Making the most of my time

Digital art! ... I mean writing ... or, um, photography ... but then there's painting!!!

Lately, I've done very little, if any, of the above. Worse yet, I missed my weekly deadline to blog, so I'm making up for it this week by blogging at least two entries. I've frittered away time and energy, but now I choose to buckle down and make the most of both.

Anyway, as a product of another creative day with Laura, I completed my first digital art painting using a tutorial to turn a portrait into an anime-styled painting. Although anime styles are big in the Asian front, I didn't think my portrait looked all that anime, despite my Asian looks, but I think it comes down to honing a skill I have yet to develop.  BTW, the Photoshop Creative tutorial I used was frustratingly vague, so I had to make trial and error adjustments, substituting some of the steps and tools with those I had a working knowledge of.

Writing ... Ah yes, writing :)  LOVE !  Love to write ... love to read good writing! I will learn more about novel writing in particular, and intend to schedule a time slot once a week to swim in it.

Photography. Well that's the easiest in that I'm always inspired to snap a shot of something that moves me, which is a great deal of the time, because interest is where you find it :)  The photo above was taken at Stork's on Valentine's Day, with my friend, Tammy as my Valentine for the day, lol.

Lastly, there's painting. I've had my new easel and paint set sitting in my art room ... and everytime I walk into the room I smile and tell the empty canvases, "please give me another day". Well many days have come and gone, and it's so neglectful not to use the tools in the manner for which they're made ... and a waste of time for not bringing life to that which which yearns to be created. Well I can tell you the culprit that delays my progress: an embarrasing dose of perfectionism. And as the quote by Anne Lamott goes, "Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor." So I shall seek to remedy that immediately :)

Touchstones

As I scramble toward my deadline to post before night's end, I'm forced to commit to one of many topics I've found pertinent for this week. I've narrowed it down to one of my most cherished blessings: MY FRIENDS!  In particular, those touchstones who have gone out of their way to lend their strength and support, through the black hole of despair I've experienced on and off the last couple of years.

Now that the dust of the past has settled, I take this opportunity to honor and show my appreciation of my beloveds. As the quote goes, "Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel."

I'm pictured with my trio of gal pals below, amid the sprinkles of friendship-based quotes. They are displayed in no certain order, as each touchstone is immeasurably valued.

"A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself."
- by Lysha

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.' "

 "A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

"When it hurts to look back, and you're scared to look ahead, you can look beside you and your best friend will be there."

"My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me."
- Henry Ford

"Friends are kisses blown to us by angels."

   
"A friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself."

"A friend is one who walks in when others walk out."
-Walter Winchell

 "True friendship is seen through the heart, not the eyes."


Warmest and heartfelt thank you's for lifting me up, dusting me off and cheering me to shine and come into my own :) !!!

Without reservation

This past weekend, Laura and I had our first creative Saturday. Our theme was to let loose on canvas, without inhibitions ... to be like a child at play, with no rules ... to let go of the need to control and not be afraid of the paint.

I had zero sleep the night before, so it was easy not to care so much about the outcome ... to just give in to the moment and really expand and explore via creative instinct.

Laura's work of art went through a huge metamorphosis -- from a mixed wash of colors, to a themed masterpiece. Mine just evolved from the bottom up, not so much changing than being filled in with my whimsy. At the end of our session, I let mine dry, and called it "fini". Since Laura's had required refinement, she needed more time to add essential elements. Anyway, I know just where mine will go: my bathroom :)

The first materials introduced onto my canvas were the words love, and I had them interpersed throughout. I can't say why, other than I'm drawn to love. My name, after all, is an acronym for Love Is The Answer. And Laura said when she saw my canvas, the verse to a song that said "Love, love, love" kept playing in her head. :)

I was speaking to a coworker who spoke of the necessity to harden one's heart, but I simply never see myself doing that. Closing myself off like that would also close me off to all of the wondrous as well. I thnk it's about being vigilant, and selective as to who is worthy and deserving of the prize. I want to kiss the lips of my desires, without reservation. The only difference is this time, it's just a matter of choosing wisely.