Monday, October 5, 2009

You say "prawcess", I say "process"...

So one day, way back when, in the 90's I think, I stopped at a large table in the center of the mall in front of the bookstore. They were having a sidewalk sale, though of course there are no real sidewalks in the mall. I started sifting through the piles of discounted books when my eye was caught by a little book with an unusual shape. It was cut on the diagonal. I thought it was done on purpose until I saw the cover . Well, I guess it was kind of done on purpose, because if it hadn't been cut on the diagonal, I don't think I would have picked it up and I know I would never have bought the little book at its full price at the time. But because it was badly cut, the book was for sale at $1.99. That amount fit in my tight budget at the time, and I knew that book was meant to be mine some how.
The book is called "100 Ways to Keep Your Soul Alive."

I don't know how many times I have turned to this little book over the years but it has to be in the hundreds. It is just as the title suggests - there are 100 pages with a quote and a suggested action to take on each page. Sometimes I pick a number between 1 and 100 and choose a page and other times, I just ask the book for a message and open it up where it feels right.

Last night, after a weekend making twenty or so stuffed birds, doing errands, and all kinds of other stuff, I was desperate for some time in my art journal. I shoved all bird making stuff off to one side of the work table, grabbed my journal and then, just sat there. I wanted to get a page done in the journal but for whatever reason, my mind was empty of inspiration in that moment. I looked over onto my bookshelf, filled with books and mags of all kinds - full of inspiration when I need it, and my eye was caught by that same old little book.

I asked it for some help and opened it to this page :

The result was this page in my journal :

I had a lot of fun with the face - trying out different colors and different tools.

There is a little Portfolio water soluble oil pastel in there, some acrylic paints, some

India ink and some white Elmers Paint Pens.

The text came directly from "100 Ways".

I wasn't even sure how the page of the book applied to my life right now as I was
creating the page in my journal. I just knew that the message inspired me to get stuff down, let it out of me and to play.

When the page was done, I re-read the quote by Thich Nhat Hanh. The last line in particular stuck out for me :

"The practice is to keep our "flowerness" alive and present, not just for our own benefit but for the happiness of everyone."

Last night, I had to liven up my flowerness - I had to create a journal page and let part of my blooming soul out on the page.

When I do that, it is for me, but it is also for others. It lets others know that it is good to take time to express yourself though whatever creative outlet drives you. It creates a bit of beauty in the world for some others to admire and appreciate. It keeps Momma happy which means that everyone is happy, if you know what I mean !

It hopefully inspires you to keep your own "flowerness" alive and present as well.

We are all in this together, right ?

So, I hope your week has many chances in it for you to BLOOM !

Here is a gorgeous song call "Your Nature" by Hot House Flowers. I recommend sitting for 5 while listening to it, and looking at the beauty of nature around you, be it outside your window or in your own mirror. ;)

Happy Monday, beautiful Ones.


14 comments:

Snap said...

A wonderful page and quote from one of my favorite teachers. Nature ... that connection is so important and so many ignore it. After reading your post I feel calm, smiley, happy. JOY!

Sherry said...

Beautiful music Kim!
And I'm so glad that you let your flowerness out -- what you said, how what you give yourself you are also giving to others is so very, very true!

I love this little book you found..imperfections happen and as I've discovered there are as many people for imperfections...sometimes it's what isn't as it should be that gives us the best messages.

A happy journal page created from a beautiful message! :)

I love your process!!

beth said...

I love you finding and exposing your flowerness on a day where it wasn't automatically there....

you are such a gift of warmth !!

now I'm off to listen to your music :)

patti said...

Flowerness is new to me, but I like it!! Absolutely beautiful journal page, your little soul book is a gem!

patti said...

Flowerness is new to me, but I like it!! Absolutely beautiful journal page, your little soul book is a gem!

Julie Prichard said...

Really nice, Kim..the book, story and page!

Genie Sea said...

Your flowerness is vivid, flowing, prolific, stunning, invigorating, inspiring, GORGEOUS! :)

LoLa said...

I love the title of this post. I also have had this book for years.

I'd like to add that Thich Nhat Hanh is having a hell of a time at his monastery in Plum Village right now: http://helpbatnha.org/ . Monks were forcibly and brutally removed by authorities last week. Say a prayer. Peace.

Dawn said...

I have been lurking on your blog for awhile now, admiring your work--but this journal page really struck me. The colors are so bold and vibrant, and I never thought anyone but my dad and me had heard of hothouse flowers!

This is beautiful.

michelle ward said...

RF - what a gorgeous sentiment....flowerness. the fact that you spent time making a page with that in mind means you really embraced it, don't you think? so much better than just reading the page in the book. now it's part of you....and thankfully, impressed upon us too. xo

deb did it said...

KIM, THE CREATIVITY IS ABSOLUTELY FLOWING LIKE A FLOOD OUT OF YOU.....oops...didn't meant to shout...BUT I KINDA LIKE IT!!! keep creating.....it is beautiful, LOVE the colors and new stuff!!

Anne said...

Hi, Kim! Love your journal page and your whole story of what led to it. I love hearing stories of other people's process ... how they get from here to there and create their art! :-)

arlene said...

This page takes my breath away Kim! The colours are just so...SO!
xox

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...

i like you a lot
i really wish i could live close to you...
hugs!