Connection, Wholeheartedness, Vulnerability, and Authenticity

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Dreamkat

This is the best talk I’ve seen in a long time. These are the things that matter most to me – connection with others (and self and the Divine), wholeheartedness, vulnerability, and of course authenticity. Brene Brown says that shame, fear, and the inability to be vulnerable blocks our authenticity, wholeheartedness and connection. I can see how so many times I have been there…I’m really good at shame and fear…and not being able to be vulnerable with others cuz I might get hurt or something. I need more practice of wholeheartedness, vulnerability, connection…or have them surgically implanted!

I wholeheartedly hope you watch this…it will make you wince, nod, smile, and maybe cry a little bit. It’s that good.

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Dreaming and creating Spirit Windows

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Dreamkat

I have been creating in ceramic clay for awhile and I’ve mostly made small sculpture and wall pieces. Most are dream-inspired. When I have a dream , I write it down and sketch images from the dream. There are dreams that I can’t get out of my mind and I end up creating a piece expressing those dreams in clay. There are other times that I just start rolling out a slab, or making coils, with no plan or design in mind, and end up making something that I like and want to keep and fire. Most of my wall pieces are like that.

My newest series is “Spirit Windows”. I had a dream recently about walking down a dark hallway with these glowing windows to my right. I sketched and journaled about them, and actually found that I had seen these before in a meditation long ago when I used to meditate daily. That’s another story. So I have created about 20 spirit windows in ceramic clay, fired some yesterday. Today I have filled the holes in 3 of the spirit windows with crushed glass, have fired them. One I kinda like…the others need more glass and firing. Here is the one I like:

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Georgia O’Keefe quote for the day

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Dreamkat

“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.” – Georgia O’Keefe

So don’t let your fear define you or your life…lovingly ask your fear to step aside, while you live your life and create with total abandon!!

Posted in Courage, Georgia O'Keefe | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A quote from Laurel Burch

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Dreamkat

“Live from the wise voice in your heart, and each day will blossom. It is good to dream! After I dream, I envision, and after I envision, I create!” – Laurel Burch

Posted in Art, Laurel Burch | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Thought for the day

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Dreamkat

Rather focusing on what could go wrong, try focusing on what could go right….if you did that what would you try? The sky is the limit isn’t it?

Posted in Courage | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Authenticity and art

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Dreamkat

I’m a part of an artist’s group on facebook and one of us shared a quote that really speaks to authenticity:

“If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don’t write, because our culture has no use for it.” -Anais Nin So…

BREATHE your love, laughter, and joy in your art. 

CRY OUT your sadness, angst, fears, and struggle as you create.
 
SING your love for your family, flowers, dogs, dreams, and peace. 

Be brave and express yourself deeply and honestly. Let it flow as you create your art.  It is easier said than done sometimes.  I have made pieces of art that made me feel very exposed and vulnerable.  So they stay home, out of sight until it feels right.  After awhile I notice that the ‘charge’ lessens over time, and then it is time to show the piece.

Posted in Art, Artists, Courage, creativity, Inspiration, Quotes | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Playing and creating

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Dreamkat

I found this quote by one of my heros, clay artist and sculptor Ruth Duckworth. In order to grow and find your voice, you gotta play play play!

“Play is the essence of creativity. Creative play and gut reaction, instinct. When I work on a piece I play. I have a whole huge section of the studio where I have an inventory of sculptural forms, simple abstract, non-specific shapes that I find beautiful and enjoy making. Then I start building these shapes together. And then I find myself smiling. I say “hello! I think I’ve got something. The process is intuitive, not intellectual. You have to learn to be spontaneous and trust yourself” ~ Ruth Duckworth

Posted in Art, creativity, Quotes | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Actualize in Intuitive Painting

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Dreamkat

I have signed up for Flora Bowley’s e-course Bloom True  and I cannot wait to start! The e-course starts on February 6th and I have been collecting art supplies for the class – paint, paintbrushes, straws, toilet and papertowel tubes, pencils, pens, corks (to make stamps), and things to add texture.   I still need to buy large canvases – I’ll do that this weekend. 

I’ve wanted to go back to painting for a long time, and after finding this e-course, I knew it was time and this is the way to do it.  Flora integrates yoga, meditation, visualization etc in her process of painting, which is a perfect fit. The focus is to connect mind, body, and spirit so that the painter can paint spontaneously and authentically. 

Interested in Flora Bowley’s paintings, e-course or other workshops?  Go to http://braveintuitiveyou.com/e-course/ .

Posted in Actualize, Art, Intuitive painting | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Actualize in cement sculpture

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Dreamkat

I have cast 4 cement birdbaths then mosaiced and hey are awfully heavy. So to save my back (and my hubby’s back), I have started shaping small and large sculptural forms in styrofoam. Then, I wrapped those styrofoam pieces in wire and fiberglass mesh, and even started to cement over the surface of one of them. I have probably 6 pieces started, but haven’t finished any of them.

I have the tall piece to finish cementing over and then mosaic for the dream art exhibit. I can see places that I need to fortify with more cement before I start to mosaic the surface. I don’t know if I will finish the others, but I will continue to carve and shape styrofoam in hopes to create a form that I want to do something with.

Posted in Actualize, Art, Dream art | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Actualize, my word for 2012

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Dreamkat

I have signed up for an inspiring online class called Ali Edwards’ One Little Word 2012 class and picked my word. It’s a word to focus on for the whole year – I’m a little ADD so finding one word to focus on for a whole year was challenging!

I really like Andy Warhol’s quote “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art”. I did some reading, journaling and thinking, and first came up with Courage, then later I realized Actualize is a better fit.  Actualize is pushing through with imagining, designing, building, creating in clay, cement sculpture, glass, mosaic, drawing (including Zentangling), acrylic painting, photography and business. I have so many ideas that I’m bursting!

So dream big…loud and clear…and create something wonderful… and always shoot for the stars!  What’s the worst that can happen?

Posted in Art, Artists in Dreamland, Courage, Dream art, Inspiration | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment