Aravaipa Canyon Love Letter

Oh, my darlings, I have so much to share with you! My computer is full of photos, from my last bookbinding class, to the amazing results of the mixed-media portrait class I taught at my first retreat....but for today, for the magic of 12-12-12, I thought I'd share the magic of Aravaipa Canyon, where the retreat was held. It's a magical land where no cell phones, iPads, or internet work, and you're forced to take pause and really connect with the others around you, as well as yourself. 

The ranch is reached by driving along a dirt road, mostly one-lane, up and around the mountains of the range. I was so glad to own a 4-wheel drive vehicle!

This was taken on the way out, but can you see the other side of the road? *laughs* I was cackling and giggling with joy when I drove through the creek to reach the ranch, and then again on the way out. The road's to the left, after you drive through. (I had to back up and speed up after I took this photo, as my passenger reminded me I needed speed to get through the foot-to-foot-and-a-half deep creek!)

There is a forest out there, up and down the mountains, where I swear, faeries dance with the spirits of native americans still dwelling in the forests and mountains of their people. 

Can you imagine them, here, on these mushrooms growing from the side of a tree?

Spinning webs around these dormant branches? 

There's a stone labyrinth out there, that takes longer than you think to get around, with a little alter in the center. I was reminded that these circular labyrinths used to represent the womb of a woman, back in ancient times, and all her creative potential. How we have to navigate through the twists and turns of life in order to create. 

In a place like this, how could I not take pause and go Still? I'd found autumn at last!

And then, I'd look up, and be reminded that we were in the middle of a desert. Those mesas and saguaro, so ancient - did you know they don't get their first arm until they're 100 years old? 

We hiked through the woods and suddenly, came out upon this beautiful vista, this part of the creek where the banks were covered in long grass, where the breeze was gentle and the trees swayed and rained down leaves on us as we lay down for a little nap... (This is my favorite shot; who would have thought I'd be taking photos like this when I started playing a couple years ago?)

It was as if the creek made space for all of us, letting us rest. The water was cool and clear, and I splashed in it, watching the droplets reflect the midday sunlight like snowflakes or glitter falling to earth. 

Our view. I suddenly was in love with Arizona.

I felt full of magic. 

I then went back, back to the world, and gathered up that magic to spread to my students, encouraging them to draw and paint and find the same joy I do in moving around paint and pencils and marks. I'll share all that tomorrow. For today, reflect on Stillness, on Wishes and Dream and Imagination. On Magic in your life, in Deep Play, in Calm.

Meanwhile, elsewhere:

I'm curating this week on Crescendoh, sharing a new Art Saves story about how art got me through panic attacks and changes after my concussion, and sharing my favorite links on the web. 

Check me out on this week's podcast of Adventures in Arting with Julie Balzer! I'm interviewed with my dear friend Roben-Marie. 

New (smartphone) Photography Discoveries & More!

I was going to post the Q&A video today and this post tomorrow, but I’m a bit tired and wanting to curl up with my Smash book, so the Q&A is going up tomorrow and this tonight. Which means things may be confusing for one line or two in the vid, but if that’s the only odd thing, we’ll all be lucky. When I’m not bouncy excited, I’m weird-humor even-keel, and living a life on camera, well…welcome to me!

Ever since Becca got an iPhone, I’ve been a green-eyed monster, especially when she whips the thing out to show me her most-recent Instagram pics. In fact, while we were hanging out last night, we spent half the time with our noses in our phones, playing around with pictures! It’s quite addicting, and even though I have Mad Skills on teh Photoshop, I love the different filters and textures available in all these camera apps. And before you ask, no, I don’t have an iPhone (to my eternal sadness. Actually, the phone I have is marvelous, especially since I bought it for $200 on eBay. What I don’t like is that I have a 4G phone, pay for 4G service, yet live in a city without 4G service. Oh, Sprint. You piss me off for the tune of $120 a year…). 

All of these photos were taken with Vignette, which is very, very worth the cost for the paid version. I love it to pieces! 

I processed them in either Magic Hour — another paid program that I just purchased this morning and adore — or GO Photo, which is free and goes with GO Launcher, which is a ton of fun, if you have the time/inclination to personalize your Android. 

