Magpie Eating Cake

Here is a whimsical painting by Rubens Peale (1784 - 1865) called "Magpie Eating Cake." Aside from the painting's title being a chillingly close description of me and my activities this month, I adore it for the inspiration its creator provides. Rubens Peale was the fourth son of artist Charles Willson Peale (1741 - 1827) and turned to painting only later in life. Because of poor eyesight, he never obtained the artistic training received by his siblings. By the way, I love how the father named his sons: Rembrandt, Raphaelle, Titian...no pressure, there, guys. Rubens Peale pursued the sciences and spent much of his life as a museum administrator and owner. A financial panic in 1837 forced Peale to sell his collections to P.T. Barnum and retreat, financially destitute, to a farm owned by his wife's family. He managed the farm and used his training as a natural scientist to become the local taxidermist. Fourteen years later, his daughter, Mary Jane Peale, returned home after studying painting with her uncle Rembrandt. At age 71, and under his daughter's tutelage, Rubens Peale began to pursue painting in earnest, recording his progress in daily diary entries. The last 10 years of Peale's life were spent in a joyful pursuit of learning and creativity.

Do you find the Peale's story inspiring? I am immediately struck by his humility and perseverance. Despite physical infirmity, family obligation, even financial ruin, Peale continued to find his way. The spark of creative spirit ignited his days to the very end. Rubens Peale had the humility to accept instruction from his daughter, even using his new skills to copy some of his brothers paintings as gifts for his children. There doesn't seem to be much ego or what I like to call the "Fragile Genius" about Peale. I need stories like this: stories that feed the better part of the artistic nature. Living an authentically creative life means being a good steward of the gifts you possess. Being a good steward  requires generosity, wisdom, and faith. Faith that your offering, flawed or imperfect as it may be, is valuable and enough.

Beautiful Branches - What's Your Secret Impulse?

Branches bring their organic elegance to the table

 There are beautiful branches suspended from my dining room ceiling and I love them. Their wild organic shape is bringing contrast, excitement and exuberance into the room. Just some cuttings from the yard, wire, a few white cup hooks in the ceiling, and I have a vista that interests and pleases me every time it catches my eye! I've wanted to do this for a couple of years but hesitated; putting holes in the ceiling gave me pause. Finally, day after day of grey weather outside our windows drove me to throw caution to the wind. I'm so glad I did! Once again, the riskier choice had the biggest payoff. At this festive time of year, the air is full of abundance, promise, and permission to do the unexpected. If there's something you wouldn't normally have the guts to try, this is the time to do it. Wear that color, go to that special event, rearrange your furniture, surprise yourself! Take a minute to put your finger on what charms and delights you. NEVER immediately dismiss any idea. Not without giving it some consideration. Pursue the tiny flash of a thought. You can change it back when the next impulse strikes, right? Follow the unique and unusual. See where they take you. Your home, your life will be invigorated and much richer for the journey.

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Tiny branches and a SJD bird bonbonniere made their way onto an adjoining wall

Creative Exercise "I Need"....

As winter approaches, what do you need? The hurry scurry, hustle bustle plans and preparations in our consumer culture are impossible to ignore this time of year. How are you preparing for the material demands of a harsh season? What's your anxiety level as you throw your hat in the ring for another "magical holiday" experience for one and all? What do you need?

Isn't our default setting to acquire more than enough so we aren't caught short - only to be left with extra clutter that doesn't really work for anybody? Over acquisition is MY default setting. And it's getting on my last nerve. Here are a few questions I am asking myself today in order to get to the heart of things. Open your journal, get some colored pencils and markers. Answer these questions while writing fancy.Maybe they will help you too. Oh, while you write, click on the song below. I am loving this song "I Need" by Maverick Sabre. He sounds like Amy Winehouse's little brother - and Amy's recent accidental passing is reminding me that life is precious. All the more important to be intentional about what we really need. 

