a pictoral recollection of 2010

A random pictoral re-'collection' of some images featured at Original Art Studio in 2010.

See you in 20!!

...the end of the year...

At The End of The Year

The particular mind of the ocean

Filling the coastline's longing

With such brief harvest

Of elegant, vanishing waves

Is like the mind of time

Opening us shapes of days.

As this year draws to its end,

We give thanks for the gifts it brought

And how they became inlaid within

Where neither time nor tide can touch them.

The days when the veil lifted

And the soul could see delight;

When a quiver caressed the heart

In the sheer exuberance of being here.

Surprises that came awake

In forgotten corners of old fields

Where expectation seemed to have quenched.

The slow, brooding times

When all was awkward

And the wave in the mind

Pierced every sore with salt.

The darkened days that stopped

The confidence of the dawn.

Days when beloved faces shone brighter

With light from beyond themselves;

And from the granite of some secret sorrow

A stream of buried tears loosened.

We bless this year for all we learned,

For all we loved and lost

And for the quiet way it brought us

Nearer to our invisible destination.

~ John O'Donohue

(To Bless the Space Between Us)

As John O'Donohue encourages, let us bless this year as it comes to its end and open our hearts to embrace the new year before us.  I count myself blessed to be blogging with each and every one of you and have treasured all our exchanges in 2010.  May your 2011 be filled with well-being, laughter, light and love.

P.S.  The three images in this post were produced from photographs taken in the Spring of this year.  Yes, you guessed it, they were manipulated digitally in PSE.  I experimented with a few different versions and wanted to share them with you here.  Enjoy . . . and again, Happy New Year dear friends.

think on this . . .

When the wise man grasps the pivot of Tao,

he is in the center of the circle,

 and there he stands

while "Yes" and "No"

 pursue each other

 around the circumference.

 ~ Chuang Tzu

Transformation happens

by itself

when you stop

striving for it.

~ Chuang Tzu

The land of nothing whatsoever

is our real home.

~ Chuang Tzu

"...let in the light that answers your desire..."

The Sea's Wash In The Hollow Of The Heart...

Turn from that road's beguiling ease; return

to your hunger's turret.  Enter, climb the stair

chill with disuse, where the croaking toad of time

regards from shimmering eyes your slow ascent

and the drip, drip, of darkness glimmers on the stone

to show you how your longing waits alone.

What alchemy shines from under that shut door,

spinning out gold from the hollow of the heart?

 

Enter the turret of your love, and lie

close in the arms of the sea;  let in new suns

that beat and echo in the mind like sounds

risen from sunken cities lost to fear;

let in the light that answers your desire

awakening at midnight with the fire,

until its magic burns the wavering sea

and flames caress the windows of your tower.

~ Denise Levertov

I want to "let in new suns that beat and echo in the mind" in 2011.  One of them (now don't laugh!) is to write a book.  It is a project about which I am conflicted, for it will mean the minuscule relationship I have with a cherished member of my family of origin will certainly become totally negligible.  Anyway, I tell myself  "one step at a time", I can fan the flame of my desire and allow the alchemy of the words for now ... publication is another project altogether.  

What neglected longing lies waiting in the hollow of your heart, that you could spin into gold in 2011?

This is a photo of the actual obelisk I see from my dining room window,
digitally edited here to look like a painting.
It is the stone structure you see behind the woman
in the first image of this post, that I use to represent
Levertov's 'turret/tower'.

Joyful Greetings!

Heartfelt wishes coming from

 my little part of the world to yours.

Merry Christmas dear friends.

...is it just me?

Do you find yourself, like me, rushing to get things done in the last few days before the 24th and 25th?  I always think I have done so much advance preparation that THIS TIME I will not face a last minute race.  WRONG!  I guess I should just accept this as part and parcel of putting on a festive occasion for loved ones. 

Certainly part of the crunch is because there are many things that can only be done the day of the celebrations.  Wherever we are in our preparations, let's all try to enjoy the process.  It is such a privilege to be with those who matter most to us and to be able to prepare many of their favourite holiday treats!  Our thoughts go out to those who, for whatever reason, are not with their loved ones at this time.

Whether you are making gifts, shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking, cleaning, decorating, volunteering, packing, travelling, writing letters/cards, visiting, partying, laying-low,  reminiscing, vacationing, having a low-key holiday...whatever - may ALL your days be merry and bright! 