But that’s it. Lots of playing around and clicking and adjusting. The knowledge I have from Photoshop actually helped make things easier (for example, Magic Hour allows you to adjust the Curves, which I only know how to do because of playing in Photoshop since I was 13), but it’s so user-friendly, you can get started with no experience at all!

But let’s not make this whole post techny! I carved those stamps from craft foam with my new wood burning tool (thank you, 50% off Michael’s coupon!) and it really is like cutting through butter! I messed up on one, but then got the hang of it really fast and it was like drawing, except then I could make block prints with ‘em! The foam was $1 and I still have over half a sheet left, and can’t wait to make more. Oh, why was I intimidated in the first place?

Except for the fumes. OH, the fumes. Really. I was sitting in front of a window under a fan at high speed and have learned that I need to dig a mask out of my garage or else I’ll get sinus headaches very easily. Or I could go outside and work on ‘em. Either one — trust me, darlings, the warnings are in the books for reasons. And this is one of them. Even when I was working with wood, I needed to take a step back for a bit and relax. Then again, I have a tendency to lean over my work when I get into the details (which isn’t good when your back dislikes you most days!), but still. Better safe than sorry!

We also wrote on tissue paper with Copics to layer, but didn’t know that the markers would leak through the tissue and stain the table, so that’s a reason to have a black craft table (I honestly had no idea as I bought my desk in black for this very reason). 

And I found out that GAC 100 is so super awesome, I’ve got to play with it some more to see what else it can do.

Most of these are close-up shots of backgrounds I have yet to work over. I have a few awesome pages in the works -- why can't I post everything all at once by visiting you all and gushing over art?

[how to] Doodle Your Own Bias Tape

 

A few shots I snapped while working on tonight’s issue of Journaling Deep. 

Sometimes, I catch a shot on the digital display while setting one up for something else, and can’t help but snap a picture. I may not be the best photographer, but I’ve learned to enjoy taking pictures around my studio. Maybe it’s because I’m hoping to catch Process in action, much like trying to catch a ghost on film. 

I haven’t found it yet.

 

Here’s a freebee lesson from tonight’s Journaling Deep:

Making an art quilt? Instead of searching for the perfect color binding or fabric to turn into bias tape, why not grab a few packages of white and create your own?

 

I took Copic markers in colors that matched the fabrics in my art quilt and scribbled along the binding. All the feelings and emotions that were in the quilt were written out in big, loopy letters I overlapped. Doodles were added in here and there.  

 

And you don’t have to use this only for art quilts; cut off a bit to edge a journal page, or glue it down in a college. Edge a canvas you’ve painted on. There are so many uses, and it’s definitely one of a kind!

This week’s issue of Journaling Deep is all about dying and scribbling on fabric to create fun, colorful embellishments for your journal pages & more! 

Smashing!

Yes, I did it. 

I bought a Smash book. 

It happened a little like this: 

“I really can’t stop thinking about those Smash books,” I said. 

“They look really cool,” Becca replied. 

“But I can’t really justify getting one, even with my coupon.” 

“I was thinking of using them with my photos.”

“Yes! We can have an easy journal devoted to our Project 365 photos! And can keep each other in line!” 

*Zooms to Michaels*

Paraphrased, of course. I think my fever’s finally broken, but it’s done this before, so I’m still under blankets, warm, and taking medicine. I’m quite loopy, too. And may be making poor decisions like designing a tattoo in Gallifreyan for my right wrist (I feel lopsided, with only one inside my left wrist). 

Right. The Smash book. 

I decided that, with the coupon, it was worth it to grab something easy to put my photos in. Right now, I’m posting nearly daily on my Tumblr (not really for the past two days, as there is surprisingly little to photograph when you’ve spent three days in a recliner watching TV and doodling in a Moleskine journal) and printing them every four days or so to Smash ‘em in the journal. The fact that my phone takes amazing pictures and I can post directly to Tumblr ensures that I'll never lose any of the pics, and will always have a place to find them all from any computer.

