Sources of Joy
I always brighten when the weather warms up!
However, some seasons offer more challenges. Friends and family may be experiencing difficulties. Occasionally, our wells just seem to go dry – and even that gratitude list just doesn’t seem to lift our spirits. We grow tired of overused platitudes. There are seasons in our lives when things just seem a little off.
It’s time for a 30,000 mile check up—or 500.
What keeps our creative spirits running smoothly?
Connections
If we are not plugged in, we can lose power.
People—think of those people who truly understand, “get” and love you. Your tribe. During our more depleted times, it is vital to seek out those who nourish your soul and being. Today, I received messages from 3 such people and my spirit lifted immensely. If possible, give yourself a break from those who take more energy than they share.
Although solitude is important, certain activities must occur with others. One can improve tennis by hitting a ball against a backboard-but one really needs to play with another person.
Accept in person invitations from those you enjoy and trust! A little time with a friend or a group is often a boost.
Know Thyself -– examine what you really believe and stick to it. Although we are encouraged to keep an open mind, we each have a value system, talents, and skills. We need time in solitude nurturing who we were made to be. Develop your passions. If we want to paint, write, act, or play an instrument, even the best teacher cannot magically transmit skill; we need practice. Maintain your spiritual practice.
Each morning I fill my tank. I read Scripture and find journaling helps immensely. I try to keep electronics at bay for the first part of my day. I prefer a hard copy book, paper and pencil, and I use a little will power to look up only pertinent topics on my phone. But don’t be hard on yourself - check texts from loved ones if necessary…train yourself to get back on track, and hopefully you can carve out a small time each day to nurture your heart.
My suggested readings include:
Julia Cameron Transitions (or any book by Cameron) – short quotes and uplifting ideas to ponder
Madeleine L’Engle Herself: Reflections on a Writing Life
Frances Mayes The Discovery of Poetry: A Field Guide to Reading and Writing Poems (author of Under the Tuscan Sun)
Elizabeth Murray Living Life in Full Bloom: 120 Daily Practices to Deepen Your Passion, Creativity & Relationships
Christie Purifoy Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty, and Place
Monty Don Down to Earth
Ian Robertson, Creative Authenticity
Nature—this may sound like a platitude, but nature does make things better. A walk outdoors can do wonders. I am blessed to live in rural Southern California with easy access and relatively mild weather.
My favorite walking path is nearby at Joshua Tree Black Rock Campground – not far. I often walk with a good friend, and we chat as we ramble. We observe seasonal changes. I noticed a huge hole in my favorite Joshua Tree which I’ve painted numerous times. Not even the park rangers knew the cause, but I’m keeping an eye on it! We observe the flowers, Joshua Tree blooms, rocks. This year’s Parry’s Nolinas have been spectacular. These large plants (some twice the height of a human) have caught my attention and inspired me to paint! I’ve visited at different times of the day to catch the variation in sunlight.
Author Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and other books always encourage her 3 keys for creativity: 1) morning pages (she suggests writing 3 pages non-stop without analyzing what you’re writing), 2) an artist date which is simply a time you take yourself to an inspiring place - alone (a gallery, museum, place in nature or one you have wanted to visit -- close or far, elaborate or simple), and 3) walks!
Movement – no matter your age or condition, some movement will get you going and can boost your mood. What sport or activity kept you moving when you were young? Hopefully, some variation of that is available.
Ever since the pandemic, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Yoga with Adriene free on YouTube. You can request length, level, body part or purpose – like Bedtime Yoga | 20 Minutes; Yoga for Neck and Shoulder Relief Total Body Yoga | Deep Stretch |17 minutes; or something far more ambitious like Total Body Yoga | Deep Stretch |45 minutes.
Walking, swimming, simple weight workouts at home with one set of small weights, dancing—just move!!!
Maintain healthy habits. Hydrate, rest and eat healthily.
Music – like art, literature, film, cooking-we all have our favorite and specific genres for specific times. Music is incredibly accessible today. I remember having a small transistor radio or a few vinyl records as a teen. Today I can listen to almost any music for free!!! Live music is wonderful, but you have to seek it out! Find opportunities to attend gallery openings and events with live music.
