National Say Something Nice Day

How many times have your heard: If you cannot say something nice, then say nothing at all? Those are the immortal words spoken by parents and grandparents all over the globe,

Well, with days like National Say Something Nice Day, perhaps it’s the perfect reason to actually throw caution to the wind and actually BE nice to one another.

Over the last 50 years, the world has really undergone so much in the way of change, and as soon as the 21st century took over, technology started to play a huge role in separating the human race.

The magic of kindness has a ripple effect, spreading outward from person to person until it touches the lives of countless others. It has the power to create a ripple of positivity that can change the world one act at a time.

Here’s my little contribution to being nice. I often wonder what people think when they see this.

I’ve always thought the idea of leaving little art around town would be a cool thing to do. Haven’t done it yet. Have any of you? Let me know in the comments.

So let's make a commitment to be nice to one another—to spread kindness like confetti, to lift each other up, and to be the change we wish to see in the world. For in a world that often feels divided, kindness is the thread that binds us together—the common language that transcends borders, cultures, and ideologies.

"In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

Harmony in Creation: Exploring the Intersection of Art and Garden Meditation

National Garden Meditation Day was developed by C.L., otherwise known as the Garden Lady over at www.gardenlady.com. She has had a lifelong dedication to the wonders of the plant world and the wonderful places we can make in our home with gardens. She believes that gardens can help connect us to ourselves, the natural world, and each other in deep and moving ways. So it was that she decided to set up an entire month of holidays celebrating her passion, gardens!

In the heart of every artist lies a deep longing for inspiration—a desire to tap into the wellspring of creativity that flows within and without. Yet, our world is filled with noise and distractions, finding that elusive muse can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. I find that working outside in my yard helps me reset.

Garden meditation is a practice of presence—a journey inward to the depths of our being, where the soul finds solace and the spirit finds renewal. And for artists, it is a gateway to a realm of boundless inspiration and creativity. I've never been really successful with formal ‘meditation’ but I do find I’m in the zone, so to speak, when I’m working outside.

I find my garden is more than just a source of inspiration—it is a muse, a collaborator, a partner in the creative process. Whether you're a painter, a poet, a sculptor, or a photographer, the beauty of the garden offers endless possibilities for exploration and expression. Whatever form your art takes, the garden provides a rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and sensations to draw upon.

So, I invite you to take a moment to step outside, to breathe in the fragrance of the flowers, and to let the beauty of the garden infuse your work with passion, depth, and meaning.

I‘d love to see anything you feel inspired to create. Feel free to share in the comments.

Festive Friday - National Read a Road Map Day

The road goes every onward”, but where does the road in fact go? We could always ask our handy-dandy GPS, but National Read a Road Map Day a day dedicated to going back before the time of such handy little devices. Instead it heralds back to a time when it was actually possible to hold a road map upside down, or stand over the hood of your car on the side of the road with it spread out. (I have fond memories of that - I was always the navigator.)The map represented adventure, it represented places unseen and roads untraveled, and was the ultimate guide back to where we started. If we could find out where we were on it.

Navigating Creativity: Charting New Artistic Territories with Old Maps

Ah, the allure of a weathered map—its edges frayed like secrets whispered across time, its creases holding stories of voyages and adventures long past. In a world obsessed with GPS and digital navigation, there's something undeniably romantic about holding a tangible map in your hands. But what if I told you that these antiquated relics of exploration aren't just for finding your way from point A to point B? Oh no, my friend, they're also a treasure trove for the artistic soul.

Picture this: You stumble upon an old map in a dusty corner of a second-hand bookstore, its hues faded but its spirit alive with the promise of distant lands. Your heart races as you imagine the possibilities. Will you frame it and hang it on your wall as a conversation starter? Nah, too conventional. Instead, you decide to let your creativity run wild and incorporate it into your art.

But how, you ask? Fear not, fellow traveler, for I am here to guide you through the labyrinth of artistic inspiration.

1. Mixed Media Magic: Embrace the chaos of mixed media by layering the map with other materials. Tear it into fragments and collage it onto a canvas, adding acrylic paint, vintage stamps, or even bits of old postcards. The juxtaposition of old and new, the familiar and the foreign, will infuse your artwork with a sense of depth and intrigue.

2. Cartographic Collage: Who says maps are only meant for navigation? Channel your inner cartographer and create a collage using snippets of the map. Highlight cities you've visited, places you dream of exploring, or simply let your intuition guide your scissors as you carve out abstract shapes and patterns.

