote expressing what I wish for:

To be together in community, seeing myself in their faces
To let the tears flow, opening wide the heart spaces
To listen to my body, to trust what it already knows
To follow the river of intuition wherever it goes
To tell the truth of my story and let the healing begin
To be whole again, at home in my skin

So my fellow wishers and dreamers who does the soft animal of your body wish for?

Namsaste,
Karen

New York State of Mind-Monday Inspiration

Good Morning my fellow bloggers!  Yesterday we had family in from out of town (12 of us) so we went into NYC for the day.  It was a picture perfect fall day in the City.  I will add this post to Lisa's Monday Inspirations over at Dandelion Seeds and Dreams as NY truly inspired me this week.

We live close enough to the NY but we don't go there often as it always seems like such a hassle to get there, but once I am there I LOVE it.  There is so much to see and hear.  I looked like a tourist snapping away with my camera.  The sky was so clear yesterday and the reflections on all the buildings just kept catching my eye.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day!


If you want to see the pictures larger click the below link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41584693@N02/sets/72157625062148707/show/

Have a great day,
Karen

Some thoughts and a view from here

i.  I have been doing some real soul searching lately and I am working on two posts for next week that are inspired by Jen Lee  about Storytelling and care of your creative soul and what that means to me.

In the meantime enjoy this slideshow of some pics of the view from here.

Have a wonderful weekend!
xo
Karen

Wishcast Wed: What do you wish to fly free from?

Light through dying leaf

Good morning my fellow wishers and dreamers.  Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studios the wish prompt is:  What do you wish to fly free from?

I wish to fly free from this inertia and apathy that has invaded my life.  I have lost my spark and I have not been myself for quite some time.

As a child I played a caretaking role in my family and then as I became a teen and young adult I carried that over to my friendships as well as my family. I was the one who made sure everyone got home safe and sound and worried about everyone and everything.  My family as well as my friends always came to me with their problems and I felt so responsible to them, to be what they needed.  But who was there for me, not many.  My Dad especially relied on me for emotional support all his life since my Mother was closed off emotionally to everyone.  To this day she still can't say "I LOVE YOU" to anyone, it is just "you know" and  I feel like screaming "NO I DON"T KNOW HOW YOU FEEL!"

Then a few years ago there were 4 deaths in my family, 2 Aunts (close as mothers) my Dad and my Father in Law, all from cancer and all drawn out.  I was heavily involved in caretaking and was actually there when 2 of them died.  In the years since I feel like parts of me have died with them.  I have succumbed to inertia and apathy and can't even seem to care that I have gained 50 pounds in the last 10 years. 

But you know that is NOT true, I refuse to believe that I will continue this way.  I keep showing up in small ways.  I sign up for e-courses, I participate in Wishcast, I attended Squam Artworkshops, I support other artists, I have reached out more for help.   This points to the light that is still in me, it's just trying to find the way out of the dark.   I AM stronger then even I know.

I was reminded of all this during an intuitive reading/painting done by Charlie (Shamsi).  She correctly pointed out this apathy without knowing me that well, she could not have known.  Charlie also said the way out for me would be creating and storytelling which was a confirmation of what I already knew.  Now my dear ones the trick is to blindfold that apathy and inertia so it can't stop me from finding my way.

I feel like the picture above that I took for  Tracey Clark over at Big Pictures e-course, a dying leaf with the light shining through the middle, I will find my way and I am thankful to all your support and witness to this journey I am on.

Here is another project I was working on with my Squam roomies which was inspired by Susannah Conway's shoot the red.  It was especially challenging for me since the week was quite gloomy but all in all I was amazed at how much red is out there.  Enjoy the slide show. 

May all that you wish for come to be.  Have a great day.

Namaste,
Karen

The Perfect Protest with Brene Brown

We can all use a perfection intervention so I am joining the  Perfect Protest troops over at  Ordinary Courage with Brene Brown  in honor of her new book "The Gifts of Imperfection".

As you can see my video is far from perfect but it reflects the me that I am in this time and place, even if I couldn't quite figure out where to look on the screen!

I was over at Jen Lemen's blog today reading her perfect protest and she asked her readers to note in the comments (for a generous giveaway of Brene Browns book) one reason why you want to let go of trying to be perfect.  The first answer that came to mind was I want to let go of trying to be perfect because it hurts too much.  We can really undermine ourselves and others in the name of perfection, so for today I am letting perfection go.

Have a perfectly imperfect day! 

PS:  If there are problems viewing the video can you let me know.

Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to step into?

Mixed Skies over Squam Lake



Good Morning my fellow wishers and dreamers.   I am still trying to process all I experienced at Squam Art Workshops  and  am finding  myself  overwhelmed with thoughts and ideas.  Since being back I have been agitated and somewhat sad which I believe is a good thing as it is reminding me not to slip back into the old way of doing things.  Comfort zones were tested, some fears were worked through and my creative side had a 4 day free pass to come out to play.

As I try to get back to projects, blogging and creative work I focus today on Jamie Ridler's Wishcast Prompt for the day which is What do you wish to step into?