And it’s nice. I don’t intend to make it as artistic or painted as my art journal, or to do a ton of work in it. That’s not what it’s for. Instead, this journal is simply photographs. Taped down, with a little bit about what happened that day, where the photo was taken, etc. I already have several creative journals going, so working in the Smash book is relaxing. No backgrounds to make, or paint to get out. And that’s the magic of it, I think. I was chatting about this with Christen and realized the easy, slightly-less-spontanious nature where the photographs speak for themselves is perfect. Don’t want ‘em overshadowed by everything else.

(Here's a tip: You can connect your smartphone via Bluetooth to a CVS photo kiosk and print 'em instantly from there; I did this in Oklahoma City when I visited Deina and the photos come out perfectly!) 

Think how cool it’ll be to look through it come December 2012.

{a photo trip to Sweet Salvage}

My carpel tunnel is acting up like crazy, and typing with a brace on is difficult, so why don't you wander with me through Sweet Salvage on 7th Ave? 

{the rhythm of the mountain}

A few weeks ago, my father and brother piled me in the car for a trip to South Mountain. It stands at the southern border of Phoenix proper, a long mountain in the valley that boast cell phone and broadcast towers. I'd wanted to visit since first arriving out here, but never found anyone to go with. 

We climbed high, huffing and puffing, as my brother - 20 years old and full of energy - disappeared from view over the summit of the smaller mound we were climbing. At the top, I could see across all of Phoenix, over to the mountains on the other side, the crescent shape they create, almost cradling the city. 

A bet was made - my brother headed to climb even higher as my father and I camped out on a rock jutting over the edge, the flat, even surface making for a perfect seat. While we waited, munching on trail mix, I wandered off to create a rock tower. 

I don't know why I did it. Actually, I do. I've seen these on blogs over the years, the posts all spiritual and amazing, and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. What does piling rocks have to do with anything? Why do it at all? I felt like a child building a sand castle while a bully watched -- would someone knock it down? Why make it if it wouldn't even be noticed? 

Here's the thing they don't tell you -- finding the rocks is the best part. Scattered across the top of the smaller mountain were rocks of all sizes and colors, some more precariously placed that others. I went along trying to find the right size and shape to build the next level -- would this be flat enough to hold another above it? Or would it cause the whole thing to fall over? 

And up there, atop a mountain, there's no sound but the rush of a gentle breeze. It's absolute peace. The longer I searched for rocks, the clearer my mind became. I was focused on my task. And when I finished, I sat on the ground and looked at it, thinking will someone else see this? 

That's the point, I think. That someone else will walk up this mountain and see, among the nature-scattered shapes and plants and flowers, a little bit of connection to someone else. Manmade, yes, but not in the sense we usually think of -- this wasn't a human structure, an architectural monument to all we can create. It was simply rocks, built to honor a Higher Power, to show someone they are not alone in the world, that there are others out there even when the terrain is bleak and bleaching your very bones. 

I found myself swaying to the rhythm of the mountain, reconnecting with nature, with myself, with the Divine. I sat and let myself not think before watching my brother become a dot atop a higher peak. I may not be able to make it up that high, but I can sit lower and appreciate the beauty around me and reassure those passing me on the path that imperfection is not only okay, it's the point. 

{it's time to start investing in yourself just as you invest in the outside world}

It is sunny and warm here, today.

I have projects to work on, but my body has decided it'd like to continue its vacation, and has lorded a wave of exhaustion over me.

And I want to fight the flow.

"I have videos to film and finish!" I say.

"But you haven't worked on your painting. Or blogged much. Or made a tangled mess in your journal!" my body responds. "Sit down and rest and do these things instead."

"But deadlines!" I sputter.

"You will reach them. You need to relax, darling. Take it easy. Stop pushing so hard."

I understand the wisdom in those words -- how can I not, if I was the one to speak them? -- yet want to push further, do more. Stay up late painting and spend hours on end creating. I want to be normal. Healthy and able to sleep only four hours a night so I have more time to create. I want to bring all my ideas into the world and do it now. 

How can we do it, though? All of us, collectively. How do we carve out this time so we don't have to live in our heads anymore? Surround ourselves with the very things our minds have dreamed up? 