 
"I need sunshine, I need angels, I need something good..."

Holiday & Gifts:

What is important to me during the holidays? What is important to my family?

Do we spend time and money on things because of "shoulds?"

Am I willing to disappoint the expectations of others and try something new if need be?

A gift is a tangible symbol of emotion, esteem, or respect for another. That's why it seems SO IMPORTANT to get it right. It isn't just the thing. It's what we're saying with the thing. Can I say what I need to without the thing? Or convey the love with a more modest, meaningful token that feels more peaceful/less excessive?

Am I open to following my heart and giving to some one completely unexpected - just because?

Do I have the discipline to wait and not accumulate?

House & Home:

How many partially used bottles of cleaning and beauty products do I see? What was I trying to achieve by purchasing each item?

Do I have a crowded pantry but no inspiration for making dinner?

What's in my dream pantry?

What has to go in order to make room for what I find inspiring and delicious?

What was the thinking behind purchasing the items now headed for the local community food pantry?

How can I be more mindful when shopping?

The Factory - A Real Life Fairy Tale

This is a story about a place. A place that is old and new at the same time. It is an important story and, like all the best stories, it is true. True stories are especially important to remember so that is why I am telling it now.

Uniroyal Plant 1964

Once upon a time there was a big factory in Eau Claire. The factory made lots of wonderful things for many, many years.These things were made by the people of Eau Claire, with great skill and with much pride. This factory meant a lot to the people in Eau Claire. It gave them jobs. It gave them friends they had for their whole lives. At the factory, they made important things for people all over the world. 

Uniroyal 1949

One time, the factory made things that helped our country win a very serious war. This work was so important that when the men of Eau Claire had to fight in the war, women came to help so the factory could still do its important work. After the war, some women liked making things so much, they stayed at the factory!

Many years passed. Times changed.The factory had to change too even though it was hard. But, do you know what? Many things about the factory didn’t change! It was still a strong, solid place to make things, and to think up thoughts. The factory became Banbury. It welcomed artists and businesses and all sorts of people who had new ideas & dreams to follow. And, there were still women who came to the factory to do their work! 

One summer day, three women dreamed of a place they could sell the things that THEY made, with much skill and great pride. They loved making new things. They loved using old things to make new things. They thought that old things were special and had soul. They hoped that when people saw these things that were special and handmade, they would like them and think their work was important too. They knew the perfect place to come and show the people their work: the old factory, Banbury! So, that is how there came to be a monthly market at Banbury. The three women saw more and more people who cared about soulful things, handmade things come to The Market. They invited everyone to come! They wanted to connect more and more and more people in Eau Claire to more and more and more people who made their own things. Guess what? It's starting to happen! Their dream is coming true! And that is a story of the place that is old and new at the same time, and how it stays strong and holds dreams.

Discipline, Productivity and the Creative Life or "Thanks, Adderall!"

New York-based artist Stan Munro recreated the Sagrada Familia Church of Barcelona using 35,000 toothpicks. Good for him. Seriously. Good for you, Stan!

In ones creative life, much work is done solely in the realm of mind and spirit. Maybe that's why it is so difficult to put a monetary value on "design" or assign billable hours to a project. For me, it's all one big swirling thing; each project and idea influencing the other. (Recent swirl: kindness, book, struggle, parties, Rocky Mountains, parents' 50th, genocide, Africa, entitlement, housecleaning, bracelet, fashion, garden, God) Actual concrete expressions of thoughts and ideas seem to manifest themselves unpredictably and with no apparent rhyme or reason. Aha! The key word there being "APPARENT." Are there concrete actions that, when put into regular practice, enhance productivity? Nurture inspiration?

These are the sorts of questions I have been thinking about in regard to the role of discipline and creativity. My answers? Nothing to write home about. They have revealed a lazy, lackadaisical approach to creative work with the rationalization that waiting until inspiration strikes is the super artistic geniusy way to be....planning out work time like some hack churning out pages to meet a quota is not going to produce the special, special work of which I am capable. Are you gagging yet?