The first thought that popped into my head while reading the prompt was this chant I was taught at a art retreat:

I Step into the flow and then I let it go
I open my mind, my heart, and my soul
I surrender, I surrender
I surrender, I open my mind, my heart, and my soul
-- by Suzanne Sterling

This chant always made me feel like it was ok to just go with the flow, no thoughts or judgements, just create, sing, dance whatever it is that you were doing with your heart leading the way.

I experienced a different flow when I was away at Squam and I would like to step into it here back  in my everyday life.  Here are some ways I can make that happen:

*  Walk once or twice a day, preferably after meals.
*  Add more structure to my day, having a schedule to follow worked well for me and being back home creative time might slip by if I don't make time for it.
*  I sit inside most of the day at a desk and I would like to balance that with  time spend outside.
* Reach out to others in this creative community and get involved with online groups, the community at  Squam was one of the highlights.  It was such a joy to be around like minded souls and just be there to support each other.
* Eat 3 hearty meals a day and maybe one snack.  They had so much great food and every meal was a buffet and somehow I still came home 3 pounds lighter.  I am sure it was the lack of down time for grazing and the walking.
*  Be as authentic as I can be and open my heart,  people will see and hear me if I let them. 

I look forward to see what you wish to step into today.

Namaste,
KAren

Blog Tour: Four Word Self Help by Patti Digh

"Four Word Self Help" hanging out in the garden

Since reading Patti Digh's book  "Life Is a Verb" I have  been following her blog  37 Days.  She has a way with balancing inspiration and humour in her writing and of course there is the shared love we have for a certain Actor whose initials are J.D.  When the call went out on the blog, facebook and twitter about Patti's new book "Four Word Self Help" I emailed right away to get a copy for the blog tour.

Patti starts the book off with the quote "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated" - Confucius which really sums up what  the book is about, each page contains 4 words plus an image which equals the self help message, it is this simplicity that really works for me.  The book is broken into different categories such as, Community, Love, Stress, Travel, etc.  This format allows for jumping to the section that fits your self help needs for the day.  At the start of each chapter/section Patti has the name, quote and a short write up explaining the section, such as the one for Wellness which starts with this quote from Mark Twain, "Be careful reading health books, you may die of a misprint", this quote is a perfect example of Patti's sense of humor.  There is plenty of inspiration to be found within and the humour adds that reminder that sometimes it is ok not to take ourselves too seriously.

Here is a picture of one of my favorite word/picture combinations, it is under the Activism section and it speaks to me as I am currently trying to find my own voice amongst the din of others.

"Four Word Self Help" inspiration for today.

All the images were created by 37days.com blog followers many of whom are artists from around the world.  I admire the way in doing this Patti has showcased the works of others as well as her own.
The other aspect of the book that I appreciate is the size which is about 5 1/2 by 7 perfect for carrying along with you throughout the day.

I highly recommend "Four Word Self Help" as one of the best books in this genre which you can easily pull out  whenever you are in need of inspiration, laughter or just a beautiful image to look at.

Reflections on Squam

Eldorado Cabin at Squam

It's has been 5 days since I have returned from Squam Art Workshops, the creative dream of Elizabeth MacCrellish.  This is like sleep away art camp for adults.

I met some wonderful women online while taking Susannah Conway's Unravelling class and we spoke of attending this workshop and meeting each other in person.  I also knew some other people from different ecourses were attending so I was looking forward to meeting everyone in person.  I drove up with  Liz ,whom I had met in Unravelling, we had 6 hours to chat on the way and I can honestly say we did not put the radio on once as we got to know each other.

Pulling up I got this oh shit feeling, what have I done and can I turn around and go home now, this was pushing me up and through my comfort zone.



Elizabeth MacCrellish really tuning in to what an attendee is telling her



First  we go to register and I meet  Peg, Elizabeth and Linda E  who were so helpful in answering all my pre-squam questions.   Here we were greeted with open hearts and open arms that left you feeling welcome right away then off to the cabin we go and as you can see by the top picture what a cabin it was.  The cabin was shared by 13 of us and I was already starting to feel that high school feeling of not being good enough and who do I think I am these woman are real artists I am a fraud, a newbie.  In the end I found out we are all more alike than different and sharing these emotions  with others and hearing them say they felt the same was a huge relief.

Suffice it to say all the women over the course of this 4 day workshop became near and dear to me, they held me up and we shared, tears, laughter, our stories and wonderful meals together.  At the end of each day we would gather around the fire and share about our day and the classes we took, I can honestly say I have never felt so SEEN or HEARD before.  I was having a bit of trouble with my anxiety but I kept pushing myself out there, I was determined not to isolate myself, and this is the biggest tip I can give anyone thinking of attending, just go with an open heart and put yourself out there even if it's just a little bit and if you feel like you are stumbling there will be someone to catch you of that I am sure.