We get up.

Stand, right now, and find your journal, canvas, beads, or threads. Hold them in your hands, slide your fingers over them. Close your eyes. Let the texture transport you. Imagine all you can create with them, all that's inside, bursting to get out. Take five minutes and show your supplies a little love! You can do that, can't you? Even in your cube at work, or just before dinner is finished, or between children running -- you can take five minutes and do something, anything.

The goal is not to finish, but to get started.

Because once you start something, the universe comes to help. It's like contributing to your retirement account -- you put in 5 minutes, and the universe will match that. And it just keeps growing and growing.

I recently decided I'm going to put $10 a month into a retirement account. Invest it. Let it go and grow. Why can't we, as grown-ups, see that our souls need the same type of care? All the money in the world won't satisfy you in the same way as a happy soul.

Invest 5 minutes today. And tomorrow. And soon, you'll notice you can do 10 minutes without the world falling on your head. Then 20. Then, who knows? The universe loves you and may add more -- you give it 5, it'll give 10. Give it 10, you'll get 20.

Small steps. You can do it.

I believe in you. Remember that, when you're creating. I believe in you and your talent and your creative soul. I give you the gift of validation -- what you're doing is not a waste of time, or silly, or ugly. It is a beautiful singing song that floats into the sky and makes birds smile.

{come with me on a walk in the desert...}

Take today, while I walked in the warm sunshine...

I have never considered myself good at taking photos! But sometimes, you just have to do things for the hell of it and who cares if you do it perfect or right? Capture the beauty around you however you can!

And here's my new hair color, for those who were curious!

{a letter to whispering trees}

A few days ago on Twitter, Kerri and I were chatting about talking trees. How they sway in the wind, fluttering leaves rustling together to create nature's wind chime. My mother, in fact, used to set me under trees as a baby, the leaves a perfect mobile. Our conversation got me thinking about how, in a few weeks, I'll be leaving Chicago to move across the country to Phoenix, and how the trees I love so dearly will be left behind. Kerri's suggestion was to take pictures of my favorite trees to take with on the move.

I thought about that, about all the things I'm leaving behind, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well right now in my life. My art is going through a change, a passage that seems so important yet scary at the same time, I often don't know what to do but keep moving forward. When reading last night, this passage from one of my favorite books, 'Dance of the Dissident Daughter' really resonated with me. Sue Monk Kidd writes:

The only way I have ever understood, broken free, emerged, healed, forgiven, flourished, and grown powerful is by asking the hardest questions and then living the answers through opening up to my own terror and transmuting it into creativity. I have gotten nowhere by retreating into hand-me-down sureties or resisting the tensions that truth ignited.

I thought, Isn't this what I'm going through? Passing through my own truths -- about life, family, art, love, attachment -- and coming out the other side with more heartfelt, expressive art? The pieces I've been doing lately, on loose pieces of canvas, have become some of the most earnest pieces I've ever done; in fact, the one I constructed last night brought tears to my eyes as I finished stitching on it.

Wanting to be near the trees and grass and earth beneath my feet, I grabbed my journal, camera, and book and ventured outside. I wrote those passages that really mean something to me in my journal, bringing in this bit of twig -- it was there, right where I decided to sit, as though it was always supposed to be with me.

But after taking photos for awhile, I realized no picture could do these trees true justice. So I switched settings over and began to film, the lyrics, "Don't let this fading summer pass you by," hitting me so hard as I wrote my little letter, I cry every time I watch this. This is art-as-film, not a tutorial or vlog, but me expressing myself as best I possibly can as the sun sets behind me and another day begins to end.

{inside the red suitcase}

With the studio being packed up, many of my supplies are now stored here, inside a vintage red suitcase of unknown origins. It sits alongside my papers and a tool-box of paint and such. I love opening it, looking at the wonders inside. I could get used to working out of such a thing. Plus, it's portable and ready for anything!

Click on the images to go to Flickr, where I've put notes on the photos to tell you what's inside!

{a saturday in pictures: second saturday arts on the avenue, kenosha, wi}

{traveling through farmland}

Between here and there, the land is flat.

