wild sparks

song speak, wild divine

Mar
16

music, mud, myth and me

Filed under: Artful Life, Create!, The Journey, Words and Phrases | Tags: artful (5), clay (2), creation (4), journey (3) | March 16th, 2010

I make the encircling of the crafts
about me this Spring day:
delight of poetry,
majesty of music, variety of art,
vision of seership,
compassion of healing,
peace of prayer,
spirit of druidry,
inquiry of science,
transformation of alchemy.
Nine crafts about me,
perfection of skill
encompass my soul this day.
~Caitlin Matthews

I’ve been a bit lost lately. Music, which has always been so important to me, seemed to have left me. My sense of Spirit, of Myth – my connection with Divine – also fundamentally important, seemed to have left with it. The two were always so interconnected for me, and had taken up my time, energies, and studies for years. It was odd to feel so disconnected from things that had been so much a part of me. But, I thought, maybe I just needed a break.

Enter mud. Well, clay, really. Figuring that something completely different and new could help rejuvenate me, I dived right in. It does seem to have shaken some things loose, but I have some work to do. Some other things to fire in a completely different kind of kiln.

It came to me today that I’ve let a lot of things cloud my sight. I need to get back to the basics and rediscover what these things mean *to me*. Somewhere along the way I lost my own vision. It’s time to reclaim that, and forge ahead on a path that is mine. What this means, exactly, I’ve yet to uncover.

I still find inspiration in Things Celtic, so I will stick with that, and begin exploring myth, music, and art anew. It’s time to clear away some cobwebs and clutter.

Fresh eyes, fresh mind, fresh heart.

collage

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Mar
9

k.i.s.s.

Filed under: Meanderings | Tags: artful (5), simplicity | March 9th, 2010

Keep

It

Simple

Sweetheart

As a part of my quest for artful living, I’m also trying to simplify. I’m longing to get my life back in alignment with my beliefs… another drawback of being so busy before is that it was easy to let certain things go, and take the easier (more convenient) ways. I’ve recently signed up with Freecycle.org, a group that I’ve known about for a few years now, but never got around to joining. I look forward to being able to clear out our garage a little bit, and help someone out while doing it! I’m also excited to start planning our garden. Growing some of our own fruits, vegetables, and herbs will be so wonderful, both for our bodies and for our budget. I recently won a giveaway and am awaiting a shipment of various herbal roots for healing that will be ready for planting. Lovely!

Yes, Spring must be on its way. I’m feeling that need to clear out, make space, reclaim, and renew. To truly make this house our home.

With that, I blow a great big k.i.s.s. your way, dear reader. May the day bring beautiful things your way.

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Mar
8

a day in a world of my own

Filed under: Artful Life, Create!, Life | Tags: artful (5), clay (2), pregnancy | March 8th, 2010

What a gorgeous day Mama Nature gave us here in metro Atlanta! 70 degrees, blue skies, sunshine, light breeze… it couldn’t have been more delightful. I’m officially on maternity leave until further notice, which means that I was able to spend the day puttering and nesting. And playing with clay, of course!

work in progress

I feel like huge weights have been lifted off my shoulders, and that I can breathe again (despite the lack of internal breathing room). It is such a gift to be able to enjoy these last few weeks of carrying life, and spending time with my other children, and this last bit of baby-free time with my husband. I am so grateful that all of the various parts fell into place to allow all of that to happen!

With the time off also comes the opportunity to once again pick up my quest for artful living. There is so much beauty all around, but it can get difficult to see it sometimes. We allow too many other things to interfere and bog us down. Whirlwinds start spinning around us, and sometimes we just need to step out of the way to clear our eyes. But, then again, sometimes it can be nice to just get caught up in the wind…

If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn’t. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn’t be. And what it wouldn’t be, it would. You see?

~Alice, from Alice in Wonderland

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Jan
30

oh, yeah… supposed to be doing something here

Filed under: Artful Life, Create!, Life, The Journey | Tags: | January 30th, 2010

I haven’t felt terribly inspired to blog lately. Life has been rather full of ups and downs. Lack of sleep from late pregnancy discomforts, combined with other challenges, has left me feeling a bit down and out. I’ve been finding it very difficult to hang on to my artful living convictions, despite my best efforts.

I would imagine that this is all part of the Challenge. Any time that you try to make big internal (or external) shifts, challenges are presented. Is this what you really want? Are you sure? What are you willing to do, or go through, to make it happen? I’m quite sure this is where I am at right now. Constantly trying to pull myself back to the goal, to refocus my efforts.

The funny thing is, even with all of my internal struggles, I have been receiving a continuous stream of encouragement and support from the Universe. After many years away from photography, I was recently gifted with a new camera. My family and friends have been so supportive of my desire to become a potter. Even my fears of not having everything ready for the soon-to-be-here baby have been assuaged by much-appreciated gifts from dear ones. It’s these things I must cling to when I find myself battered by the storms of change.

I must remind myself that we are always given what we need… I just need to trust.

Life is good. All of it.

3 Comments »

Jan
30

a little sunshine

Filed under: Meanderings | Tags: | January 30th, 2010

Another giveaway… this time from a very talented, dear friend of mine. I love Alice’s jewelry; always original and creative, and all done by her very own hands! This necklace is a beauty.

