The Holidays always seem to approach on the sly...  We KNOW what month it is, we KNOW, September brings about the return of the school chores and goals (although some of our students start in August), and we KNOW that October brings us the hustle and bustle of either buying or making costumes for children, friends, family, and ourselves.  Oh yes, then there's the candy to purchase (because none of us want scrambled eggs on the front of our house or cars) and we smile as our doors open to the the brightly colored and imaginatively dressed youngsters screaming "Trick or Treat"!  But as we turn the page of our calendar it seems that we are always "Blind Sided" by the coming of Thanksgiving in November and tremble in our shoes at the first days of December, anticipating what we will have to, eventually, endure at the end of the month.  Decorations, music, entertaining, gift buying, wrapping, shipping, meal planning, it's enough to make you weak in the knees and "down for the count"!  Do we continue with a scotch or spiked eggnog in our hand?  Do we roll along the days with a smile and a whistle, hiding our inevitable fears? Or should we take the approach during this time that "No Holiday will Spoil the Quality Time With Our Families"!?

I believe that we all try to prepare earlier in the year or at least have given into that thought.  I USED to buy my gifts for family and friends well in advance.  As soon as I knew what my precious little ones (at the time) wanted, I went on the hunt for a sale for just that product.  My Twin Doll, T-Rexasaurus, Ninja Turtle Action Sets, Ballerina Shoes and Tiara, you name it I had it!  The only problem was that by the time I was ready to pack these beautiful gift morsels I had forgotten what I purchased and where I hid them!  Oh Dilemma!!!  Realizing, now, that only a week or two separated my current state of diminishing euphoria and total devastation, I had to plow my way through the sea of people, politely of course, and embark upon the adventure of "Getting into the Spirit" and getting out the charge card.  

Emerging from the shopping center, bright lights flooding the parking lot and diminishing as I reached the outer edges to the street parking, I (as I am sure many of us) was exhausted but  satisfied with the knowledge that my children would be happy.  With not much more than moths flying from my purse and my last ten dollar bill, the bright light of a Starbucks filled my head with the thought that "Yes, I did it! I survived and won yet another Christmas Shopping Season!"  I victoriously sauntered into the inviting coffee cafe for my reward and ordered my triple shot, grande, soy 

It just absolutely boggles my mind that in this day and age people can be so naive!  

I had the opportunity to do some traveling to New York a couple of months ago.  I had a great time with friends and family.  Everyone was sharp and knowledgeable about what was going on in the world.  Then my trip came to an end and I had to fly home.

I went through security, just like everyone else - jacket off, computers out of the bag and into a tray, shoes off and in a tray, small liquids housed in a quart sized zip lock bag out of its place in my carry on and into a tray, scarf off and in the tray with my shoes, carry on bags on the belt...  watching it go into the scanner I was on my way through the metal detector.  No buzzes, no beeps, no pat-down, no x-ray, clean and simple.  Everyone else on the medium length line knew the drill and proceeded in the same manner.  Then the mad rush to get shoes, scarf, bags, computers, etc. back in the carry on luggage and making sure I didn't forget anything on the bench I wandered out of the Security area and into the shops so neatly placed between me and my gate.  Finally I decided I would find a seat at the gate and wait for the flight to begin boarding.  Neat and simple, nothing to write home about, nothing exciting, nothing out of the ordinary.  Until some woman comes along and is clearly not accustomed to flying.  She looked a bit anxious and didn't quite know what to do with her food and bag.  

Shortly before we were about to board she asks me to watch her luggage until she went to the bathroom.  I said "No, I can't watch your luggage".  Now clearly, in this day and age where there are so many drug dealers, terrorists, dishonest people in the world how could anyone even consider asking anyone that question.  She got up in a huff, and was clearly annoyed with my answer.  I should also state that I was the only blonde haired, blue eyed woman in the area - did I look like an easy target?  She stood up, looked at me, and in her agitation asked, "Let me ask you something, are you from New York?"  Then she went on to say how she travels for business all the time and she "Never had this happen before".  I say that is a whole lot of horse manure!  Seasoned travelers, especially business travelers know better than to pack so heavily and to even think of asking someone to watch their bags - No, I don't think so!