The stretch dotted by broken fences and falling barns, wood naked from years unkempt in the rain bowing under the weight of roofs missing shingles. They fall, heavy animals no longer able to go on, their desolation somehow graceful.

And hope comes down the slope of a slight hill, a silo reaching for the cloudless sky. There are still small farms here, children playing out in the front yard when school's out of session.

But these sights can't keep my attention for long. I spill open my bag.

The road is surprisingly smooth for being a narrow two-lane snake of state highway, but I'd left my scissors at home, afraid they'd be taken away if my bag was searched. It remained in the car, intention taken by reality. The scraps are in there somewhere, too complicated for the mindless entertainment I require.

I feel like a reporter, chronicling every move. The visit. The ride. A stop at Sonic (my first; defiantly journal-worthy). What I see out the window, flying by as I head for home.

There is magic out here. A peace and simplicity my heart enjoys, but would soon bore of. I am a city mouse, needing dirty sidewalks, hole-in-the-wall coffee shops, three-story used bookstores with aisles so narrow, my shoulders brush spines on each side. I travel alone but am never lonely; conversation with strangers has always been easy for me, and I collect the stories like they're precious stones.

Out here, there are only phone lines dipping between poles, wide, waking fields, silos and chipped equipment. Beauty and amazement stretching far and wide, missed only as my attention returns to the journal, to the doodles and words and colors I apply.

The car drives closer to home.

{soldering surprises}

Oh, I've been a tease! I keep talking about my soldering projects, and then never share pictures of any of them.

When I started soldering, it was for me. I find it relaxing and exciting, and usually have a new pendant to wear to work every day. And, being a Creative Girl, I'd show off the newest ones to the co-workers who'd care. But now it's become a Thing. I have a few regulars who ask to see my pendants, and even have a co-worker who wants me to make a set for her and her daughters!

Just proof that creative energy, when it comes from a place of love, can be very powerful!

I've had people telling me I should sell them, create more, even given me ideas! My mindset, however, has been that I'll make as many as I want for me and sell some only after I've made a bunch. My technique isn't perfect (though I'm a perfectionist, so that isn't saying much!), but I've limited myself to one a day so I can spend quality time on them without neglecting other aspects of my life.

Today's marks the beginning of something new. I have a few pieces of vintage costume jewelry, and have never been the kind to preserve things, so a few pieces from a vintage necklace made their way onto this new soldered square. It is also the first time I've used a copy of a piece of artwork of mine. I want to put my paintings and such in them, now!

This has become very addicting and enjoyable. I find myself wanting to shop for beads. Since I've learned how to do basic wire jewelry (I took a class awhile ago), I can combine the two to create some stunning pieces.

But I'm not neglecting my box! I've got half of a first draft of an article done and have been outlining The Book (as it will be called from here on in) in my journal. Which has become more of a sketchbook than finished, intended pages. Lots of playing and drawing and experimenting with colors going on here! And, of course, on the cover. Because sometimes, you don't have time to open it before the doodling urge overcomes you.

And! I'm teaching a workshop soon! Just have to email the details (tonight, Jami!). I've been planning and scheming and gathering supplies for this journal-making and backgrounds workshop! If only you all could be there....we'd have such fun!

Here are some photos from outside the jail yesterday. Brother is home and seems to be doing well. *G* I, unfortunatly, must be off to serve coffee. Hopefully, this burst of creative energy and getting things done will continue! Pokes to get me back on track are welcome!

{day 50: zine changes, journal #6, & everyday magic}

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="playing with sumi-e ink on layered pages"][/caption]

Days have been spent working in my journal. Being bound the Easy-Peasy way, I have 2 clear "section" where the gap stands between signatures: one is for beautiful art, paint, and flowing ink; the other, for words. For ages, I've written that I want to write more, and even made it one of my new year's goals. Lately, the words have begun to flow from me just as easily as paint and ideas. I have new faith in myself and my path. Fatigue and problems and drama had me doubting myself, questioning if art and journaling would simply be a hobby, or if it would grow to something more.

I think it is. Always growing, my seed has become a tiny sapling.

