Friday, July 6, 2007

Lions and Tigers and Bears!

I left you last week to go up north, where the deer play. Heck no! I never saw a deer the whole time but we were right in the middle of BEAR country. Every morning we would be visited by the three bear. It is my friend's land, she puts big piles of birdseed out for the birds and I guess this time the bear. They would come in and lay at the piles, scooping pawfuls into their mouths. It was fun to watch from the safety of the RV. Then late Sunday afternoon we had one peek out at us. I am sure he was just waiting for us to leave so he could grab another pawful of seed.
For some reason or another this has been a year of no travel for me. I was feeling very hexed. I love to travel and staying put was making me crazy. It felt so wonderful to sit there (and bead). To see something new, to really feel a part of the ecosystem.
I did bead on my page while I was there, but I did not get it done. I finished yesterday. Do I love it? No. Being the critical little Virgo that I am I can see all the things I would change. But I won't. I want to put it away and revisit it later. With a fresh new attitude. Maybe then I will see its beauty.
I do know that working on it I have drudged up feelings and emotions about being an artist. Just the old crap I was told over and over again. I want to get past those lies. I want to get to my center, to the me before I started believing them.
So July's page will be a labyrinth. I am going to bead it at as I would walk it, from the outside to the center. Hopefully to my center.

14 comments:

s said...

Brenda, I wish you could see it with my eyes. It is beautiful. It is stunning.
I love the idea of your July piece and looking forwarded to seeing it.
Sunni

Vicki said...

Hey Brenda, I'm with Sunni. I just really love this piece. As I look at it it's very meditative, with the four directions. It has tons of energy, I like those wavy projections, and yet the dark colors keep it calm and centered. You're right there, centered.

As a sister self critic, may I make a suggestion? It is the very act of accepting your work, just as it is, that will let you turn off those voices that say you're not an artist. It is knowing that there will always be things you will want to do differently and that's why artists make multiples of things. That's part of the process. You're in it, girl.

A book I've been reading recently that I've gotten so much aha! from is Inspiring Creativity, An Anthology of Powerful Insights and Practical Ideas to Guide you to Successful Creating, edited by Rick Benzel.

Happy creating.

Robin said...

I'm with all three previous comments. When I clicked on the image to see it enlarged, a big "WOW!" immediately escaped my lips. All those black background beads so artfully containing your design elements make me happy! And I love the idea for your July piece... can't wait to see it!

Timaree said...

Ditto, ditto! It's like you are in the center of the universe but not a lonely feeling, like you are at home there. I don't usually go for so much dark but your bright colors keep it from being too much and well, it's just gives off a nice feeling.

Brenda said...

Thank you all so much for your beautiful and wise words.
You make me cry, in a good way.

M.J. Mullins said...

So much flow - exquisite craftsmanship. Beautiful.

Ruth said...

Your June page is wonderful. It drew me in with the bright colors, and I spent minutes looking at the background. Take care and good luck as you walk your July bead labyrinth.

Lois2037 said...

What am amazing piece! It feels mythic, somehow, and reminds me of the legends of the earth being supported on the back of a turtle. Your beadwork is exquisite. And you must be a true artist--seeing all the things you want to change! ;-D I do the same thing, and realize that it is just part of the process for me. Sometimes I make changes/corrections, sometimes I don't. Either way, I don't let that keep me from the feelings of great contentment and satisfaction I get from making art.

LJ said...

Oh my! It's stunning! The directional stitching gives it such wonderful life and movement. Beautiful!!!

beadbabe49 said...

I've come late to this piece, so all I can say is ditto, ditto, ditto...ten times over...;)

Quilter Kathy said...

I know exactly what you mean!
Let's just focus on the beauty.
Good luck with the labyrinth. You have stated your intention...it will be exciting to see what you discover!

KV said...

This is so cool!

Kathy V in NM

GraceBeading said...

Wow... imperfectly perfect or perfectly imperfect... it's awesome no matter how I look at it.

Padparadscha said...

What a beautiful piece ! Do you like it better now ?