Tropical Dreams

Tropical Dreams
Originally uploaded by blue_sea_art

I am finally getting into my studio after the flu and other maladies that have effected me for the past month. I am dreaming of the tropics, of warmth and sun, and sweet lemonade. Its dreary here today, but I have a week off work for spring break and I am feeling better and am as happy as if I was in the tropics.

Inner Child Dreaming - Encaustic painting

This encaustic is really an expression of my own inner child ...with memories of looking out the window at all the kids playing down below our third floor apartment window in Chicago, and me dreaming of being down their playing with everyone.  I find this one so very evocative of the magical inner child.

Through the window--New Encaustics

Through the window
Originally uploaded by blue_sea_art

Here are several new encaustic paintings I have finally completed
This one suggests mystery making one wonder what is behind the door...

Intention Mandala- finally complete

New Years Mandala
Originally uploaded by blue_sea_art

I have finally finished my New years mandala that I began at the last Illuminated Mandala workshop that Patricia and I facilitated in early January. I have an earlier post about it. I put this aside and then recently began working on it again....during a long, long bout of the flu.

We will be doing a Spring Retreat soon, on March 22nd. If you are in California and interested.....then why not check my website, http://www.creativeartstudio.com for more information.

"Are There Trees Near You and does your own Soul need Comforting?"

Such Singing In the Wild Branches

It was spring and I finally  heard him  

among the first leaves

then I saw him clutching the limb in an island of shade

with his red-brown feathers all trim and neat for the new year.

First, I stood still and thought of nothing. 

Then  I began to listen.  

Then I was filled with gladness-

and thats when it happened, 

when I seemed to float, to be, myself, a wing or a tree- and I began to understand what the bird was saying, 

and the sands in the glass stopped for a pure white moment 

while gravity sprinkled upward like rain, rising, and in fact

it became difficult to tell just what it was that was singing-

It was the thrush for sure, but it seemed not a single thrush, 

but himself and all his brothers,

and also the trees around them, 

as well as the gliding, long-tailed clouds in the perfectly blue sky-

all, all of them were singing

And, of course, yes, so it seemed so was I.

Such soft and solemn and perfect music doesn't last

for more than a few moments.

Its like one of those magical places wise people like to talk about.

One of the things they say about it, that is true, is that, 

once you've been there, your there forever.

Listen everyone has a chance

Is it spring, is it morning? 

Are there trees near you,

and does your own soul need comforting?

Quick then - open the door and fly on your heavy feet; 

the song may already be drifting away.

                                                                           Mary Oliver - from Owl and Other Fantasies