Perception on Lot 70

Oasis Exploration: Relationships in Color and Time

One recent Saturday at the Esquela Artes Placticas in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, I encountered the concept of color gradation. The painting exercise we practiced was to take a color and mix it with white or black until an ever lightening or deepening shade results. While mixing and studying the color change, I reflected on how color represents time and that the subtle color variations are like moments in life. Most of the time we are not aware of subtle shifts in color. Green is green. Red is red. Blue is blue. Time is like that too because we notice that it's the morning, afternoon, and night. However, when a color is mixed with white or black in varying degrees subtle shades become visible. It is clear that green is a myriad of possible greens. Red and blue are potentials of color in which to dive! Our awareness of time is similar to our awareness of color in that we don't usually remember the moment. Anyone who has practiced present moment awareness knows this shift in perception. If you've gone on a mindfulness retreat, you know what I mean. Even the slogan Just Breath is a focusing practice that brings you into yourself so that you become aware of the real moment.

I remember a practice that I learned from reading G. I. Gurdjieff that is called (self) remembering, which is at any moment you turn your attention back on yourself and realize something such as, "Hey, I'm here. I'm alive." It's a practice of noticing that you are in existence. This self-remembering changes your daily experience of time.  I have practiced this technique on and off for years but at one time I consciously dedicated my focus to self-remembering for many daily moments for several months. What I discovered is that it altered my perception of time and my feeling of a solid boundary between my body and the space around it. Most of us experience time and life in chunky ways that are carefully divided by daily (and seasonal) routine.  We break it up every day into pieces such as waking up, eating, going to work, exercising, and  sleeping. The routine defines how we experience time.

For most of us, it is only when an event occurs that breaks our daily pattern do we shift in our awareness of time. Consider an unexpected event to your normal routine; for example, the arrival of an out of town guest. Suddenly you find yourself actively engaged in lively conversation at a restaurant well into the evening. It's past your bedtime!  You're so engaged in the moment that you forget all about your routine and your strategy of life management that organizes life into predictable chunks of experience. These occurrences let you know that time and pattern are constructs that make your life manageable but also invisible.  Unconscious routine can obscure gradations of color. However, a person's ordinary engagement with time can shift by consciously practicing various techniques. To illustrate, the method of periodically focusing on your breath can help you become aware of time and thereby, shift your ability to see, know and engage in more subtle ways. Try the self-awareness exercise below and pace it to your ever slowing and deepening breath.

I am here. I breathe. I am filled. I am empty. Inhale. Exhale. A moment. A string of moments. I am in life. I am life. Breathe.

Certainly the experience of breathing is ordinary but the awareness of breathing is another thing altogether. Conscious breathing can deepen your contact with a non-ordinary experience of life. Just as color has degrees and shades within what is normally classified as GREEN; time has degrees and shades that are made visible by strategies of consciously remembering.

Each moment is a prism of quiet vibrancy.

People have asked me that [what is the experience of inner awareness]
before, and I always feel that they expect to hear the dramatic account
of some sudden miracle through which I suddenly became one with the
universe. Of course nothing of the sort happened. My inner awareness was
 always there; though it took me time to feel it more and more clearly;
and it equally took time to find words that would at all describe it.

~~ Krishnamurti.

Color Gradations with 20 steps:  Complementary, Monochromatic, and Analogous Demonstrations

Also published in Oasis Writing Link (TM)

Spinning Color Wheels: REVISITING EARLY DREAMS

REVISITING EARLY DREAMS

I had my first painting class last Saturday at the Escuela de Artes Plasticas de Puerto Rico. 


It was a class on color theory. I arrived for the first class two weeks ago and the start date was postponed until the next Saturday. I arrived on the next Saturday and discovered that the professor was absent. By the third class, I expected that we might not have class or maybe some other changes could occur. Perhaps the room location would be changed? (Ah, life in Puerto Rico!) It's okay though. I did not mind the changes because they gave me more time to become accustomed to the routine of driving to Old San Juan, which involves finding parking, figuring out how long it takes to walk to the classroom and of course (for me the essential information),  locating the nearest place to have a cup of coffee. More importantly, I had time to deal with the stress of revisiting the old dream of studying art. 

I'm in a period of life called "the redo" as in the common expression, "I want a do-over!" This "redo" does not include everything done in life (meaning regrets) but rather what was not done, which could also, but not necessarily, mean regrets. This understanding signifies that I realize that it's hard (if not impossible) to do everything in one life.

I highly recommend that you revisit your early dreams. At some point in life, I think everyone should take a look at the remaining memory-bits of their earlier choices (and their consequences) and try to re-construct them. Asking questions such as:

What did I decide? What were the consequences? What choices led to the life I am living now?  How would I like to shift the current direction of my life?