A silent, snow-filled night

How I love a silent, snow-filled night.  The snowflakes in these photographs, shot from our back deck, were gigantic -  the size of  pennies, nickels and quarters!  The soft, fluffy snow acts like an insulating blanket, absorbing all ambient noise.  Not a sound can be heard.  It becomes so quiet you are certain that if you listen closely enough you will hear each flake caress the ground.    Silence, stillness, solitude, while surrounded by the serenity of softly falling snow  --  a sure recipe for a heavenly night.

The trees here are Blue Spruce.

 

 

A lonely, little deck  hovers over a hidden, gently gurgling mountain stream.

...still...

The Portrait

My mother never forgave my father

for killing himself,

especially at such an awkward time

and in a public park,

that spring

when I was waiting to be born.

She locked his name

in her deepest cabinet

and would not let him out,

though I could hear him thumping.

When I came down from the attic

with the pastel portrait in my hand

of a long-lipped stranger

with a brave moustache

and deep brown level eyes,

she ripped it into shreds

without a single word

and slapped me hard.

In my sixty-fourth year

I can feel my cheek

still burning.

~ Stanley Kunitz


Do you have childhood wounds (physical/emotional/spiritual) that still burn? 
 There are many ways to attend to and heal them. 
 Perhaps healing old wounds would be a good resolution for 2011 ...

(P.S.  The image used in this post is copyright-free, taken from the web, and manipulated digitally in PS)

...I'll have a blue Christmas...

Blue is one of the main colours we decorate with at Christmas.  Green and red do make an appearance, but blue, with pops of orange, permeate the colour atmosphere here.  For a long while our tree was covered with silver, white and blue ornaments.  Then we began to add big, silvery blue bows into the mix.  About five years ago everyone agreed that a bit of a change would be good so we added in some vibrant orange bows and bulbs. 

What we have found, over the years, is that it does not matter what colours you choose, as long as there are little lights to illuminate the tree, and thus the room.  Christmas decoration, to my mind,  is mainly about the light:  the shimmer, the glow, the radiance, the twinkle, the candlelight, the firelight.   Just as we marvel every day over sunlight, starlight, moonlight, sunrises and sunsets, so too much of the splendor of Christmas is light - light - light. 

 Light represents warmth, welcome, home, comfort, life.  Light is an invitation to enter, connect, partake.  The decorations we choose simply catch and reflect the the beauty of light - light from the decor we create and light from the love we share.  May this season be full of light for you.

Oh, and btw, I WILL have a blue Christmas ... without you.

'Digital Magic' with Marie Otero

Would you like to learn more about creating digital art using Photoshop CS or Photoshop Elements? 

 Marie Otero, a.k.a. The Lost Aussie will hold another of her online classes beginning on January 15th, called Digital Journal Magic.   I took Marie's Digital Magic course last summer and was impressed with her knowledge of all things computer and all things Photoshop, her artistic talent, her superior teaching skills, and her generosity of spirit.  She describes this course as being for 'advanced beginners'.  You can check out the exact information Marie provides about the course content, and how to register,  HERE. 

 If you are interested in online digital editing/art classes of a superior caliber - Marie's courses will please you.  It matters not whether you use a PC or a Mac, Photoshop CS or Photoshop Elements.  Marie teaches from all variations of the above.  She also responds promptly to your questions and concerns during the course, so that you are not simply left alone to struggle with newly learned techniques. 

 I'm registered for Digital Journal Magic, beginning on January 15, 2011.  Perhaps I will 'see' you there!

A modest example of how one can turn a simple photo of two pears into a little work of art,

using techniqiues learned in a Digital Magic online class with Marie Otero.

...sharing the white...

Most of North America has colder temperatures than normal and there are very few regions that are not blanketed in snow.  In case you are not sure if your Christmas will be white ... here's some 'white' just for you.

 

Loving the long shadows across the snow and the perfectly positioned pops of bronze stalks.

The bridge across our mountain stream was built with several wide walkways
which grandchildren use for intensive snow play therapy!  :-)

This birch-lined, lamp lit pathway beckons in every season, but is particularly fetching in winter. 
As you see, I have tinkered with the photograph in PS to get this 'noisy' effect.

KISS

A kinder version of the well-known KISS principle is:  Keep It Simple Sweetheart.

 I am intent on keeping 'simplicity' the watchword as I work on Christmas preparations.

 I KISS myself hourly.  ;-)  

 Have you tried KISSing yourself lately?

It's beginning ...

Do you like your photography clear, crisp and defined as above, or ...

do you prefer a vintage, weathered and worn feel to them as above,

and in the following two Christmas images?

(This lovely Santa is from DeviantArt.com and the texture is from ShadowHouseCreations.)

