Inspiration: Congested Sunrises

I am a fan of Sunday mornings; they give me time to transition from my swirly, sleepy dreams into reality. I can be slow and deliberate, appreciating every minute. However, most of my mornings are spent stuck in traffic on the Veterans Expressway. It sounds kind of miserable, but thanks to the beautiful Florida weather and clear skies, I've found a way to turn my commute into my transition time.

I roll down the windows in my car, turn on and turn up some great music, and just wait for that moment when I round the corner from a sea of taillights into the perfect Stay Golden, Ponyboy sunrise. They always surprise me because they are ever changing. Everything, like the clouds, the time, and the moon, seems to have an impact and change the colors and patterns. They make me want to paint. They make me hopeful for the day ahead.

Here are a few that I was able to capture:

A Break & A Return

I needed a break from the blog.

In August, I signed up for an online writing class. I hoped to get a few things out of the experience: to make some blogging friends, to find a better focus for my blog, and to be inspired to write more. None of this happened. Everyone was so self-focused and so desperate for attention that it was impossible to learn and get much from the experience. I felt more frustrated and isolated than when I started.

I knew that I needed to take a break. I was trying too hard, and knowing that I was only a few days from a vacation, I planned to take a month off to regroup. That month turned into four months.

Looking back, it feels like a lifetime has passed in those four months.  I discovered Gelly Rolls (and did lots of artwork), had a health scare, learned to care for sea life (sea lions kinda rock it), took some chances, reconnected with friends, got manhandled by a beloved 90’s rock star, fell in love (not the rock star, thank you!), made a crime scene for my Halloween costume, flaked out on another photography class, went to some great concerts (Fiona Apple, The Chevin, Lemonheads, Psychedelic Furs, Weezer, & Glen Hansard), discovered how much I hate ukuleles, empty fan club promises, and mean girls, played a lot of guitar, had my heart broken (still recovering), and found myself brimming with love for my family for their love and support.

But now with the new year, I realize that I miss my blog. I miss writing. Even if I’m only writing this as a record for myself, it helps me to process everything going on, so I’m back. I may need a Schmidt re-launch (If you’re not watching New Girl, go watch now!)... I think my theme will be Crazy Happy Optimistic. Hey, sometimes you just have to fake it until you make it.

Here are some photographs and art from the last four months.

Obsessions, Zentangles (sort of), and Mandalas

As part of my online writing class, I have an assignment to think about my obsessions and whether they help or hinder my creative processes. I can think of lots of my obsessions: amazing music, sunny afternoon cat naps on the couch, the beautiful succession of notes on Here Comes the Sun, emotional, character driven movies and TV shows, great books, my new vegan lifestyle... and now I am worrying about how many obsessions, I was able to come up with in a few minutes.

One of the constants throughout my life has been art. I have the fondest memories of digging through boxes of Crayolas, delighting in the color names and making up my own, and of the excitement in smelling all the scents of a brand new box of Mr Sketch markers. For Christmas, my favorite gifts have always been the art sets, paints, special pens, and beautiful sketch pads. I can still get lost for hours in the aisles of an art supply store, picking out supplies and imagining what I can do with them.

When I apply paint to a page, I can imagine what it might turn into and then am always overwhelmed when it turns into something better that I never could have planned. This process gives me peace and distance from of the messier things in life. It gives me room to breathe and process. I believe it is why I've never lost my need and want to draw, paint, and imagine.

Last March, I tried a few Zentangles. I didn't take a class or read a book; I just tried it. I love the concept that there are no mistakes, only creative bursts that lead you in unexpected directions. It is meditative, calming, and a bit addicting.  I don't do it right, and I wasn't trained, but it doesn't take away any of the enjoyment or benefit.

This process reminds me of drawing and coloring mandalas (beautiful, sacred art in Buddhist and Hindu religions). They are meditative and freeing. Apparently, Carl Jung (very famous psychoanalyst) was a fan of mandalas and likened them to a "representation of the unconscious self".  He used them to work and better himself, and I feel like I've been doing the same thing. 

I spent my Sunday playing, and this is what I created:

The Sun:

The Moon:

A Tree:

A Broken Mirror

A few months ago on my morning walk, I noticed that a large mirror had been shattered across the road. All superstitions aside, I was intrigued. The sky was especially blue that morning and the reflection in the mirror was incredibly beautiful. I snapped a photo.

A few days later, someone had brushed a big, intact piece of the mirror into the grass.  I enjoyed the way that the blue sky contrasted with the deep greens of the surrounding grass, so I used it to take a self portrait.

A few days ago, I noticed that the broken pieces still remained. It was harder to see because the grass and plants had started to grow up around and break the pieces apart. I liked that it has lived in that spot for so long, untouched by humans, but was starting to be pulled back into the ground by the plants.  

Photo Booths

Some of my favorite photos ever were taken in photo booths. There is something about four quick shots that  keeps people from over thinking and leaves them less self conscious. The photos are usually funny and animated. It captures golden moments of people's personalities.

I'm currently taking an online writing class, which I'm using to focus on improving my blog. In some ways, I want to find my way back to those emotional, rambling, silly posts that I used to write when I started this thing. There is something irrational and lovely about writing about Pacey Witter and Fall while quoting Yates. 