It boggles my mind, that in this day and age people are not more aware of protocol of asking people to watch things and thank goodness that I was not that "Air-Head Blonde" that said in a high-pitched "Barbiesque" voice "Oh sure thing!" for which, in my opinion, she was hoping.  This is the perfect example in life where you need to "Just Say NO!"
(Thanks Nancy Reagan).

Today is September 11, 2011 ten years after the unbelievable attack on our country from within our borders.  The heartbreak of all those remembered, their families, friends, I cannot imagine what it would be like to talk to someone you love as you both know they are going to die shortly.  Those of us that say that we would want to know when we will die, so we can do all the things we want before hand, have no clue.  Knowing when does not mean you will have time to do anything, just look at the people in the planes ten (10) years ago.

Our nation pulled through, as individuals and as a whole.  New Yorkers shocked the states by showing how much they cared for each other.  Today I found out that that dark day in New York saw strangers hugging and consoling each other - strangers caring for strangers.   People being human, filled with compassion for others, God working among us.  I have always said, from the beginning, how the "Hand of God" was at work.  While the terrorists expected and wanted to create a domino effect in downtown New York causing millions of deaths, the buildings imploded causing many less deaths.  

Ignorance is potentially the reason wars start and hatred grows.  We need to start the change.  Take a moment to learn about another country and culture,  religion, language; We as Americans need to be more understanding, tolerant, and knowledgeable about the world around us.  The United States of America is not an island, Yes I am very proud of our flag and what it represents: Truth, Loyalty, and Courage even though we don't always agree with what our officials end up deciding, we have the RIGHT to disagree freely!  Promising to be loyal to the country that allows diversity and freedom is not difficult for me and I strongly believe in the following (with a more modern understanding of the Pledge):

Pledge of Allegiance
(Promise of Loyalty)

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America   
(I Promise to be loyal to the beliefs that the Flag of the United States of America represents)
and To the Republic for which it stands
(and also to the government for which the Flag also represents)
One nation
(One body of people under the same government)
Under God
(understanding that there is a "higher authority")
Indivisible 
(One unit, not divided)
for Liberty and Justice for All!
(for the freedom and fairness for everyone)!

As everyone has started school, or is just about to start classes I will give you one piece of advice.  I am an artist, consultant, business woman, tutor, and so much more and have seen lots of people get tired of their activities very early in the year, you know "burn out".  My advice is to do the opposite of whatever it is that you do normally - at least one day a month!

If you are stuck in the office during the week, make a plan to camp somewhere outside your area, or go on a one day hike (if camping is not your thing) but remember to focus on the smallest of creatures and plants that nature has provided.  Don't just see the forest, a massive green block, see the individual trees that make the forest a monochromatic design, with its nuances in each pine or leaf or even the petals that grow on vines intertwined, hugging each tree, or is it suffocating?  Anyway - take a moment to do something different and notice what you simply take for granted.

On the other hand, if you are outdoors all the time, join in some social interaction indoors!  Go to Karaoke, if you are "into rock" (music - that is), try country, if you are into scary movies, try something on a different level - soft and sweet - the trick is to mix it up.  I find that usually I am by myself when I venture out to the movies, but the best way to see a movie is to go with a group of friends (not too many) - and afterwards go get some coffee or whatever and discuss it... it's kinda like a book club, but with a movie instead! Of course if you're like me, after I see a movie I just text everyone and give them my "thumbs up / thumbs down" review, whether anyone asks for my opinion or not. haha...

Enjoy life to its fullest - whether you are alone or with someone special.  Make it work for you - "Alone" is not necessarily Lonely... there is so much to do in life - your adventure is just a moment away! Creativity is the key, go for a drive, take your camera, you'll be amazed at what you can find and do!!!