At the end of this post are some questions that came to mind as I wrestled with this topic. Of course I would love to hear anything and everything you have to say - leave a comment or tweet me @chezsusanj.  Before going on to the questions, skim the following paragraph. It might help you in getting to the heart of any matter you face.

Many years ago when I was in therapy, I once asked my counselor if I had to be completely honest about something horrible it was time to be real about in group that week. She told me I did indeed have to be truthful but I could tell the group, "I prefer not to have feedback." That was a great thing to tell me. I could be truthful but set a boundary to keep me safe from the judgment and response of others. So, my creative compadres, answer away. Ask for feedback or set whatever boundaries you need to feel safe. Just be honest as you look at the questions before you.  xo Susan

Do you have ideas you'd like to execute but for which you lack the technical ability?

How would you remedy this? A class? Practice? Input from others?

What keeps you from seeking this remedy?


What role does perfectionism play in your day?

Do you give creative expression respect? Do you believe it deserves your time and attention?

What "shoulds" or "shouldn'ts" do you assign to your creative life? (i.e. I should get domestic chores done first, I shouldn't spend money on this, etc.)


What external forces influence your creative life?

Is a new way to be creative revealing itself? How will you pursue it?

On a scale of 8 to 10, 8 being "awesome" and 10 being "super amazingly wicked awesome, " how awesome are you?

Body or Soul? Can We Value Both?

Recently, a local philanthropic organization made a very generous gift of a gorgeous illuminated Bible text to our community. This art will be displayed in turn at two (competing) area hospitals. This idea itself, the idea of sharing the sacred text, is inspired and has already brought out a sense of unity between the two facilities. Of course, there are some murmurings. The most concise opposition to be found in a well written letter to our local paper. You can read it here. I wrote a response to him and it follows below. I sent it in to the newspaper but who knows if it will be printed. With me in possession of the password to this blog, I know it will be published! I'd be interested to know your thoughts so feel free to comment away. 

I strenuously disagree with the comments made by Mr. Maierhofer regarding how monies spent on art should be going to the "poor." I'm going to assume that at the time of writing his letter, he was unaware that the bible was ostensibly a gift from private individuals whom already donate sacrificially to The Free Clinic and other local philanthropic causes. I hope this fact alone softens his negative attitude. Secondly, I respectfully ask that the writer would recall an experience in his own life where he was inspired by art. Like it or not, man is a spiritual being with a soul that seeks care and feeding. That's why humans are attracted to music, learning, nature, even Netflix. Should all these "extras" be banished from our lives until every physical need of our fellow man is met? Absolutely not! Art ennobles the soul. Great art causes the soul to look beyond its own chaotic, selfish concerns to focus instead on timeless truths, beauty, the human condition. Art reveals truth, and art almost always requires a response. Without art, the inspiration to give and contribute to causes greater than ourselves would disappear. Then we would experience true poverty.

 

Learn more about the St. John's Heritage Bible here.

Message from The Market: Do You Need Pruning?

"Old Blue" in all her pruned, fruitful glory

If you grew up in the '70s, you probably heard the Byrds cover of "Turn, Turn, Turn." The song was written by Pete Seeger, lyrics from the Book of Ecclesiastes. It seemed every wedding I went to as a child had this song sung during the ceremony. I was unimpressed. A time for planting, laughing, weeping, nothing at all about a wedding. Except maybe the "time for embracing" part. Boring. How about something creative, even surprising? "You Sexy Thing," for example. " I believe in Malcolm! Way from, you sexy thing, you sexy thing, you!" Those are the lyrics, right? You do believe in Malcolm, don't you?

