Soul Humming

Nature

 

Margo Polo

Today's creativity prompt is Nature and the wildest thing in our house is usually our little kitty, Margo Polo. When I first met her she was hanging out in a tiny hammock in a metal cage at our local rescue. I went up to her and she stretched her paw out through the bars to touch my face. That was it for me. We had no idea she would turn into a long haired beauty. Nor did we know anything about Maine Coons, which we learned she is a mix of. She loves to play in water, chase lights, and makes a noise more like a chirp then a meow.

Inspiration for the Year

 

Hands

The calendar turning to January seems to hold so much promise of commitment, creativity, and endless days of dreams.

Every year, about this time (mid-January) I always pull a Homer as I realize I wanted to start a cool year-long art project but didn't (again).

I always run across so many inspirational projects happening in January. You can do a 365 days photo challenge. Or, all kinds of 52 week photo challenges are out there. There are lots of challenges at Instagram, too. And some artists challenge themselves to create a doodle, a journal page, or a painting every single day.

I always have the best intentions. But not such excellent follow through. Excuses abound (kids, animals, dishes, blah, blah, blah) but in reality, I just don't do it.

So today as I was running across lots of online projects I thought, I'll make my own list. And it will start today, January 12. And I will follow along with my prompts and make them happen. Here it is...

Now, I might take a photo but I might paint something. I'm not going to tie myself down with rules. :) And, while I will do these things on the appointed day, I may not post them on that day. I will try to post them. 'Cause I'm the Baroness of Commitment like that.

If you want to use these same prompts and play along, that would be amazing! Seriously, I would Love it if you did. And if you do, give a holler and please leave a link to your image in the comment section so we can all check them out together. A bit of inspiration is fueling.

I made the list before I made today's photo. That's it up there at the top of this post. And, while the word is hands, I managed to create an image that is completely devoid of them. Sometimes, what we most desire is what we do not have. My hands are my most important tool. There have been several times in my adult life where I have been unable to use one or both hands. This little frozen Charlotte reminds me of those times when I was bound up and handless. I'm very, very grateful for the blessing of my hands.

Ok, your turn!

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Rocks, Paper, Crayons

 

My youngest son has been home sick all week. I was really looking forward to getting back into art when the kids went back to school after winter break. But, the little guy only made it back one day before he got strep throat and bronchitis.

In an attempt to combat cabin fever today, we heated rocks (in the oven at 200 for about 15 mins) and drew on them with crayons. All crayons are not created equally. Some melt and run and are great fun to push around. Others (Twistables) do not seem to like being melted. We managed to melt our way through at least half a dozen rocks, which he thought was a lot of fun. Other than reading, watching cartoons, and lying in bed, this was the most exciting thing this little guy has done all week.

Then I kept on going and used a heat gun to paint with melting crayons onto a paper sack. Sometimes you just HAVE to spend ten minutes being creative so you don't come unglued! I hope your week has been full of good health and lots of creativity!

Too Much Like December

 

Here I am. Here you are.

The end of November.

But it really feels like December. I have no idea how people in Portland manage. Or Seattle.

I live in Southern California and on these grey days I often crumble inside like wet tissue paper. I lose my vitality. I've often wondered what it is like to be a person who floats on the water with a steady even keel. I am the leaf. I am the droplet.

I am influenced by the raging 13 year old who lives with me. I am bombarded by the dogs, the cats, the people, the television. Not every single day is like this but some are.

Today my grandmother is being buried and here I sit across the country in my stupid squeaky chair next to a sizzling air filter that is taunting me. The hard drive fan is so loud.

I think I should go for a walk. It feels too much like December.

Instagram

 

American Gothic Calavera Style

I've not been here much. I know, I know. As my kids are growing so are the ways in which I spend my time with them. I need to be more present as my oldest just became a teenager. The homework of middle school, the social scene, it is all different than when I was a kid. And my husband and I are working so hard at keeping up with all the technology he has at his disposal. We want both our boys to be men of strong character and there are lessons every day. So my painting/creative time has shifted. I'm doing more things that I can accomplish quickly like iphone photography on Instagram.

