JoDee Luna's Blog, page 23

Pencil-Thin Purposes: When Dreams Disappoint

I peek through a windowpane on this frosty February morning in anticipation of a velvety blanket covering the road to work. Yet last night’s weather broadcaster’s boastings of severe snow conditions fell far short of my expectations; in fact, not even a pencil thin layer of puffiness materialized.

 “No snow day.” I pout.

My husband joins me in a chorus of complaints. “I had fantasies of staying home from work and doing nothing.”

My hopes had more to do with what I would do, like working on my next mixed media piece and starting to re-organize a manuscript. Yet none of this is going to happen, so I turn to my consoling friend, the pen.

This morning as I write, I recall how often my most lofty of ambitions end up like this disappointing snowstorm. I plot and plan and pander my purse to pursue a purpose I’m just sure is the reason I’m alive, the answer to this rustling of feathers deep inside. I try to grasp the dove of peace but the down flies in every direction, and I highly suspect I’m not alone.

You’d think we humans would grow accustomed to disappointment and open clenched fingers and let the trapped bird inside fly away. You’d think we’d eventually come to the conclusion that “dreams coming true are not meant for me.”

But we don’t, we can’t, for God has engraved our insides with the propensity to dream of higher purposes, to search out majestic meanings, to long for eternal treasures. And so we measure our pencil-thin accomplishments with the rigor of Olympic athletes.

We hang onto hope’s windowsill with fingernails worn jagged from our efforts. And the gravity of our humanness pulls us down until we leave gouges in the paint. The prospect of peace bats around in our brains but we can’t let go of what we want to do long enough to grasp for a wing, a wing that we’re not sure will keep us alive.

And we fall far from our envisioned plans and purposes; the ones we were so sure that God had initiated and sanctioned.

“I’m going to become a well-known author and artist and creative entrepreneur!” My former boasting now rings naively in my ears. It sounds so self-absorbed, so ridiculous, because real life is about working hard and long at a job and cooking family dinners and worshiping sweetly and cleaning out clutter and mopping floors and throwing parties to celebrate new marriages and welcoming babies and eeking out a little bit of “me time” in the midst of the mayhem we call life.

Recently, I’ve had to reassess my dreams, sort through the mess to separate the “me part” from the “God part.” Lower my expectations so I could hang onto the windowsill a little bit longer. I’ve had to admit to myself that I’m swimming in an online sea of uber-talented people, and even though my dream clouds have silver linings (in my mind), I don’t illuminate very brightly when I jump up and out of the water with a well-crafted post or art piece on Etsy.

My dreams have not turned out quite the way I’d hoped they would, even though I did publish a book, learn how to paint, and sold a few books and mixed media pieces along the way. Albeit modest, I have accomplished something as I’ve pursued my dreams.

And every day, in a few modest ways, God manages to give me an opportunities to touch someone else’s life; perhaps not measurable to most, but to me, pencil-thin purposes chockfull of meaning.

 

 

 

 

 

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Paint My Life with Color by Elya Filler

Paint My Life with Color  is a themed collection of paintings that my daughter, Elya, assembled on Etsy. Elya admired the work of these artists and featured their paintings along with hers. Elya paints my life with color, and I wince every time I think about her move to Thailand in a couple of weeks.

She will be gone for a year, teaching English and traveling around Asia, again. In fact, whenever I see a young willowy woman who resembles her, my heart aches, and she hasn’t even left yet.

Even though I will miss her terribly, I know that Elya’s travels around the world infuse her paintings with color. She’s captured the beauty of cherry blossoms in Korea…

and her wandering soul in painting after painting.

Elya inspires me. I often wonder how she finds the time to paint so prolifically. Her artistry moves me to continue my own exploration of mixed media and portrait painting, two of my favorites. I need her reminder to “just breathe,” when I feel frustrated with my fast-paced lifestyle, which sucks up my artistic energy.  Her tenacity to pursue her craft quells my complaints.

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Her passion to explore the world and live among other cultures is a huge part of who she is and why I love her so, and so I must let her go.

As I prepare to part with my precious daughter, I find comfort in the thought that her travels will paint my life with color again and again.

