I would love to fill this space with art, inspiration or something visually worthwhile. I apologize but this week it will simply be words. I am preoccupied with planning and fulfilling a long awaited goal: taking a REAL long overdue vacation.
I am visiting Portland Oregon this weekend for 5 days. I have never been to the Pacific Northwest. Needless to say, I am very excited, eager and ready to explore more unchartered territory. Physically; Mentally; Geographically; Personally. I don't know anyone there - yet. I have been wanting to relocate. Is Portland my "IT" city?
At the beginning of the year, I was in a real quandary whether to apply and invest in more art shows or take a vacation. After much thought and self assessment, vacation won. I'm doing a few smaller, less expensive shows instead. I feel terrific about my decision.
Going Portland. I love Words.
FOOTNOTE 9/1: However, still wayward.... and in need of a vacation. I went to check my airline confirmation online and discovered that I am scheduled to return Sept. 10 (made in June). YEAH!!! I scheduled my guesthouse reservation to check out Sept. 9. YIKES. Would cost me more to change the flight than stay an extra day. Found outI can stay at the inn for one more day made just under the wire. No room after that. Now all I have to do is tell work....
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Getting Inspiration from Potato Salad
The pressure to accomplish, fulfill personal "to do's" and get in as much FUN as possible before Summer is over is on. Play. Work. Play. Work. Goals. I have a friend who forwards fun, interesting and entertaining emails to me which I enjoy. Some are better than others. This most recent one contained a video from 1944. As I watched, I was trying to figure out HOW and IF I could possibly use it and keep it relevant to my blog's purpose. It wasn't easy but I came up with something. Desperate times deserve desperate measures.
I mentioned in my previous entry that a few of the participants of Local Market show were in the healing arts; we bartered our services and made light of low turnout with laughter and cucumbers. One of the services I bartered was with a massage therapist for my lower back. I seem to be harboring alot of pain there lately, most apparent when I'm in yoga class or try to touch my toes. It hurts physically, mentally and emotionally in certain asanas and picking things up.
After viewing this video (this is borderline kitsch) , I pined for being flexible again. Having goals is great, but keeping a silly mindset in the process is even better. Especially when trying to establish and achieve the challenging ones.
I will do and try anything, even bend over backwards, to reach a goal... to a point. I recognize, honor and respect some of my limitations...most of the time. Some limitations are temporary, some self-imposed and some are permanent..like I'm getting older!! Perspective and maintaining a sense of humor throughout is key.
I am excited as I plan to introduce my Fall phase for this blog: to have a picture of me up to make this more personal and show more artwork. I'm doing cartwheels just thinking about it. Soon ;)
At this time, I thought about offering a recipe for potato salad, but I think we've seen enough. Besides, it's fattening.
Enjoy a wonderful rest of your Summer.
A relaxed mind is a creative mind.
I mentioned in my previous entry that a few of the participants of Local Market show were in the healing arts; we bartered our services and made light of low turnout with laughter and cucumbers. One of the services I bartered was with a massage therapist for my lower back. I seem to be harboring alot of pain there lately, most apparent when I'm in yoga class or try to touch my toes. It hurts physically, mentally and emotionally in certain asanas and picking things up.
After viewing this video (this is borderline kitsch) , I pined for being flexible again. Having goals is great, but keeping a silly mindset in the process is even better. Especially when trying to establish and achieve the challenging ones.
I will do and try anything, even bend over backwards, to reach a goal... to a point. I recognize, honor and respect some of my limitations...most of the time. Some limitations are temporary, some self-imposed and some are permanent..like I'm getting older!! Perspective and maintaining a sense of humor throughout is key.
I am excited as I plan to introduce my Fall phase for this blog: to have a picture of me up to make this more personal and show more artwork. I'm doing cartwheels just thinking about it. Soon ;)
At this time, I thought about offering a recipe for potato salad, but I think we've seen enough. Besides, it's fattening.
Enjoy a wonderful rest of your Summer.
Monday, August 10, 2009
A Healthy Side of Art
The Local Market show that I participated in this past weekend truly demonstrated the healthy side of art. Personally speaking. I will be totally honest. As the second installment of this newly introduced show, this past weekend was not well attended - at all. The weather was oppressively HOT. We were competing with other venues in the city and other extenuating circumstances. I have complete faith in this new show; believe that it will gain traction and plan to participate in November.
Rather than permanently moping, getting angry or discouraged, this show put our talents and services to the test. Since the participants were artists, wellness providers and healing services, we really needed and used our creativity and rose to the occasion. We bartered our services for art work. We walked around with cucumber slices on our foreheads to cool off and we LAUGHED. O.K. Some of us did. Some need to take themselves less seriously.
There was a brief Green Spa tutorial from Eleanor Riley who demonstrated how using natural, seasonal, fresh, edible ingredients heals the body, mind and sole/soul. She will be participating in The Local Market in September.
I highly recommend you stop by and visit her website.
Sample recipes:
Refreshing Orange Scrub:
1/2 of an Orange
4 Tablespoons Cornmeal
Squeeze orange juice and pulp into a bowl and add the cornmeal. Mix into a paste.
