Blessings

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. 

Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

~ Lao-Tzu

Below is a recent photo of my friend Sherry's granddaughter playing with her whimsey ball that I made last year.  Such joy in those eyes!

Genevieve and ball

Last week my Mom fell, needing surgery to repair damage to her hip.  Thankfully all went well.  She was up and walking the day after surgery.  Always an active woman, she continues to progress wonderfully.  Yet, it is a reminder that she is more vulnerable now.  We are all vulnerable, but perhaps don't acknowledge the fact until something happens to wake our minds to it.  In this timely post from Sara and Robert Genn's recent newsletter on vulnerability for artists, some systems are offered as a means for dealing with ups and downs.  My favorite is counting one's blessings, which also aligns with my meditative/spiritual practice.  So much to be grateful for everyday.

(Thanks to Sara Genn for the Lao-Tzu quote.)

Contained

My thread bowls have been featured in several recent articles, online and in print.  A bowl illustrated Neroli Henderson's informative article "Social Networking for Artists" for Down Under Textiles, Issue 15.  Neroli is a quilter, graphic designer, writer and administrator of the Facebook Textile Arts Group.

The second article was Karen Brown's Etsy blog post "Sticks and Stones: Making Something out of Nothing" about creating from found objects/materials.  Interesting to see what the other included artists utilized for their craft. Karen, designer and creative director of the Center for Ecoliteracy, believes that the handmade movement is a fundamental force for transforming society.

Thank you, Neroli and Karen!  I appreciate your interest in my artwork.

You can see more bowls and quilts in my Etsy shop.

Remembering Rosie

"The cat has too much spirit to have no heart."

-Ernest Menault

I lost my sweet Rosie this week.  She passed peacefully at home.  She had a good life at 18.  I am grateful for the joy she brought, and for so much more.

 
Never much of an outdoor cat, in recent months I began to let her out on the back patio with me.  Rosie seemed to really relax there.  This last week we spent much time outside together, just sitting quietly.  It was a gift.  I miss her.

"The smallest feline is a masterpiece."

- Leonardo Da Vinci

Flag Making in Oxnard

On July 26th I will be teaching another prayer flag making workshop, this time at Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo's Threads of Awakening Transformative Arts Studio. 

Join us, come make a flag. Uncover your creative spirit. See what evolves! 

Creative process allows us to make new discoveries about ourselves and our world.  Would you like to learn more?  Join this hands-on exploration using fun and simple techniques to create your own prayer/aspiration flag.  These flags cross cultural and spiritual boundaries in order to share positive energy with others.  Let the day be your celebration of renewal.  No experience necessary.  Blank flags and materials provided.  

When:          Saturday, July 26, 2014, 1:00 - 4:00pm 
 Where:       Threads of Awakening Transformative Arts Studio 
                      2810 S. Harbor Blvd., Suite 201
                      Channel Islands Harbor
                      Oxnard, CA 93035 
Fee:              $65

To reserve your place or for more information, please contact Linda.  Pre-registration required.

For details visit the website:  http://bhavanaproject.blogspot.com/p/special-events.html