You can visit Elya’s Etsy Store to see more of her artwork.

 

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Find the Music of Your Heart: A DIY Mixed Media Project

The music of my artistic heart is mixed media. Here’s a diy post to show you how to make a mixed media piece using plaster cloth, pressed flowers, and rice paper.

Texture a canvas with gesso and let dry. Then paint with soft pink and yellow ochre acrylic paints. Cut hearts out of plaster cloth and arrange on the dry canvas.

Dip each heart into water and then smooth onto the canvas.

Lightly sponge acrylic paint over the hearts. Ink the words onto a piece of rice paper and antique using Tim Holtz inks. Use gel medium to attach the words to the canvas.

Add ink and paint accents. I created the musical note stamp by carving the note into a wine cork.

Use gel medium to add the pressed flowers. Use antique ink to create a vintage look.

You can buy my mixed media art at JoDee Luna on Etsy or view my Mixed Media Portfolio.

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My Funny Valentine

It is rare in one’s lifetime to meet someone with whom your soul feels safe; someone who enlarges your heart and diminishes your fears and makes you laugh until your sides ache.We are two imperfect people, my Valentine and I, stumbling along life’s path with clasped hands.

Sometimes we wrangle over home décor (both so opinionated as to what we think looks best) or snort when the other indulges his or her own child.

And yet at the end of the day, we manage to slide crescent moon smiles across weary faces before falling asleep on coaches.

Yes, it is rare, in one’s lifetime, to meet someone in whom you can believe in even though humanness hangs off shoulders like over-sized coats.

He loves me, my funny Valentine, and a lifetime will never be enough for loving him.

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Kindred Hearts: Inspire, Delight, Sustain

I am a mother most blessed to have two daughters with whom my heart feels safe and my artistic spirit inspired. We are kindred hearts.

Elya and Andy returned home last weekend and we snuck away to create in my art room.

Andy painted masks…

while Elya began a new painting…

and I crafted my delight into a mixed media I titled “Kindred Hearts.”

Although we are unique individuals, we share a love of philosophizing about life, venting our frustrations, and processing our feelings. We lean on one another, inspire new ideas, and soak in the soothing soul balm that swirls around the room when we design side-by-side.

The piano music danced to a melodious tune, which upturned winter thoughts into spring. I felt so alive in those moments when my daughters chatted and painted beside me.

We created deep into the evenings until my husband peeked into the room and chided, “Quality control!” The war movie had ended and He and Chad (Elya’s boyfriend) came in to see what we were doing. I glanced up to see their faces smiling with amusement at the three of us so engrossed in our art.

“This one’s my favorite. I like this other one as well.” Justin gently touched the masks.

Chad added his comments as well, “I really like this painting.”

And as the men shared their compliments, I remembered a previous conversation Andy, Elya, and I had.

“Can one person completely satisfy you?” I asked.

“No,” Andy answered. “I could never get from anyone else what I get from the two of you. We are kindred hearts.”

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For the Love of Texture: 7 Mixed Media Tips

When I was a little girl, I loved all things soft and natural and feathery. Even though I’ve grown into woman skin, the little girl inside still delights in touching different textures. This is one BIG reason why I seek to explore and experiment with mixed media art. Mixed media gives me the opportunity to touch and play with various mediums. So for all of you touchy-feely artistic people out there, here are 7 tips to help make your mixed media experience more enjoyable.

Tip #1: Include what you love.

The idea of combining so many of my favorites into a soul expression intrigues me: Here are a few of my delights: floral designing, painting, sculpturing, collaging, sewing, and accessorizing. I also love photography and often use my photos as the foundation for a mixed media.

So as you prepare for a mixed media piece, take a mental inventory of the various arts and crafts you enjoy. Set out a sampling of each kind of supply, and let your imagination go wild.

Tip #2 Take a treasure hunt

I go treasure hunting for mixed media supplies. Sometimes this takes me to discount stores and garage sales or antique and craft stores. Yet I often find possible mixed media supplies while I’m out walking. For instance, I recently came across some heart-shaped leaves I’m mulling over for a Valentine’s project.

