Saturday, December 27, 2008

The Red Road

The Red Road

Long road winding began in the stars,
spilled onto the mountain tops,
was carried in the snow to the streams,
to the rivers, to the ocean…
It covers Canada, Alaska, America,
Mexico to Guatemala,
and keeps winding around the indigenous.
The Red Road is a circle of people
standing hand in hand,
people in this world, people between
people in the Spirit world.
star people, animal people, stone people,
river people, tree people…
The Sacred Hoop.
To walk the Red Road
is to know sacrifice, suffering.
It is to understand humility.
It is the ability to stand naked before God
in all things for your wrong doings,
for your lack of strength,
for your uncompassionate way,
for your arrogance - because to walk
the Red Road, you always know
you can do better. And you know,
when you do good things,
it is through the Creator, and you are grateful.
To walk the Red Road
is to know you stand on equal ground
with all living things. It is to know that
because you were born human,
it gives you superiority over nothing.
It is to know that every creation carries a Spirit,
and the river knows more than you do,
the mountains know more than you do,
the stone people know more than you do,
the trees know more than you do,
the wind is wiser than you are,
and animal people carry wisdom.
You can learn from every one of them,
because they have something you don’t:
They are void of evil thoughts.
They wish vengeance on no one, they seek Justice.
To Walk the Red Road,
you have God given rights,
you have the right to pray,
you have the right to dance,
you have the right to think,
you have the right to protect,
you have the right to know Mother,
you have the right to dream,
you have the right to vision,
you have the right to teach,
you have the right to learn,
you have a right to grieve,
you have a right to happiness,
you have the right to fix the wrongs,
you have the right to truth,
you have a right to the Spirit World.
To Walk the Red Road
is to know your Ancestors,
to call to them for assistance…
It is to know that there is good medicine,
and there is bad medicine…
It is to know that Evil exists,
but is cowardly as it is often in disguise.
It is to know there are evil spirits
who are in constant watch
for a way to gain strength for themselves
at the expense of you.
To Walk the Red Road,
you have less fear of being wrong,
because you know that life is a journey,
a continuous circle, a sacred hoop.
Mistakes will be made,
and mistakes can be corrected -
if you will be humble,
for if you cannot be humble,
you will never know
when you have made a mistake.
If you walk the Red Road,
you know that every sorrow
leads to a better understanding,
every horror cannot be explained,
but can offer growth.
To Walk the Red Road
is to look for beauty in all things.
To Walk the Red Road
is to know you will one day
cross to the Spirit World, and you will not be afraid…

Author - The Red Road

Friday, December 19, 2008

Success and Creativity

I found a very interesting author, Malcolm Gladwell, who has written several books, one in particular grabbed my interest called, Outliers. It explores the topic of success and creativity. Very compelling and important information to anyone interested in education, creativity and success.

- Kind regards, Catherine
Just transformed my long url http://appleriverartstudio.googlepages.com which is like 42 characters into this...http://tinyurl.com/49n6d8 only 25 characters now! Magic eh?

Some Thoughts About Changing and Doing New Things

I have been busy doing the Christmas baking and decorating thing, which I love by the way, no stress here. I refuse!

Being that the end of 2008 is fast approaching, I have been reflecting over the past year. I realize I have been changing and have been doing alot of new things I have never done before and some, I never thought I would do. I am not one to be making New Years resolutions but have always been interested in challenging myself, and getting out of my comfort zone. Doing such things like applying for government art grants, changing my career, my art, my attitude toward marketing myself as an artist, that's major for me. Making biscotti, venison vegetable meat pies and decorating my stairs bannister with spuce boughs, all of which I never done before either that's minor. Some of these might seem inconsequential but they have added up to a rather subtle change in my attitude, that is really very signifcant to me.

I have always been one to want to face my fear. I try hard to push through what it is I am feeling fearful of in my life, even though it scares the bejesus out of me. This is not always easy but very rewarding. We are all fearful of people, places and things, big and small. This is all very normal and what is essential to me is realizng and actualizing my ability to walk through them and know in my gut this is the only way to overcome my fear. The Serenity Prayer helps me enormously as well. This all affects my creative process and it is important for me to remember always.