Well, the "to every thing there is a season" concept that I took to be a yawn-fest as a child, has become a cornerstone of my adult life and decision making. Things change. We change. What worked before may not work quite as well now. Relationships we thought we'd die without, are just not as central any longer. It's tempting to feel guilty and think, "What am I doing wrong? Why am I feeling restless and unsatisfied?" You probably aren't doing anything wrong. You might just need a pruning. 

Pruning is essential for a full, healthy plant and a full healthy life. Like Pete Seeger, I borrow heavily from God with this analogy, but I believe there is wisdom to be found in the pruning concept no matter what your beliefs or spiritual inclinations. So, instead of the vine and branches, there is a blueberry bush in this story. I'll try to be brief.

Once upon a time there was a blueberry bush at my childhood home....blah, blah, blah...parents moving, blah,blah,blah..... "over my dead body" blah, blah, blah ....rope around bush attached to Suburban, blah, blah, blah....we have a "new" blueberry bush! With sentimental value! Emphasis on the 'mental'!

With so much invested in this dang bush's existence, I am loathe to cut ANYTHING off at ANY TIME. I have nurtured this baby. Miraculously, it bore many blueberries almost immediately. But, as the years went on,  I noticed the blueberries getting tinier and tinier. They looked like little American Girl Doll berries. I kidded myself, "Wow, look at all the concentrated flavor, ( imagining the shrinking process just like  the freeze drying process?) you don't find these at any old grocery store!" The truth was, the berries weren't extra delicious. They were, however, so painstaking to harvest that, for a year or two, Old Blue was little more than a landscape plant. Deep down, I knew what the bush needed, but I pushed those thoughts away. I avoided pruning by upping the fertilizing and watering. I think Kubler-Ross would call this "SUBCONSCIOUSDENIALBARGAINING."

You know where this is going. Berry research was done. Opinions were sought. Pruning did occur. And the bush bore-eth a multitude of large, delicious fruit and lo, it was good.

In this story, we want to emulate Old Blue, not the deluded, enabling gardener. Actually, let's be Blue with a mindful, caring gardener who has Blue's best interests at heart. Here are some thoughts and questions to assist you in determining if pruning is needed and which branches, once removed, set you free to move forward and be more of who you are truly meant to be.

List any obligations, activities or commitments you dread or find dissatisfying. Have you always felt this way?

If you answer "yes" but the obligation is a normal part of being a grown up (like laundry, feeding your children or paying bills) star those items as "non-negotiables." Give yourself a pat on the back for being a responsible citizen and good neighbor. Smile at yourself in the mirror and say, " Wow, these things are a drag but it's good to do the right thing."

If you answer "yes", and the thing isn't essential, then It could be you have entered into this obligation for the wrong reason(s). The joy of approval and the novelty of new activity quickly feels wrong if we said "yes" for the wrong reasons.Here are some reasons we say "yes" to things that aren't in our best interests:

-wanting to please the person asking/inviting      

-wanting to escape the "non-negotiables"

-fear we may never get another opportunity that is better suited to us

-pride because we are flattered and want the prestige afforded by our role

-Do any of these ring true? What other forces may have influenced your "yes"?

Identifying these things and being humble enough to admit we may have been mistaken is HUGE and wonderful. Well done! Begin your exit strategy....(cue sound of pruners being sharpened).

If no, I haven't always been dissatisfied with this thing, what changed? Examples: my goals/priorities have changed, I have new interests that keep pulling me away, I gave myself a pass to not do this, but now I want to step it up, etc.

 

If you're not sure what changed, ask yourself, when did it change? Examples: After a loss or life change? As a loss or life change was about to occur? After an argument or misunderstanding? Because of health issues?

Is it my attitude/way of thinking that needs changing or is the needed change external? 

If your answer is "I'm the one who has changed, and not for the better" what needs to happen in order for you to be happy again? Examples:  I'd like to forgive and forget, agree to disagree, lower my expectations of myself and others, stop the negative self talk,etc.

