Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Following the Moon: Child's Play

'Gardean', Drozda, 16x20", Mixed, work in progress

I want to thank my dear artist/friend Che'usa for sending along a recent Huffington Post link that includes this thoughtful story:
Shuren Sakurai was born to a family of farmers, in rural Aichi prefecture. Life for many was very different then. "In those days, families were large and poor, and children were often adopted out. When I was nine, I entered this temple as a boy monk, and the abbot here became my master, my teacher, my parent. Though it was hard for me to be away from my real parents, in those days, we accepted the reality of what life gave us and we just did what we had to do."

"My adopted father often said to me, 'Become true gold, not gold plating. Whatever you do in your life, put your entire self into it. Make it gold." People now-a-days only want to do things that are easy and comfortable. There is nothing that can be accomplished well through short cuts. Things that matter take time and our complete attention."

Welcome to 'Following the Moon'. Today, Tuesday, April 26, we're seven days away from the close of the 'Clarity' Moon cycle.
In April there is an opportunity to consider what it is you'll focus on for your Art/Life walk around the Natural Wheel. The Natural Wheel begins each year at the time of the Spring Equinox (look back to March 22, 2011).

This segment of the year holds the energy for the entire year ahead. There's a feeling of new in the air. There's a natural sense of beginning. Each spring we can literally feel reborn, as many religious traditions celebrate and remind us.

Spring is a most excellent time to refresh and remember the goals that hold your passion and purpose. This is a time to invest in what you know is true for you, and often times you carry this from childhood.

This past week I was the, 'short n sweet', featured speaker at our Earth Day Eve Event at the Contemporary Art Center. It was wonderfully festive, the entire evening conceived by a lovely high school student, Margaret Salazar, for her senior year project.

Artists with tables filled with wondrous arts created of recycled pieces and parts, musicians, Art 21 playing in the theatre, and families & friends gathering indoors and out.

In the crowd I met 7 year old, Jackson, whose 9 year old sister told me, as he inspected my Animal Artz sculptures, that he wants to be an artist when he grows up. I leaned forward and whispered to him, "You're already an artist, just don't ever forget." His Grandfather heard what I said and after the family had moved outdoors to make Origami birds for a Wishing Tree/donation zone for Japan Relief efforts, Grandad returned to tell me a bit of Jackson's story.

Indeed we often are living our Art/Life by the time we're seven. I can mark this same time for my clearest awareness, how about you?
Read More...
I hope you'll comment there or here...it's always so good to hear from you.


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Monday, April 18, 2011

Following the Moon: We are the Movers and Shakers

'Good Planets are Hard to Find', Drozda, 2006, 18x18" mixed/panel


Welcome to ‘Following the Moon’. Today, Monday, April 18, we’re two weeks into the ‘Clarity’ Moon cycle. In April I find that it’s powerful to cast a glance back to October. Exactly 6 months ago you had a 31 day energy preview of what this year holds. It happens every October. It’s as though a magic mirror is held up. If you look into it you’ll catch a glimpse of where you’re headed physically, emotionally and spiritually.
This year suggests that there is significant effort required, groundwork to be laid and concentration is mandatory. You might find it interesting to take a look back at your calendar to see what was happening 6 months ago…just notice.

I’ve had some challenge with concentration during this Clarity cycle. It occurred this past week. I thought to relate what’s come of it for me.
When I get particularly happy I tend to unconsciously stop myself. I sober up. No nonsense, take care of business. I imagine it comes from having lived through violence and the post trauma of having to be hyper vigilant...

read more  and as always return here to leave your wonderful thoughts or leave them here...either way do leave your footprint ;-)

 Earth Day April 22...Love your Mother.

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Monday, April 11, 2011

Following the Moon: The Compositions of Our Lives

Memory Copy after Matisse, Drozda, 1976, Oil on paper, 24x36'


The Artist must summon all his energy, his sincerity, and the greatest modesty in order to shatter the old cliches that come so easily to hand while working, which can suffocate the little flower that does not come, ever, the way one expects.



Welcome to 'Following the Moon'. Today, Monday, April 11, we're ten days into the 'Clarity' Moon cycle. The Clarity Moon cycle opens the door to the Natural Year and is a time of an emergent vision. The overall energy of the entire year suggests that there is important work to be done, foundations to be shored up and focus to attend to.
Are you feeling a larger picture? Are you getting a feeling for the overview of your Natural Year's walk? Can you envison where it may take you? Are you imagining the possibility? Are you sensing your direction?


Seeing the world differently is clearly being required of each of us. Artists are the antenna...
read more

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Monday, April 4, 2011

Following the Moon: Go With All Your Heart

'How Can I Help?, Drozda, 2001, 20x16", mixed/panel, private collection


Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.

Confucius



Welcome to 'Following the Moon'. Today, Monday, April 4, we're just 3 days into the new 'Clarity' Moon cycle. The Clarity Moon signals the beginning of the Natural Year. take a moment and take that in. Fresh. New. Beginning. Start.


There's something quite exceptional about being awake and aware to this once a year opportunity to infuse your Art/Life with a sense of wonderful newness. The Natural Circle has now flung open her door and all you need do is step in.

Recently I was reminded of a lovely word, liminality, that refers to stepping over a threshold .
Wikipedia offers this:
"Liminality (from the Latin word lÄ«men, meaning "a threshold") is a psychological, neurological, or metaphysical subjective state, conscious or unconscious, of being on the "threshold" of or between two different existential planes..."     read more...


Much Love on your New Adventure,
Iona
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