One Rare Bird

Whatever Happens is the Only Thing That Could Have Happened

About a month ago I went with some girls from my book club to hear Anne Lamott speak in Portland. It was the first time I ever went to listen to an author and I can’t imagine a better person to start with than Anne. She is funny and real in ways that help me feel less alone and like my insanity isn’t all that abnormal after all. Everyone who showed up to hear Anne talk got a signed copy of her new book, Some Assembly Required, A journal of my son’s first son, which she co-wrote with her son, Sam, and which I just finished reading last week. Anne is one of those authors whose books I can’t help but ruin. The once pristine pages of her books are permanently warped with dog-eared corners, underlining, and giant tear stains. At first I didn’t think I’d enjoy this book as much as her others because I am not a grandma - yet. But I was wrong. These are some of the best quotes I’ve heard in awhile (though it took me a while to find them again amidst all the tear stained pen marks)…

“Sam is still every age he ever was…and Jax is already every age he ever will be…”

“Grace is a small white butterfly, and life is a semi trailer careening up 101.”

“You can’t jump until you sink down a little. And when you are aloft, there is always such dark and sad stuff underneath, below you. But if you touch down into it first, it helps you get aloft.”

“I hate to be the person whom people have to protect themselves from, as Sam had to do all those years, as all kids have to do to some degree.”

“I was reminded of the four Immutable Laws of the Spirit: Whoever is present are the right people. Whenever it begins is the right time. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened. And when it’s over, it’s over. It was over.”

On the Stations of the Cross: “Also, it is all of life – you walk, you fall, you get up, you go on, you fall, you get up, you go on, you die, you resurrect.”

(P.S. I also went to see Davis Sedaris two weeks ago - which I will write more about later - and I will be going to hear Susannah Conway talk about her new book in July. 'Tis the year of authors!)

Never Let Me Go

I can't stop singing these three songs. They hit all the highs and lows of my tumultuous emotional state lately, and without music like this I wouldn't be long for this world. So Music Monday is dedicated to anyone who might need a little help staying alive today. Happy Monday!

Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men

We Are Young (ft. Janelle Monae by Fun

Never Let Me Go by Florence + the Machine

Face to Face

I recently applied to have my artwork included in a gallery exhibition called Face to Face, and even though my work wasn't accepted into the show (queue disappointment) it at least motivated me to create three multi-media paintings that I'd been meaning to create for awhile. And since I have all this white space sitting right in front of me on my computer screen, I thought I'd have my own little showing as a way to affirm the work I did and also risk letting it be seen...

"Dear John"

"Dear Daughter"

"Dear Mother"

Crushing on "Girl Crush"

It's no secret that I've harbored a passionate crush for Danielle Krysa (aka: The Jealous Curator) for sometime now, and when I found out earlier this year that Danielle was organizing small get-together's, called Girl Crush, for artists all over the country, I knew I had to be involved. The icing on the cake - not only literally since there will be cupcakes and pastries involved - is that Danielle is bringing Girl Crush to Portland on June 9th, and two of my biggest crushes will be there: Danielle herself and Lisa Golightly (aka: Kiki & Poly). This is a chance for local artists to "to walk away from our computers, and actually meet in person for a glorious, creative, pastry-filled day. To figure out a way to break through artist blocks. To get inspired, and recharged. To celebrate being women artists… and obviously, to have a reason to eat lots of pretty little cakes & tarts in the middle of the day!" And just look at what an amazing day Danielle has planned...

ART WORKSHOP + TEA PARTY
Portland, Saturday June 9th 2012
~ 14 people {including Danielle and Lisa} for an entire Saturday of creative fun!
~ 9am tea & coffee & pastries & chatting {kind of like a "pre-tea party" party!}
~ a talk by Danielle re: women/art/insecurities/inspirations
~ a talk about insecurities/inspirations from Lisa Golightly {a working artist who also feels blocked sometimes - after all, it happens to the best of us!}
~ everyone introduces themselves/share their issues {artist blocks, too many ideas but not executing any!, etc}
~ break into groups and do 2 to 3 exercises to help with these issues {just requires a fancy notebook & pencil, which will be provided}
~ tea party lunch {catered by a local restaurant/bistro ~ sandwiches & salads, followed by lots of fancy little treats!}
~ after lunch we'll make some art with lisa, based on our morning talk, and you can take it home and hang it on your wall - something nice to look at on those days when you are feeling blocked!
~ 6pm whoever wants to go out for dinner together can… but if everyone is pooped, we'll just call it a day. sound good? YES!