If the change needed is external, either begin mapping out an exit strategy or TAKE A RISK and begin this new change! Try to be direct, honest and gentle with yourself. Respect any others involved by giving them room to adjust, permission to have their own feelings about your decisions.

Throughout the pruning process, take a step or two back to see the big picture and how these changes will fit with the overall plan and purpose of your life. Taking time to consider what needs to be done at this particular time will enable you to avoid the impulsive, rash actions of one so uncomfortable with their dread and restlessness that any change is seen as relief. "Not so!" says the voice of Experience! Effective pruning is deliberate, gentle, and timely. It is done for the benefit of the whole organism, freeing it to grow wild, wonderful, and beyond anyone's expectations.

Message from The Market: Getting Comfortable With Risk

Attempting to do something new is a challenge, it's difficult. Why? There is one thing required before one even picks up a paintbrush, signs up for a class, or buys a tennis racquet. One must be vulnerable enough to take a risk. What sort of risk, you ask? 

The biggest risk we take is with our reputation, how we appear to the world.  Beginning something new requires a willingness to look flawed, imperfect, even foolish. Humans learn a subject or skill by attempting it, making mistakes, asking for help, accepting correction, and trying again. And again. Some of us are more concerned than others about what the fans in the stands think. Although all of us probably want our family and friends to think well of us, to believe in us and what we're doing. Having that sort of "soft place to fall" is wonderful and can make it easier to try something new. Guess what? We might not get that support or admiration when we begin a new thing. Not right away, and maybe not ever. 

PLEASE, do it anyway. Just for the sake of doing the thing. No one has to see the result. You are the one who gets to decide if something is worthwhile or not. You may want to share with others, or you may not. That's up to you too. Sharing the thing is frequently a good idea because it not only makes you feel brave and alive, it's a good testimony to those watching. Your attempt may give those fans in the stands food for thought or even permission to proceed with their dream. There are wonderful, redemptive consequences that happen when we listen to the still small voice - blessings we could never anticipate when we began.

I recommend the film "The Secret of the Grain" as an excellent example of risk, a dream, family and community.You can watch it instantly on Netflix. It won't be included in the "Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul" film collection, but it is incredibly real, moving and inspiring. WARNING FOR THOSE WHO ARE CAREFUL WITH THEIR MOVIE VIEWING ***The first few minutes of the movie with a little inappropriate extra-marital behavior is not characteristic of the movie's content. 

A Message from The Market: Igniting Your Creative Engine

I believe every person on this planet has creative ability. Everyone. After some conversations with friends,  it's become apparent to me that not everyone agrees with the universality of creative giftedness. Hmmmm. We'll have to do something about that. It's common to long after some one else's "gift" or "talent."  DON'T DO IT. Eyes on your own paper, please. The world needs what YOU bring to the table. Not a poor imitation of what you think the world wants. 

SO. How does one find this authentic, personal creative voice?  Well, guess what. It is possible to discover ones own particular area of creative ability, nurture it, exercise it and enjoy the fruits of artistic expression! Those fruits being: a sense of accomplishment, the mastery of a skill, a healthy outlet for feelings, the provision of inspiration and beauty for others, to name a few. I'm not a professional artist. I feel uncomfortable with calling myself an artist at all. Some things I've done have indeed taken artistry to accomplish, but I have no formal training. And yet, the ability to get ideas, take on creative endeavors, and receive enormous satisfaction from them gets easier as time goes by. From time to time, this blog will offer a glimpse into the creative process. The whole thing. Not just the pretty parts of making something, but honest looks at rocky beginnings (when one is completely listless, directionless, utterly lacking in any inspiration or even inclination to do anything ever again) to self doubt, to self aggrandizement to recognition that one lacks the skill necessary to carry out one's vision, to the ultimate achievement: partial success! Sounds, cheery, n'est ce pas? I'd love to hear your comments or questions anytime. Let's begin!

Whatever you can do, or think you can, begin it. Boldness has power, and genius, and magic in it. -Goethe