Tip #3: Banish the Bossy B

Making mixed media reminds me of a child at play, and when a child plays, you don’t slap her hands and scold, “That’s not good enough. Do it again until you get it right!”

Take a mental moment to remind yourself to play, not to strive for perfection. This isn’t a contest or test to see whether you can advance to mixed media stage II. You need the freedom to experiment. The fun is in the frivolousness of it all. If you get too serious about a project, it kills your adventurous spirit, which is so necessary for this art form to flourish.

Tip #4: Try different techniques

You can find all kinds of free video tutorials online. Just do an Internet search or look on Pinterest. Lots of mixed media artists willingly share their techniques. I’ve also bought books like Kelly Rae Robert’s book, Taking Flight. I like to try a technique until I become comfortable with the method. Then I mentally store the technique in my repertoire of skills to retrieve at a later time. You’d be surprised how certain techniques will pop into your thoughts when you’re making a new mixed media piece. I used Kelly’s collage techniques for this mixed media piece.

Tip #5: Develop your body of work

This is where I’m at right now. I’ve explored the use of different techniques and methods, mediums and textures, and now I’m developing my body of work. True to my eclectic nature, the projects are diverse, from mixed media masks to collage, art pieces to even garden pots.

In time, your body of work will grow into your unique expressions.

Tip #6: Let events push you forward

A baby or wedding shower, wedding or Christmas gathering, a birthday party or social gatherings provide opportunities to try new projects. Give mixed media away as gifts or keep them as reminders of something meaningful to you.

Tip #7 Have fun

Most importantly, have fun! Life is too short not to delight yourself in some artistic play, and mixed media provides ample opportunities to do so. For the love of texture, try a new project today! Here is a link to my mixed media portfolio. You can also link your mixed media post below.

 

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Women’s Weekend Away at the Apple Farm Inn

A couple of times a year, my sister, her bff, my sister-in-law, and I sneak away on a girls’ weekend to this quaint little piece of heaven on earth, the Apple Farm Inn.I’m writing from my favorite nook on the top floor of the Inn located in San Luis Obispo. A plaid chair nestles next to a burnished bronze accent table where I set my coffee cup in between sips. This is just one of my favorite places to sit and ponder. Here’s another one.

Can the magic be summed up in one word? Never! But here are a few reflections to describe the enchantment we experience when we take time for ourselves.

Escape-it’s fun to flee all of our responsibilities for a few days. An adventurous spirit overtakes us and we roam the Apple Farm Inn hallways sighing over the paintings, vintage dressers, and other delectable décor.
Pamper-draped in white-terrycloth robes, we meander down to the lobby in the morning for fresh-brewed coffee and to the Jacuzzi in the evenings for a relaxing soak.
Traditions-our travel traditions include splitting an apple dumpling every day, warm from the oven and smothered with vanilla sauce and ice cream; strolls down to a quaint wine bar for wine tasting and delectable appetizers.

We giggle late into the night, swap funny stories, and process frustrating feelings. We revert back to a time when we were young at heart, remembering what it felt like to live free from our present cares and concerns.

And we return ready to live our lives with more vim and vigor (after the initial days of depression that result from having to leave the Apple Farm subside).

Yes, I strongly suggest you take some time away from your usual life to retreat. Find a few friends and enjoy some fun and fancy. I guarantee your creativity will blossom if you do.

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When the Heart Must Bend, Featuring Paintings by Acrylic Artist Elya Filler

My daughter’s recent paintings reflect her desire to travel the world again, and I know my heart must bend. Not break, mind you, but bend to the will of my precious girl who lights up the room with a smile. I must bend to her passion to travel and teach English abroad, again.

Bend to her exploration of Asian countries I do not trust with her life, as I sit home wringing my hands and pleading with God for His protection. Bend to the passion of this willowy young woman with a fire inside I cannot quench nor would I want to.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page.” -Saint Augustine

Yet, as difficult as this is for me, I am able to bend because of remembrance.

When I was only twenty, I left home, with the same fire burning inside of me; the desire to travel the world and live abroad. And my mother had to bend without any understanding of what this fire inside felt like.