Kind regards - Catherine


Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Christmas Reflections

Christmas is soon approaching. I have no money to shop. I am not giving into the pressure of being the typical Christmas consumer. Not that I have ever done this really, because I have made a conscious decision to avoid certain consuming Christmas traps I'll call them, like going to the Malls, listening to AM radio, or watching TV with all the commercial garbage with the exception of some programs, but presently I have no TV hook-up which was another conscious decision. That said, I can let all the Christmas pressure get me down in the dumps, if I let it, for a myriad of reasons, that I really don't wish to expound upon. Regardless, I can find the Spirit of Christmas if I choose to look hard enough and put some effort into finding it.

As the years go by, at this time of year I will often have memories of feelings of Christmas's past. I don't dwell on them, just glimpse back at the happy times and a few of the sad. All in all it is just one day. But Christmas to me is a spiritual frame of mind that needs to stay with me all year round. I keep little reminders of this up around the house, leaving some favourite ornaments up all year round to help me do this. I think deeply now, about those who have little, who hurt alot and have tragic circumstances to deal with during the season. What has all this to do with creativity I am asking myself? Alot upon reflection. I have to find creative ways to make Christmas more meaningful. Not so much to me directly, but to others around me and a distance away from me. This isn't always the easiest thing to do because there is a tendency to get focused on myself. A case of the poor me 's.
So I have to put my imagination to work and see what I come up with. I hope you can find ways to do this also. I love to know what others do to enable a Christmas in the heart all year round. For me this is what it is all about, not to forget to have Christmas Spirit in my heart, all year round. As my good friend Chris from Nebraska says. Pray for Peace... and I will.

With kind Regards - Catherine

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Artist's and Marketing

I've been busy painting over the weekend and then yesterday, spent the day exploring some very exciting sites online.

I found some very interesting information regarding marketing ourselves as artists and found other fellow artists interested in the same. Here are the links listed below.

ttp://chrisbolmeier.com/gallery

http://www.pauldonnell.com/

http://www.emptyeasel.com/

http://www.robertgenn.com/the Painter's Keys Artist Community











Friday, December 5, 2008

The Blank Canvas

I am about to embark on a new painting. Facing me is the blank canvas. Seems this always is a daunting endeavour. It doesn't matter how many times I begin a new painting, to some degree or another it always happens, regardless of me knowing before, this is going to be my experience. All the negative voices of my inner critic come rushing in that say. "You can't do this, who do you think you are , an artist? Crazy stuff. Now I don't really hear these exact words of my inner critic, it is more of a feeling. I wonder when these kinds of feelings leave an aritist or if the ever do. More importantly for me, what matters is to ignore these thoughts and feelings and let them go, as easily as they come. I continue to move forward inspite of them, and perhaps even because of them and make a conscious choice to take a proactive, positive approach to my creative undertaking. Thank goodness I have learned to do this and that my need and desire to be creative far outways the negative mind set and attitude I could easily take on, but choose not to today, and for that I am grateful.

Kind regards - Catherine

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Creativity - Basic Principles

BASIC PRINCIPLES - from the book, The Artist's Way a Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity - Julia Cameron

1. Creativity is the natural order of life. Life is energy:pure creative energy.

2. There is an underlying, in-dwelling creative force infusing all of life-including ourselves.

3. When we open ourselves to our creativity, we open ourselves to the creator's creativity
within us and our lives.

4. We are, ourselves, creations. And we, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being
creative ourselves.

5. Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God.

6. The refusal to be creative is self-will and is counter to our true nature.

7. When we open ourselves to exploring our creativity, we open ourselves to God: good
orderly direction.

8. As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be
expected.

9. It is safe to open ourselves up to greater and greater creativity.

10. Our creative dreams and yearnings come from a divine source. As we move toward our
dreams, we move toward our divinity.

- The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron and Mark Bryan
The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron  and Mark Bryan

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Reflections


I had a chance to reconnect and catch up with some old friends lately. People I haven't seen for many years. It really rather amazes me how things change but in many ways stay the same. It was wonderful to discover they are really neat people; creative, imaginative and rediscovering this about themselves perhaps, because they have lost the fear of being able to be themselves, for fear of rejection, failure and have redefined what it means to be successful. I have also changed in many of the same ways. Maybe it comes with age, being comfortable in my own skin and having the freedom to be myself, a creative being, my higher self. This is whom we are all meant to be. I believe this in the depths of my soul. This is the way we are born.

Today I submitted the second of two completed applications for art grants. What a wonderfully empowering feeling it has been to go through this process regardless of the outcome. I have learned much, yes had doubts but risen above them and finally been able to see this through with support and encouragement from friends, family and co-artists. I 've been able to demystify this process, face my fears and doubts, and it ceratainly has given me a sense of freedom to believe in myself and be who I am...no better, no less than anyone, a creative human being who happens to be an artist.

