Red Hot!

In keeping with the spirit of the winter holidays, I want to continue to explore the theme of love.

Sometimes, love seems a far away feeling or ideal. Or, in the words of Bono, "an idea that almost makes sense". 

Actually, love is the only idea that makes sense. 

Love is typically used as a verb; an action word.

Love of self is a phrase that is tossed around these days, but I see very little realized self love. Instead, I see self concern, self gratification, self involvement, self absorption, selfishness, self-centric-everything-except love.

Houston, we have a big problem.

If we have not done so, let us learn self love and teach our children, family and friends the same by example. 

Instead of seeking instant gratification via blatant commercialism and consumption to fill the void this season, what if we loved ourselves abundantly? Then, we would share that love...

Like the airlines instruct, people traveling with dependents must put their oxygen masks on first. You cannot help, save or love others without taking care of yourself first!

So many of us are slowly dying from the absence of life-sustenance - put love first on your to-do list. 

Give your love no matter what.....

My friends are so depressed
I feel the question
Of your loneliness
Confide... 'cause I'll be on your side
You know I will, you know I will

X Girlfriend called me up
Alone and desperate
On the prison phone
They want... to give her 7 years
For being sad
I love all of you
Hurt by the cold
So hard and lonely too
When you don't know yourself

My friends are so distressed
And standing on
The brink of emptiness
No words... I know of to express
This emptiness

Imagine me taught by tragedy
Release is peace
I heard a little girl
And what she said
Was something beautiful
To give... your love
No matter what 

Red Hot Chili Peppers

This post is dedicated to T. Callahan

With so much Love, Truth and Beauty....

Revolution

I have had a week that was so filled with vile spewed by so many angry, hateful  people, that I literally spent two full days physically ill from mere contact.

Let me just say that I now fully, deeply and profoundly understand the meaning of that silly television show, "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?". Believe me, the people that I encountered this week are certainly not smarter than a 5th grader. 

Pitiful. 

I could feel sorry for these people if they were not totally extracting vengeance from innocents and causing permanent damage.

I want to ask all the angry, manipulative, dishonest, hate-full people that I see in the world - what has happened to you?
Love and money - or, rather the lack of it - seems to be at the bottom of this particular debris heap.

"...when you want money
for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait"

However, it is never too late to change.

In the spirit of change, the word, 'revolution' inspires me.

Revolution, evolution, devolution, reveal, revolve...the world keeps spinning, moving.....and so must the collection of life that populates it.

Come on, People! 

Let's evolve...enough of the distortions, deceit, lies, hate, anger!

If we continue to be divided, we will certainly perish as ONE.

It is time for a revolution and it starts with one voice, one person, one step, one action.....replace anger with acceptance, hatred with love, selfishness with compassion, greed with generosity.

This revolution starts with me. I hope that you join.

You say you want a revolution
Well, you know

We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money
for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right

You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be all right

(Lennon-McCartney)

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

In Love, Truth and Beauty...

This post is dedicated to J. Geiler

Paint It Red

Day Without Art = December 1st = World Aids Day - honored by artists since 1989. 

Please make a difference today. 

Volunteer. 

Spread awareness. 

Pray. 

Remember those who have died. 

Remember those who are living. 

Remember that the suffering continues.

Love. Truth. Beauty. 

Magical Paintings in Prehistoric Caves and All Saints Day

I have studied art history since my late teens, but never found a true appreciation for the magnificent cave paintings until mid-life.

Most cave paintings that have been discovered to date, depict extremely sophisticated, timeless renderings of animal figures. Very few cave paintings feature any human elements, although there are some drawings of human hands. Subject matter includes bison, bulls, horses, aurochs and other animals. A painting in Spain, dating back to the Last Ice Age, depicts reindeer.

The varied media utilized include ochre, oxides, hematite and charcoal. At times, the rock has been chiseled to enhance the painted image, bringing a 3 dimensional element.

It is believed that the caves did not provide human habitation. Most art historians and anthropologists theorize that the paintings were created as part of a shamanic trance during a magical or religious ceremony.  It is also believed that the cave paintings served as a form of communication.

Although there have been discoveries of over 350 cave paintings, my personal favorite remains the classic at Lascaux, France. This is the painting that is studied by all beginning art historians and art students.

