Want Versus Resolve

Commencement. I attended the Graduation Ceremony for two remarkable young men this weekend. The extraordinary keynote speaker was their high school English teacher, and one of the most humorous, insightful speakers I've ever heard. Upon entering their new life, he urged the young grads to focus on a concept brought to him by his father; a military man. The concept of Want Versus Resolve. In my studies, I've found 'want' of something to be suggestive that I don't have it already...that I don't have the capacity at this moment to have it. In my experience, I'm capable of having whatever I wish, but I must have resolve to get it. And then do the work. What do you think?

Hungry for a 30 Minute art project. Ideas?

Ever check out the website http://www.ashesandsnow.org/? You must, if not. Artwork of such power and beauty makes me hungrier to be alive. To Breathe. This is True Artistry. Alchemy. I could only hope that my work shows a degree of this Integrity…. I went briefly in my studio hungry for a 30 minute project. Any ideas? Kinda tough when painting in oil… my art journal is a good option… but I didn’t have that pile of papers and glue ready at hand for a swift kickdown on paper… You wanna see a REAL Art Journal? Check out (http://www.anahataart.com/). This woman cranks from a creative place superhuman and papayalicious. She is the one who inspired me to emerge from my pain-in-the-butt seriousness into loving myself through art journaling. I burst into tears when she said she was moving from LA and I’m sure I freaked her out! I never told her that just by her Being Who she is, she inspired me to live my art again…that she actually gave , my art back to me after 20 years without her even knowing. I hope she inspires you too. And she is a magnificent woman. Buy her stuff. I do constantly. Anyone you'd like to tell they've inspired you? Time to say goodbye to my old art journal. Time for new juice, and breaking down some barriers. Maybe time to jump out of another plane? I'm ready to really get creative coloring 'outside of the lines' of life. Blow the roof off and burn the doors down. (Maybe start by just kicking the doors down?). All the old journal pages aren’t 'used', but somehow a chapter of my life is closed, and I don’t know what closed it. Maybe the ending of my Practitioner Class. I’m about to embark on a journey taking myself much less seriously. (thank God and FINALLY!) If you catch me being too sincere, call me on it. K?

Courage through Cancer

Yesterday I found out that a former friend of mine-- one of those who 'came to my life for a reason, or season, but not a lifetime', had a double mastectomy last year. She's young, early 40s, exquisitely beautiful; a woman of great heart. A Double Mastectomy. Cancer. After my initial surprise, our mutual friend said, "She looks great. She's had implants, and still feels wonderful about herself." This is still settling in for me...the Courage. To move through something as grave and challenging as this must have been for her- and to know on the 'other side' of it, she knows still, how beautiful she is. That's Power. That's Courage. Someone admiring my work today asked via email, "Where do you find your inspiration?" He thought I was being modest when I responded, "From the women who sit before me." I meant it. Women are amazing, Powerful Beings. As are Men. But I just love Being a woman, and having women of this level of infinate persepective and gratitude in my life, even if it is for a season. I send a wish from the deepest place in my heart for all women who are moving through the challenge of breast cancer. Thank you to the Susan B. Komen Organization; http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm My biological mother died of breast cancer when I was 5 years old. I recently found out that as she fell ill when I was 3, she began telling me to speak with her after her passing. That she will always be with me. This is how I Know, with undisputable Truth, that I am held; by ancestors, by Spirit, by God, Saints or Angels... whatever name each of us chooses; I am held. So are you. I take a moment to bow to my former friend, Alicia. I am grateful for her life. That her life is present here with us. I hope I can paint her one day. And I'm grateful for her inspiration and our time spent together. And for my own health and well being. And for yours. Blessings, Robbi

Big Bros Big Sisters; the Alchemy of a Lil 'Sis

6.1.07

Guess what? I got a call from Big Brothers Big Sisters today, and they think they have my lil’ Sis match for me. http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.guLUJbMRKtH/b.1622903/k.BD7C/Home.htm

An initial, milli-second sharp breath of fear (‘oh my GOD! Responsibility! What have I gotten myself into?!) was immediately replaced by this crazy sense of excitement at my ‘counselors’ description of this young, energetic, creative girl.

I asked ‘why me?’ and he said the word ‘goofy’ several times… um…um…ok, some of my friends call me Anne of Green Gables, yes, but I like to think of myself as…you know--a sophisticated city girl. Hopes dashed once again. Yes. The Truth. I’m goofy, I’m a farm girl, everybody knows it no matter how lush my paintings and studio. Drat. Anyway, my ‘most likely’ lil’ Sis sounds absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to meet her now!