Lessons This Week
Social Media – we all have different opinions on this one. I believe most of us would agree less is more; limit your time. Don’t feel guilty about enjoying social media-it’s a wonderful way to connect with people from close by and afar. I love sharing art, travel, ideals and learning from others. As we enter the election season – you may want to take added precautions.
1 You don’t have to enter every discussion
2 Use the Snooze feature on Facebook – this allows you to simply turn off certain individuals for 30 days and they will be none the wiser.
3 Do not let a few ruin your experience. Scroll past negativity.
4 I enjoy Instagram because it’s mainly image driven and tends to share art and travel. Every major art museum has an Insta page!
Art Tips – this week your artist date may simply be scheduling time when you can play with creative materials. I meet with a Zoom group each week and that ensures that I will paint, draw or work creatively. I have recently put a note on my bathroom mirror reminding me to paint more. For me, it works!
I cut back on the organizations I belonged to before 2020, and I am now very selective. I’ve spent years enjoying life as though it were a smorgasbord; I am now more discerning.
Play with new materials. Dig out what you have and find something you have not used in a while – you may love or hate it – but will experience new textures and colors.
Travel Tips – I love to travel and am often checking airfares. However I grew up in a city that is definitely a destination, Los Angeles. Sometimes forget how remarkable the City of the Angels really is! I’m planning a visit into the City of the Angels this month.
My grandmother’s gift and floral shop was in the famed Pacific Seas Clifton’s Cafeteria and my mother had a ceramic enterprise as well (which I will write about in another post). I remember helping to make artificial leis with her from a soft rose petal-like material. I’d like to visit the new version of the famous Clifton’s Pacific Seas when it reopens this year. My mother and uncle attended Hollywood High School and shared many LA memories. I had the opportunity to attend life drawing classes at ArtCenter College of Design and serve as a student docent at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art while I was still in high school! At the University of Redlands, I studied printmaking with John Nava, master painter/printmaker who designed the tapestries at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. LA has a rich cultural heritage.
I’m looking forward to visiting the Camille Caudel exhibit at the Getty and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA. French sculpture, Claudel, was a student of Auguste Rodin.
In nearby Palm Springs we have a wonderful art museum. Take a peek at the museum’s past exhibits.
Joshua Tree is on the map and although galleries are always in flux, the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery – a truly unique gallery created by Laurel Seidl - who has a big heart for artists - just celebrated 15 years. It has been mentioned in the Smithsonian Magazine as one of the top 8 unusual roadside attractions!
Other Joshua Tree area galleries include:
https://29palmsartgallery.com/
The Twentynine Palms Art Gallery hosts monthly exhibits and artists can apply to be selected. The guild was founded in 1951 and the gallery opened in 1963.
For over 20 years the Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours has attracted hundreds of visitors and artists each year during October.
The Art Colony of Morongo Valley has paved the way in the Morongo Basin for decades and often hosts children’s events.
I have enjoyed exhibiting at all of these galleries and events and am proud of our community.
Currently a new association is about to open, Hi-Desert Artists, and we wish them success!
Other local shops/galleries include Cactus Mart in Morongo Valley, Rainbow Stew in Yucca Valley and Soul Connection in Joshua Tree.
You can also find my artwork for sale at my Etsy Shop - French Press & Mojave Inspiration and at Artsy.
As we approach the longest day of the year – (in the northern hemisphere) may you spend your time in wonder and beauty! Enjoy what summer offers.
And remember it’s fun to see artists in the southern hemisphere as they enter autumn! I love to watch Beth Lowe painting in South Africa https://www.bethlowe.co.za/—about this time of year she’s painting pomegranates and blustery scenes! Tracey Verdugo of Australia https://tracyverdugo.com/ shares her colorful scenes and workshops from Jervis Bay, Australia.
I’d love to hear how you are maintaining balance and positivity. Leave a comment. and share your tips.
Inspired by all of you!
Thanks Janis! Some wonderful reminders and suggestions