When the darkness closes in

So you know the saying "Art imitates Life".  Well, if you've seen my latest WIP or any of my facebook statuses you know where my state of mind has been.  I try hard to fight off the darkness.  But sometimes it just is.  And it feels like it's closing in.  

I have many fewer dark days than I did just a couple of years ago.  Of course when one is grieving every day feels like a dark day.  Now, after some time has passed they seem to come and go.  I try to remain calm and realize it is just a day, it will be over soon.  And be gentle with myself, not expecting too much.  It's on these days that creating really helps.  I think it helps me focus and stay calm.  Sometimes I paint.  Sometimes I am moved to write something.  Yesterday I did not feel like painting, or writing, drawing, or doing much of anything.  So I sat at my desk in my studio.  Sometimes I just sit and stare for hours.  Thinking...  I guess it ends up being a sort of meditation for me.  And after a while I worked on her.  


It is hard for me to show hope in the darkness.  I struggle with seeing it myself.  It's an interesting world we live in, if you think about it.  I saw this quote recently on the To Write Love On Her Arms facebook page.  It read ‎"We are artisans. We can sculpt our existence into something beautiful, or debase it into ugliness. It's in our hands." – Cathy Better   I often wonder if this is true.  If it is the responsibility rests solely with ourselves doesn't it?  Does everything come down to a choice?  I learned recently that most of our lives do.  I had no idea.  


So today I remind myself, and you, to be calm.  The choice is up to you.  I choose me.  I choose love.

  

I'm an Artist Suzi says So!

Once upon a time there was a girl.  A very sad, weepy girl, who just couldn't seem to get motivated to do what she loved.  Years went by, the girl could not find anything to motivate herself, so she remained sad, and discouraged.  Then one day while on the internet she found a youtube video of a very special girl who was motivated, she was a dreamer, an artist, and used her life to inspire others.  The girl became very excited, and soon followed all her links to find her online academy.  She quickly joined the academy, subscribed to the artist dreamers youtubes, and little by little started to believe.  That dreamer is Suzi Blu.  Artist, dreamer, teacher, friend.  That online academy is Suzi Blu's Les Petite Academy (find the link at the bottom of this page on the right).  Suzi told the girl, you are an artist, Suzi says so!  And the girl finally came to believe it.  Thus began a new chapter of the girls life.  One in which she was happy, creating, and discovering many new things.  Following her bliss.  If you would like to know this kind of encouragement follow this link:

I'm an artist Suzi says so!


I believe we are all artists.  I have always believed this.   Do you believe this too?  You are an artist!  Suzi says so!  And I do too!

Suzi Blu

so long sweet memory

Just a quick post, to keep you updated.  With the Easter holiday, and all its celebrations, and Spring breaks I have not had much time to be creative, or post here.  The farm babies are keeping me busy as well.  who knew ducks were so messy?

Today my family and I soujourned to a once familiar place we have fond memories from.  Being a new themepark it was family friendly, fun for the kids and manageable for the adults.  With six kids in tow this is a major plus.  It's been a busy week for us, one of the twins came down with a fever, and we were all pretty tired. But our fond memories, and all the things we loved about this place have dramatically changed.  This was a park run by people who seemed to care, and had a business model that involved good customer service. The dollar was still the bottom line, I'm sure, but they managed to make it feel like it wasn't quite so.   Sadly, as things do, it has changed in the past few years since we were last there.  In short we will never return.  This is a sadness for me, as I have fond memories there of my kids being little and having so much fun.  I guess all good things must come to an end, right?

Tomorrow it is back to school, back to the studio, back to my regular life and all it's responsibilities.  Easter has been a nice break. I am anxious to create something beautiful again.

Hope your Easter was nice too.

Geenie

A day in the life of

it's been a few days since I've had the time to sit and write here.  Life is busy, and then you add more dependents, right?  Well, at least that's true in our case.  It's been a few years that we've been debating keeping chickens in our backyard.  Well, finally I just went out and bought some.  Then I bought some more, and the kids talked me into a couple of ducks to boot.   I know what you're thinking "is she crazy?".  Maybe so.  But I've always loved animals and gardening, being environmentally friendly and prepared so this just seems to go right along.

Here are the 4 chicks sleeping in their temporary indoor home.  We take them out twice a day to get some sun, and spread their wings.

Somewhere in the wee hours of the night I managed to finish a batch of glass pendant necklaces to send to my sister who is graciously selling some of my work in the form of greeting cards and now these.  Thanks Suz!  I will have a few posted on Etsy soon.  

Other than that I've been finishing up some pieces I had started.  Here are some photos of my fairies I have been working on.  This is what happens when I just sit down and create something without a plan.  Something new emerges.  I think I'll have prints made of these.  

Hope all is well with you.  That you are creating something beautiful.   May all your days be full of beauty!

one beautiful thing

Ever have one of those days where everything becomes crystal clear?  That was my day today.  The Geenie's lamp studio suffered some damage as one of my girls (nicknamed the hummingbird  because she never stops moving) ran through a plate glass door.  After my husband and son performed first aid on her, (thank God they kept their cool, I didn't) we were off to the ER for stitches.  Sitting there in the ER with a bandaged up child waiting for her 'surgery', the adrenaline finally subsiding and the head clear enough to think; I of course thought of what could have happened.  My 3 1/2 year old twins had been standing outside that door minutes before this accident and the hummie only needed stitches on one bad cut on her leg.  It could have been much, much worse.  It's at these times I can clearly see what is truly important.  It all comes down to people doesn't it.  The people we know and love, and take for granted every day that they will always be there.  I had hoped to create something beautiful today, and did manage to get some work done in spite of the trauma, but it really doesn't matter does it?  One more day with my beautiful family intact.  One more day of being thankful that everyone is home and everyone is alright.  Hopefully I did create something beautiful today.  If only the memory of being there to comfort a hurting and scared child.  That's enough for me.

The Geenie's Lamp

Hello and welcome to the first issue of The Geenies lamp blog. Starting things does not come easy to me so I'm going to keep this brief.   The Geenies Lamp is the name of my studio and my shop on Etsy.  Inspired by my loving husband and my name thegeenieslampstudio@etsy.com is where you'll find my thoughts and heart poured out on canvas.   I also occasionally write prose and poetry and make jewelry which you can also find at my Etsy shop.  I guess I've always been a creative person who needed to get really lost in order to find herself again.  That is the place I am in right now.  Finding my voice once again.  I used to write and sing constantly, but life and all it's changes have caused me to leave those passions for a while and focus on my art.   I hope you will find my art inspiring, humorous, silly, childlike, and real.  If I am anything I am an open and honest person willing to share my heart with the world.  It's been a long road here.  I've survived a lot, overcome a lot, and learned a lot.  If it weren't for my lovely and constantly supportive sister Suz Deschidn, Poetrix and Editor I would not be here.  To her I am abundantly grateful.  And my family who support my creativity and my life without whom I also would not be here.  This is just the beginning.  I appreciate you joining me on this adventure.  I will be posting my art here and anything I am working on or in the process of learning.  I learn new things everyday.