sim but different

mama's

always right.

m-i-l...

similar but different

as m would say <3







dude, I must admit...dance parties have saved my butt on more than one occasion in the classroom.

when absolutely nothing is going as planned or well, I am always tempted to tell my little friends to drop everything, push chairs in, make sure there is space around their body, and then I turn on some loud song and we dance out the frustration / anger / tired / annoyed / too much energy / not enough energy / sadness until we can make art again.  sometimes it's just for them, sometimes it's just for me...but I must say not once have I hosted a mid-art class dance party that didn't benefit everyone :)

oxygen in cups

For the most part, being generous with my time and being kind-hearted towards my challenges comes naturally (thank goodness).  But occasionally, I find myself struggling to be generous and my first reaction is often frustration.  Why can't I just be loving?  Why can't I just feel good about giving my time / attention / money / etc. to this?  Why does it feel like a struggle here?

If we are being honest with ourselves, we admit that we cannot give that which we do not have.  If our own cup isn't full, we can't pour into everyone around us.  If our own needs are not being met, we are not going to feel very good spending our time and attention and funds meeting someone else's needs.  The whole "put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others" on a plane scenario (I know, I hate hearing that one, too).  But it's true.  

What I'm getting to here is that you are allowed to fill your own cup.  We are obligated to find our own oxygen before we can help anyone else find theirs.  We need to take a step back and assess our own needs before we can meet everyone else's.  And let me be the first to say, this is really hard.  I know everyone depends on you.  I know your to-do list is a mile and a half long.  I know you don't feel like you have time for this stuff.  I know, because I'm right here with you and I feel the same way. 

Please, take half an hour today and do the things that fill your cup.  If not for your own wellness then do it for the wellness of all those hearts who depend on you.  Whatever brings you joy, do more of that.  And know that we are right here with you, and we're learning right here with you, to put on our own oxygen masks before we assist everyone else.  

Our goal is to always have our cups so full that they consistently spill out into your life when you're here in the studio.  We really do find joy in helping you create, in helping you feel warm and fuzzy and loved and wonderful.  Stop by and create with us and you'll see what I mean.  We just stinkin' love what we do, and we want to share it with you.  And we strive to be a place that brings you joy, that helps you relax and reset and fill your own cup.  So you can keep on being awesome and pouring into your kids, your family, your coworkers, your community.

Happy Sunday, y'all.

really.

3 more weeks!

15 more days!
it's like the end of a marathon,
where you start to notice that you're totally exhausted,
and maybe your form isn't the best anymore
because you're totally exhausted,
and you start making a few more mistakes...

but the cheering gets louder,
and you start to think about the delicious snacks after you cross the finish line
and oh yeah, the finish line is so close!
you've accomplished so much!
you can do it!
you can do it!
you can do it!
*rah rah rah*
fall is a-coming!

let go

or be dragged.

we choose to move forward.  blue skies ahead, people.

#blueskyawareness

Appropriate

All I can say is it's appropriately funny that the comments about government, god's creation, population density, human ignorance, etc. etc. start at 3:47am and the article was posted at 4:10am. Nobody reads or responds, just use an overheard key word or two as a jumping point to recite an argument that isn't even theirs. Way to go, early news readers.

West Antarctic glacial collapse, etc. etc.

spirals

 Andy Goldsworthy, scene from Rivers and Tides

 Andy Goldsworthy, Carefully broken pebbles scratched white with another stone St. Abbs, Scotland. 1 June 1985

Robert Smithson, Spiral Jetty, 1970

Spiral Resonance Fieldan installation by David Wood
July – November 1, 2009

The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

Golden Mean Spiral

this could go on for a while.  let's stop here...

to l-o-v-e is to

(e-v-o-l-v-e.)

img via hopeless ceramix

that was fun but back to work

observe. notate. make something that points it out and explains, visually.

then, make something that causes the viewer to change.
change thoughts, change actions, begin conversations.
go!

Kehinde strings

http://www.upworthy.com/6-overused-creepy-sentences-that-i-wish-always-had-these-surprise-endings?c=ufb1

vs.

