Post #4 releasing and letting go

releasing and letting go - I still have some old swimming paintings available for permanant loan if anyone is interested - just email me if you would like to adopt one of these very large works!

post #3, time to draw

So I am thinking the blog is a good psychological tool! after writing last week about my procrastination on some new drawings, i spent an extremely productive week making many many drawings! who knows what may come of them, but it was good, relaxing, and let's face it folks, without good solid drawings behind them, these paintings would be nothing.  So i am honoring the process of drawing, and all that goes with it, and that especially (for me) includes having a great deal of patience. 

As for this week, what a week, and wouldn't that be the understatement of the century - a tear rolled down my face in pure joy and amazement that i was able to listen to the inauguration of Barack Obama (on WNYC, of course). Yes! 

And as for life thoughts, let's go back to that idea of Obama, that idea of change, that idea of hope, that idea of being inspired - and doing something about it! and let's apply that to all things, both big and small.  whaddya say?

Post #2 a quiet mind and time to paint

I was thinking today how great its been to be able to be in the studio on a regular basis.  I've become a true observer of my own strange world.  It really helps the thought process to have daily exposure to whatever one is working on.  Truth be told, I am procrastinating working on some new drawings - and of course the drawing being probably the MOST important part of my work - but procrastinating nonetheless - anyways - what i've been doing alot of instead is painting, truly painting.  Taking my time, giving fullest attention to each color, each stroke.  The work is showing this, and very importantly, my mind is very focused and quiet while this process is occurring. 

Which leads into one of my continual thought process' - how to quiet the mind - and how to recognize and observe when and why this happens.  So I am swimming, water, stroke, flip, quiet mind.  So I am at yoga, breathe in, breath out, twist, quiet mind.  So I am painting, mix, apply, stand back, quiet mind.  So I am with people who are important to me, listen, converse, laugh, quiet mind.  So I watch my dog, who explores the snow and whose only intention it is to pee, quiet mind.  So I am stressed, tired, 15 emails to return, a diminishing bank account, a sore shoulder, a class to prepare, my past nagging me unnecessarily, so now here becomes the ultimate question: can there still be that quiet mind? Now there's something to think about. 

welcome!

hello everyone and welcome to my new website! First of all, a huge thanks to my brother Justin for making it happen -  way to go Justin!

I am really excited to present my most recent collection of work. This series has been in the making for quite some time now, and it 's really maturing and taking on a life of its own, which is always nice to have happen. Of course there's always more to explore, more boundaries to push, better ways to challenge oneself - and that's an ongoing process - so we will see what the future has in store for me.

I also want to remind everyone as we enter 2009, to truly be thankful for everything you have and take the time to slow down and enjoy the little things in life. I have already had some of my happiest days of 2009, and I know there's so many more to come I just can't wait. Sure, some of them may be personal, some may be professional, and some are just plain old silly, and that's sometimes the best kind - just pure enjoyment of the process of life itself. You can choose to embrace life and appreciate it for all that it offers, or you can reject it and be miserable - so what's your choice? seems pretty obvious, right?

I am hoping to keep this blog up to date, and please, I encourage your comments and/or participation. I'll throw some picture up here sometimes so do check back.

enjoy the website and talk to everyone soon

Jenna