Let me know what adventure you decided to take... have fun!

Although I am in awe of artists that can copy reality like a camera,  amazed and astounded by their ability to paint reality, I am perplexed at the same time.  If I really thought about it, I have a many excellent cameras, so if I wanted to have a realistic bowl of fruit in a crystal dish - I, myself, could manufacture that with my digital or film camera.  This is not to say that the technique of realism is without worth - It is AMAZING how a person can do that! However, without an imagination, you really don't have art, you have a human copy "machine".  My definition of Art has always been:  "The tangible evidence of one's imagination", Imagination being the operative word.  Art is an illusion, a distortion, a magnifier, an eraser - it is whatever you think it is - at the time; nevertheless - without the artist's interpretation why bother in its creation?  At least that is what I believe at the moment.  Truly, I wish I COULD paint realism so perfectly that it went beyond real... hmmm... Surreal!? I guess that has already been done.

Imagination in any case does not stand alone it has a playmate - technique.  Technique allows the artist to explore new and exciting ways to produce the ordinary more plainly or elaborately, but certainly technique allows manipulation of a subject, the way artists want it to affect their audience. There are so many types of art media today, and more being created every moment that to come up with something new is almost impossible, however (oh there's that word again)... one can always use the media in different ways and styles!   Drawings can be achieved in a multitude of media, not just graphite.  Look at the Cave Paintings of Lascaux -not only were these drawings created without the use of our modern pencils or computer drawing tablets, but color was incorporated without the use of digital media or paintbrushes or paint as we know it today.   If you are new to the art-world give yourself the opportunity to try something different... Instead of using a pencil, use a marker or a wax pencil (watercolor pencil), crayon, or ballpoint pen - or merely (and literally) scratch the surface (like watercolor paper, wood, plexiglass,or something you just "happen to find")  before using color.  If you normally use a paintbrush, what about trying a feather or a leaf or a small cluster of leaves, or go back in time (so to speak) and use your fingers, elbows, toes, etc! Experimentation is the key to finding your niche, the key to finding a technique that sparks recognition of its creator (ummm... that would be you). Copying works of art is a great way to learn techniques and styles from other artists, but remember that it is necessary to develop one's own style perhaps by making another's technique work for you, in a different way.  It is similar to musicians and singers that make popular or standard music "their own".  

Nate Pruitt, an incredible vocalist and my voice Professor in college, always said (as we sang to "canned" music) "Make it your own".  Really, if you can make something as inflexible as pre-recorded music "your own" you can make ANYTHING work for you!  

So budding artists out there...  It's great to copy a technique for the purpose of learning, but then put your very own, special twist on it to ruly make it truly Your Own, Recognized, Original Artwork.

I sincerely wish everyone an exciting and fun filled experience with art!

Art, as I have always defined it is,  "The tangible evidence of one's imagination".  Not unlike a Sci-fi movie (or Syfy channel) it is like having the ability to glimpse into the the inner most thoughts and emotions of a person.  Clearly, this is unlike anything that a surgeon could possibly accomplish, no matter how skillful the blade.  These are thoughts, emotions, desires, and the exploration into the unknown that only the individual artist can elicit.  As we are like snowflakes, different from each other, no two artists' imaginations are exactly alike, but each artist, if they are true to themselves puts their soul, out into the world for all to see.  

Artwork should allow one to "fall into one's own thoughts", perhaps triggered by but not limited to a photograph or drawing.  Performing arts can also create a path to a journey that only the dancer,choreographer, composer, vocalist, or musician can enhance. Art is a place to find a conversation starter, perhaps at times controversial, and for practical purposes - it is where one comes to know the artists' elation that their artwork has been accepted into a gallery or catalog or some place for all to see.   

Of course, as an artist it is not the request that determines the art, but the inspiration from all that surrounds the artist and that is compelled to be created.  


I look forward to your comments,  your requests, and the knowledge that you have "stopped by" this oasis of art.