So if my mother could bend to me, how can I not do the same? I well remember the photo of me and the scripture Mom placed on her shelf and prayed, over and over again, while wringing her hands: “May the Lord watch between you and me while we are apart.”

So I must bend away from wanting it to be all about me, having her home, safe and sound. I must accept her desires and decisions.

I must bend to trusting God with her life when I am so very far away.

I must bend and resist my fears, so I can believe something beautiful will blossom in her heart if she follows her dreams.

 Visit Elya Filler’s Etsy Shop to purchase these paintings and to see her other paintings.

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Re-centering Your Creative Self

Like constructing a dam in a swift-flowing river, time for reflection pools the soul’s waters so we can see our reflection. When outward flow to others stops, we seek mental, emotional, and spiritual rejuvenation. We artistic types must work at taking the time to reflect, refocus, and reorganize.

If we do not, we find ourselves far away from those activities we cherish the most. I created this mixed media piece because of a desire to visualize my longings: freedom to think…to create…to live; time to quiet my inner chatter so the Holy Spirit can impress upon my mind what the will of the Father is.

My best time for reflecting and refocusing is in the morning before I ricochet off in a dozen different directions. And with the New Year stretching out before me, I really need to decide what is most important for me to pursue and do.

When I take the time to reflect, this freedom of soul releases new creative ideas and desires.

The idea for this mixed media piece began with a desire to slow down my life, the pace of which felt a lot like riding river rapids without paddles. Then during a bout of wrestling with my busyness, the desire for freedom burst out of my soul in the words of this poem.

I decided to paint a songbird welcoming the morning because morning is my favorite time of the day; a time when I sit in my art room, my favorite place, while sunlight streams through the window.

I left space between the words in the mixed media because I need space: time alone without distractions, time to listen to wordless music while I paint, time to re-organize my messy art room after finishing a project.

So I encourage you to pool your soul’s waters and reflect on who you are, what you do, and how what you’d like to do differently.

Then plunge in and feel the crisp chill of discovering something you’ve never done before. Paint a picture, write a song, finish a project you’ve neglected, float along with an unfolding poem.

If your soul trills for freedom, stop and let your soul sing. Take time to reflect on what is most important to you, and then pursue your passion.

Here’s my favorite music to create by, http://www.hmspiano.com/.

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A Glorious Burden

And He placed a mantle upon her shoulders, the weight of which she doubted endurable…a glorious burden she was entrusted to share.

Often the life of faith flows freely, for those of us determined to follow God’s Spirit. Like a symphony, each one of us discovers his or her desires and talents created in us, and then we practice until they resound in full measure.

Yet a glorious burden is not so. You sense God wants you to do something that even the thought of makes you wince. A glorious burden elicits a somber, pensive mood because it will cost you your comfort. You know the task will require what you do not possess and lead you down a path you do not choose to go.

A glorious burden could be carrying for the infirmed or raising a child who will always be dependent upon you. Perhaps it is encouraging others presently suffering from a situation you survived but would like to forget.

Years ago, a glorious burden presented to me in a dream in which two middle schools asked me, “So many of us are getting through to middle school unable to read. Can you come and help us?”

I gulped the following morning when I awoke.

Previous to the dream, I’d substitute taught middle school and still remembered the volley of paper wads that flew through the air from student-created slingshots. I had vowed that I would NEVER teach middle school…and then the glorious burden presented, and my heart sank.

For four years, I showed up, every day, and faced the fallout of problems at home and continuous failure at school: defiant attitudes, unruly behavior, and angry outbursts.

Yet the glorious burden of teaching struggling middle school readers to read ended up in some of my most precious moments. Students returned with tears in their eyes to tell me about their successes in high school.

How do you know if your commission from God is a glorious burden? You will know because it will take all of your human strength to decidedly live unselfishly, and then large amounts of God’s grace on top of that.

Yet the flip side of a glorious burden is the “glorious part.” Heaven smiles when you accept the commission, and God’s heart extends to impart His concerns for you to share. You serve a purpose that can pass through the veil, which separates the earthly and heavenly realms.  In time, you will smile with a sense of satisfaction that is only possible when you take on a glorious burden.

What is your glorious burden? Have you said yes?

Read other inspirational post by selecting this photo link.

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