Delayed Reactions

2006, LeMer, 36x60, mixed media

So I'm not the only one. Reading Robin's blog makes me think the sinking spells and odd-man-out feelings I've been having are not unusual after spending a month away from routine. The worst of it is over I hope, and life seems back to normal, whatever that is. Normal, for me, means either too much to do or not enough... it means a familiar rut that is both cursed and sought... it means people who really do care but just don't think to give you all the strokes you think you need because their normal life is in need of strokes as well. I'm entering into the 'too much to do' mode, having wasted precious time being slow to surface.

I'm not superstitious, but I have a silly habit that has worked for years... that is to think 'worse case scenario' and that cancels out the possibility of it happening. A simple example would be: if I'm going downstairs with both hands full, I imagine myself falling, feeling every bump along the way. Then I proceed with the proper caution and all is well. When I fell to my knees coming out of a store in France, arms loaded with veggies and mouth in motion, I was obviously distracted. (Well, I was faced with this great view of the Pyrenees...) If I'd focused on possible results of my actions, that wouldn't have happened. It seems to work on a much larger scale in my life as well. The theory being, it's what you don't think of that will get you! Wonder what the term for that would be, positive/negative visionary reversal?

The painting above was started and finished since my return. It was suggested that I do something with blues as a client is looking and likes my work. From the first layer, I knew that it would reflect the Mediterranean, and therefore, the title. The photo isn't the best, I let it get away from me before a proper shoot.

Strrrecchhhh...

2001, Auld 2, 48 x 24Of the two little exercise books I've been experimenting with, I think I like the 'Morning Cup of Tai Chi' best. Granted, it's such a simplified form that true advocates of Tai Chi might sneer, but there's something about the slowed down pace that entices me to want to learn more. As it happens, the author, John Bright-Fey, is located here in Birmingham, complete with classes, etc. I'm not likely to take it that far, but I mention it because I see he is also an artist at a local gallery featuring Asian art. Ah, a man of many talents. But there's another connection... I first heard of his Blue Dragon Academy when I was photographed for an article in the local 'Birmingham' magazine a few years back. Seems the photographer is also a devotee of JB-F and was singing his phrases (don't remember how the subject even came up!) And the threads keep weaving... I think I'll stick to my 'morning cup' for the time being.

Back To Work...

1982, Yellow Daffodils, 11 x 15 watercolor

Okay, time to refocus, time to get my priorities straight. Goals are to get some in-progress work finished this month, preferably sooner than later. I've had quite a nice respite with my online crash course on the South of France but if I chase after one more link I'll be on overload and begin to fizzle out. Best to keep it on ice for now and return to regular life.

Regular life has been a pain, however... in the heel, the hip and the shoulder, to be exact. Right or wrong, I've traced the culprit to the gym and an overly exuberant aerobic leader I tried too hard to keep up with! I've given myself permission to take it easy, do my stretching at home, and move back into a much more relaxed exercise schedule. The last thing I want to do is limp through the hills of France! I've seen the foot doc, got a shot that didn't work, new orthotics, new shoes, a couple of new books on Yoga and Tai Chi (very simplified versions) and a new attitude.

So back to the studio, crank up the CD's and churn out the masterpieces! But... it's gonna be such a beautiful day for spring gardening! Maybe a little of that, too!