Post-Squam Transition Space

early morning mist on Squam Lake

I'm back from Squam Art Workshops (S.A.W.) and navigating my re-entry into the non-Squam world as gracefully as I can.

This year's S.A.W. experience took me by surprise with a few unexpected epiphanies, healing and draining all at once. It was a deepening of the self. I don't know how else to put it.

It was all good.

I'll be back soon. I'm allowing myself some transition space for processing.

Off to Squam Art Workshops

 

Squam Art Workshops 2008, morning sun on Havenwood

In March 2008 I put my craving for creative community out the Universe with a pledge to take action and put myself out there too. I had no expectations of what form it would take, when it would evolve or how.

Two and half years later I am blessed with a vibrant, warm and supportive community of creative kindred spirits. I am grateful.

I am off to Squam Art Workshops. See you on the flip side.

September Happenings

last year's "tomato glut sauce" in the making

Could someone please tell me where the past three months went!? Anyone?

After kicking it off with a quick trip to the East coast for a family celebration, September promises to be a full month. I expect a mixture of business, homemaking and play:

• a visit to the farmers market to stock up on tomatoes, peppers and apples to be processed and frozen for the winter
• a 5-day retreat to the woods of New Hampshire with kindred spirits for Squam Art Workshops; catching up with a very special kindred spirit on the drive there and back
• new paintings displayed at my hair salon, #13 on the Hintonburg Arts Map; a few new prints to go with them
• a meeting to explore the possibility of co-curating a once-a-month art show to coincide with the neighbourhood’s Arts Walk
• r&r with D. and Cassie – hopefully curling up on the couch to watch a few movies on D.’s new big screen TV
• the discovery of dreams and wishes via Mondo Beyondo, by Andrea Scher and Jen Lemen
• a pot of yummy homemade vegetable soup, maybe sweet potato, mmmmm…
• the grand opening of my online shop, Straw Bale Studio (YAY!); stay tuned!
• and finally, the observation of personal energy cycles and the acceptance that even the best laid out plans can change

Always that last one. Given my Aries exuberance toward starting new projects and my go-go-go/crash tendencies it’s an important one for me to remember.

What fun plans do you have on deck this month? Do you have any favourite fall rituals or comforts at this time of year?

Second-Chance Sweetness

second-chance strawberries

It's been a full week here with stuff like housecleaning, soul searching, business planning, number crunching, emotionally crashing and being uplifted again with the help of lovely, lovely people.

But it wasn't too full to buy fresh strawberries at the farmers market and put them aside for a mid-January treat!

I missed the June crop. Lucky me I got a second chance.

ps - I'll be stepping away from the computer for a few days to enjoy an extra long Labour Day weekend. See you next week!

What's in a Name? (or A Near-Manifesto)

 

The components

experiment: n a controlled procedure carried out to discover, test or demonstrate something; the practice of experiments

Experiments are forgiving. They can - depending on the level of control applied - imply a certain leniency, permission to try something, fail and learn from it. They're usually for a set period of time with defined goals and yet-to-be-proved outcomes. They're about discovery, study and reflection; progress, not perfection.

Experimenting with something can seem less intimidating than an all-or-nothing approach. It leaves a little breathing room when stepping into unfamiliar territory.

I like that.

life: n ...the physical and mental experiences of an individual; biography; the period of existence; manner of living...

I exist here, on earth, for a finite period of time. During this time I strive to align my physical and mental experiences with my values and priorities, trying to match the exterior to the interior. I believe building this congruence will lead to inner simplicity and an overall more peaceful, less chaotic existence.

I don't expect this to be easy, I just think the potential results are worth a shot.

create: vb to bring into being; cause to exist; make, produce...

I believe that I have a part in creating the unfolding of events. I think I get help along the way from co-creators like my intuition, other people, Mother Nature and my Higher Power (though I'm still fuzzy on how they we all fit together), but in the end I believe that I can choose or produce a personal course of action.

When faced with circumstances beyond my control that may not jive with my preferred choices I can still choose how to deal with them, thus creating a different experience depending on my choice.

The whole

Creative Living Experiment: where it all comes together

My Creative Living Experiment is the process of figuring out what kind of life I want to create and experimenting with different ways of bringing it into being. This blog is where I write about it.

Approached with a healthy mixture of gusto and compassion it's a journey of trial and error, observation and reflection, lessons learned and hopefully some successes. Ultimately, it's a journey in creating alignment of external circumstances with internal values.

Plus I'm an artist, I like to create things, the words flowed well and it was a natural sequel to my Urban Living Experiment. Hence the name.

It's not always all about the profound.

Tell me, what's in your blog name? Why did you choose it? Did it call out to you immediately or did it grow into itself? Does it encompass a dream, a past experience, or is it simply a reminder to stay grounded in the present?

If you feel like sharing why don't you leave your story in the comments or even better, write about it on your blog and leave me a link in the comments! I'm curious.