Periodically, we should give ourselves permission start again. In order to have a happy and satisifying life, it's essential to avoid heavy regrets about life decisions. It's so easy to say, "It's too late."  How many people look back and say, "I wanted to be an/a __________(artist, singer, dancer, musician, pilot, actor or?) and my __________ (parents, husband, school counselor, children, fear, logic, or?) made me choose _______(business, teaching, homemaking, and so on). We all make decisions that blame circumstances (such as the preceding) or ourselves and we accept that their direct consequences; however, we don't always know that, in fact, many times we did not decide. We delayed our decision so long that the choice no longer was visible.

We don't realize that not deciding is also a decision.

On a personal note, I don't think I'm alone when I say that many artistic people find themselves in non-artistic fields just because they did not choose. Certainly, we can argue that our creativity has been put to use in another "more practical" career; nevertheless, that earlier desire often demands our attention. It can still push retired people, for example, to take dance, voice, pottery, modeling class or to show up for an audition at the local community theater. What I'm suggesting is that this "foolish" behavior is worth it and nudging you to start now. Don't wait until you have the time. Further, this choice to actively engage the remnants of the earlier less encumbered  you, can awaken the memory of wonder, i.e., the ability to appreciate and experience unencumbered joy.

Be warned! Making the choice to revisit your lost dreams causes mental and emotional turmoil. For example, for the last few weeks  my nighttime dreams have been influenced by symbols of that earlier time in life (and the earlier me) where I changed from being a carefree idealist to a "poser" pragmatist. I choose the word "poser" because those who genuinely know me realize that I remain an idealist. You might say that I suffer from  a Pollyanna-ish optimism and try my hardest to keep her under cover. I'm a look for the silver-lining kind of person. Indeed, I force myself to squarely deal with the dreaded practical problems all of us encounter in ordinary life. It's fine. I have no problem with keeping my feet on the ground. However, I know that a real emotional/psychological breakthrough can be made by jumping out of an airplane- of course wearing a parachute! (I did that!) And if that experience was one of your early dreams, you don't actually have to jump out of an airplane but just engage the dream  and at least (below) play with a parachute (photo credit). Or maybe go zip-lining? (I want to do that!)


 

My homework assignment is met with some anxiety. Recreate (with acrylic paints) the color wheel using the three primary colors yellow, red, and blue (photo credit).




It has to be exactly 15 inches in diameter and "look pretty." How do I do that? Below is what the homework assignment should look like...




Only, a reasoning and/or creative person must be aware that the brushed in and home-mixed colors might not behave! I am a novice but at least I'm choosing how to spin my wheels. I wonder what kind of dreams I will have tonight? 


"Spinning Wheels" by Blood, Sweat and Tears

What goes up must come down
spinning wheel got to go round
Talking about your troubles it's a crying sin
Ride a painted pony
Let the spinning wheel spin...

In Which Bear Arrives, and Is Puzzled

Hello. My name is Bear. Rob-bear. I live at 13eh Blogland Lane. (That's 13A for those of you who aren't Canadyan, eh.)

I'm an itinerant story-teller, five-stringed banjo player, photographer, and would-be artist. I'm also a half decent cook. So it you want a truly decent meal, don't come my way.

My home will meet all relevant building codes, but may appear rather "rustic." There are other words people have used for my habitations in the past. I still think "rustic" is best.

(If we get a really cold winter, I may go into hibernation. I just need to find a cave.)

However, there is a mystery. (Cue theme from Twilight Zone.)

Blogland Lane seems to be deserted. Nobody else here. This is strange. I thought BL would be a very busy community. Yet, um, well. Hmmmm. (Bear casts his eyes around the place, though they stay in his head.) Closed up houses. No lights on. No stores open.

There's got to be a story in this!

{To be continued!}

Gypsy Caravan On My Blog

I've started my Gypsy Caravan with Renee, Sonia and KJ ~If you'd like to, stop over and have a glass of wine or some dancing my blog is http://www.odd-dolls.blogspot.com

                                                              

What?

Ok who said that??? "Dance Naked?" It's a picture I took in Seattle and at the time seemed appropriate. I think it really means dance like no one can see you~ dance like the music in your head is the only music ever~dance like you have wild abandon ~ dance.. period.... Let's just dance, slow and easy, wild and hot... just dance .... feel our bodies....

Holiday Greetings and Self-Promotion

A certain Ms. KJ who shall remain nameless insisted I let the wonderful folks and neighbors at Blogland Lane know about my holiday cards at my Etsy shop.

Most of my art images are made into cards so that my 'sold' paintings can be enjoyed by others. I'm a believer in letter writing which is why cards are so important to me. So please stop by if you have time. I even welcome browsers!

I'm creating witches

Winter Witches and giveaway Witches ~

The Winter Witch is all in White except for her black painted canvas ~

And if you come to my blog and make a comment on this witch you'll be entered into my giveaway that I'm having. Picking a name on Halloween night~

I've FINALLY finished my witches!!!