Apply onto freshly washed face and body. Scrub for 2-3 minutes. Rinse, tone, moisturize*.
* Suggested Moisturizers: Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Almond Oil
Citrus Herb Deodorant
1/4 cup distilled witch hazel
6 drops of lavender essential oil
3 drops rosemary essential oil
3 drops lemon essential oil
3 drops lime essential oil
Yogurt-Honey Mask:
1 Tablespoon Plain Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Honey
Add ingredients together and apply to a clean, moist face. Pat this mask onto the skin for a moisturizing, penetrating, hydrating, soothing application that will also help to clear up skin problems.
Sweet Strawberry Tooth Whitener:
Crush a strawberry and use to brush teeth as you normally would. The strawberry removes stains and gently polishes teeth for a sweet, clean smile! Be sure to use a separate toothbrush for this, as it may stain the bristles.
Art is very healthy and very healing.... personally and naturally speaking.
Rather than permanently moping, getting angry or discouraged, this show put our talents and services to the test. Since the participants were artists, wellness providers and healing services, we really needed and used our creativity and rose to the occasion. We bartered our services for art work. We walked around with cucumber slices on our foreheads to cool off and we LAUGHED. O.K. Some of us did. Some need to take themselves less seriously.
There was a brief Green Spa tutorial from Eleanor Riley who demonstrated how using natural, seasonal, fresh, edible ingredients heals the body, mind and sole/soul. She will be participating in The Local Market in September.
I highly recommend you stop by and visit her website.
Sample recipes:
Refreshing Orange Scrub:
1/2 of an Orange
4 Tablespoons Cornmeal
Squeeze orange juice and pulp into a bowl and add the cornmeal. Mix into a paste.
Apply onto freshly washed face and body. Scrub for 2-3 minutes. Rinse, tone, moisturize*.
* Suggested Moisturizers: Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Almond Oil
Citrus Herb Deodorant
1/4 cup distilled witch hazel
6 drops of lavender essential oil
3 drops rosemary essential oil
3 drops lemon essential oil
3 drops lime essential oil
Yogurt-Honey Mask:
1 Tablespoon Plain Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Honey
Add ingredients together and apply to a clean, moist face. Pat this mask onto the skin for a moisturizing, penetrating, hydrating, soothing application that will also help to clear up skin problems.
Sweet Strawberry Tooth Whitener:
Crush a strawberry and use to brush teeth as you normally would. The strawberry removes stains and gently polishes teeth for a sweet, clean smile! Be sure to use a separate toothbrush for this, as it may stain the bristles.
Art is very healthy and very healing.... personally and naturally speaking.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Plugging Local Art & Inspiration
There is a healthy, new approach to shopping this weekend and you are invited!!! I am excited and proud to be participating in The Local Market, a brand new show for Chicago, produced by Mimi's Organic Exchange. Admission is FREE!!
The Local Market
Mimi’s Organic Exchange and The Leeway Room
855 West Blackhawk Street
Chicago, IL 60642 USA
773-991-3835
Think globally, enjoy locally
Transform your world
SATURDAY 8/08 12pm-7pm & SUNDAY 8/09, 12pm-6pm
The Local Market of Mimi’s Organic Exchange’s is the perfect destination for your shopping needs. See how local artisans embrace sustainable living and create hand-made, organic and repurposed products. Find something renewed.
Items for sale include essentials as well as one-of-a-kind. Our vendors have a range of products including clothing and accessories, art, jewelry, stationary and home decor. You can also meet great holistic health and wellness service providers, and enjoy performances by featured local musicians.
A prime location, the Leeway Room on Blackhawk is two blocks between the new REI Store on Halsted and Whole Foods on Kingsbury, off North Ave.Mimi’s Organic Exchange (MOE) is a business, arts and healing network committed to socially, environmentally and spiritually sustainable products and services. A cornerstone of Mimi’s Organic Exchange is creating community through support of local micro-businesses.
"FEEL GOOD" ART. "FEEL GOOD" SHOW. "FEEL GOOD" CAUSE.
I hope to see you there!! Bring & tell your friends, coworkers, and family.
:)Marilyn
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Inspiring Blogs Want to Know
I was browsing along, minding my own blog business when I decided to take a left onto Inspiration Avenue. As luck would have it, I read that there was an inspiration party scheduled for Saturday. The attendees who had already RSVP'd appeared so fun, talented, INSPIRING and interesting. So I invited myself- the nerve!!. The invitation was conditional: I had to provide 5 things that inspire me and share them. I can do that. With great pleasure, I offer my inspiration:
- Compassion and Sensitivity
2. ARTIsTs: For their talent, creativity, marketing savvy, perseverance and willingness to help you (me) technically
3. Wisdom and Integrity
4. People who don't take themselves too seriously.
5. COLOrful bLoGGInG!
Thank you for letting me to come to the party!! I love inspiration without the perspiration. This was fun.
Inspiration can be so rewarding in so many ways. (Hint: there is a surprise/clue here.) To discover more sources of art and inspiration, please... go ahead, click once and mingle here.
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