Bee Keeper monoprint !0 X 13
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Hello Friends,
Last month I said that I would be closing the studio for a few years because of our up-coming building plans. Our plans are still in flux but one thing has become clear - I must have my studio. It makes good financial sense, in these uncertain economic times and the fact that my sales and class attendance have dried up, that I close the studio for a while. I went into fear of lack: lack of funds, lack of time (I'm not getting any younger), lack of energy for continually battling with the City over what we can and can't do on our property. I worried that my dream was unrealistic. Otherwise why would it be so overwhelmingly difficult on many fronts? I went into doubt. I lost my mojo, my direction, and my vision. I felt I needed to get real and face facts.
This week I realized that closing my studio, even temporarily feels like a failure and a defeat. I have never based my decisions and dreams on this one reality. I have manifested everything that I have set out to do through my vision, dreams, intention, and will power. Money has never been a part of this. I will say that I have a husband of thirty years who supports my vision as an artist, my dreams, and our shared intentions. There are a many ways that my art work and my classes have made a difference in people's lives and cannot be measured in cash. To stop teaching and doing art is to deny my soul's purpose. It is hard to hold on when there are so many outside influences including no money, future uncertainty, naysayers, road blocks, doubt demons, and a world in transition.
We must hold on to our dreams especially now when so many issues try to derail us. Just because something seems impossible doesn't mean that it is impossible. There are many levels of reality at play. There are many possibilities that open up when we let go of limiting beliefs. This is what my art images have been revealing to me all these years. I feel a sense of urgency to keep the images coming especially in these turbulent times. I am reminded of what Lord Krishna says to Arjuna in The Bhagavad-Gita when Arjuna wavered before a discouraging and "impossible" task; "Do not become a coward, because it does not befit you. Shake off this trivial weakness of your heart and get up for the battle."
Even though I still may have to close the studio for a while something very important has shifted and I don't feel stuck in the quagmire of inaction that I have been stuck in for months. I am excited that I am still aligned with my work as an artist and teacher. And I am very excited about the art that is being created in my studio these days.
Until next time, Denise
I have a few spaces open in my June and July workshops.
June 17, 18, & 19 Manifesting your Art's Desire
June 26, 27, & 28 Manifesting your Art's Desire
July 16, 17, & 18 Manifesting your Art's Desire
Come find me at the Oregon Country Fair at the Upper River Loop
July 10, 11, & 12 Oregon Country Fair Booth #540
www.oregoncountryfair.org
I will be doing a presentation at Jean Houstion's Mystery School Intensive held
June 7th - June 14th and at Jean's Social Artistry held July 19th - July 28th. Both events are held here in Ashland, Oregon. For more information on these important programs, click here: www.jeanhouston.org or www.jeanhoustonfoundation.org
About my workshops
Manifesting Your Art's Desire
3 day art exploration and retreat
This is a class for people who are willing to stretch toward a deeper, authentic, exciting, connection to their art and art making.
We will create prints with paste paper. We will do collage and some journal writing. We will carve a stamp. We will be making books, including a journal, Japanese stitch, and a simple 3 hole stitch book.
If you are ready to dive into your creative art's desire, I am ready to share with you what I have learned and what I know is true about art making.
9:00 am to 4:00ish pm
3 days
limited to 4 participants
$300.00 includes all art materials
$100.00 deposit is required to secure your spot and is refundable up to 2 weeks before the first day of class
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