Taking Advantage of the Summer

New Whim(sical) Mixed Media work in progress; Copyright Marilyn Grad 2011

There is something about Summer that necessitates finding the perfect imbalance between work and pleasure. Because of that, I am taking this moment to tip the scales more on the side of pleasure. It's best to take advantage of it because Summer goes by so quickly.  I have workaholic tendencies. 

So for the sake of imbalance and me, I write another even more Randomly Speaking  post:

One of my favorite things to do is to go to Ravinia Park to hear outdoor concerts and picnic on the lawn. The scenery is so peaceful and serene. I went this past Friday night to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the weather was perfect:

Since my dearest friend Tereza and I both got off from our respective jobs early, we chose to arrive soon after the park opened to the public @ 5:30. This allowed us to secure a nice location, relax, take in the sights and scenery and just unwind. Concert started at 8:00. 

I picked up some "easy to transport" food. Some might find some of this kinda boring. I eat very healthy 98% of the time. Not shown, the wine and ice cream.  We're gonna need it. Trust me.

As I mentioned, one of the advantages of arriving early is to secure your spot. Once you do, it is easy to become somewhat territorial with your space and surroundings. Twenty minutes after we had staked our claim, this couple decides to position themselves a yard (literally) away from us. SERIOUSLY???? A few feet more and we wouldn't have felt intruded upon. But it was still so early and the park had LOTS of wide open space yearning to be occupied. This gets better or worse depending on your perspective. Soon after and straight ahead, this:

Not exactly the "takin' in the scenery" I had in mind. At this juncture, Tereza and I are looking at each other and around at all our too close for comfort neighbors in disbelief. REALLY??? This close??? I get my camera, seeing material for this blog in the making, and all the while laughing so hard it hurt. Great for the abs, btw. Tears were rolling down my face, unfortunately not blinding enough that I could still see the sight ahead. I'm laughing now trying to I write this.

Tereza between disbelief and laughing too! We decided to strategically place bags around our area so the plumber shot was partially obscured. It depended on whether you sat up or reclined. Anyway, the concert was spectacular. 
It was fun.

                    

Next: The DuSable Museum held an African Fine Arts and Craft Fair yesterday. I love African art in addition to Asian and Eastern. I went after work for some new ideas and influences and to see if anything called out to me. It didn't.

:

Summer Reading: Snow Flower and Secret Fan by Lisa See; next: The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Nothing like reading before the movies come out! 

A quote:

 One who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger.

Last but not least, I saw this engraved in the sidewalk across the street from me.  I DIDN'T even do it!! All for the love of wet cement and the name Marilyn. And Summer.

More Randomly Speaking...Signs of Self Expression

It's time again for Randomly Speaking...random and eclectic things I come across that catch my eye, inspire and provide occasional amusement when I'm blocked or feel a tad stretched aka stressed. I haven't been Randomly Speaking for awhile and I definitely feel like writing. So here goes:

Walking down a well trafficked Chicago side street last week, with my mind and thoughts going in several directions, I saw this sign of the times in the window. Yes, we all can use some occasional help. Some are more open and honest about it than others and are willing to ask for it:

Having recently launched my new website and creations, I am in the process of marketing to rediscover my market and establish my audience. I began that process last Saturday at a fantastic cafe, surrounded by other great artists and so appropriately named:

 Some of  my new work is on display and for sale here!
4019 N. Damen (Lincoln/Irving Park/Damen), Chicago

Some quotable words of wisdom, especially in the creative process:

Insist on yourself. Never imitate.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Never give up on something that you can't go a day without doing.  Unknown

8"x8" Mixed Media on Wood Panel

DAY 1 OF SUMMER!!!!  IT'S OFFICIALLY HERE TODAY!! 
ENJOY IT.

More Randomly Speaking....

Keeping it light, short, and sweet. Exhausted from lots of work hours, anxious and exhausted from the recent election. Seeing (and feeling!!) lots of red and feeling terribly blue :( from most of the results. So I bought some essential oils to spritz and smell and re-energize. Lots of art and exercise will follow today and this weekend after this gets posted.
Right now, I am finding some comfort and peace in other people's words. Hope you do too!

Comforting words and thoughts:

May every sunrise hold more promise and every sunset hold more peace.
Blessing

Relax. Breathe in deep. Hold it. Loosen your shoulders. Smile :)) Close your eyes. You'll be surprised how many voices you'll hear whispering sweet encouragements into your ear.