 

Remembering Who I Am

I like this sort of creative outlet because it is fun, fast, and deals immediate communication with an audience. I don't have to write a long post. I don't have to find my favorite paint brush. I can do it on the fly but it still feeds my creative hunger. I'm still working in portraits, lots of self-portraits as I'm always here when I need to be creative.

Found

Do you have an Instagram account? I'd love it if you would follow me there so I can keep up with my Soul Humming peeps! Click the button below to find me or look me up there where my user name is @soulhumming. Look forward to sharing photos with you all!

 

Girl with Red Hair - A Painting Challenge

 

I am stubborn (aka lazy and unorganized). So when the mood strikes me to paint, I will paint. Even if I only have 15 minutes, no water, one brush, a piece of an old Swedish hymnal (I always thought it was German until I tried to translate it via Google) as a substrate, and a couple of colors of paint. 

My goal was to keep it very loose. With no water and one brush it was fun to work super fast as I was in my garage (it is 90 degrees outside) and the paint was drying very quickly.

I feel like it was a boost to my creativity. I had already made seven pendants earlier today by the time I painted this. So I was feeling the mojo. It was good to hear those "painting voices" in my head turn on again. I love kicking the critic to the curb and enjoying the process intstead of judging it. In the end, it was lovely to get back to creating.

Dog Days of Summer

 

 

Summer is in full swing here on the west coast.

 

So we are hitting the beach.

And spending five or six days a week with Swim Team.

I'm also taking time to smell the flowers wherever I find them.

While I am slowly finding tiny nuggets of time for creating jewelry/art, most of my artistic endeavors are happening with my iphone. If you want to keep up with my photography, please follow me at Instagram where my user name is soulhumming.

Last but not least, I have a cool give-away coming in the days ahead. So stay tuned!

 

A Good Breakfast

all but one seed.

Dancing with magic

This week in my book club we were talking about magic in every day life. How many of us spend time in the land of the Fae? It was quickly regarded by my friends that I might daily be visiting that magical land.

And it is true. I believe in the magic of every day things. I see life with dreamy eyes.

Today when walking, I came across these vines which reminded me of the hand of the Earth reaching out from the land to touch the air. Or the hand of God, reaching up to us. Of course it is a vine. But it is also the hand of God, reminding me that He is in everything, He is everywhere, He is in me. And it is the magical hand of Earth telling me to be mindful of how I treat this place where I've been given to live. And to teach my children to do the same.

When I see the vines stretching and crossing over one another I think of how we as people collide and combine and work together to live this life. Sometimes we are the support, strong but supple, holding up the others. Other days we are attacked by outside forces and need a stronger aid to lift us up.

Magic is everywhere and serves us well as we walk along. Some might say this is stopping to smell the flowers. I think it is stopping to take the hand of God wherever we might find it. And then dancing together inside.

 

Great Christmas Apps for the Kids or (silly) You

The other night we had an awesome time at church where we were gathered for the

tree lighting,

hot cider, cookie decorating,

silliness,

naps,

sledding down a hill,

watching the Grinch on a huge screen,

more silliness,

and, my very, very favorite, singing Christmas carols.

Kazoos included!

The music director had us download an app that helped to update that beloved classic song, Jingle Bells. It is this free iphone app called Ginger Bells.

It turns your phone into a variety of bells that you play by shaking your phone. It was so cool to hear everyone ringing their bells and singing Jingle Bells together. The kids really had a great time with it.

There was also an app called Free Candle. It was great when we sang Silent Night and everyone held up their candle. I tried to post a picture of it here but it really messed up my typepad post. :( But the app itself is very cool. And, if you would like to sing carols and have lots of fun, be sure to come to the tree lighting next year at Mariner's Church or anytime during the year. It's a wonderfully friendly community of people who love God and helping others. Merry Christmas!