The earliest known cave painting dates back about 32,000 years ago, although this date is in controversy. The particular site is known as Chauvet, and was discovered in Southern France. Chauvet is of particular interest because of the numerous cave bear paw prints and relics found there.

Chauvet's paintings were incised into the cave rock, and then painted.

 

Both of the above represent images found at Chauvet. 

Somehow, it seems appropriate that I write this post on November 1 - All Saints Day.

I have crafted my own life upon a foundation in art history. As many images and pieces that I have seen, studied, researched and written about, I always find my way back to the cave paintings. They are all incredibly beautiful and as contemporary as the most sophisticated abstract visuals that I see today.

They are magical and spiritual....no need for improvement.

In Love, Truth, Beauty....

Images courtesy of Wikipedia

CASHBACK and Venus Retrograde

When I was a girl, I was undecided if I should go to art school, or study music, as I had played the piano since the age of 4.

I was ambitious, and my sole dream was to be a fashion designer. I had been writing to Schools of Design, Fashion Design, colleges and universities from the 7th grade!

I have never had any other life goal other than to be an artist. I never wanted marriage, kids, real estate, 'stuff'. I wanted to make art.

My beloved Mother, always the practical person, urged me to go to nursing school. She reasoned that I could always find employment in the health care field.

Horrified and balking, I sought the counsel of my equally-beloved, engineer, opera-devotee Father.

Here was my Father's reply: "Study and create art, as this world needs more beauty".

As I progressed in school, going on to graduate school, eventually teaching at the University level, making my way on the exhibition circuit, showing and selling my work, I was very happy and focused.

Circumstances in my life drastically changed, and I eventually became employed in a more "practical" field.

It is not easy to be self-supporting as an artist!

So, I went off to work in a completely different direction than I had ever envisioned.

I few weeks ago, just as Venus went retrograde, I watched an indie film entitled "Cashback".  I did not know what to expect, but the film delighted me with its subtle message that is communicated in a very unpretentious, but excellent  manner.

The film focuses on a young artist named Ben, who is suffering insomnia from a recent break up with his girlfriend.

Ben, who learned to appreciate beauty at a tender age, develops a technique to 'freeze time' in a way as to 'capture beauty'.

I want to illuminate that the young artist's appreciation of the beauty in this world lifted my spirits.

There is so much in this material world that feels painful to me, especially these days.

I regularly restrict the news that I watch or hear, avoid unpleasant entanglements, any ensuing drama, and generally force myself to avoid many human beings for periods of time.

I cope with the suffering and pain in life by sleeping, making art and soap, enjoying my animals, watching the birds at my feeder and tending my gardens.

I find these pastimes to be peaceful, and as close to the natural world as I can get in my urban setting.

The most enjoyable times of my life (and work) have been spent in solitude and silence.

Therefore, "Cashback" held a special lesson for me:  There is considerable beauty in the world.

Is it possible to reconcile an "overly sensitive" nature with the pain of this world by focusing on prolonging the beauty that is in everything natural?

Wish me luck.

I will probably do just fine until I have to drive the car.....and someone crosses my path.
In Love, Truth and So Much Beauty.....

7 Signs You're An Empath

7 Signs You're An Empath

So... is there a "Plan"?

Most of my adult life has been weighted in anxiety. I am a worrier....need I say more?

In retrospect, my childhood was gloriously filled with wonder, magic, make believe, the ability to see angels, spirits and a profound understanding of the reality of fairy tales. I had an unshakable sense of security which resulted in loads of self confidence and an odd reservation around other humans.

These days, I hear and read the phrase "All is as it should be", which gives me pause. 

Many times, it is only in looking back that I understand the aforementioned phrase.

Tonight, as is my custom, I routinely went outside to look after the dogs. 

The weather was cool and pleasant. 

The air was still.

I looked up and saw a crystal-clear sky with a few bright stars.

For a brief moment, I was transported back to the days of my childhood. I wondered why the stars were not falling from their celestial spots, or why I was able to stand upright on this constantly spinning rock called earth.

Why?

In that instant, I fully understood that all is indeed in Divine Order.

....and it was comforting! 

It was as comforting as I felt when my much-beloved parents were alive.

That flash was transformational.....and I have no idea why it happened or what triggered it.

But for a split second, I truly and deeply knew that "All is as it should be".

In Love, Truth and Beauty......