Dooley

What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what gets you out of bed in the mornings, what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know,
what breaks your heart and what amazes you.
Pedro Aroupe

All in good time.

Cervantes

More Randomly Speaking....Defining Moment

Time again for Randomly Speaking....random things I've read, seen or heard that inspires and helps me (and hopefully you!) in the artistic process.

I love it when I read or find something that identifies and expresses exactly what I am feeling when I am at a loss. What's my problem? AHA .....I just read it. I found it the June issue of Art Calendar.

I have expressed being in an unsettling creative funk and ebb of artistic motivation over these past weeks. After reading several hitting close to my mental home articles in the June issue of Art Calendar, I am no longer at a loss. I can definitely see and say part of my creative paralysis stemmed from trying to create work based on WOULD this sell ( I dunno), do I think this would SELL, who would buy this, rather than just creating for ME. A little self-censorship. I am also guilty of occasionally defining my success based solely on sales. A change of thought process is due and in effect.

Thanks to a profile about featured artist Melissa Peck, I read and recognized my problem. Nothing random at all. It was all there. A few highlighted quotes from this fantastic article:

"When I was the only one I was creating for, that's when I tapped into what makes me unique, which is the thing that makes my work sell........It was such a gift to create for me."

"What I mean is to continue creating for me and not imagining who would be buying my art. By setting aside what I thought I should be painting and doing what I found most exciting I have stumbled upon
something that is uniquely me."
Melissa Peck

"Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art. Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art." Andy Warhol


I do feel so much better after having read this entire issue. Now I'm done stroking the keyboard and off to picking up a paintbrush. For me.

More Randomly Speaking

Time again for Randomly Speaking. Random collections of eclectic things I've read, heard, and seen in the present HOPE of opening up and unblocking my creativity:

Eclectic 4- Purple Passion Bangle Set

• "Creative art demands that the artist should know life, either by experience or by inspiration, and this knowledge of life must develop a profound sympathy with humanity. The technical method of expression may be whatever the ARTIST WISHES*, whatever seems the simplest process. There is not a variety of creative arts; there is IMAGINATION* and IMPULSE TO CREATE* and a variety of methods." - Giles Edgarton

• "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed* is more important than any other one thing. " - Abraham Lincoln

• "For one who has conquered the mind*, the mind is the best of friends*. But for one who has failed to do so, his/her mind will be his/her greatest enemy." - Bhagavad-Gita

• The work of art is above all a process of creation, it is never experienced as a mere product.* - Paul Klee

• Go see the movie "Nine." See creative blocks in action except lose the cigarettes.
  

• Do a handstand*.

*My subliminal attempt to help unblock. I actually think this might be blatantly effective. I'll see. What do you think?

There is nothing Randomly Speaking about this:

We are the artists that create our own lives..

Especially with creative blockage.

Random Thoughts

I could not get into my blogger account for the last couple days for some reason. Just when you really want to write, really have something to say, poof...locked out and rerouted by technology. I checked in tonight when I got home and blogger.com is back. This white space is back. Yeah!! And now I don't know what to say. Caught off guard and overdue for an entry. In previous entries, I have written in Marilyn speak: personally speaking, technically speaking, artistically speaking, twitter-ly speaking. Are you ready for a new one...?

Introducing Randomly Speaking.....

Thoughts and ideas I've collected from things I've heard and read:

• Make sure you enjoy the work you're doing before you try to make a living at it

• Are you an artist from 9-5 or an artist all the time?

• What or when is the moment you became an artist?
  

• Your spiritual life begins in the toilet bowl

• Achievement is talent plus preparation

• Let People know what you are doing:

This Friday night from 4-9, I will be selling my art at the Harvest Fall Fest with

Mimi's Organic Exchange.

• Lastly, I walked into new Tejas Yoga Studio Monday and was greeted with Uh-oh, here comes trouble... Excuse me, and for the record, it was said with a BIG smile:) I do hear that from time to time. Endearing reputation. (BTW: When and if you are ever in Chicago, you must check Tejas out-the best!!)

Does blogger.com feel the same way? Am I really trouble? That is a rhetorical question. Don't answer.

Random thoughts. Randomly speaking.