painting the elements

 "In the Unknown", water element

acrylic and twigs on canvas

13" x 13"

"Summer Temple", fire element

acrylic, leaves, and sticks on canvas

13" x 13"

      This Spring I have been inspired to revisit the theme of seasonal cycles and the five elements. These are two paintings from an earlier series of paintings that I created that are inspired by the Five Element acupuncture and the qualities and characteristics of each element: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.....more images to be posted soon.

my newest creation

-a most blessed creation-

      The experience of being pregnant and watching a "seed blooming in the belly" is one of beauty, wonder, and anticipation. I was convinced that having children was not an option in my life. I was so surprised when I found out I was pregnant in December 2011. What a blessing and gift this has been for me! I cherished every moment during my pregnancy even during the hot and humid August days nearing the due date. 

      The experience of giving birth was both challenging and awe inspiring for me. In August I gave birth of my son, Kiran Sage. I consider him to be one of my finest creations. Motherhood has taught me many things including: patience, be present, a bit of selflessness, and a whole new appreciation for my parents, especially my own Mother. It has grounded and centered me in a whole new way. Each day I get to marvel at my child by watching him grow and discover his world. 

     The love for him is a love that is indescribable. 

(image: photo of an invitation I made for dear friends who attended my "Blessingway" ceremony in early August).

Illustrations for "Byron and Mortimer"

      Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to illustrate my first children's book written by my friend, Stephen Intlekofer. The book is called Byron and Mortimer. It is a magical story about a 10 year old boy named Byron and his pet cat named Mortimer. The story depicts Byron's journey into his highly imaginative world amidst his every day life adventures. The images that I came up with are simple and straight forward freehand drawings. This was such a fun project. I'd love to explore the avenue of working on more children's books in the near future. Here are a few illustrations from Stephen Intlekofer's, Byron and Mortimer. 

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/171704

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/byron-and-mortimer-stephen-intlekofer/1111939281?ean=2940033296163

http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Byron-and-Mortimer/book-hXnSCpKitUeaKN2WMXs8dg/page1.html

http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW00000171704/Intlekofer-Stephen-Byron-and-Mortimer/1.html

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/byron-and-mortimer/id539094984?mt=11

Emerging Spring

"Spring Dusk"
acrylic & leaf on canvas
9" x 7"

"Egg Study"
acrylic on canvas
13" x 10"

 

      Happy Birth of Springtime!

      This year as brought so many amazing opportunities for creative expression. These blessings have arrived in many forms & with many different art mediums. I am feeling truly in touch with creative energy & connected to Source. This is coinciding with the emerging of the Spring season. I've thoroughly enjoyed being present with nature and watching tiny green leaves unfurling, flowers blooming, and seeds sprouting! Five Element Acupuncture and the qualities that are expressed during each season is something that inspires me. 

      Spring is the season represented by the element of wood. It's about productivity and upward rising energies. It is also about birthing ideas that have been incubating over the long winter season. I've recently been asked by a beautiful friend, Sarah, to be part of an expressive painting collaborative community. It is an evolving project and incorporates live painting to connect with others & inspire spontaneous moments of creative expression.

"Walk and touch peace every moment.
Walk and touch happiness every moment.
Each step brings a fresh breeze.
Each step makes a flower bloom.
Kiss the Earth with your feet.
Bring the Earth your love and happiness.
The Earth will be safe
when we feel safe in ourselves."

Thich Nhat Hanh

autumn musings

"Love Sun"
acrylic on canvas
8 1/4" x 10 1/4"

"along the shore"
acrylic on canvas
8 1/4" x 8 1/4"

       These are some recent experimental paintings that I consider both minimal and simplistic in terms of technique. They both started out as drop cloths which evolved into little landscape meditations. I enjoy playing with paint in a more subtle way in terms of color & texture. The process is an improvisational dance that keeps me in the present moment.

expressions of Spring

"In Flight"
mixed media-acrylic & paper collage on canvas
10" x 10"

"Rainbirds"
mixed media-acrylic & paper collage on canvas
9" x 12"

"Spring Moon"
mixed media-acrylic & paper collage on canvas
9" x 12"

        It has been a quite a while since I have posted on this blog. After a long winter of "hibernation" and "incubation", I am feeling inspired to find creative expression. Springtime has inspired me to begin painting again. Currently, I am experimenting with various materials & with using a brighter color palette. Enjoy.

Mindfulness Meditation Retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh

       As I write this blog entry it happens to be the eve of Thich Nhat Hanh's 83rd birthday. My first exposure to the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh was in college around 1992. I had read his book "The Miracle of Mindfulness" which resonated and still resonates with me to this day. Last week, it was such a gift to be in the presence of Vietnamese Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh at a five-day mindfulness meditation retreat in upstate New York near the Catskill Mountains. The October leaves were turning bright colors of fiery red, orange, and yellow. The retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery consisted of 1,100 retreatants. The conscious collective energy of 1,100 people practicing mindful meditation had a profound effect on me. All of our meals occurred in silence. I particularly loved the practice of walking meditation through the woods along with a group of 50 others. We practiced synching our breaths with our steps: "I have arrived" on the inbreath & "I am home" on the outbreath. Aaaahhh...peace & inner space which then created a similar peace and spaciousness externally when interacting with others.

      Life at the retreat was slowed down to a snails’ pace that created a sense of calm, peace, and deep space from within and without each of us. The Monastics of the monastery would strike a large bell hanging on a tree at random intervals throughout the day. It was the resonant sound of the Mindfulness Bell. The bell was a reminder to stop whatever we were doing to take deep breaths in and out...to focus on our breath. I came to really enjoy the chime of the Mindfulness Bell and in seeing everyone around me stop what they were doing to practice deep breathing & briefly pausing from life's activities. In the afternoons, we would have Dharma discussions in small groups of twenty people. We also participated in working meditations by pot washing after the dinner meals. Who knew that I could feel a sense of being alive through the simple act of washing a bowl? I discovered that by practicing mindfulness & focusing on being in the Present Moment that everything began to come to life more fully. The grass became alive with its' greeness and in its' textures. The tiny red leaf that fallen to the ground was so bold in its' color. The wind through the trees became such a beautiful movement of swaying and the sound was the wind whispering truth to me. I felt my heart opening up and truth shining forth. I found myself smiling at everyone & making eye contact with everyone that I passed walking around the monastery grounds. I felt a connection and Oneness as a result of practicing our mindfulness together as a collective community.

     Being in the presence of Thich Nhat Hanh (also known as "Thay") was a great honor. He spoke to us about impermanence, compassion, the phenomenon of mental formations, and the importance of "watering" seed-thoughts of loving kindness instead of "watering" seed-thoughts of doubt and fear. Thay says that "our minds can become clear as still water through the practice of meditation" and through this "we reflect like a mirror the things as they are just like the still water reflects the sky & clouds overhead". Throughout the retreat week, I realized that our joy & happiness resides from within all of us. It is not something that we can find outside of ourselves. I have found great joy, happiness, calm, and peace in my mind & body. I look forward to maintaining a mindfulness practice through daily meditation and always remembering to come back to the breath in the present moment.