Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one. - Stella Adler

Roy & I went to the Fritz Scholder exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian and I was just blown away! You can check out part of it at http://www.nmai.si.edu/exhibitions/scholder/works.html - but it really has to be seen in person. Fantastic. I probably wouldn't have seen it at all if my bff from grade school in Michigan, Jennifer Tozer, hadn't found me on Facebook (ok, so it isn't just a time sucker). She works there and invited us down and gave us the tour. God, you could just feel the intensity in the paint. Seeing his paintings totally opened me up to experimenting with color more boldly than I have been.

I really embody Stella Adler's quote. I feel like life has been trying to crush my soul, I have spent years sleepwalking and retreating inside myself until little of me showed through. But painting has reminded me of myself and is the best therapy there is.

“I've been doing a lot of abstract painting lately, extremely abstract. No brush, no paint, no canvas, I just think about it.” - Steven Wright

Here I am at the Lorton Arts Workhouse Gallery opening - what a great place! The conversion of prison cells to artist studios & gallery spaces is fantastic! I am pleased to have "hung Nathan at Lorton" (ha) and I really hope to be able to have a studio here someday. The incarcerated suffragettes were on my mind as I toured studios with filled with so many incredible women artists. We've come a long way, baby!

I started my first painting class at the Vander Zee School of Painting in Old Town yesterday, and I am super excited! First, let me say I admire his abstract landscapes very much - see vanderzeegallery.com to check him out yourself. Second, he is very inspiring - his enthusiasm is evident and you just can't help but be buoyed by his wave of good energy. Third, and most importantly - I am finally learning things about the process, which was never a part of any class I took before. Plus - I am trying oils for the first time since college, and after the demonstration yesterday, I can't wait! Lots of ideas are jammed inside me, I am filled to overflowing and couldn't be happier! Okay, well, I could - but who cares?
Ever since Art in the Pages I have been meeting so many wonderful, diverse artists. (Check out Chris Appleton & Karen Ching) They are inspirational instead of competitive, which is a HUGE difference from anything I have experienced before and I love it! I have that feeling when I talk about art, writing, life theories with Nathan - but he moved to California, so afternoons of Bloodies and Philosophy are on hold for a while ;P

Shout out section:
Roy & Meagan are also incredibly inspirational to me. Roy has taken on the mantle of Patron, and is endlessly providing whatever I need. Money, praise, constant reassurance. If I could just stop spending so much money! Meagan prods me out of my spiritual box and makes me say things like "good energy" in normal discourse.

If you are still reading this, a gift - the poem I title my mini statuette (Daughter of the Elements) after:

Song Of The Flower XXIII
- Khalil Gibran

I am a kind word uttered and repeated
By the voice of Nature;
I am a star fallen from the Blue tent
upon the green carpet.
I am the daughter of the elements
With whom Winter conceived;
To whom Spring gave birth; I was
Reared in the lap of Summer and I

Slept in the bed of Autumn.

At dawn I unite with the breeze
To announce the coming of light;
At eventide I join the birds
In bidding the light farewell.


The plains are decorated with
My beautiful colors, and the air
Is scented with my fragrance.

As I embrace Slumber the eyes of
Night watch over me, and as I
Awaken I stare at the sun, which is
The only eye of the day.


I drink dew for wine, and hearken to
The voices of the birds, and dance
To the rhythmic swaying of the grass.


I am the lover's gift; I am the wedding wreath;
I am the memory of a moment of happiness;
I am the last gift of the living to the dead;
I am a part of joy and a part of sorrow.


But I look up high to see only the light,
And never look down to see my shadow.
This is wisdom which man must learn.

insomnia & me; bff's!!!!

mwf in search of zzzzzzzz's - must be available immediately and ready to commit to a nightly 8hour relationship. walks on the beach, trips to paris & flights of fancy included.

...and still the slumberer laid moaning! (all apologies to the slumbering stevie smith)