Favorite Bumping Lake Memory

All I need to do is ask myself this question of favorite memory, and as though I am cranking the butterfly handle on a manual can opener, the contents begin to spill out. Simply stating a favorite tonight will likely lead to much argument in my mind in the ensuing days, as the corners of my thought memory begin to stream many glowing memories out. But there is one very special memory to share. On arrival 2006, I took a hike up the trail on the backside of the cabin to show the friend who brought me up there the begining of the hydro - electricity generating system and beyond that to the "secret" and lush waterfall (shhhh I won't tell about the little beings who inhabit it).
Hopping and skipping like a wild hare, from rock to rock, balancing along the logs crossing the stream, until the pine needle soft path cutting alongside the forrested hill. I began to feel I was in slow motion, hyper aware of the floating light that sifted between the trees. The georgeous nurturing earth colors and smells were all around with a spectacular huge boulder in stunning granite adorning the side of the trail. Then suddenly at the opening where the rock fall covers the upper-side of the trail, it began to snow - in the sun! The reflected rays from on the sparkling ice crystals showering the sky with the granit backdrop - the forrest was all gleaming in the sunlight. It was one of those cathartic moments when everything means everything all at once, or you feel the presence of spirit. Like a bar of a grand symphony, I felt that I was in the audience for a very pure and special moment in this magically beautiful place. I intended to hike up there this year and went the lake direction instead. It must be a moment too special to type over just yet. Ahhhh...... Only one favorite.... but more wanting to come out!!! It almost isn't fair to post a photo of this as you really had to be there. I have one, I'll think about it.

Isobel

Another amazing retreat

How many months til our next retreat...

We've been talking abit about critiques and how they affect us. The reality is each one of us makes a decision about how we will respond to criticism. So much depends on our state of mind at the time. It really has very little to do with the information given to us, if we are feeling low and discouraged criticism can feel like a set back but if we are feeling confident new ideas offered seem inspiring, even exciting because they can give us a new direction try. Now that a few days have gone by I am inspired to try to implement new ideas!

Rebecca's Favorite Retreat Memory: 2007

The ledge outside the door became an impromptu gallery of little oil paintings! On top of already being the roof of the "chipmunk lodge".
I enjoyed watching everyone else work on art this year, while taking a break to dream up a new project for myself. I also enjoyed baking at a lesiurely pace and soaking up the beautiful peacefulness of Bumping Lake.

workaholism and early artistic inspiration...

Once again I return from our yearly retreat with a renewed sense of well being and purpose. It is truly an amazing gift to be a part of this group.

Earyly influences...

Definitely John R Neil is one of my favorite illustrators. Rembrandt was my earliest inspiration, we had a print of his soldier over our fire place when I was very young and I was fascinated by the idea of the creation of light and shadow and the resulting magical three dimensional form on a two dimensional space. Of course my five year old brain was thinking "ooh, pretty yellow light"

Workaholism...

I don't think I have a problem... (isn't that what they always say? I do work very hard but when it comes to painting it renews my energy and centers me. For this I gladly work away every minute I am able.

On Workaholism...

Robert Genn wrote on this topic this week. Here are a couple of pertinent paragraphs and quotes from the newsletter that I thought were particularly thought provoking - (pictures courtesy of the Evergreen State Fair)

Many of us do exhibit some of Workaholics Anonymous's well published "Seven Signs of Warning." Here they are:

1. Instead of accepting yourself, you seek approval and justification for your existence in work.
2. You work to escape your feelings, shutting out your true needs and wants.
3. You use work to tamp down the uncertainties of life by over-organizing and refusing to give up control, losing your spontaneity and creativity.
4. You create crises and get adrenalin highs by overworking to resolve indigenous problems, then suffer withdrawals into anxiety and depression.
5. You hoard work to insure you will always be busy, seemingly important and never bored.
6. You fear free time.
7. You're typically a perfectionist, unwilling to ask for help or delegate because no one can meet your standards.


In my experience there are six conditions needed for happy workaholism:

1. You have a philosophical understanding of the dangers lurking in all of the above.
2. You are more or less proficient at what you do.
3. You seem to be getting somewhere with it.
4. You have learned the arts of self-reliance and self-governance.
5. You have had other doors closed to you for reasons of health, family, ignorance, incompetence, misguided education or missed opportunity.
6. You secretly know that work is play.


"Human beings are of two classes: those whose work is work and whose pleasure is pleasure; and those whose work and pleasure are one." (Sir Winston Churchill)

Esoterica: Evolved creative work means finding a "zone" that the average worker knows not of. "As you work," said the British painter Francis Bacon, "the mood grows on you. There are certain images which suddenly take hold and you need to do them. The excitement and possibilities are in the working and can only come in the working." This is an eternally sanctified and valid attitude. It might represent our highest calling. Channeled, and yes, "balanced," it actually leads to personal happiness and possibilities for the common good. "Your work is to discover your work – and then with all your heart to give yourself to it." (Buddha)