Changes @ Page by Page

I'd like to announce the addition of the wonderful and amazingly-knowlegeable Dawn Sokol as my co-pilot on the adventure of Page by Page. This came after some deep contimplation on my part and a moment of sarendipity when we realized we both wanted to do the same things.

Partnering with her will help keep me on-target and allow us to publish more than one issue a year! The outlines are already in place: please let us know if you have any suggestions or would like to submit something -- this is truely a community effort.

Journal #6

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="381" caption="the new journal's cover page"][/caption]

Odd thing is, there is no journal #5!

I thought this was #6 of the completed journals, but found out later it isn't. Oh, well! I created this one the Easy-Peasy way, not wanting to take the time to do a proper hardcover binding -- I wanted a new journal to work in right away! Call me impatient, but this is a great step for me, as I used to fret if there were any imperfection in my work and journals. Yes, the signatures are a bit loose, and the cover paper is peeling off, and the paper's all different sizes, but I adore it for it's imperfections. Celebrate the things that make you uneasy -- they are blessings in disguise. Rather than write here about the major changes in my life, here are the journal pages dealing with them. Click for larger versions @flickr.

Everyday Magic

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="bare feet, twirling skirt, and my new magic wand"][/caption] I think my father thought me mad when I squeeled in delight and rushed to grab this magic wand. Grinning, I asked him which I should get, and he chose this one -- blue and sparkly. Nothing like a 25 year old woman (as of Tuesday -- I can't wait for cake!) bouncing up and down because of a cheap wand. But I realized I need more magic in my life. So many moments of sarendipity have happened in the last week that I can't help but see magic everywhere.

Serendipity is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely.

I use this word because I don't believe in coincidences, I believe in Fate. And isn't it just a beautiful word? Try saying it to yourself a few times over. Serendipity. Serendipity. Serendipity. I felt more alive, creative, and artful dancing around my studio with my new wand by candlelight than I have in the last few days of repetitive-feeling journal pages. Try doing something completly different, outside your normal experiance, in order to find your hidden creativity.

More to come...

I know I said this before, but I have more up my sleeve. I've begun writing a series of essays, or "chapters," on some new things I've discovered that has reinvigorated my creative life and journaling experiance. And since it's already written, I can say you won't be waiting 16 days for the next post from me!

Until next time, remember, you are loved and perfect exactly how you are. And I give you permission to:

a prairie adventure

We aren't called the Prairie State for nothing.

Today, I went on an adventure.

It's been awhile since I last went into nature, last glanced upon the natural beauty of this world without a windshield in the way. With the weather finally warm, I decided to grab my camera and hike through the woods and prairie near my home in northern Illinois.

I've missed it so! The sky was no longer cluttered with dark clouds, with overcast skies bringing doom and gloom. While I brought my journal with, I found using photos to document how I was feeling was much more exciting. Unknown. I adore taking pictures but have never considered myself very good at it!

So, my thoughts dictated where my camera was pointed. The woods, no longer viewed with an objective eye -- a tree is a tree, a path was a path --  trees clanking together became natural wind chimes. Paths winding from view were metaphors for my life at the moment, as were the splits in the paths. Bridges were faith, the hand of Goddess helping me along the way. Those thoughts clouding my mind the most became crystal clear on a digital display.

Consider the detour, the path off the beaten track. Only a few venture down here, and yet, I found the best mirror for my life on this tiny trail. Gone was the gravel of the way taken by many; wood chips gave way to wild forest instead of manicured grass meant for four-legged companions. And farther down, several wooden "bridges" helped one over the craggy marsh-like depressions of drying river fingers. A wetland and wood living together. Faith. Faith will help you cross the rough patches with grace and ease.

You just need to take the first step. It is the hardest.

After 1.8 miles, a length I haven't hiked in many, many years (bad hip, knees, feet, ankles....), I lay on the grass and took a break.

Remember: you ARE one with all. Springy like the grass. Light like the wind. Wild like the weeds. Need energy? Bounce on tall grasses, pet a dog, smile at the wonderful symphony of frogs. Get out there. Walk. It clears your head, refills the well, helps you along.

Tomorrow, I plan to journal my hike. Stay tuned!