A Snail's Tale

"The snail is a symbol meaning the protection of providence, deliberation and perseverance. The snail represents one who has steady footing and stability. The spiral of the snail's shell is a symbol of evolution, expansion, mystery and changing cycles. On the other hand, snails can be viewed as slow-moving and lazy."

~ from Living Arts Originals

This morning I walked in the mist and as each drop landed on my skin I felt my senses awaken to the world around me.

I noticed the sunset orange moths lounging on the wildflowers, the sound of the wind weaving through a clump of tall grass and I even noticed the poor little field mouse that met what looked like an unfortunate demise. And I bowed my head in silence to it all.

But what entranced me the most during my outing was a snail. A foot or two off the paved edge of the path, it caught my eye as it inched its way toward the tall field grass. I crouched and watched it for a about five minutes, taking in its unhurried, patient and smooth movements.

It didn't seem to mind that it was slow. Nor did it seem to mind that it was dragging a weighty shell on its back.

It just trekked on, unfurling and twitching its antennas from side to side, as if to scout out the next appropriate step on its journey. Then it took it.

I love it when the Universe sends me gems like that.

What Needs To Be Done

There's a stillness in the air tonight. An unknowing of if or when the skies will open up and lash us with their fury.

storm shadow

I am restless.

I crave order and cleanliness in my home. I crave nature and birdsong. I crave connection and gentle laughter.

I crave vegetables, water and sleep.

I know what needs to be done. It's time to go back to my Basics, to remember the small daily practices that make such a big difference to my state of mind, to my soul.

When I do that the craving stops and contentment settles in. And I feel at peace again.

Wonder, Polymer and Chillin'

an indoor oasis in Montreal's financial district, Getaway 2011

After last week's 5-Day Challenge I escaped to Montreal for a weekend of wonder, beauty, relaxation and a little bit of soul funk dancing to top it off.

Then I spent ten hours in the country with two other women, a 160lb (I think it was that big) Rottweiler named Porto and a hound (I think she was a hound) named Dixie playing with fabric, polymer and the female form.

I can't wait to tell you more about both, but I'm just too pooped!

So tonight I chill. But I will be back.

5-Day Challenge: Days 4 and 5

I did it! Five days, five visits to the art table. Just the gentle kick I needed to get going.

Every time I do this 5-day exercise I see my confidence grow towards the end. I show up, I try out new things and I LEARN.

I didn't have much time to paint on Days 4 and 5, but I still painted. I tried something different: inspired by Day 3 paint leftovers and a favourite pot of jumbly tumbly pansies, I tried to paint a stylized (or maybe impressionistic?) still life - a first for me.

Here's the photo on which it's based:

I began with a mat board (about 9x7) on which I'd slathered my leftover paint from Day 3's Frida:

I detected the shape and colour of my blue flower pot on the bottom and it inspired me to try the pansies.

The background, pots and greenery were the product of Day 4, the flowers were added on Day 5:

I think I'm intrigued enough to continue and see where it will go.

This style of painting is new to me and completely out of my comfort zone, but a 5-Day Challenge is a great time to experiment since there's no pressure to produce anything to completion. The goal is to show up; that is all.

I'm hoping to do this type of timed challenge more often, I'll let you know if I do. And thanks to those who joined in this time 'round - you helped keep me honest!

'Til the next challenge...

5-Day Challenge: Days 2 and 3

Three days down and still going strong!

But I will not lie, Day 2 was frustrating and discouraging, leading me to these two potential backgrounds. The first one is 6x4, the second is approximately 18x7:

Day 2’s satisfaction – and it was an effort to find any – came from my having gone to the table, not from the end results.

But on Day 3, the first background became this:

Which then became this:

And after a few other interim states, led to this:

Can you guess where this is going? (Hint: F.K.)

Day 3 was a really good day.

Days 4 and 5 coming soon…