3. Decoupage Delight: Transform everyday objects into works of art by decoupaging them with sections of the map. Whether it's a wooden box, a plain notebook, or even a piece of furniture, the map will lend a touch of wanderlust to your surroundings.

4. Vintage Vignettes: Take a step back in time by incorporating the map into a vintage-inspired vignette. Frame it alongside old compasses, binoculars, and brass telescopes to create a sense of nostalgia and adventure.

5. Storytelling Serendipity: Let the map inspire you to tell a story, whether it's through poetry, prose, or visual storytelling. Allow the contours of the land, the names of exotic locales, and the faded ink of ancient cartographers to ignite your imagination and transport you to faraway realms.

So there you have it, fellow adventurers—five ways to breathe new life into an old map and chart your own course through the vast sea of creativity. So grab your compass, unfurl your sails, and set forth on a journey of artistic exploration like no other. Who knows what uncharted territories you'll discover along the way?

Festive Friday - September is Read a New Book Month and I've got the perfect one for you!

After my surgery, I did a lot of reading. I love books about FBI profilers and their cases. I read 11 of one such series on Kindle. But one can only read so much of that.

When one of my mentors, Louise Fletcher, recommended a book called ‘Your Brain on Art,’ I promptly ordered from Amazon. It is all about a new field of study called ‘neuroaesthetics.’

Neuroesthetics is an attempt to combine neurological research with aesthetics by investigating the experience of beauty and appreciation of art on the level of brain functions and mental states.

Cool, eh?

The author’s offer compelling research that shows how engaging in an art project for as little as forty-five minutes reduces the stress hormone cortisol, no matter your skill level, and just one art experience per month can extend your life by ten years!

As artists, I think we already have an idea of the value of art but isn’t it wonderful to have it presented in such a formal, scientific format? The arts are not just frou frou stuff. They are an important part of our lives. A necessary part, as far as I’m concerned.

If you are interested in learning more, here is an article from the Harvard Crimson on the subject.

Festive Friday - Let's Celebrate International Beer Day!

I’m not a plein air painter but one of my favorite places to paint is at my local brewery: Brewery Becker.

They have a fabulous beer garden full of flowers, fire pits, and friendly folks. It’s a lovely way to spend some creative time outside in the fleeting warm weather here in Michigan.

Painting outside seems to expand the possibilities. Maybe it’s the open space? It’s definitely the warmth of a sunny day for me.

I will often schlepp my art stuff out onto my deck and paint away. I’m a morning person so I start early. The puppy drop happens around 3pm. That’s when I’ll sit down with a celebratory drink and peruse what I painted that day.

I know not everyone is a fan of beer. So fill your cup today with your beverage of choice. (I won’t tell)

Some Beer Trivia

Beer has an interesting history and unique fun facts that can be thrown around with a group of friends, especially on Beer Day! For instance, maybe everyone doesn’t know it was the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution that made alcohol illegal in 1919!

Try these fun facts out to impress those friends at the bar on Beer Day:

• Oktoberfest began in Munich in 1810 as a celebration of the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

• At the 2010 state fair in Texas, USA, Fried Beer won the prize for the Most Creative Fried Food! (Who knew beer could be fried?)

• In response to America’s Prohibition Act, Winston Churchill stated that this was an “affront to the whole history of mankind”.

• A beer pipeline was created in Germany, where more than 100,000 gallons of beer was piped through 7 kilometers of pipe to serve visitors to a heavy metal music festival. The purpose was to keep the grass from being ruined by beer trucks driving back and forth over the festival grounds!

Beer drinker or teatotaler, raise a glass today!

What to Do When You Are Captive?

I had knee replacement surgery on July 10th on my left side. The post surgery recovery is SO boring: ice, rest, exercise, ice, rest, and did I mention icing? This all involves a lot of sitting on the couch … captive.

So before surgery, I set myself up to be able to do some art.

Working in one of my small concertina sketchbooks. They open like an accordion and are so much fun to play in.

Here’s the first spread (1st two pages). Used some caran d’ache sticks, ink, watercolors, and pencil.

These next images are close ups of the following pages. Mostly using watercolor, Posca pens, and india ink - then adding collage elements for more interest. I will probably come back and futz some later.

Start of second spread

Added collage elements

Next spread. Just playing with line and shape.

Added collage

Didn’t snap a before pic. All the yellow color elements are collage.

Last spread I worked on. The green numbers (4, 0) were painted onto tissue paper.

Want to try out a concertina sketchbook? I ordered mine on Amazon. The brand is Seawhite. Here is a link

Let me know what you think. I got a small one for my sister who is into Zentangling and she loved it.