wabi sabi

a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.
a beauty of things unconventional.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Reflecting

As 2010 comes to a close I have been doing a bit of reflecting on the year. Was it a good year? Did I accomplish what I wanted? Was there growth? Is my spirit in a good place? My first thought was no. I did not accomplish all I wanted so it was not a good year. But is that really true? Is that me just hanging on to what I didn't do and forgetting what I did do? So I decided to look at the year in a different way.

In February, in spite of my fears at 52 years old, I went to my first art retreat. An Artful Journey started me on this reclaimed journey of my creative spirit. I met the very awesome Nina Bagley. Such a generous spirit who gave me gifts that had nothing to do with jewelry skills. I met women who continue to inspire me. I came home and started my blog and became part this wonderful community.

In April I traveled across the country with my son and his 2 cats. He was beginning a new journey that continues all these months later. He and I have not always had a easy time but I always feel blessed to be his mother.

In July my sister and I took a week long drawing class in St Andrews, New Brunswick. I learned that I really could draw. We had an amazing teacher who made it all seem so easy.

In September I experienced another amazing art retreat at Squam. My time there exceeded all my expectations. It is a magical wonderful place. I reconnected with Lorrie, Beth, and Louise who I met at An Artful Journey in February. I had amazing classes with Flora Bowley, Judy Wise, and Sarah Ahearn and met more amazing women that inspire me.

In between these big experiences were lots of small things. Moments that I sometimes forget to hold with the same importance and value as the big things.

So on this last day of 2010, instead of dwelling in what I didn't accomplish I will celebrate what I did do. I will not give voice to the choir of self criticism but instead I will say bravo to me! I started the journey!

I invite you to do the same.


I wish you all a very creative and blessed 2011.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

A Little Christmas Cheer


We finally have a Christmas tree up and a little festiveness in the house. It is a little difficult to come back to California after several months away and jump right in to the holidays! I have found that sometimes it is best to just start and the holiday excitement will follow.



The sweet red birdies are from my friend Lindy's shop. I am going to hang them in my studio after the holidays but I wanted to include them in our holiday. I love them. Lindy just started a blog that is so fun! Reading it is like sitting in her living room having a chat. It is very much who she is!

We are settling back into life in California, but as always missing Maine. I am looking forward to a New Year and all the possibilities it brings.

I wish you all holidays full of joy and blessings!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Heading West


Our time on this little island is ending for now. We will leave the island on Sunday and fly to our home in California on Tuesday. It is an interesting life we live, this bi-coastal life. I feel very lucky to do what we do. I also feel a bit fragmented at times. A feeling of never being fully integrated in either community but never doubting I am part of the community on this very special island. It is the most wonderful gathering of people that have come to live here. Some born and raised on the island, others have come for all this little place has to offer. It is a community. It is friends and neighbors and family. I sometimes feel like this is not real life. This place of amazing beauty and people. But it is and we am lucky enough to be part of it for a few months a year.
So we leave the island and lots of friends hunkering down for the winter. I always look forward to returning in the spring, smelling the sweet grass, and gathering again with our dear friends here.


With Gratitude and Blessings