presence

Ambition – Aspiration – Appetite

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“I love to draw insects and flowers”

Ambition is the strong desire to achieve something.

Aspiration is the hope to achieve something and it also means to draw breath.

Appetite is the natural desire to satisfy a bodily need.

I posit this: that it’s best to work from your appetite when it comes to striving for something. You should literally feel it in your gut and your heart- and allow that to drive your actions. Your body will never steer you wrong.

If your labor is derived from aspiration – the hope with the breath – that is almost as good.

And if you blindly seek your ambition – that desire which originates and stays within your mind –  there is a danger that it’s misguided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We get more of what we respond to.”

Seth Godin

 

 

Practice Daily

 

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In art, one must be mindful of space: the space between images.

In a few of these, I was afraid of too much space and added graphics. The result was a non-uniform crowding of images, which is not pleasing to the eye.

 

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In relationships, space is even more critical. “Caring” and “parenting” are not about invading space, but respecting our teenagers as their own people. Crowding and controlling them is not pleasing to them!

This is the exact opposite of how I was raised.

But I can choose to question that thinking and do better.

 

Santuary

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Desert Arroyo Park  1/21/18

Everyone ought to have a quiet place to walk.

Move your body and quiet your mind – this is the opposite of what most of us do most of the time.

Which is healthier? A busy mind and lethargic body or a quiet mind and a moving body? An overactive mind thinking negative thoughts is the root of our stress and addictions.

 

 

But What Can I Do?

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At first, he was a reluctant civil rights leader.

He had (very legitimate) fears: personal safety, the safety of his family…

But he served anyway.

It only took one person to lead a nation and provide inspiration for decades thereafter.

But what can I do? You might ask.

When you hear hate, speak up.

When you see injustice, take action.

When it’s election time, vote.

Thank you, Martin Luther King, Jr., for your leadership.*

*from Light Watkins

 

So Diverse!

 

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I looked up images of plankton for drawing and then I read about them. I learned that they are classified not by taxonomy (as so many other animals are), but by ecological niche! There are numerous types of plankton – both microscopic as well as macro.

I decided to use acrylic paint for the “luminescent” factor. I have much to learn about using this type of paint. I’m taking a Lisa Congdon class on watercolors/gauche through Creativebug.com (“The Daily Painting Challenge”). It was $10 for 30 mini lessons on pattern-making: a great deal!

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First Four Days of The Daily Painting Challenge

Not sure where I’m going with this art, but I am enjoying the process.

 

 

Ears Are Challenging

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I’ve graduated from Lisa Congdon’s Book of 20 Ways to Draw Everything (with drawings to emulate) to 642 Things to Draw  which offers empty boxes with an object name (Eloise Leigh, Chronicle Books).

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Drawing Remains My Meditation

Much of the time, however, I need to look up the image on my phone or laptop because I can’t conjure the image well enough to draw on my own.

Baby steps.

By the way, did you know there is an art museum named “Van Gogh’s Ear” in Prescott, AZ? I’ll have to check it out next time I’m there.