And they are listed on etsy....
http://pattee.etsy.com
Thanks for looking or should I say "Made you look" LOL!

Rusty Doorknobs--Lot 40, House #268

As I disentangle myself from the Vines and Branches, I ask Wolf...What do you mean? What on Earth is happening here?

Wolf smiles his rather fearful grin, his teeth glinting a little in the Sunlight. 

You will see...he says...But only if you leave your Fear behind. Have I ever taken you on a journey which caused you harm?

I pick off a recalcitrant Vine, thinking back to some of the escapades on which Wolf had taken me.  All involved looking closely at some part of me he was not satisfied with...and while these did not harm, as such, each small sojourn did bring a rise in apprehension and anxiety.

Ruefully, I ask myself...Why should this journey be any different?

And with renewed Trust in Wolf...he is a messenger from the Gods and my Spirit guide, after all...I straighten my back and march to the door.

The door is made of heavy planks of Cedar.  Gargoyles have been carved at each corner, rather cleverly, I think...if I stare hard and long enough, each Gargoyle seems to move...

I tear my glance away.  The last thing I need at this moment is to engage with Gargoyles.


I focus on the doorknob.  In particular, I notice that it is in dire need of polishing.  When (or if!) I return to Blogland Lane, I vow to check the Employment Notice Board to see if I can hire a handy person.  One who is not afraid of travelling Vines!


The doorknobs are ornate, although I can't see the detail for the rust and tarnish.  Made of Iron, I believe each might be a depiction of a part of Wolf.  I shake my head, with some despair, and turn to look at Wolf.

Wolf is gone.  Of course he is. For some reason, I am to enter this fantastical abode alone...


My hand touches the knob, feeling its crenellated surface only fleetingly before, as if by some magical hand, the doors open slowly and silently.


I stand on the sill, staring into the gloom.  The entry area is dark, dusty.  The one window is covered with Vines and little light passes through.  For all the darkness and dust, the Air smells as fresh as the early Morning after a Rainstorm.


There is no furniture in this rather large room; the floors are covered in long, wooden planks.  With the dim light, it is difficult to make out how the walls of this room have been finished. I have an impression of dark, heavy, and carved wooden panels.


There is no Art on the walls that I can see; if, as my intuition is telling me, this House is to be mine, the first thing I will do is call Bliss Gallery, back on Blogland Lane.


It would be possible for me and my companions to live in only one room, in the beginning, at least; however, I could not be content in a room with no Art.


I see no interior door leading anywhere.What kind of home is this...I wonder...It looks far larger than only one room from the outside!


My eyes adjust to the dim light.  I make out an object in the far corner of the room, on the floor.


I wonder what it might be. It is dark, vaguely roundish...an odd shape... and looks slightly familiar.

As I move closer, heart in mouth...that entry door which opened so magically for me, just a short time ago, could also close, leaving me shut tight in this dark, gloomy room.


Standing as far away from the object as is possible, I squint, trying to make it out without moving closer.


It's...a...telephone?


Back in a mo...

Yikes I've started a Ning ~

Yep, I stepped off the boat, I climbed over a hurtle, took a high dive into a lake......
Sometimes I wonder about myself... : )

Here is the site if you'd like to peek or if you'd like to join...
I'm going to be offering classes when my video camera gets here~

http://odd-dolls-fun.ning.com

Thanks~
Pattee

An art gallery on Blogland Lane

(Click on image to enlarge)

Hi everyone. I have had family visiting and have been too busy to visit much, but I have been thinking about opening an art gallery, down town Blogland Lane called Bliss. Does that sound fun? I will be showing some of my own work, but it would be lovely if some of you other creative types join in and bring your paintings or ceramics and sculptures along to show. All mediums welcome and we have unlimited space! The paintings here are all done with Venetian plaster and acrylics on board. The first one is 8"x8" and is titled a "View from the Sky #2" and the next one is 12"x12" and titled a "View from the sky#1". Next one down is 47"x47" and titled "Push", last we have a 47"x47" painting called "Desire". I will be showing more from time to time so be sure and stop by. If you would like to see more of my work you can go to my art blog at: http://anniesartblog.blogspot.com/, or my ETSY site:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6242015 or visit my other blog at:

http://blissful-bohemian.blogspot.com/

Thank you for stopping by and I can't wait to see your art work!

Blessings from #19 on Blogland Lane.

#37 under construction, but I do have a beachhouse

Hi, everybody, Pieterbie here. I've staked my claim for #37, but I'm still thinking about what kind of shack I want/need. In the mean time I have provided a beachhouse at the end of our beloved Blogland Lane.
I'm an amateur photographer and I play badminton, so I have at least two things in common with two of the other residents.
My blog, which is mainly photography is here.
Hope to meet you all in person here on Blogland Lane.