Anyway, one of my first tasks was to update my About Me page. The text was easy, but I struggled over a photograph to use. I put together a collage of different photos through out my life, but it just didn't feel right right on the page.

At my friend Martha's 80's party last week, we were playing around with Incredibooth (a photo app that mimics a photobooth), which was a complete blast. I played with the app tonight, dug through some older shots I had taken, and then photochopped the following together. It was fun, and I kinda dig it on the page. What do you think?

As a side note, and the first photo is my cat Xander photobombing me. He kept putting his paw on my face, which was cracking me up. The moment was too funny, so I had to include it.

Finding Some Inspiration...

I am feeling quite inspired lately. I’ve had some amazing experiences (Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens), watched a fantastic movie (Cameron Crowe’s We Bought A Zoo), read a great book (We Bought a Zoo - Benjamin Mee), and listened to one of my favorite songs on constant repeat (Simon & Garfunkel’s At The Zoo - also see Songs for Planning My Escape and From a Sad Cafe). Are you sensing a pattern yet?

            

I have always loved animals, so going to the zoo gives me a magical, childlike feeling. It is one of my favorite places to be. I just bought a season pass to the Lowry Park Zoo, but the crazy tropical storm has kept me away.

With my new camera and the places I’ve been in the last few months, I’ve captured some amazing photographs of the animals. When I take photos, I love to paint my favorites. In a photo, I can capture a moment and a feeling, but when I paint, I like to mess with the colors and the perspective. I started with an elephant, and then a flamingo, and I’ve just kept going from there. I’m obsessed with the birds, but I have crazy, fun ideas for the big cats.

I recognize that there is something special about my own story in all of this. It is a piece of my childhood that I still love so much. It has ignited a story in my head.

So, with my inspiration, I’m working on two of my bucket list items to write and illustrate a children’s book. It's not to sell, or morph into someone else's idea of what it should be, it is a project that has come together in a fantastic way that makes me feel excited in the most amazing way.

I am still in the initial stages, but I thought that I would share two of my first paintings:

A Walking Meditation

I have always used my daily work breaks to take walks. At first, it was because I wanted extra exercise; however, I’ve found that it also relieves stress, clears my head, wakes up my brain, and gives me 15 minutes to myself each morning. In  The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron suggests that these types of daily walks as a meditation. It feels true; when I walk, I find a special kind of inspiration and clarity.

Last week, I reread The Tao of Pooh (for about the 100th time). I have been feeling stressed and a little lost, and reading the book always grounds me in goodness. In an effort to be more Pooh-worthy, I’ve been inspired to slow down and appreciate things more.

So, while walking earlier this week, I tried to slow down my thoughts and look around. I started during my morning walks, and first thing, I really saw was all of the beautiful, old oaks trees surrounding work. Their trunks are interesting knots of branches that are topped by oblong, airy groupings of leaves. It helped me to stop and respect the moment, so I painted a few of my favorites to remember. I might have improvised on the color a bit.

Busch Gardens - An Animal Day

As part of my trip to Discovery Cove, I received a 14-day pass to Busch Gardens. The day that I was able to go was incredibly hot and the park was packed. The lines for the rides were pretty long, and considering that I had just spent three days at Universal, I wasn't entirely in the mood for the rides anyways, so I spent the day enjoying the animals. Sometimes, I spend so much time trying to make it to all of the rides that I forget all of the amazing Busch Gardens animal exhibits.

A few weeks ago, I bought a Canon T2i DSLR camera, so I brought it along with me and snapped some photos of the animals. Don't judge too harshly because I'm still learning how to use the thing.

My favorite parts of the day included...

Seeing the elephants playing.

Feeding the kangaroos.

Watching the meerkats.

Catching the cheetahs playing. (I wish I had my telephoto lens for this one.)

The following slideshow is a photo album with more of the photos from the day:

Arty Zen Meditation

While in Columbus last month, I met a fellow artist who was mad about Zentangle. I don't understand it enough to write much, but what I do understand is that it combines art/drawing and meditation. It makes perfect sense to me. Whenever I have pressing matters on the brain, I put some great vinyl on the record player and paint. It clears my head and calms me in a way that nothing else can.

I decided to try zentangle. I didn't take a class. Honestly, I just watched a few minutes of an instructional video and then tried to create something. I like to just jump in. It was both fun and relaxing. I'm definitely interested in learning more. These are my first two.

30 Day Drawing Challenge: Days 24 - 30

I am extremely proud to say that I made it through the challenge. Thirty days can start to feel like a long time, but I am still extremely happy that I did this. It felt good to show up on the page every day and do something special for myself.

Day 24: A Couple

This is the day that I missed. It was a Monday. Monday's just suck, and I was trying to get myself to start practicing my guitar again.   

When I think of couples, I always think of that famous Robert Doisneau photograph Le baiser de l'hôtel de ville. Doisneau is one of my favorite photographers because he was so amazing at capturing the life and character of the people he photographed.

Day 25: Scenery

Driving to work, the air was a combination of fog, mist, and rain. It made the trees appear like they were melting into the gray sky. It was an absolutely beautiful morning.