Kehinde Wiley

Mark Shavers, 2010

oil on canvas

48" x 36"

or:

Kehinde Wiley

Mama Ngagne Study II, 2010

oil on paper

46" x 36"

http://www.kehindewiley.com/an_Economy_of_grace/Dacia_Carter.html

and Wiley goes back all kinds of strings.  similar but different, as m would say.

Lakey the Poet

"Lots of people have been questioning me about why I don't show in a gallery. I have a whole book of reasons why I don't, but instead of the negativity I'll keep things positive and tell you why I prefer the street.

On the streets I get to share my art, passion, and philosophy indiscriminately. I speak to whoever takes the time to appreciate my sign or art. Sometimes it's homeless people that stink to high heaven, sometimes it's business professionals, sometimes it's Anarchy patched train hoppers, sometimes it's cute sorority girls, sometimes it's 5 year olds, sometimes it's grandmothers, sometimes it's cowboys, sometimes it's red bandannas and sagging blue jeans, and that's just the tip of the ice berg. I'm happy to speak to, learn from, and sale to anyone. I'll take a compliment from a crack head just as happily as I'll take one from an art professor. I love a job that will allow me to do that. This would not happen in a gallery.

When I sale an original on the streets (3 this year, literally on the streets, for $300-$400 and several less expensive) I get to appreciate the person buying my art. I know they are not buying my artwork simply because a gallery, or a curator, or a critic said it was good. They are buying it because they say it is good. I didn't need to pay a marketer to convince them it was good, I didn't need to TRY to sale it to them, I didn't need to put on airs. They're just that bad ass, self-confident, and well off. I love having customers like this.

I was born in Corpus Christi (Body of Christ) and named Joshua (Yehoshua aka Jesus) and I grew up in the church. So even though I stopped going to church almost a decade ago I've got mad respect for Jesus. I fall short in several other ways but I'm very comfortable sharing the same company as Jesus. I'm shy when it comes to talking to "normal" people. (BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE FREAKING MEAN!) Homeless people/street kids/train hoppers whatever, I feel comfortable sparking up a conversation with. On top of that most beggars really just want someone to talk to, someone to treat them like they're a human. It's easier to hold a sign saying "give me money" than it is to hold one saying "Treat me like a human so I don't kill myself" though, so most people just dismiss them as lazy or crazy. Being on the streets makes me available to speak to any of them.

Lastly, I get to challenge stereotypes, culture, and counter culture. I proudly wear the business man's attire, sitting at the homeless man's business desk, while creating art. I suggest the business man rethink his actions, I urge the homeless to help themselves, and I show artists another path. I protest against society because I know the government will never REALLY change until society REALLY changes.

Eventually I will pursue a gallery show in Austin, TX. A massive one with 50-100 pieces of framed art, prices double or triple what they are on the street, with the whole gallery packed. Until then I'll do my street thing, travel occasionally, and maybe make exceptions to further my street cause when opportunities arise." -6.22.13

https://www.facebook.com/LakeythePoet

the time has come...

to stop doing what i'm supposed to do, and start doing what i'm meant to do.

made to do, built for, excited about...what i love to do.

(Pollock was supposed to paint like everyone else,

but he did what he was meant to do instead,

got hell for it..still gets hell today for it...

but he had to do it because he loved it)

got this print at a craft show...beautiful design and i took a horrible picture.

see her work at LittleThingsStudio.com

Heartsongs

"my life has been full.  I'm not done yet, but I'm grateful for the fullness it has already been" via Dr. Hallmark


Miss Viola: I'm gong to teach you the most important lesson...you will ever learn...
Gloria: it's our heartsong
...
Miss Viola: But, my dears, it's not something I can actually teach you.  Does anybody know why? Anyone? Anyone?
Gloria: You can't teach it to us, ma'am, because we have to find our heart songs all by ourselves.
Miss Viola: Well done, you.
Gloria: It's the voice you hear inside, who you truly are.
Miss Viola: Yes. Thank you, Gloria. Excellent, lovely, thank you.