Isn't it a wonderful thing to have choices - to have the freedom to exercise our will to make choices that mesh with our aesthetic, our sensibilities?  Even in such a simple thing as the choice of how we present our homes and gifts over the holidays.....

During this down-turn in the economy funds may be tight and that does limit certain options and choices.  However, we always maintain the freedom to choose our attitude to our circumstances and our actions in whatever situation we may find ourselves.  One of the advantages of experiencing economic hardship is that instead of consuming, we can concentrate on creating.  Creativity replacing consumption - what a simple and brilliant concept that we should consider embracing no matter what our economic situation!  Creatively using what we already have is also in step with lightening our footprint on the planet and living  an ecologically sustainable existence. 

Have you considered a creative, modest approach to the holidays this year, as opposed to one of conspicuous and compromising consumption?

home for christmas?

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.

(Lyrics by James ('Kim') Gannon)

DH and I will be receiving our three children, their partners, our two grandchildren and two new, beautiful, oh-so-welcome step-grandchildren at our home this Christmas for a simple, secular, vegetarian family get-together - where a few presents will be exchanged.   Do you celebrate Christmas?  Do you celebrate it as a religious holiday or a secular one?  If you do celebrate, where will you be for Christmas this year?  What do you enjoy eating or cooking for Christmas festivities? 

Wherever you find yourself, may you find your way to incorporate moments of peace, joy and sharing.

...dream interpretation...

(Image produced digitally in PSE using multiple free images and textures from the web.)

"..Five common dreams explained..."  This is the title of an article appearing in The Mark News.  While no one can claim to tell you exactly what any of your dreams mean, Christina Becker, Jungian Analyst offers some good general jumping off points if you wish to analyze a dream for its deeper significance.  Take the broad interpretation and apply it to your life.  Play with the fit.  It may not be exact, but a word or two may trigger your own inner knowing. 

Remember dreams do a vital work of releasing energy whether we remember them, understand them - or not.  If you do not remember your dreams - don't worry about it.  It is interesting to know that once you begin to demonstrate interest in your dreams by writing down, thinking about, or talking about them, your psyche sees that interest as an invitation to remember - and you just may begin to recall more of your dreams.

Interpreting and understanding a dream can serve as an impetus for change.  While we can all use help, on occasion, understanding the psychological symbolism of our dreams, in the end WE ALONE should make the final interpretation of our dreams.  The way you have classified symbols and meanings in your mind may be very different from someone else.  Even when working with a therapist, YOU are the one who should be making the connections to your life situation, world views, current issues.  The therapist is there to provide the environment, support, prompts - but ultimately it should be YOU making the final determination. 

People who have studied dreams have noticed many common themes, symbols and meanings that we can use to better understand our own dreams ... if we are so inclined.  See if any of the information in the following article helps you to understand a past or present dream.  (Yellow text is the article, green text is added by me.)


The Mark News – Tue, 7 Dec 11:16 AM


“The dream shows the inner truth and reality of the patient as it really is . . . not as he would like it to be, but as it is.” wrote Carl Jung in 1933. Since then, the meanings of our nocturnal adventures have remained a puzzle for psychologists and laymen alike. 

 "The Mark News has chosen five common dreams and, with help from Jungian analyst Christina Becker, unearthed their meanings:


5) Missing First Day of School


You've got an important appointment, but due to circumstances beyond your control you're not going to make it. Panic and confusion set in. This dream suggests you’re feeling disconnected from yourself, says Becker. You're distracted, not in the here and now. That's why you can't seem to find what you're looking for, including that pesky chemistry lab.

(If I had such a dream, I would ask myself what appointment with myself, what developmental task have I missed that is pressing on me or causing anxiety?  Also, pay precise attention to the words in a dream AND the words used to describe the dream.  The psyche often slips important information in the words, or double meanings of the words of a dream, or description of the dream.)




4) Teeth Falling Out


Ever had the dream where your teeth feel loose or rotten? Despite appearances, it has nothing to do with your dental hygiene. The subconscious often communicates through metaphors and idioms, explains Becker. Losing your teeth in a dream may indicate that your life has become too complex or harried – that you've bitten off more than you can chew.

(If I had a dream about teeth falling out, I would also be inclined to ask what core or imbedded beliefs, assumptions, values have fallen away OR need to fall away?  Again, pay attention to the exact words used in the dream and then to describe the dream when you recall it and you may find a clue to its meaning there.)




