Quiet Your Mind

A recurring bit of advice from several of my most trusted friends and family: "Quiet your mind,quiet your actions and words and look within yourself because all that is needed to succeed is within you, not elsewhere. Let your art be your voice." I know all of this. I advise people to do the same and the work that lies before me, is personal and internal. It is the act of BELIEVING. Actions do speak louder than words. I know, I hear, I see, I just have to believe and trust myself.I somehow believe that others are smarter,more talented,more worthy and will lead the way.I already know the way.I am tired of my self-defeating repetitive thoughts and actions.Beth Anne,my baby sister, you have become an unlikely source of inspiration and wisdom. Who would have thought? :) Congratulations on this years achievements.You've had many. I'll be there to see you successfully finish your 18 mile run. Run, run for your life. I'll paint for mine.I am proud of you and thank you with all my heart.

DREAM

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also DREAM; not only plan, but also BELIEVE." ...."Existence would be intolerable if we were never to dream."
Anatole France

I am at heart a dreamer and I plan to keep it that way. There is a reason I surround myself with 700 Kindergartners everyday because they still BELIEVE and know how to dream.And color is so beautiful and my new art will reflect that. Kindergartners love color!

PS...so I arrive at school this morning and am setting up for the second portion of our "stained glass" lesson.I told my students how distracted I was attending Kindergarten because everyday at Holy Angels in Trenton we would go to mass and I would be mesmerized by the colors and patterns of the art...it was everywhere...the mosaic floors, the painted ceilings, statues and woodwork, but especially the stained glass windows. I revisited that church this year on the day of my Grandmother's funeral and it was just as beautiful and magical!I was distracted again:)I was in love with the visual richness and architecture of that sacred building. I really do paint my memories and dreams.

Anyway....speaking of dreams, two of my Kindergartners greeted each other this morning,after being separated all weekend and one exclaimed,"I dreamed about you last night!" Then they smiled and unabashedly hugged. We can learn a lot from five year olds. No apologies. A special someone gave me a button at my recent art exhibit...it read "Never apologize for your Art." To me that translates also to never apologizing for my dreams!
Make a great day!