Do I Look, Do I SeePen and ink on paper
© Arienne Ellis
March 14, 2009
Nose to the Grindstone & Foaming at the Bit
It’s not that I think my nose is too big. But keeping it to the grindstone seems to have its benefits. Once in awhile, resent rears its head when I feel disgusted with the grimy tasks of living my life, of keeping my boat afloat. I catch myself imagining that my life should be other than it is. I am comparing and judging. Or I am nearly foaming at the bit. All of which, if you have not observed for yourself, do not feel particularly good.
Those very tasks I come to resent and judge, keep me focused, my life in perspective, and, best of all, continually attuning, refining and opening to what else wants expression through me. My nose on the grindstone is my opportunity to see close up and actual the forms I am engaged in. It is the chance to accept what is, deal with it, and make a change.
Foaming at the bit has benefits, too. For me it brings the message that it is time to move on. It is either a vast doorway, or a tiny but illumined crack letting in the beckoning light – the beacon of what is next. So, if I listen well, my gut will provide the details. This is a dance of living in form. Informed!
Those very tasks I come to resent and judge, keep me focused, my life in perspective, and, best of all, continually attuning, refining and opening to what else wants expression through me. My nose on the grindstone is my opportunity to see close up and actual the forms I am engaged in. It is the chance to accept what is, deal with it, and make a change.
Foaming at the bit has benefits, too. For me it brings the message that it is time to move on. It is either a vast doorway, or a tiny but illumined crack letting in the beckoning light – the beacon of what is next. So, if I listen well, my gut will provide the details. This is a dance of living in form. Informed!
March 11, 2009
Oneness
All distinctions are in your mind. And in mine. I have thought of myself walking a particular road, one that precluded others. Wrapped up in particular thoughts, I wanted to play in particular realms in this world. The world seemed a high-rise of individual, particular apartments that I could visit one at a time.
I throw all distinction to the wind and gather in the facets of me. I proclaim the end of fragmentation, and the perceptions that drove it. I don’t need to categorize myself or the world, nor hold anything separate and incompatible. Too much work. All distinctions false. And all is continually morphing anyway. My perceptions, when held onto, create a rigidness, and limit what comes next.
It is said that the circle is the strongest shape. So too, with oneness. You can’t go wrong. It is inclusive, impartial and nothing will snag – noone can complain! Free of compartmentalizing and judging, I am free of the fear, vulnerability and lonliness it engenders. When honest and authentic, the particulars of what I do don’t matter - truth is truth no matter the canvas. Choose to be closer than farther. Unafraid. When I don’t hold on to notions of who and how I think I should be, and even how the world should be, I can bring my presence anywhere, and nothing will be threatened.
I say all this because I want to simplify, unify. I am tired of dividing my energy into endless different focuses. Even pluralizing the word ‘focus’ feels lousy. In my life, despite other mini-careers apropos to my path on this planet , I have always found my heart in art. I feel the wholeness of me has a chance there. So, I have willingly embraced the keep-your-day-job attitude, and worked simultaneously to build venues for my artwork that might eventually sustain me.
I’ve been busy. I’ve been inspired. I have books and boxes of full of my drawings, writings tucked away in folders, lists of galleries, websites, crafts fairs, paintings to frame, prints to print, ink drawings to publish.......and daily life to tend to. Now, here, is an interactive platform through which we can share the pieces and the whole. All-in-one, if you will.
I will blog here, spilling my words, posting images, adding my two cents to the links. I aim to encourage and contribute to well being everywhere.
I throw all distinction to the wind and gather in the facets of me. I proclaim the end of fragmentation, and the perceptions that drove it. I don’t need to categorize myself or the world, nor hold anything separate and incompatible. Too much work. All distinctions false. And all is continually morphing anyway. My perceptions, when held onto, create a rigidness, and limit what comes next.
It is said that the circle is the strongest shape. So too, with oneness. You can’t go wrong. It is inclusive, impartial and nothing will snag – noone can complain! Free of compartmentalizing and judging, I am free of the fear, vulnerability and lonliness it engenders. When honest and authentic, the particulars of what I do don’t matter - truth is truth no matter the canvas. Choose to be closer than farther. Unafraid. When I don’t hold on to notions of who and how I think I should be, and even how the world should be, I can bring my presence anywhere, and nothing will be threatened.
I say all this because I want to simplify, unify. I am tired of dividing my energy into endless different focuses. Even pluralizing the word ‘focus’ feels lousy. In my life, despite other mini-careers apropos to my path on this planet , I have always found my heart in art. I feel the wholeness of me has a chance there. So, I have willingly embraced the keep-your-day-job attitude, and worked simultaneously to build venues for my artwork that might eventually sustain me.
I’ve been busy. I’ve been inspired. I have books and boxes of full of my drawings, writings tucked away in folders, lists of galleries, websites, crafts fairs, paintings to frame, prints to print, ink drawings to publish.......and daily life to tend to. Now, here, is an interactive platform through which we can share the pieces and the whole. All-in-one, if you will.
I will blog here, spilling my words, posting images, adding my two cents to the links. I aim to encourage and contribute to well being everywhere.
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