3) Being Chased


Being chased by an angry mob in a dream is enough to wake you up in a cold sweat. Chase dreams could suggest you're feeling trapped in some facet of your daily life. Whether you're stuck in a dull job or a problematic relationship, in your dreams you are being chased because you've chosen flight instead of fight. By failing to confront your problems, you will have that pitchfork-wielding mob returning night after night.

(In dreams where I am being chased, I would  ask what key psychological, emotional, spiritual insights might I be running from?  As well, if I can manage to re-enter the dream, as in lucid dreaming, I would encourage myself to turn around and speak to whatever is chasing me.  Surprisingly, the thing/person in pursuit is often not nearly as scary as we imagine,  and is actually there to bring important growth-related information.  Sometimes when we have not come to conscious terms with the harsh realities of existence, they (the realities) can stalk/chase us (in some menacing form) at night in our dreams - just trying to get our attention.)




2) Naked in Public


If clothes really do make the man, then being naked in public is an emasculating experience. Dreams of nudity could indicate vulnerability, says Becker. While the function of clothes is to cover us up and keep us warm, they also help to determine our role in society. Feelings of social anxiety, rather than that late-night ham sandwich, may be triggering this one.

(In dreams where I am missing apparel or naked, besides wondering about vulnerability, I would look at where I have dropped protective boundaries, where in my life I am feeling exposed?  I might also ask myself if there is value in dropping or letting go of outmoded coverings or personas.  Am I naked in the dream because I've been trying to walk around in 'apparel' that no longer fits?)




1) Falling


Among the most common nightmares, dreams of falling could mean anxiousness or a loss of self-esteem, says Becker. They can also come about when someone has placed too-high expectations on themselves.

(Where does the ground not feel solid any longer?  Where have I lost my footing?  Where and how am I feeling unsupported?  If I let go into the fall ... could I fly?)

To overcome your nightmares, try lucid dreaming, a practice in which you become aware that you are in a dream and then take control of it. In time, you can turn your freefall into a flight to the moon."


I once had a dream that I was planning a trip with my husband to the United States.  At first I thought it was a very banal little dream about planning a summer vacation.  When I gave myself a little more time to think about the dream - and once I recalled that the unconscious can provide very literal symbols (PAY ATTENTION TO THE DOUBLE MEANINGS OF WORDS IN YOUR DREAMS) - I realized that the effort we had been devoting to revitalizing our marriage was working - as my dream had so wisely informed me - we were going to the 'united states'!  Get it?  A more 'united state' in our marriage!  How basic and how literal - and how easy to miss if we don't devote a little thought to the message being sent by our unconscious.  It was fun to share the message from my unconscious with my husband!

Okay, now it's your turn.  Any interesting dreams and/or interpretations you are willing to share with us in your comments?

collages

The following pieces of artwork are collages created a few years back.  All but the fourth were constructed from snippets from a well-used Klimt art book.  However, what you will see below, are photographs of them that have been edited in Photoshop to make them POP.  (I know, I should post the before and after - but I can not take the time today.)

I believe this collage is entirely of different pieces of dresses on the women found in Klimt's paintings.  In Photoshop a photograph of leaves was superimposed to add texture, and with a blending mode adjustment the colours have been intensified.  If you look closely you can see the veins of a Brunnera leaf here and there.

The same collage, with a different photograph of leaves added to 'texturize' the piece.  Can you make out any of the quintessential Klimt images in the piece?

This was the first art collage ever attempted by yours truly.  I like the black, white and sepia tones with hits of yellow and rust.  The Photoshop filter called 'tiles' was used to create all the white lines that make the collage look like it is composed of even smaller pieces of paper than it really is.  Neat effect n'est-ce-pas?

This collage is entitled "Re-Member Me", because it is made up of various body parts or 'members' clipped from fashion magazines.  I know, my family groaned too when they saw it - but I just follow my muse and occasionally she leads me to make weird/quirky statements.  In Photoshop a filter called 'craquelure' has been applied and then blending modes were used to change the colours.  It ends up with a quilted look. 

Another collage made from cuttings of Klimt - mainly of trees, flowers and buildings.  I have added a subtle texture to it, however, the colours are very much as found in the Klimt art book.  (I know some of you may be feeling  a sacrilege has been committed by cutting up Klimt images, and I did feel a whinge of conscience in so doing.  However, the book was falling apart and would probably have ended up in the recycling bin - so it seemed that this was a much better way to 'recycle' Klimt.)

The last specimen - treated in Photoshop with a slight effect of 'craquelure', while colour tones remain untouched.  I do like the depth that the treatments in Photoshop afford the pasted pieces of paper.