And if - God forbid - you're not familiar with Lisa Golightly, here's a sneak-peek at her amazing work...

If you happen to be available on June 9th you should definitely plan on coming, and if you're not available then I strongly suggest you drop your plans! Look at how awesome Girl Crush was in San Francisco with Lisa Congdon...

I hope to see you there!

We Made the Lilacs Bloom

Alicia Bock

I recently stumbled upon Bentlily, a blog by Samantha Reynolds, where she writes a poem a day as a reminder to herself to stay present. I don't have a lot of experience with writing poetry but it's something I'm very interested in; so when I discovered Samantha's Instapoem feature where all I had to do was answer a few questions and she would create a lovely poem from my answers it was a no-brainer. Here is my poem:

It was the day we laughed so hard
we made the lilacs bloom

I was seven
it was warm

we were running like sea turtles
a game of fort building
happiness all balled up in our hearts
shooting out of us in shrieks and bellows

I'm a cheetah
she declared

and I decided I was too

a generous cheetah
with nothing to do
but chase the wind

they say it whips you in the face
but this isn’t how it works
if you run hard enough
the wind bores right into you

I don’t remember anything else
except the smell of the grass
sweet as wine

the wind carried the rest away.

Isn't it beautiful? I think it's time for me to stop sitting on the sidelines and give poetry a real try...

The Man in the Arena

I think a lot about the type of person I want to be. I think about being self-possessed, compassionate, empathetic, courageous, and understanding. I think about being the type of person who doesn't take other people so personally and of being someone others can put their trust in. I think about the pain that comes with vulnerability, and also how good it feels to be out in the open. Out of hiding. So when I came across this video of Brené Brown where she quoted The Man in the Arena by Theodore Roosevelt I immediately recognized how desperately I needed to hear these words...

The Man in the Arena

"It is not the critic who counts;

not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,

or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,

whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;

who strives valiantly;

who errs, who comes short again and again,

because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;

but who does actually strive to do the deeds;

who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions;

who spends himself in a worthy cause;

who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,

and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,

so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls

who neither know victory nor defeat." 

"Mad About Art"

I just spent this past weekend working and attending Clay Ball - the second-largest event put on by my new employer: Salem Art Association. I started working for SAA in December and I love my job so much that it hardly feels like work! On Saturday I woke up early and spent the day with some wonderful co-workers and volunteers setting up for the event; I then went home and got gussied up in 1950's/late-60's Mad Men-style vintage, and proceeded to enjoy an evening full of fabulous art, good food & wine, stimulating conversation, and my favorite part: the photo booth sponsored by local photographer Erich McVey. The theme for the evening was Mad About Art in honor of one of my favorite shows, Mad Men, so I found a gorgeous blue wool suit in honor of Joanie Holloway and accessorised with my handsome fella...

We look pretty good if I do say so myself!

Thanks For Your Time

Lately, me and the famdamnly haven't been able to get enough of musical sensation Gotye (aka: Wouter "Wally" De Backer). Apart from his meaningful lyrics and catchy beats, Gotye makes some really creative music videos that my kids keep begging to watch over and over. So start your morning right: with a healthy breakfast and little Gotye. Happy Monday!

  Somebody That I Use To Know by Gotye

Hearts A Mess by Gotye

Thanks For Your Time by Gotye

Crush of the Week: Andrew Lonnquist

I recently took another job working for the Salem Art Association - which means I get to spend my days surrounded by all kinds of lovely art and creative types - and I can't tell you how much I'm loving it! The first thing I did  with my discount at our gallery was buy these cement faces by Andrew Lonnquist of Olander Earthworks. I love how they express the myriad of emotions I can feel in any one day, and I think they look especially charming over the fireplace!

"Wrath"

"Kisser"

"Surprise"

"Bliss"

"Burst"

"Laughter"

The kids were afraid of the faces at first and didn't want me taking their picture in front of the fireplace because they didn't want them in the background, but their oddness is one of the things I love most about them and the kids seem to be warming to the already...

Looking Back at 2011

As I mentioned on Monday I don't want to get too far away from 2011 without sharing some of the things that - when pieced together - made up my life this past year. So today I'm sharing some of my favorite images and moments from 2011. Every year I can't help but look back on the previous year with gratitude for what has been and also for what's to come. Here's looking back...

January to July...

August to December...

Here's to looking forward to what we'll be looking back on one year from now. Happy 2012!