From Reagan to Obama, a brief Political History

This is an amazing blog written by one of my absolute favorite authors, Don Miller. He is the author of the famed book Blue Like Jazz and several other good reads. He talks of the ultra conservative environment of his childhood, and how he came to realize that he was taught to live in fear by the very people who claimed to live by the Bible, where Jesus teaches us that we are to be guided by faith, not fear.

I really enjoyed this article, and I hope that if you were disappointed about yesterdays outcome, you will read this and maybe start to have a little hope in a man that stands for inspiration and change. 

Link: www.donmilleris.com (second article from the top)

Anyway, I'm excited. YAY! 

Autumnal Rambles

Fall always reminds me of school. Reading, studying, learning, taking walks with 90 pound book bags around campus and drinking cheap powdered vanilla cappuccino. Every fall since I have been out of school I've done the same thing - read. I remember last year I discovered Good Reads and started a bookshelf so I would start reading again. It was lovely while it lasted, but then work and other responsibilities set in and I stopped making time for my books. Winter weather and the holidays came and my books started getting lonely without me, and I think by the spring they completely forgot that we were once friends. This year I am trying to make it stick. I have a built up urge to read more than ever before. When I am reading I feel productive, and even though I'm not getting anything done in the physical sense, words inspire me. When I read I feel like I can let everything else in my life go and just be in the moment. I think it actually helps me loosen up my mind - so therefore reading must be a step in my creative process. 

Anyway, I'm reading a lot of books right now. Thats how I like it. I always read more than one book at a time - I think I just get ADD about it. I've renewed my library card and made a little more use of it than usual. I also feel like a good citizen when I go to the library. I shouldn't, since all I am doing is taking advantage of the public gift, and not doing anything to help the library or make it better. That's why I always return my books late because I know they need the money. Sort of. 

In other news, I've been cooking slightly healthier recently. I'm trying to eat a half of a grapefruit everyday for breakfast and eat some kind of raw vegetable for lunch. I only ate out twice last week, and I rode my bike once so one of the eat-out-meals doesn't really count. Today I will probably make an acorn squash! 

I think I will start a new big painting today and see what happens. I will be off Monday and most of Tuesday for the school holiday, so I need to start getting productive now and take advantage of this extra hour of sleep that I got last night.

I hope all of you know who you are going to vote for by now. If you don't, you disappoint me. 

 

my old friends

    

I have been reading "March" by Geraldine Brooks - a novel about the civil war chaplin and father of the Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy in Little Women. So far I am intrigued by the way the characters are growing and transforming as the story progresses and they are faced with the various moral crises during the rocky civil war. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a good read. 

On Jane Austen: 

I've read all the Austen novels, some two and three times, and I am still discovering new ways to enjoy her work! I just stumbled upon the Jane Austen Society of North America website and I can't believe that 4,000 people across North America actually get together and talk, read, have tea, and dance Jane Austen. There is actually a regional group in my state, SC, so maybe one day I will have to join. It sounds like such fun. In the mean time, I might actually read all the books again. I haven't read any Austen yet this year and the year is almost gone. Although I did enjoy Becoming Jane and The Jane Austen Book Club - two modern movies with Jane Austen themes. The latter actually surprised me. It wasn't really about Jane Austen as much as about real life and how good literature really can change your way of thinking and your life. I really enjoyed it though I was skeptical of the story line at first. 

 

inspiration!

I started learning how to screen print at the arts center downtown. I am amazed at how much work and precision goes into simply printing a one color design - not to mention two or more colors! I think I am going to really enjoy it.

I have a greater appreciation for these screen printed items now that I know more about the process of making a print. These are some lovely designs from very talented artists! Please check out their shops. 

From Left to Right: 

1. Little Modern Birds pillow by Chakra Penny Whistle

2. Secret Telling Snails Tee by Hopeful Monsters

3. Biking Animals Coasters from Cricket Press

4. Let Them Eat Cake print by Blu Lima

5. Hummingbird Organic Purse by Mingus

sailing the open sky

As usual, I started out hating this painting but now that it's done I love it! My favorite part is the vintage European map in the background -  only visible enough to add texture. I have about three more projects similar to this in the works that I am excited about. Yay.

I'm glad that my Etsy shop is filling up with more artwork like this. 

    Starting a screen printing class tomorrow at the arts center. I have always wanted to learn how to screen print but have never had the opportunity or the instruction. I think it will be fun. Hopefully I will be able to find someone to help me build a huge light box for the class. 

    I also made loose leaf earl grey tea in my french press today and it was soooo good. I would definitely recommend it. Especially on a day like today when it was all rainy and chilly all day. 

    I have been putting off ordering a big batch of music online for my students. It's funny that I am so untrusting of online stores when I expect people to trust their money with me at my shop. I have had too many people rip me off, I suppose. And I have already had to cancel one debit card because of unauthorized charges which were probably due to me buying something online. 

    I love looking through my old sketchbooks from when I used to take time on making my sketches look really detailed and interesting or even just experimental. It's hard, for some reason, for me to spend time on sketches now. As soon as it gets to a certain point in the process, I immediately want to turn it into a painting. I have gotten in the habit of thinking of sketching as a waste of time even though I know it isn't! I've always wanted to do sketches for the Illustration Friday but every week I forget until the last minute. Maybe I will make it to the deadline this Friday and make myself work on a really good sketch.