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| A glimpse into the life and thoughts of an artist
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Three Minutes
We are all familiar with the Three Second Rule: if food falls to the floor and is picked up within three seconds, it is okay to pop it into your mouth - germ free.
The Three Minute Rule is similar, yet has more far-reaching uses.
I first learned this technique from Aletta de Wal of Artist Career Training. She learned it from Chris Welsh of Mastery of Learning. He learned it from Elizabeth Neeld who termed it Looping (© Elizabeth Harper Neeld).
Looping is a writing technique used to unstick oneself from any sticky situation.
I call it the Three Minute Rule because it can be used in more ways than writing. The idea remains the same no matter how you use it.
First, identify a sticking point - a problem, or a task you are facing.
This can be work-related or a personal habit you want to change, even a habit of thought that needs changing. It can even be a painting in need of resolution (it isn't quite working and you aren't sure why).
Set a timer for 3 minutes. Devote the next three minutes to focusing on your sticking point.
During this time, your issue comes into focus and you deal with it in any number of ways. You could: write about it; stare at your painting; paint on your painting; work on your bookwork; clean your office/kitchen/whatever.
When the timer goes off, reset it and then read what you've written, or look to see the progress you've made, and begin the process again.
It is important to take a few seconds to look at your progress before you plunge back into three more minutes of immersion.
Repeat this process again one more time for a total of nine minutes.
Okay, okay, so this could be called the Nine Minute Rule, but seriously, sometimes nine minutes feels like a LONG time. Sometimes you don't want to spend ANY time at all on the issue, and three minutes is all you want to devote to it.
That's cool. Even just the first three minutes will unstick you just a bit.
Warning: this process can be addictive.
I have been known to spend four three-minute slots to focus on a task, when I'd only allotted myself one slot. Why? Because I was on a roll!
Note: it really is a good idea to stick to a limit of three or four three-minute slots. Otherwise you might not be willing to start the next time.
Sometimes it is good to stop after nine minutes even if you aren't finished. This gives you a solid starting point the next time you begin.
Try it yourself and let me know what you think.
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 Honu Kisses
(left) is one of my newest paintings.
The kiss (honi in Hawaiian) of the honu (turtle) reminds us of the kiss of the sun upon the sea, of the ocean upon the shore. These honu remind us to share our kisses with those we love.
Green Sea Turtles, a protected species, are gentle giants growing to enormous proportions just by eating algae and sea grasses. The Honu remind us that gentle strength and grace can coexist in one body.  Many Hawaiians believe their Aumakua (spirit self), or that of their ancestors, reaches out to them in the form of the turtle. Other native peoples see the turtle as a powerful symbol for mother earth.Perhaps you have been lucky enough to see the honu basking on our beaches. This is a behavior unique to the turtles in Hawai'i, earning them the nickname Hawaiian Basking Turtles.  Tickling Baby Honu is the same size as Honu Kisses (15"Hx11"W). Here you can see the little cleaner fishes eating the algae that forms on the shells of these gentle beings.Both of these images need a place on my website. But where?Here is my dilemma. Do I create another new portfolio for my honu (I have four more honu paintings)? Or do they belong with the mermaids?What do you think? Please respond to this email by hitting reply and share your thoughts with me. Of course you can also purchase an 11x14 matted print! Your eZine special price of $35 includes shipping. Honu Kisses  Tickling Baby Honu Both for $60!
********** Exciting news! One of my collectors recently purchased the original painting Tree of Life: Flourish (prints are still available). I will be traveling to Atlanta, Georgia to deliver the painting the weekend of October 16 & 17. I am staying at the Rennaisance Waverly Hotel; if you are in the area, please give me a call that weekend: 808-392-9104!**********
Mahalo for reading this eZine and for staying in touch. Thank you for sharing it with your friends by clicking on the forward button at the bottom. Please remember to share it on facebook and twitter too (the icons make it easy).
A Hui Hou,
PS Please friend me on facebook www.facebook.com/ArtOfAloha look for Art of Aloha on facebook to become my online fan!
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"People often tell me that motivation doesn't last, and I tell them that bathing doesn't either. That's why I recommend it daily." - Zig Ziglar
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 Born in Port Washington, WI and educated at the University of Wisconsin/Madison, Patrice Federspiel first visited Hawai'i in January 2000. Within five months she had found a way to quit her job, sell her home, and move to Hawai'i to paint.
Previously an oil painter, Patrice learned the joys of watercolor upon her arrival in Honolulu in June 2000. She has been painting full time ever since. It is her intention to live her "Real Life" creatively, from the inside out; and to inspire others, through her paintings, art lessons, words, and example, to do the same.
"I paint with passion, live without regrets, and move joyfully forward through life." -Patrice Federspiel
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 Patrice Federspiel
PO Box 61707
Honolulu, Hawaii 96839
(808) 392-9104
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