Introverts Unite

Brenda LaRose with her latest painting.

On the multitude of occasions I have found myself thrown between the gears of the corporate machine my experience has always been what I can best describe as "soul-sucking". By the time I leave the office environment, all I have left is enough energy to drive myself home and take the dogs for a walk.

Thanks to my recent encounter with a fellow artist in just such a setting, I have finally come to understand why this happens, and just how much energy contributes to the choices we make when it comes to bonding. Within the first week of starting a new office job, I had the great good fortune of inviting co-worker, Brenda LaRose, for a get know you lunch - and she's opened a world of self-discovery I felt compelled to share with others out there, who may have the same response to their work environment.

During one of our many subsequent lunch conversations, which have served as a lifeline for me, Brenda told me about a book entitled, "Splash: An Introvert's Guide to Being Seen, Heard and Remembered" by Carole Cameron - a light bulb went off in my head, and I finally realized why I was feeling totally drained after every work day. According to Cameron, introverts don't draw their energy from other people, in fact, the exact opposite is the case. Introverts must withdraw from any human encounters, no matter how comfortable they are with the people they're around, in order to fully recharge their batteries. I absolutely fall under that category, and interestingly enough, i don't think it's by chance that I would have been drawn most strongly to Brenda out of the 10 other people who share the same workspace.

When I found out Brenda was a fellow artist AND an entrepreneur in her own right, who co-ran an art shop in Acton for several years, where she taught drawing, I was absolutely elated! Thanks to Brenda, I've discovered a new category of paints that mimic oils, but don't have the drying time, or the need for toxic mixing mediums which I'm going to give a try during the holidays thanks to Brenda's generosity.

Rest assured all you introverts out there trying to adapt in the corporate arena, there is help in understanding how we are wired. Cameron's book is a good step in that direction. Although we represent at most 25 - 40% of the population, introverts represent 60% of the gifted population. I consider myself having been gifted with a friendship like Brenda's.

I have so much to be thankful to Brenda for, on so many levels, I don't how I would begin to reciprocate. Perhaps, sharing her beauty of spirit, with the blogosphere is the first step. If you'd like to read Carole Cameron's book follow this link:

splash carole cameron

ISN'T IT IRONIC?

When you reach a certain age you become more introspective. Maybe because at that point your eyesight is failing, so looking inward becomes a more probable option. Nonetheless I have always marveled at artists who understand the transient nature of the creative process, and can readily let go of the finished product without thinking about preserving it for posterity's sake. I guess it boils down to what prompts one to create anything in the first place. Interestingly I posed that question to myself when I last stopped at my favorite sanctuary amidst the urban chaos: a bookstore.

At the entrance was an exquisite ice sculpture created by an artist who calls himself simply, "Iceman" This was a promotional gimmick for the new release of a book called "Inheritance" by Christopher Paolini. As you can see by the photo, it is a replication of the dragon that graces the book cover. This novel marks the end of a cycle in a fantasy world, begun in the mind of the author when he was only fifteen.

So here's a progression of art in the form of prose that evolved over several years, being served up as a frozen effigy for the public, only to be consumed by the sunlight in a matter of minutes. The irony of the situation didn't escape me in that moment as I watched the dragon's horns drip into an ever expanding pool of water at the base of the sculpture.

Christopher Paolini has a large international fan base, and is touring his latest offering to his ravenous readership. Iceman's magnificent frozen Draconis Occidentalis was being reduced to a puddle before my very eyes, with only a handful of admirers to bear witness to its transformation.

I can only wonder who gained the ultimate satisfaction as an artist. I felt compelled to give the ice a little more longevity by capturing it in cyberspace with this post. Beauty can be so fleeting, and I as an artist am motivated to share it wherever and whenever I find it.

Crystals are a Girl's Best Friend

MY CRYSTAL MANDALA

Oh my Lord! I have been so busy creating, I've completely neglected writing about the experience. So let's get right down to it:

I must say that the glorious weather I've been longing for, coupled with longer daylight hours has led to my taking every opportunity to be outdoors. The upside to that from a productivity standpoint is that I derive most of my inspiration from nature.

Long walks with the dogs in the woods by the river are a treasured ritual in my life, and ideas are percolated in this glorious environment without interruption. In fact, I'm pretty much convinced that hunter green will be the color for the packaging in my jewelry collection - after all, branding is part of the process.

Speaking of jewelry ( how's that for a segue ? ) In April I signed up for an incredible class with an amazing lady of Swedish origin who is a certified crystal healer. We gathered on the weekend to create crystal mandalas, and let me tell you the releases that happened during that session were incredibly powerful.

In addition to creating our own healing mandalas from a choice of gemstones that were to die for, we were taught to make talismans from quartz crystals using a technique Margherita referred to as the birdcage wrap. My version is below:



Not only did we drop our baggage and recharge our heart centers, but I learned a lovely wire wrap technique that I can apply to a multitude of stones gifted to me over the years that don't have any drilled holes. I can now create potent pendants for my loved ones.