I had an amazing mentor growing up who took me under her wing for the next 25 years, and my life was changed for always, Good ways. Could I possibly have something to contribute to this young ones life? I truly heart-hope so.

I’ve longed for a while to balance my Self centered life with service from my heart-- not just serving on Boards of the Hollywood Council of the Arts, or Spiritual communities using my business savvy, but actually, truly, giving from my HEART. Its time to give my time, not just my tithe.

Moving from the razzle-dazzle big city LA lights to the blooming little art city of Tacoma has enabled me to really settle into my own skin. Just to feel some focus; be more real, and move more into my heart space.

Who woulda thunk it? (I'm gonna teach my 'lil to speak like that...whaddah ya think?) : )

This is good. Today was a nice day. I love my new life. I love Love.

See ya!

Ashes and Snow Magic

6.1.07

Ever check out the website www.ashesandsnow.org? You must, if not.

Artwork of such power and beauty makes me hungrier to be alive. To Breathe. This is True Artistry. Alchemy. I could only hope that my work shows a degree of this integrity….

I went briefly in my studio hungry for a 30 minute project. Any ideas? Kinda tough when painting in oil… my art journal is a good option….but I didn’t have that pile of papers and glue ready at hand for a swift kickdown on paper…you wanna see a REAL Art Journal? Check out (www.anahataart.com). This woman cranks from a creative place superhuman and papayalicious. She is the one who inspired me to emerge from my pain-in-the-butt seriousness into loving myself through art journaling. I burst into tears when she said she was moving from LA and I’m sure I freaked her out! I never told her that just by her Being Who she is, she inspired me to live my art again…that she actually gave it back to me after 20 years without her even knowing.

Anyway. I hope she inspires you too. And she is a magnificent woman. Buy her stuff. I do constantly.

Time to say goodbye to it. It’s finally time for me to start another book and really get creative. Blow the roof off and burn the doors down. (Maybe start by just kicking the doors down?). All the pages aren’t complete, but somehow a chapter of my life is closed, and I don’t know what closed it. Oh, maybe the ending of my Practitioner Class. I feel complete. I have a feeling I’m about to embark on a journey taking myself much less seriously. (thank God and FINALLY!) If you catch me being to sincere, call me on it. K?

Guess what? I got a call from Big Brothers Big Sisters today, and they think they have my lil’ Sis match for me. An initial, milli-second sharp breath of fear (‘oh my GOD! Responsibility! What have I gotten myself into?!) was immediately replaced by this crazy sense of excitement at my ‘counselors’ description of this young, energetic, creative girl.

I asked ‘why me?’ and he said the word ‘goofy’ several times…um…um…ok, some of my friends call me Anne of Green Gables, yes, but I like to think of myself as…you know--a sophisticated city girl. Hopes dashed once again. Yes. The Truth. I’m goofy, I’m a farm girl, everybody knows it no matter how lush my paintings and studio. Drat. Anyway, my ‘most likely’ lil’ Sis sounds absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to meet her now!

I had an amazing mentor growing up who took me under her wing for the next 25 years, and my life was changed for always, Good ways. Could I possibly have something to contribute to this young ones life? I truly heart-hope so.

I’ve longed for a while to balance my Self centered life with service from my heart--not just serving on Boards of the Hollywood Council of the Arts, or Spiritual communities using my business savvy, but actually, truly, giving from my HEART. Its time.

Moving from the razzle-dazzle big city LA lights to the blooming little art city of Tacoma has enabled me to really settle into my own skin. Just to feel some focus.

I reconnected with a magnificent artist friend of mine from LA who is moving to Ojai…and we talked about the simple joy of meeting girlfriends for coffee each Wednesday morning and talking about their kids, yard sales, our wills…(yeah. Wills. How’s yours coming along? Hint. You are gonna die.) Anyway, in Los Angeles, meeting girlfriends weekly for coffee logistically could simply not happen. We were lucky if we could squeeze in a night of one full moon circle a month! (eeeek! Yes, Wicca!!!)

Now, when there is an art happening (like a crazy fun one coming up here put on by the Tacoma Museum of Art called ‘the Iron Artist), I can go! And all the other groovy fun artists will go! Because there aren’t 1,000,000 other things to choose from that particular night.

I dunno. I miss Agape www.agapelive.com. I miss some friends. I definately miss the weather,,, but you know what I don’t miss? Not knowing myself.

This is good. Today was a nice day. I love my new life. I love Love.

See ya!