Check it out and enter! http://www.istanbuldesigns.com/blog/2010/01/theres-first-time-for-everything-its.html

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Jan
20

Amazing Giveaway at Rosie Revolver

Filed under: Meanderings | Tags: | January 20th, 2010

Gorgeous Chinese turquoise (a new stone to me!)… enter for your chance to win this beautiful necklace from a talented artist!

http://rosyrevolver.blogspot.com/2010/01/its-giveaway-time.html

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Jan
8

oops, life happened

Filed under: Artful Life, Create! | Tags: | January 8th, 2010

A wave of life hit me these last few days, temporarily disrupting my artful thoughts. Really, more like sending them into a tailspin. In hindsight, I see that it was the Universe challenging me on my resolve to living an artful life. It’s not easy for me to stay on track with things; I’ve always been very distractable, which is probably one of the reasons (THE reason?) that I can never seem to complete anything. I’m back on track, and determined to stay the course.

My biggest adventure this year (a whole 8 days in) has been my decision to embark on a journey to become a potter. I love pottery… always have. It’s one of the first things I head for at art festivals. In the back of my head has always been the desire to give it a whirl, but I have always dismissed it. No longer! So while I’ve been searching for an affordable pottery class, I’ve been dabbling with air-drying clay.

So far I have made a poppy bowl as a Yule gift for a dear friend:

Poppy Bowl

and I’m currently working on a quirky little toadstool:

Toadstool, WIP

Yes, I have a long ways to go before I can throw works of art (like this or this or this), but I’ll sure have fun trying to get there!

For now, I’ll focus on playing. And not losing sight of the beauty in each moment and in each wacky little piece that forms from my unskilled, but willing hands. Here’s to art!

3 Comments »

Jan
2

interruption of broadcast

Filed under: Meanderings | Tags: | January 2nd, 2010

Today’s Artful Living has been interrupted by a mad nesting instinct.

I had great plans for doing a post about one of my new explorations, but instead today was spent clearing out about 7 moving boxes that were stuffed into what will soon be the nursery. But the good news is that I found my Slinky! I’ve been wondering where it had gone. I also finally unpacked my awesome Wonder Woman statue.

I consider this to be a productive and eventful day. I will now go enjoy my fake wine, and rest my aching sciatica.

Cheers!

wwslinky

3 Comments »

Jan
1

the quest begins

Filed under: Artful Life, Create!, The Journey | Tags: | January 1st, 2010

It is with great excitement and hope that I greet 2010. I feel that this will be a very powerful year, on many levels.

I didn’t want to create “resolutions”, because those well-intended bursts of energy are so often lost as life — reality – creeps in. And that just sets the stage for self-blame and judgment and guilt… who needs that? I decided, instead, to focus on a theme. This year, for me, will be The Quest for an Artful Life.

Those who have known me for a long time will know of my constant struggle with my creative Muse. She and I have gone back and forth for years now… a tug of war, with many ups and downs and highs and lows. Music and sound have always been the structure in which I have tried to express myself, but honestly, I am just not feeling it like I used to feel it. This has been my first inkling that I need to find some new ways; explore some new avenues. Music is there, it always will be, but I need to shake up my world a bit. And so I am going to do just that. I am tired of this ‘simply existing’ mode that I have found myself in. It’s time for me to embrace the life that I have always wanted… and this 9-5, Monday- Friday world is not it; it never has been. How will I do it? I’m not quite sure of the logistics, but I know that the Universe supports those who leap for their destiny… so this is me trusting, and stepping onto that Rainbow Path.

As I step boldly into the third trimester of my pregnancy, of carrying this amazing little being , I trust that I will continue to find the deeper meaning of creativity and creation. Having just read a wonderful birthing article in the latest issue of Mothering, the phrase “Ring of Fire” is resonating in my head. Fire cleanses and prepares the way for new life, new moments.

So, with that, I embrace my own personal ring of fire, and cross through it.

Eugene Buchko's Ring of Fire

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Dec
31

Never Say Never: a year in review

Filed under: Life, Meanderings, Mi Familia | Tags: | December 31st, 2009

Another year is coming to a close. Time to delve in to see what was there…

The year was filled with many good things, but it certainly was a time of chaos and change. Actually, it was a year filled with Things I Said I Would Never Do Again. This year I found myself once again living with someone, then getting married again (third time’s the charm), then (the biggie!) finding myself pregnant at the age of 37, with two teenage kids. All good things in the end, mind you, but still things that I had sworn at one point would never happen again.

Lesson learned, Universe. The phrase, “I will never [fill in the blank] again” has been wiped from my repertoire! Actually, let’s broaden that to eliminating the phrase ”I will never [fill in the blank]” because this year also saw me buying a house for the first time… something else that I swore would NEVER HAPPEN. Sometimes I think I just set myself up for these things, you know?

All in all, I cannot complain about 2009. I have two wonderful teenagers, a healthy baby on the way, a Really Good Marriage (yes! they do exist… who knew??), a beautiful home, and I am actually happy. And stable (a pleasant thing, much to my surprise). And mostly content. Mostly, simply because there are some things that I need to move forward with personally in order to be a little more fulfilled. Creative sparks need to fly, you know.

Things that were supposed to happen in 2009, but for one reason or another didn’t: Project Wild Folk.
Things that may or may not happen in 2010: Project Wild Folk
Things that WILL happen in 2010: Time will tell, because I’m not. At least not yet. This is not to say that I don’t have plans, because I do with a capital ‘P’. But I think I shall hold the plans close, until I am ready to set them free, to soar as they will.

So, to wrap it all up, here are a few snapshots of my year, for auld lang syne. Bring it on, 2010. I have grand hopes for you!!