Day 26: Something You Don't Like

I'm not sure that I hate anything as much as cockroaches. I know that it is irrational and they probably can't hurt me, but they still make my skin crawl. Even looking at a photo of one to draw this was giving me a serious case of the wiggins. Bleh.

Day 27: Someone You Love

Growing up, I lived next door to my grandparents. Each night, I'd sit with my Grandpa in his chair. He'd watch the news and we'd eat ice cream. I always loved strawberry because of the texture of the frozen berries. I'd fall asleep, and then he would carry me home to bed. It is one of my most special memories and I miss and love him very much. 

Day 28: Anything You'd Like

At first, I thought that this meant that I needed to draw something that I wanted. When I realized I could draw whatever I wanted, I felt stuck. In high school, I'd stay up all night on the weekends watching movies and drawing/painting. I remember watching some old surf movie the first time I drew this. Whenever I don't know what to draw, this is my go to doodle.

Day 29: A Place You Want To Go

My sister told me to check out that new show Alcatraz (I did, and it's good!), so I had San Francisco on my brain. Between earthquakes and the crazy cost of living, there are a million reasons why I shouldn't be interested in San Francisco, but whenever I read or see anything about it, I really want to go. Also, not related to my wanting to go, but San Francisco always makes me think of McTeague. What a jacked up, weirdo book.

Day 30: A Congrats Banner for Finishing the Challenge

Ok, so I was sort of cheap with my drawing today. I've been obsessed with reading the Little House on the Prairie books and I just wanted to get back to them. But anyway, yeah! I did finish. 

30 Day Drawing Challenge: Days 17 - 23

Only seven more days to go! I was busy with other things this week and got a little lax in the drawing. The good news is that they still got done.
Day 17: Favorite Plant

I shouldn't admit this, but I did have to look up whether a tree was a plant or not. When I think of a plant, I think of green and leafy things on the ground. Trees are powerful, tall, and amazing. I love how in the winter, trees transform and hibernate. It is magical and amazing.

Day 18: Just a Doodle


I just doodled. I've always been a circle doodler. In school, I drew tons of circles in the corners of my pages until they looked like dragon skin. To this day, I still feel like I comprehend things better when I'm doodling.

Day 19: Something New


This is the most embarrassing one so far... a quick and dirty (and completely inaccurate) drawing of the purple straight leg chinos that I just got from Boden.

Day 20: Something Orange

Fall is my favorite time of the year. Halloween is by far my favorite holiday. In honor of them both, this is a jack'o'lantern.

Day 21: Something You Want

One of these days, I want to own a cool, funky little craftsman style home that I can decorate and make all mine. Dark grey with white trim. I can see it perfectly in my head.

Day 22: Something You Miss

Living in Florida, I really miss the change of the seasons. The seasons in Florida are something like chilly (for about 10 days in December and January), perfect and beautiful (end of February to about April), and then hot, hotter, and deathly hot (summer and fall). I really miss Fall and Winter, but I'm guessing all the warm weather is what makes me long for the chilly temps.

Day 23: Something You Need


I wasn't exactly sure how to draw this, but what I need more than anything lately is a quiet mind. It would be nice to have some relaxation and peace from all of my rambling thoughts. Growing up, when I had a bad day or needed some time alone, I went into the woods behind my house. I could walk on the paths, kick over dead trees, and take my dogs into the creek. It was always a perfect get away. I would love to find that in my adult life.

30 Day Drawing Challenge: Days 11 - 16

I am halfway through the challenge and haven't missed a day yet. Granted, I haven't been 100% happy to get started every night, but as a whole, this has been a lot of fun so far.
Day 11: Turning Point In Your Life


I've had a lot of turning points in my life. In high school, finding an interest in photography was a great time for me. It was fun and I was pretty good at it. I miss the hours locked away in the darkroom, tricking people to smell stop bath, and the mystery in taking photographs and having to wait to see how they turned out.

Day 12: Most Recent Accomplishment


I have always wanted to learn to play guitar. I tried when I was younger, but it chewed up my fingers and I gave up far too easily. Last April, I started taking lessons and I'm happy to say that I can now play a bit of guitar. I'm not amazing, but I can make something that halfway resembles music. This is one of my guitars. It’s a purplish Fender.
 

Day 13: Comic

I'm not sure if I was supposed to design a comic or draw my favorite one. I chose the latter. If I could only name one thing that resembles what it is like being in my brain, I would suggest reading some Calvin and Hobbes.

Day 14: Favorite Fairy Tale

I had a hard time deciding which fairy tale was my favorite, but I went with Grimm's Cinderella. In the traditional story, Cinderella doesn;t have a fairy god mother. Sadly, her mother died and she planted a hazel tree on her grave. When she was upset, she went to the tree and a white bird landed on the branches above her and granted her wishes. I find the bird more magical and interesting than Prince Charming.

Day 15: Family Picture


I wish that I was having a better painting day. One day, I'm going to try this day again and work on a better portrait.

Day 16: Inspiration


Color inspires me. I love opening a box of paint, picking out a random color, and then just seeing where it takes me.