Category: Creating a Vision

BEAUTIFULLY UNMADE

When I think of my bed, the first word that comes to mind is decadent – The sense of being extravagantly and heedlessly self-indulgent. When I think of an unmade bed, the words ‘stunningly beautiful’, ‘deliciously sexy’ and ‘magically serene’ come to mind (any of these six descriptive words can be rearranged to further capture the subject at hand). Beds, whether made or unmade, are the keepers of our sleep. They are our transport through the night, allowing our bodies to rest, repair and detoxify. Sleep helps us reduce stress, improve memory, and lower blood pressure. A lack of sleep drains our mental capabilities and puts our physical health at risk. We owe it to ourselves to take a relatively simple measure to assist perhaps one of the most important ingredients of self care: a good night’s sleep. Each and every one of us deserves a soft and cozy safe-haven to rest our weary bodies after a long day. It’s our responsibility to create it. And it certainly doesn’t have to be a chore (like it is to make the bed).

I’m definitely guilty of letting real books fall by the wayside as I turn to computer devices for reading. And I miss books. Terribly. It is time for my return to books. Reading helps me wind down into restful sleep.
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Acrylic painting – 16”x20”

Need I even elaborate on how a comfortable, fluffy pillow can be our best friend?
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Acrylic painting – 40”x18”

How is it
That your
Painting
Of an
Unmade bed
The first
I had seen
Before I
Knew you
Hanging
In that
Restaurant
In Taos
New Mexico
Disturbed
Me so much
That I had
To change
My seat
Ignore
My friends
Return
My food
Gone cold
I had to
Put my back
To the image
Of tossed
Pillows
Sweat scented
Sheets
A bed that
Bore
Bodies
Like an ark
Lost in
Wavelike
Folds
Through dreams
And the play
That leads
To making
Love
You managed
To leave
A message
In a bottle
For me
Just by
Believing
That the
Ordinary
Is transcendent
And beautiful
And might be
Found
Beautiful
By others
-Jack Charney
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Acrylic painting – 18”x24”

TEMPORARILY OUT OF COMMISSION

A lot of us are temporarily out of commission during this Covid-19 pandemic. We are unable to operate in a life-as-we-know-it manner. While we’re being forced into a recalibration of how we navigate through our daily lives, it helps to remember that it is only temporary. Each and every one of us are allowed our own, unique vision of the lives we hope to return to when all of this is over. Some of us just want to return to the comfort, safety, and security of our past lives. Some of us are taking this time to envision new horizons. One thing I know for certain. Having a vision is important. It can help us tread water during uncertain times.

I recently took the opportunity to work on a painting commission while temporarily out-of-commmission from selling my work at outdoor art festivals, which is how I make my living. The process unfolded in a way in which I enjoy……after seeing a painting on my website, a customer was wondering if I could recreate the painting not only formatted differently, but with a different color palette as well. I’ve learned, through a lot of trial and error, that while I appreciate each and every time someone asks if I do commission work, this is really the only way that works for me and the customer. It allows the process to unfold relatively seamlessly. They have a general idea of what the painting is going to look like, and I’m able to keep my vision intact. I’m adding to their vision, not trying to create it for them.

This is the painting that was seen on my website.
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Here is the painting that is the result of the commission process.
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