PROGRESS

Class Display

I wrote in an earlier post that I would catch up on all of the summer events.  By now, most of you know that Creative Meditations has moved and we are thrilled with the new space.  This picture to the left is actually from a zentangle Class that I taught in June at the Columbia Greene Community College.  Pam really did a wondeful job on the display didn't she?

Students at CGCC

The second photo is a group shot of  seven of the ten students that took the course.  Some of them have come back for further instructions.  They were a great group and we had fun.

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.  We did and we were greatful to be off the mountain and back to having things so much closer.  But mostly, I am grateful for my children and grandchildren.  May we all live well and in peace always.

GETTING SETTLED

I have been straight out since the move which makes it hard to post to my blog and website.  But......the good news is that the studio is actually taking shape and things are getting put away.  I can actually envision classes here.  Take a look.....

Gibbs seems to be settled in the studio as well.  We will be up and open by the end of the week.  This is so exciting.  We still have a ton of work to do but I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Yesssss!!!

WHAT A MOVE!!!!!

The last post that I published said that we were going to close on September 7th.  Apparently our attorney was wrong.  We finally closed on September 17th and we were ready.  Everyone who follows my blog knows that we have a camp in Tannersville.  We were there while we were waiting for the closing so when we found out that our attorney made a mistake we were pretty disappointed. 

Once we moved we were pretty sick and for the next seven + days.  It appeared that the stress we had been under for the last several years that prompted us to sell our house just caught up with us.

 It felt like we were unpacking in slow motion.  Well, we are feeling better and so I am posting pictures of the studio.  The pictures are the before.  Hopefully, I will do another post in a couple of days with the studio complete.

 I never realized how much stuff we had!  My other studio was full but it was organized.  I don't seem to have the storage that I once had.  Thank goodness we have a second building that I can put stuff in that I won't be using right away.  That allows me to get things organized a little at a time.  I know that when it is finished it is going to be awesome!

THIS IS IT!!!!!

Jay and I just got word that we are closing on our new home this week.  Yay.  Even though we love the cabin it has been getting harder and harder to be there.  My studio is packed and in storage.  Ughhhh, and I am feeling so lost.  I need my studio.  But thanks to some very special people it is really happening.  I am excited and so is Jay.

I promised to blog about some of the things that happened this summer and I will.  Right now though I need to focus on the move!!!!

Thank you everyone for your wonderful support.

EXCITING NEWS!!!!!

Well, I have so much to tell you but I don't know where to begin.  We sold our house in June, had the closing July 30th and am in the process of purchasing another home closer to, yes.....Woodstock!  Can we say holy cow???  Needless to say we are staying at the camp which has been fun yet challenging.  Most of you know that the cabin is off the grid and the cabin road is, well, a riverbed at best.  The biggest issue that I am facing however is that my  studio is in storage.  I miss my studio.  I do have my crank sewing machine when I feel the need to sew and my zentangle art with me which I do almost every morning.  I am very blessed to have family who are helping to keep us sane while we go through this transition.  There is lots more to tell but I will have to do it in another post.  Until then,....

Class with Sonya CZT

Stay tuned for Tangle off to Buffalo, a Wedding at the camp and more.

JUNE CLASS AT CGCC IN HUDSON

The first Zentangle class was held at Columbia Greene Community College on Wednesday, June 10th.  We had a wonderful time and I received feedback that was quite encouraging.  I really enjoy sharing this form of meditation and it appeared that it was well received by the group.  The group picture is the groups artwork students created.The next class at CGCC will be July 15th. I am not sure what the room number is yet; perhaps the same room which is RM #105.

These are some of the students that attended the class.  Some students were not available at the time we took the picture.  I want to say thank you to all who attended as I enjoyed meeting everyone.

A big hug and thank you to my sister Pam who is my Business Partner at Creative Meditations.  Her business skills are amazing and her presence was calming and most welcomed.  Participants will be seeing much more of her!

Again, SAVE THE DATE:  JULY 15, 20015

  FROM: 6;00 PM TO 8:30 PM

  MATERIALS:  INCLUDED!

Enrollment is limited so enroll early.  Contact CGCC to register by calling 518 828 4181 or send me an email at creativemeditations1@gmail.com

BE YOUR OWN HERO

Earlier this year I was invited to give a brief meditation drawing class for a small group of women from the local battered women's shelter.  I was very happy to participate since the event was scheduled for the day before mothers day.  Cathy, the woman who invited me, owns a wonderful spa called Adam and Eve.  She told me that she does something every year for them.  Cathy planned a wonderful lunch along with some spa services.  She gave us each a card that was hand lettered with a saying.  I was amazed at what mine said and I have been thinking about it ever since.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BE YOUR OWN HERO...........

Well, if that didn't give me pause for thought.  All of a sudden I realized that I wasn't entirely sure what a hero was.  So I looked it up.  Words like bravery, ethics, morality, hopeful, were words that jumped off the pages.  I searched for a better definition and this is what I found.  "A hero or heroine is a person or character who, in the face of danger or adversity or from a position of weakness displays courage or sacrifice...or heroism------for the greater good.