Doesn't get better than that. For more information regarding Margherita's work you can find her blog at http://crystaldakini.com/

Venice, Leather, and Mardi Gras

In 1986 I had the privilege of experiencing Mardi Gras in a way only the Venetians can celebrate it, and I have never forgotten the spectacle of swirling brocaded costumes, and intricate masks handcrafted in fine leather.



This year, my own attempt to rekindle that majestic event was sparked through a wondrous class offered by Adam Smith at SITE3.CA. We were offered the opportunity to sculpt leather by dampening it with water. Adam deftly demonstrated this age old technique for us, and by the end of the session I had three masks completed.

Utter bliss being able to bring Venice back into my living room on a blustery March afternoon. Bring on the pancakes!

The Glory of Graphite

GRAPHITE STUDY OF BUST OF ARIADNE

Most people associate pencils with grade school math: a tool that miraculously erased any errors in calculation with a swipe of the rubber tip. For me, being the daughter of a technical illustrator, pencils were as plentiful as Kleenex. But I didn't calculate with them; I drew portraits.

In recent times, my serious pursuit of portraiture mastery led me to discover just how much calculating is involved in the accurate capture of any three dimensional object on paper!

These current studies have been guided primarily by internationally recognized instructors at the Academy of Realist Art in the Junction area of West Toronto.

The above image is the first in a series of four compulsory Bargue drawings in the first year program. I chose Ariadne, as she was a woman who, according to Greek mythology, assisted the hero Theseus in killing her half-brother the Minotaur, and escaping the labyrinth, only to be abandoned and then married off to Dionysus. I thought it only fair that this amazing figure be given the attention she so richly deserved for her selfless sacrifice.

Understanding the play of light and dark on the form and understanding the same on a deeper level in this woman's story was profound to say the least.

For the Love of Furlings

I've often had conversations with people who don"t have animal companions in their homes that have presented the argument, that a holiday gift for a pet is a frivolous extravagance. I beg to differ. Having had pets all my life, I can safely say that I can't imagine existence without them. So profoundly has their presence enhanced every moment, that the least I could do is acknowledge this on days when our society celebrates giving and gratitude for gifts of love and sharing.


As far as I'm concerned unconditional love offered on a daily basis without expectation is something we could learn.




SOURCE: http://www.whitehousedesigns.com/images/Igloo/igloofnt.jpg

I bought molasses treats for my horse, a waterproof coat and "igloo" bed from whitehousedesigns.com for Daisy , my Jack Russell Terrier, and clean teeth for my Australian Shepherd, Carmel : A small gesture for what has been given to me by them in return.

Tough Times and Precious Metal

Silver Coin Pendant


A multiplicity of medical challenges amongst my family members precluded any blog entries for the last two months but I'm happy to say that a clean bill of health has been achieved across the board, and I am once again free to share the joy of my creative exploits.

In actual fact I must admit that working with my hands has been a way to preserve my sanity in any stressful situation, particularly when I feel helpless and can only bear witness to another's suffering. Making beautiful things for others always functions as a salve for me and the recipient in many cases.

As we approach the "gift giving" season here in North America and I frantically prep for three Christmas shows in the next four weeks I can't help but reflect on the past two months and how much health should be a factor in one's daily priorities. My solution to that was getting chiropractic advice on stretches that counteract my hunching over a table doing beadwork or sketching, and attending regular sessions of hot yoga - soooo marvelous for the joints, skin and tense muscles.

There's no doubt in my mind that many people are anxious about the economic stability here as the jobs continue to be outsourced and manufacturing is completely Asia bound on all fronts. People are spending less on personal items as the price of gas soars and the cost of groceries doubles. We here in Canada are being taxed out of existence yet our government sees fit to spend $38,000,000 of those tax dollars on a fake lake during the G20 summit.

I wondered, as an artist and concerned citizen - what do we do about the current situation? Many times the average working person assumes that they can't be the vector of any lasting change as one voice is never going to be heard, but the internet and astute awareness of events shaping can bring people together at light speed these days.

While I pondered global economics, the state of the union, and what I was going to cook for dinner, a gentleman of Greek ancestry stepped into the store I work, and gently handed me a huge pure silver coin minted with a lion and pyramid on one face and a scarab beetle on the other. He asked if I could create a pendant so he could wear this gift from a friend around his neck. I happily agreed and the end result is in the photo above.

I work with precious metals constantly, and it occurred to me that this is one way to hedge your bets when the money game takes a nose dive. Granted, this is no big revelation among the savvy investors who stockpile gold and silver when they smell the market tipping downward. Nevertheless, it's something to keep in mind when buying presents for your loved ones. Thanks Demetri for that "aha" moment, and the link to the place that creates these beautiful coins:

http://goldenlionmint.com/GL/product.php

I wish everyone health, happiness, and prosperity in the new year.