With kind regards - Catherine http://appleriverartstudio.googlepages.com/

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Babies

Yesterday I went with a friend who was babysitting. There was the sweetest newborn I met. We both enjoyed ourselves as I cooed, gooed and held her in my arms, until her mum swept her up to go, as she had to take her with, due to still breastfeeding.

Today I reflected on this experience with this blissful little bundle and thought how beautifully innocent and open she was. I found myself wishing human's could all be this way. Open to the light and love, with a natural connection to the Great Spirit. It seems so many of us are out of touch with the Great Creator and as an artist I know this is always my daily goal to re-connect and maintain my conscious contact with the God of my understanding; just wished I didn't have to work so hard at it sometimes. Babies have this perfected.

Kind regards - Catherine

Monday, December 1, 2008

Sir Ken Robinson On Creativity

Here is a very important video in my opinion. I hope you will take the time to view it. It is a great confirmation of what I personally believe to be true about creativity. Here is the link below.

Creatively Speaking, Part One: Sir Ken Robinson on the Power of the Imaginative Mind . The internationally renowned innovation consultant calls for transformation, not just reformation, of public education. .

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Weekend Blogging Break

Good day,

Just in case anyone wonders, I am not going to be writing in this blog on weekends. I'm off to make blueberry pie for dinner out at a neighbour friend's. Lobster's on the menu! - kind regards, enjoy your weekend everyone. Catherine http://appleriverartstudio.googlepages.com/

Friday, November 28, 2008

Website Makeover!

Oh boy been on this computer all day. I am giving my website a makeover. Hey lookin' good too! Ok back to the makeover!
Regards - Catherine

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Art, Love and Crazy Making

I got out of bed this morning with plans of setting my, ready to go fire, in the woodstove I'd prepared the night before. I had blueberry, banana, bran muffins with raisins, all the ingredients I'd set out too, from the night before. I was expecting an afternoon meeting, so I was very prepared for my guest. But not prepared for the unexpected phone call first thing before I got to any of this; from one I love, who can be crazy making for me...if I allow for that to happen. That's the key. Crazy making can only affect me now if I let it. I didn't know this to be so in the past, I had a choice. It still isn't easy when it comes to those we love or are in love with. Fact is biological changes that happen to us when we are in love really do affect the way we feel, think and behave. All the racing to our brains seritonin and dopamine I think. So we don't think to clearly. I had forfeited my art interests in the past for love or lust or both in the past. All added up to disaster, resulted in no art, no man, no peace of mind, self-esteem, respect, etc. So I am very grateful to be able to say and know I choose not to let crazy making affect me today. At least not like it did in the past. Kind regards, Catherine

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Oh boy I'll sleep well tonight!

Well I spent the day in the library down the road in the next village close to where I live. I was having some serious problems with my CD trying to get my digital images written on to it so I could submit my Canada Council application form for my Research and Creation grant. I thought... ok here we go my hyper anxiety neurosis about not being able to get this thing in the mail. I thought... that's it... it isn't going to go. I'm frigged! But thanks to my library friend who had a good CD as opposed to mine, it worked! I was able to get it done! What sweet relief! I got it in the mail this afternoon and just this past hour I sent the online stuff. Holy what a rush and well, I'm pretty darn proud of myself for actually doing this and getting it done! Not sure if this blog helped but I am happy to have it, to be able to write about how happy I am. Wished I had someone to celebrate with. :( I will sleep well tonight!

Kindest Regards - Catherine

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Sun

Oh the sun is out today and the temperatures are on the rise!
I don't want to talk weather but it sure helps when the temps are up and the sun is out!
Today I get my submissions in the mail for my art grants. I have this feeling of trepidation only because I really need to get these in today and I am concerned, when's the other shoe going to drop, bordering on paranoia for some reason...with no real rational foundation. It speaks of my neurosis I guess, as moments of a self-doubting artist. Or maybe it's just the lack of confidence in Canada Post! I won't get into that!

Not much to say, just putting my best foot forward today for the tasks at hand. Oh to be my cat curled up on the chair for the afternoon. Or my friend cosied up by the fire in her jammers!

Kindest regards - Catherine











Monday, November 24, 2008

SAD

I was talking to a creative friend this morning. He'd mentioned to me that he suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder. I know a few people who have this. I think we can all be affected by the lack of light and good weather. I can find myself feeling very glum when there is extreme cold and wind. It can just make think about crawling into bed and staying there.



