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| “Beauty was not simply something to behold; it was something one could do.” - Toni Morrison |
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| Pasithea’s Gift (Oil on Canvas, 30”x40”) |
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| Slow but Steady
January always feels terribly long to me, and I always kind of hate that, but maybe it’s a good thing? Time is a gift after all. I spent a lot of it in my studio this past month, soaking in the morning light, taking my time to create something lovely. |
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| (Here we see the artist in her natural habitat, embracing her favorite neurodivergent sitting position.) |
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| It did feel like it would never end, but here we are in February and this big canvas is now a completed work of art. |
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| Pasithea, the goddess of rest and relaxation, was the inspiration for this piece, although she is not the subject. Here lies a mere mortal who at last has given herself completely over to the luxury of shameless rest. (I realize rest is a basic necessity, and shouldn’t be a luxury, but we live in a nonsensical world.)
Very little is known about the goddess Pasithea herself, except for her symbol, the poppy, so I was able to play around with the concept loosely. I love the feminine lushness of it all, the idea of a goddess visiting us to bestow this gift of relaxation, the extravagance of taking time to lay around and daydream long after the sun is up, without a care. I also love that the pattern in the figure’s robe points to the next season, reminding us that dormancy is not death, and rest leads to growth. |
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| For most of my life, for a variety of reasons, sleep has not come easily to me, and as a child, rest or idleness was often shamed and renamed “laziness” so it does feel like absolute splendor when I get truly good, guilt-free rest. I wanted the textures and patterns in this piece to portray a feeling of luxury, tranquility, and beautiful escape - how dreamy!
I spent so much time painting this fabric that some of the blush folds did start reading as somewhat labial to me, and I had a good giggle because that was not my intention. Oh well, I’m not mad about it. If I have to be the next Georgia O’Keefe, so be it! |
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| | Pretty Little Things
I took a little time this past week to finish up a few small treasures. There is something very satisfying about being able to whip up something in a few hours instead of laboring for several weeks. These are oils so they are still awaiting varnish, but you’re welcome to purchase here if you like. Otherwise, they’ll be available in my studio soon. |
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| Pretty Boy (Pink Robin, Oil on Wood) |
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| Pretty Wrinkled (Wrinkled Peach Mushroom, Oil on Wood) |
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| | Love and Other Possumbilities
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so it’s a good time to offer a new greeting card design. Since love isn’t necessarily seasonal, I decided to create something that can work for other occasions as well. |
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| Not to brag, but it does have the possum stamp of approval, and you can’t really say that about many cards these days. |
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| Available here, in my studio, and around town. Of course, if you wish for the full possum experience, you can purchase my cards (and more) at Possumbilities where you can meet and pet possums and other critters, and where part of my sales help local animal rescue endeavors. |
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| | Making Friends
Winter and I have never gotten along, unless she’s dressed in white (the snow kind, not the ice kind). I hate the cold, and the darkness in her brings out the darkness in me. Still, she visits every year, so this was the year I finally decided to make friends. We still aren’t besties. We never will be, but we are no longer enemies and I consider that great progress. |
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| This Winter I have walked outside every day, through rain, snow, ice or dark of night. And you know what? I’m now more comfortable with being uncomfortable. |
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| It’s not really about steps or miles. It’s just about proving that I can show up consistently regardless of feelings. It’s about trying to embrace every season of life without fighting it, realizing I’m always an active part of this little ecosystem rather than a bystander, controlling what I can control in a world of chaos, and giving myself a daily break from hard things and/or horrific news. (There are many different kinds of rest.)
I always try and look for the good and lovely things, so walking outdoors can often be a source of inspiration, but if I’m honest, I often just don’t see or feel it.
Then I think to myself, maybe today I can be the good and lovely thing out here, just by putting one foot in front of the other. |
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I go in and out, don’t you? Into flow and gratitude, and out of it again Into grief and hopelessness, and out of it again. Into routine; cooking, walks, connection And then into bed, the bath, my head, my tears.
These days call for the ability to sway Sway into reality, sway into empathy, and back again. Dip toes into fear, anxiety, awareness And rest in creativity, distraction, comfort.
We go in and out, like tides Creating our own slow rhythms Finding the pulse of survival.
Alix Klingenberg “Waves,” from Quietly Wild
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| | How are you handling this Winter and the overwhelm of daily hard news? As always, please reach out if you want or need. I consider your time and attention to be such valuable gifts. Thank you for sharing them with me.
WIP always, dolly |
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