Art & Soul

I thought about Paulette at Christmas (remembering my favorite card from her - dressed as Frida Kahlo, Bob as Diego Rivera). But I wasn't in touch, and didn't send her my Christmas card. She called today to tell me she dreamt about me all night last night. No matter how many times she woke, she went right back to dreaming of me in a young and radiant body talking to her from the "other side."  Woo, woo stuff that we made a business of a few years back. She didn't know my Christmas card this year was the story of my mother coming to me in a dream in her luminous 30-something body to tell me that "Life is a blink in the universe of time. Enjoy every moment." Who's to say our souls don't touch, no matter the distance. 

I've shared my new art form (this blog) with my three granddaughters. Allyson is 9 1/2, Shannon is 11 next month. Allyson's instant reply was, "thanks & how do you make a blog because I want 2 make 1 so tell me PLEASE."  Shannon is saving me to her favorite links and sent me some art to put up here. Alixis must be busy because I haven't heard from her yet. Here's Shannon's art choice to share with my friends:

Be the Peace you want to see in the world.

Taking A Leap - Following the Impulse

My friend Carley & I go to the King's Mountain Art Fair every year. It's a great inspiration, seeing all those imaginative and beautiful pieces brought together for our benefit (and the benefit of the the local volunteer fire department). This year I was enchanted by the work of an artist new to this fair - her work made me smile inside and out. I wished I had thousands of dollars to throw her way so I could take it all home with me, and I told her that. Instead of pushing a small affordable print on me, she offered me a flyer about an art/writing week in Mexico. Before Carley and I left the fair, I had handed Jerry Fenter a small cash deposit.

My heart cracked open that day - excited to take a leap. I don't really draw, or paint - I've had no lessons since my long ago faraway days as a housewife. I play with paint and color occasionally. I write, collage, and I take snaps...not "painting."

I've never had a vacation that didn't include family. This is just for me - what Cheryl Richardson would call Extreme Self Care. I've been practicing following the energy... if I contract within - I say no; if I feel expansive inside - I say YES. 

I said YES.YES.YES to this. Jerry is down to earth, cheerful, and easy to be with - not to mention talented. And, the resort in Mexico? Of course I looked it up the moment I got home. La Paloma Resort! Ahhhh - paradise. She may have an opening left for the Mexico Class. I'm sharing Jerry's Happy New Year card - click on the link above and go see all her work!!!!

What is it that could crack your heart open, and make you say YES.YES.YES to something you've never done before?

Leap and the net will appear. ~ Julia Cameron

Doors Opening - Thoughts Blossoming

Doors are opening - still searching for open red doors.  In the meantime, adding a link to the Red Door Gallery and Collective blog in the East Bay - see Art & Ink Links. Love the collective idea - co-creation in action (thanks, Leonie!) I've added Leonie's link, too, in trusted friends links list - anyone needs a graphic designer w/a passion for drumming...here she is).

My sister just adopted her first kitty this past week (a very young mommy cat whose kittens are weaned and adopted), and today I hear my friend Ellen is also taking in a rescue cat! Yeah, lives saved! I've added a link to an old friend, Linda Schooler, who is an amazing pet psychic (people, too!).

If I didn't live in a 6th floor tree-house view apartment, I'd have a cat, too or two. I've always had indoor/outdoor cats who needed their freedom as much as I do. I'll wait until I have earth again (rather than air) for a backyard. The big dream is a home with a well lit studio, set amongst old trees with a stream running through the property. Visualizing this, making vision boards, letting it go.  

Thought for today:

Action is the blossom of thought, conditions the result of action, and joy the reward. Think the thoughts that blossom into actions that deliver the joy.

My sister's new joy - Rosie with her toy:    

Photo ©2009, Melissa A. Barton

Day Two - Red Carpets, Doors, Diaries

While Googling doors and diaries today, I found Ann Leary (Dennis' wife) and her Red Carpet Diaries (see links page). A funny, creative woman. Creativity is the theme of this site, of my life.

If you can conceive it, you can achieve it. Not a cliche. Bill Gates' conception: "A computer on every desktop." Helen Keller's conception: "No preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided." If not completely achieved, we're close on both - and they didn't do it alone.

I am compelled to open to a larger vision than I've ever had. I invite everyone to feel free to share, find sanctuary (creative eccentrics may want someone to identify with), and creative sustenance at this site. I'll post my own experiences and offer up my friend's as examples of creators of fascinating lives, whine/wine, art, music, food, romance. ... all from a point of co-creating rather than pro-creating. 

Today's Book Suggestion:  "The Master Key System" by Charles Haanel. Bill Gates is rumored to have studied this before he left Harvard to pursue his dream of a computer on every desktop. As much as I love Apple, and detest Microsoft, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has done some incredible good globally.

It's New Year's eve and my Chinese fortune cookie says, "A good time to start something new." Thoughts become things. Think THINK BIGGER GOOD thoughts. Now I'm off for my 2009 astrology reading.

What new vision do you have for 2009? 

Day One

Dear Friends & Family,

Day one of my blog posted. Testing how each step works, testing my learning ability - all on my own here (no genius niece at hand to help). Changing styles - choosing existing templates. Figuring out links. Easy to read I hope, and to navigate the menu bar, links, etc.

This red door appears to have opened and closed for the last time, put to pasture next to the barn at Allied Arts in Menlo Park - a symbol of 2008 behind us. Now hunting open red doors - or any doors opening to new ideas, new possibilities, new friends.

Welcome to the New Moon (the time for starting something new) in Aquarius (technology) , and an upcoming New Year!