I often wonder what part this plays affecting artists and their motivation to get actively creating. I am really of the opinion I can overcome it or at least work through it, just making myself do the work at hand and then I find my motivation and am feeling better because I have accomplished something, but I think getting my mind focused on the positive makes the difference in my frame of mind. I know it is much easier said than done. I do remember what one of my respected art teacher's said, "When you don't feel like drawing, that's the time you need to draw." I found this to be true. This is just what seems to work for me, but I don't expect that it is so easy for everyone. At the same time I don't have to by into the myth or idea of the tortured artist living in some garret either, because the light has left our world. But a little sunshine would sure be nice when bad the weather comes around in the Winter, and it is so cold you think your grannies preserves will freeze!



Well I'm off to put another log on that fire. Where'd I put that fur underwear?



Warmest Regards - Catherine



Sunday, November 23, 2008

"Our creative dreams and yearnings come from a divine source."

Technorati Profile

I extend to you a very warm welcome to my blog.


Catherine Meyers is my name and I am an artist, a painter. Joni Mitchell, my very favourite singer/songwriter, says in her song, " I am a lonely painter and I live in a box of paints. " It is true being an artist/painter can be a lonely profession as it is usually done in solitude. This is a good thing and I believe essential to me, though it has been problematic in ways that necessitate contact with the outside world. That said I am so very grateful to have my computer because it enables me to do this, and has made all the difference in my feeling isolated.

My intention for this blog is to explore in a personal way, thoughts, ideas and activities around creativity. Creativity to me is not a gift reserved only for the artist, but has been given to every human being.

I have two goals implicit in this blog. The first relates to my intentions, but just as significant to me, is to be accountable and to enable and nurture my own creative process.

I have recently been working hard on applying for a Canada Council Research/Creation Art Grant and a Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and and Heritage Creation Grant. I think or it is my hope that this blog will help me to see this goal come to fruition and completion. The reason I mention this is because I have in the past been very reluctant to involve myself in this kind of endeavour. I made all kinds of excuses for why I wouldn't. The reality was they were excuses that I'd hide behind due to my fear of rejection and lack of confidence in myself as an artist. Making my submissions for art grants has helped to demystify whom I thought applied or could apply for these projects, somehow assuming "they " were better than or thought they were and well I didn't want any part of the elitist BS. I could never have imagined I'd ever have delved into applying for a Canada Council grant so this is a big deal for me and demonstrates to me that I've changed...in a good way! I think I growed up!

In attending Art College for four and a half years in the early 70's, it was my experience that the art world was a very political place. I could easily get onto a boring rant about that, but I won't. I have come to this conclusion.
I needed to ask myself , so what am I going to do about it? I can make a difference in all that I do, if I believe in myself regardless of what is going on around me. I have changed my attitude, taken a proactive stance and am learning the skills of marketing myself. This doesn't have to be an experience that somehow lowers my own personal integrity. Perhaps it is just called growing up or it's what happens to women when we reach fifty. Maybe my give a damn has broke or stopped working. What matters mostly is what I think about who I am, as a human being, as a woman and as an artist.

The second reason for this blog is writing...which I have long loved to do and I attribute reading the book, The Artist Way, for literally changing my life and helping me to use the tool of writing a daily journal, which I still do. Writing has been therapeutic for me, helped me get through very difficult times and celebrate wonderfully happy times, and enabled me to actualize my creative dreams. Blogging, like keeping a journal, is a wonderful way to keep the creative wheels well oiled, and turning..

I do hope you will join me with comments or just stopping by to read my blog. If not, well that's all right, because the main reason I am doing this is for my own personal growth and discipline. I used to be one that disliked that word discipline, which according to the Oxford dictionary, is defined as being, " mental and moral training." I felt it was something I couldn't possibly enjoy, would be forced to do, regardless if I liked it or not. I finally came to have a deeper understanding of what it meant to me, after much struggle and life experience. I now realize that within discipline can be found a great freedom. I liken it to the word obedience, which I also saw in a negative light, in the past. But now I welcome what I consider to be two character strengths in my life, not because I am forced, but because I am a willing participant, I have a choice. I will say this does relate to my own spiritual beliefs. I won't expound on that right now but will save it for another time.

I will leave you with this quote from, The Artists Way. " Our dreams and yearnings come from a divine source. As we move toward our dreams, we move toward our divinity."


With Kind Regards - Catherine











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