Monday's Musings

Well, it seems nature is the star of today's Monday's Muse.  There hasn't been any art today.  Instead, numerous phone calls to excavation companies in search of someone to repair our broken water main line.  Yah.  When it rains, it pours.  NOT the kind of rain we're in need of, and NOT something the creative muse likes.

And speaking of rain, we had a dramatic, rain-less storm come through last night right after sunset.  The sky was spectacular, but the pictures truly don't convey the apocalyptic feeling that accompanied the whirling, spinning clouds.

Keith and I took about 30 pictures and videos of the storm.  Here are some more of my favorites.

Unfortunately, there are scads of power and telephone lines surrounding us.  Keith managed to get one mostly unobstructed shot.

Looking at the time stamps on our photos, it only took about 10 minutes for everything to blow through.  I hope you enjoyed this view from my part of the world.  Now off to make some dinner, and maybe my creative muse will show up afterwards.  

Have a wonderful evening, and I'll see you tomorrow with Tuesday Tips and Techniques.

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE

Weekend Journal

Feeding The Well


As your body needs nourishment to function, so does your creative spirit.  Nourishment for your creative muse is in abundance everywhere, and more often than not, it is free for the taking.

It doesn't cost anything but a little time (and the price of your favorite hot beverage) to go to your local bookstore and flip through your favorite artsy magazines.  Looking at the way other creatives use their materials often sparks new ideas in your own creative muse.

ART WITH YOUR CAMERA


Even an afternoon stroll is manna for the creative muse.  Capturing photo images of things that spark your imagination is a great way to both "feed the well" and document your journey.  

Mother nature is a great abstract artist.  Looking through the lens is a great way to focus on one area at a time.

Don't forget to look up!  You might see a great crackle effect in a beautiful blue sky.

When is the last time you really paid attention to the different colors and textures of tree bark?  Don't you think trees are amazing?  Don't forget to use these types of images on your journal pages.  You can print them "as is", or how about manipulating them in your favorite picture program.  I've taken these same four images and made copies of each.  Afterwards, I easily transformed each image by adjusting the color tint and/or saturation, and by altering the contrast and brightness.  

Altering your images provides limitless possibilities for hours of art journaling fun!


DON'T FORGET "DOWN TIME"


Just as your body needs rest, so does your creative muse.  Take a break from the paints and markers.  Get out of the house and really embrace the beauty surrounding you.  That includes the beauty of the friends and loved ones eagerly looking forward to spending some time with you, whether it be a a quiet walk on a sunny day or chowing down on pizza in front a bad movie!

Take time for quiet moments.  Enjoy the splendor of "the little things".  Slow down and just enjoy the moment of NOW.  Your creative muse will thank you.  Your spirit will thank you.

Life is but a brief moment, my dear friends.  Embrace every breath with gratitude and opportunity as you continue on your journey to "Celebrate, LOVE, and Create!"  Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend, and I'll see you again on Monday.

PHOTOS OF THE DAY

Photo by Keith Thompson

Keith captured this lovely image of the sun behind the trees as we were sitting across from the falls in the above images.  It was not as dark as it appears to be. Let me interject here, that after the hike down and back up the steep path to the falls, I have officially declared myself OUT OF SHAPE! 

Photo by Keith Thompson

While I was snapping photos of bark, someone was snapping photos of me!  

Nourish

I don't know about you, but I sometimes let the little things in life stress me beyond reason.  Sometimes, I even let the things that bring me the most pleasure become stressful.

I think what's important but not always easy to remember or to do, is to live my life in the now.

I will nourish my mind by going inside and listening to my inner voice, and I will nourish my spirit as I embrace the wonders and beauty of nature.

I will nourish my body ...

And allow my creativity to blossom freely.

   

Have a beautiful, nourishing day, and "Happy Creating!"

Are You Taking Time?

OR IS TIME TAKING YOU?

Are you taking time to enjoy the beauty surrounding you?

Are you taking time, or is time taking you?

Are you taking time to witness the small beauties in nature?

Are you taking time, or is time taking you?

Are you taking time to enjoy the people that you love?

Are you taking time, or is time taking you?

It's true: time is what you make of it.  Time is fleeting.  The minutes tick away into hours until another day slips away into golden sunset.  So ask yourself this question:

"Am I taking time, or is time taking me?"

Take time for "Happy Creating!"

"LET YOUR ART SHINE ALL OVER THE WORLD!"