Jen Lee who IS true

 The first day classes were "Storycatchers" and "Care and Keeping of the Creative Soul" with the wonderfully intuitive and gifted Jen Lee.  The thing I have to say about Jen is she has this way of seeing right through all your layers and getting to the core of you, I really felt like she was talking to my heart, I have no other way of describing it.  In these classes we learned to tell our stories and bear witness to others stories.  This class is where I had my first of many cries ( one good cry a day is good for the soul, another lesson learned at Squam).  I could not write my story, it was too hard and Jen really spent some time with me and helped guide me back.  In the afternoon class we learned how to care for our creative souls, how you can feed your soul and  keep yourself strong and nourished so we don't get depleted.     At the end of the class Jen gave out blessings that we randomly picked and she then proceeded to connect with you by looking straight into your eyes and reading your blessing to you.   Mine could not have been any more perfect for what I was feeling at that moment, here is what mine said:

"You don't have to get it right, just keep showing up with your whole heart!"  PERFECT

I can honestly say Jen broke me open in the best way possible.




The Queen of Polaroid:  the lovely Susannah Conway

 Day two was  the lovely and talented Susannah Conway's "Open your Eyes" photography class.  I have taken Susannah's online classes and was excited to meet her in person, she is just as lovely and down to earth as I was expecting.  I had some polaroid questions and she took the time to really help me out with my camera and believe me I was quite embarrassed to find out my new Polaroid film would not load because I had yet to eject the previously used film.  OOPS!

I had some fellow cabin mates and unravellers in this class which made it that much more fun. 

I felt so bad for Susannah who was sick with a terrible cold  yet she gave it her all and then some.  It really felt like  meeting up with an old friend I have not seen in awhile.  The first half of the class was about composition and how to train your eye and frame the photo right there through the composition.  I learned so much during this section and loved putting it into play during our half day photo taking excursion which made up the second half of the class.  Shoot the RED will be something I never forget.





Jonatha Brooke Song Writing

 So now we arrive at Saturday and it's time for  Jonatha Brooke's song writing class.  I have no song writing experience but I have tried my hand at poetry.  I knew none of my cabin mates would be in this class and most likely the rest of the group had already met in the previous days song writing class so to say I was nervous would be an understatement!  As I headed to class the first bright face I see is  Jen Gray whom I had been chatting with through email leading up to Squam.  I said hey and introduced myself as Karen and she said DELDINO I have been looking for you (my email address is deldino) so Deldino I would be in this class.  Jen was a newbie songwriter also so we sat together in class which I appreciated Jen just has a way about her that puts you at ease and makes you feel loved. 

The first thing Jonatha had us do is go outside and sing "The Goat Herding" song from "The Sound of Music" while doing interpretive dance, this she said will put us all on the same goofy footing.  Though I did not break into song and dance as enthusiastically as the rest I did give a decent yodel ;-)

Jonatha shared her tips and exercises for stretching and working your writing muscle and I learned how to look for inspiration in poems and free flow writing.  I am so happy Elizabeth M. talked me into staying in this class.  My fears were getting the best of me and she reached out to me and grabbed my hand the day before and said just come up to that fear and push through it and I did.   This was the perfect class to end on and I loved Jonatha and felt like she really made time for all of us.  The bonus was that  we got to hear about her new album "The Works" that she made while going through Woody Guthrie's words and work.  It is AMAZING, I listened to it when I got home.  If you want to here in her own words about the making of this album check it out here:  Jonatha Brooke - Making the Works.
I loved how Jonatha made me feel like my words mattered and that is a gift I will cherish. The cherry on the top of it all was getting to hear some of her songs up close and personal.

Here are my lyrics that I wrote for the class during a writing exercise using a line in a poem as inspiration:

When I've gone through what I must
And I've cleared through all the dust
What's left behind to see
Is all that left of me
Broken down and reborn
I've a new skin to be worn

Later that night we had a trip into town to see one of our cabin mates artwork on display at the Squam Art Show. Next we grabbed quick sandwiches to enjoy with wine by the fire before attending Vendor night where we proceeded to empty our wallets on all the goodies our fellow squammies made.  ( I especially loved Liz's Pop Up Pocket Pals!)

The thing I noticed the most was the strength of this supportive community of creative souls who are there for each other.  I noticed many returning squammies reaching out and embracing the newbies like myself, this is a testament to Elizabeth and the intention she holds for this space.

I thank Elizabeth and all her magical helpers, RDC, my wonderful teachers and most of all my ElDorado cabin mates (Liz, Lily, Nicola, Suzy, Susan, Sharyn, Heidi, Stacee, Kerry, Lisa, Stephanie and Donna)  who SAW the me behind the anxiety and the insecurities, it is something I will not soon forget and will hold on to as I try to bring a little bit of Squam into my everyday life.  I hope we will all remain in touch and continue to support each other in this creative community.

In closing I say go to squam with an open heart and soak it in, you will leave changed of that there is no doubt, at the very least you will KNOW you are not alone!

Big Love to all...



Group Picture Credit:  Thea Coughlin

 Until next year


Sunrise over Squam Lake