Okay.  I kept reading this over and over again yet I still didn't know how I could be my own hero.  I have never been particularly brave and some might say that morally I might be on shaky ground.  Never-the-less, it was quite thought provoking.  There is one more thing to consider......one more question to ask.  Do I have the courage to be my own hero?  I don't know but I do know that I am foolish enough to try. 

CATSKILL ART SHOW

The show is up  and it looks great.  There is no  end to the  talent that is displayed on  these walls.  I  am feeling quite privileged to have my work among them. 

 

HAPPY NEWS!!!

I am delighted to say that the Greene County Council on the Arts chose this drawing to be in the May art show titled Linear Language.  I have not heard back about the other two I submitted but hopefully I will soon.  Here is a link to the gallery: http://www.greenearts.org/  I love to volunteer there and do it once a week on Mondays.

Today is one of those blustery days where being outside is a bit hard.  The sun is out thank goodness and it is Saturday after all.  Today, Jessica is coming for an overnight visit.  She is my model for so many of my wearable art.  She is perfect for it.  This is one of my hats I made out
 of recycled denim.  I have fun doing these.  They remind me of my hippy days for sure. Yeah man!!!!

THE MANY FORMS OF MEDITATION

TRADITIONAL

 Where is spring?!  Right now it is not outside....there are no signs that it will be here in a day or two.  My saving grace is my daily meditation practice.  My practice has taken different forms over the thirty years.  I was trained in what is considered the traditional sitting method.  Eyes closed, observing my breath as it flows in and out, gently, softly.  Calm, quiet mind.  It is a form that I still practice.

Over the years I have studied other types of meditation such as walking meditations, yoga, and drawing.  I have found them all to be wonderful ways to quiet the mind, soothe the soul, and relax the body.  My fiber art is a form of meditation for me for when I am creating I am in that special place.  In my studio there are no boundaries, no limitations, including what materials I may or may not have at hand.  It is my bliss, my meditation.  Whatever stress I am feeling melts away.

It is so important to find a way to reduce our stress in these times. Being in the moment is the only way to be;  no matter what you are doing be there as you are doing it.  In the meantime, help me bring spring into being, even if it is only in your minds' eye.

WHEN THE SPIRIT MOVES ME

FACES

When Mother Earth begins to stir like she has in the past couple of days, it is hard to contain my excitement.  Soon there will be flowers. and leaves on trees.  I get so excited like I used to when my grandparents were coming for a visit.  There I would sit, by the kitchen window, looking out over the field in front of our house, anticipating their arrival.  What a rush it would be when I saw their car turning the corner and drive up Ambach Lane.  I get the same way when I know spring is arriving.  I can't stand the wait!!!!!

Despite the cold weather we had here in the Catskill Mountains, I tried hard not to let the winter get the better of me.  Sitting by the fire every night was a comfort and it is where I spent a good deal of time drawing and knitting.  But the comfort did not come without cost.  Jay lugged in wood all winter long.  It was a hard job especially in such brutal weather and wind chill factors below 25.  However, without the cold, the warmth would not feel so so good.  The fire never so appreciated. I spent the winter being grateful for the fire and its flames and for the flicker of lights it gave; so bright in the darkest of winter.  I would turn off the lights and dance by the fire.  Sometimes Jay would join me.  It is moments like this when the spirit moves me. How wonderful!

IF ONLY

in between 

I do not want to live in regret.  No sir I don't.  Yet, I am still the biggest procrastinator in the world so it seems.  Where does that come from?  I am not sure.  There is so much fun to be had, art to be made, snow angles to make (yes, I still make them) and ...... oh yes, good wine to drink.  But I feel like I am in between.....things, life, the universe and everything.

It has been so cold for so long but daylight gets longer.  I keep promising myself that I will get up early and greet the day wide awake and ready to create something wonderful.  Alas, I have fallen into a chain of morning events that keeps my course the same.  I need change but I know I am the only one that can do it.  So I sit in between.......young and old, brave yet afraid, uncertain yet knowing.  In between.

It isn't good enough to be in my minds eye sitting quietly knowing what needs to be done but wanting to hibernate instead.  One thing is certain though.  When it is my time IF ONLY will be the last thing on my mind.

BTW....this is a picture that I took and have decided to make a quilt out of it.  I am thinking of a one woman art show called IN BETWEEN.  I think that is a good idea.  Don't you?

A LITTLE MOUSE TOLD ME SO

Here it is, the middle of January, and I am already two weeks behind.  My inspiration continues to be zentangle when I am feeling stuck and this time a little mouse showed up in my drawing meditation.  He is sweet isn't he?  There has been a great deal of activity around here as I prepare for my next set of workshops that I am giving.  It is terrific to be able to share this new form of meditation.  The people that I have met in the workshops are really delightful and the support is growing.

Currently, I am anticipating doing a class at Columbia Greene Community College, in Hudson, NY (time will be sometime in the spring).  I am also giving a talk on February 25th ( Wednesday) from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Pamper Thyme Country Store in Leeds, NY.   The topic will be stress, meditation, and zentangle.  This will be a hands on presentation with a small fee ($5.00) to cover material cost.

I am still working on my web page and hopefully soon, will be able to post the link so people can visit the site.  My little mouse tells me to get moving even though it is dark and dreary out there.  My little mouse helps me keep the sun shining in here in the studio.  The new year holds promise.  A little mouse told me so!