HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Monday, December 21, 2009 at 1:52PM 
As the holidays and new year approaches, thoughts of people and situations from the past make their cyclical reappearance, either in my dreams or in real time. This gives me a chance to think about distant siblings, friendships lost in transition, and days gone by. But only for a moment!
Out with the old and in with the new should be our theme for the coming year, I think. After all, how can we possibly embrace what wonderful opportunities the future may hold if we are too preoccupied with the past? Let us embrace those relationships and circumstances that support us rather than weight us down. This year, I came to terms with distractions set aside leaving room to focus on new friendships, prosperity and adventures.
My family and I began the first half of 2009 with a pragmatic goal in mind. We were six months past relocating from Connecticut to the Bay Area, which we love very much, and were living in a shoebox rental. For a house full of bodacious women, two dogs, and 25 years worth of accumulated stuff, it was very small. Our goal was to purchase a home, make the investment, but downsize if we had to, which seemed the right thing to do given the current economic environment.
We started looking in February, and after a few starts and stops, found the right agent, a woman whose patience and determination helped keep our motor running (also acknowledging Leslie’s outstanding real estate luck once again). After placing numerous offers on numerous properties, and riding an intense wave of real estate stress while doing so, we finally nailed a lovely townhouse right in the nick of time. One thing I learned from that process is that if you don’t exercise flexibility in this real estate market, when you finally come up for air, the only thing you'll have in your hands is a rent check!
The year 2009 brought a flood of artistic inspiration that began with my dragon, Gregor, in February, and gained momentum. In November, I made the commitment to launching my art on-line, which is a big deal for me. It’s so easy to, say, support my daughter’s art, because I think she is wonderful. But supporting my own art was a step into a self-empowered future. I cast my site out there with confidence and positive expectations! It has been received quite well, which tickles me just to death!
I did my first commissioned piece, “Bernadette Rides the Moon”, in October, which was a success. The real Bernadette, my client, is going to turn it into a tattoo, which I simply can’t wait to see. My work and site have been listed in numerous blogs thanks to internet friends (you all know who you are). I began a series of minor arcana Tarot Queens which began with the very inspired Queen of Pentacles and the most recent Queen of Wands, which is also a self-portrait. My soul sister, Avia Venifica, keeps saying, “Maybe you'LL do an entire TAROT DECK!” Who knows! Maybe I will!! My naughty muse, she who dances within me aka Francine, made her presence known, as well, in a piece called “Don’t Tell Me to Stop” and a work in progress called “Little Black Dress”. It is a pleasure to indulge Francine (named by Leslie), my frisky and uninhibited alter ego as she bangs and screeches inside the box I often lock her in. Overall, I can’t really put into words how good it feels to have this focus on my life once again. It is nothing less than liberating!
Before I close, I’d like to thank those of you who are reading this. Your support means the world to me.
I’d also like to acknowledge those of you who are very special to me, who will always inspire me, for whatever reason -- my partner, Leslie, whose continuous support keeps me tethered to this planet when I might otherwise float away (no need to go into detail there, hm?) (and who is the inspiration for the upcoming Queen of Swords, or the Remover of Masks); our daughter, Elizabeth, whose love of life and lack of emotional wounds are simply a delight to behold as they manifest happily in her art daily; my grandmother, Thelma, who was there for me when no one else was; my spirit sister, Avia, whose interaction has healed me in the most unanticipated but important ways (and who is the inspiration from the upcoming “Queen of Cups”); my friend, Elfie, who was the original inspiration for the “Queen of Pentacles” and who didn't call me crazy when I was a total stressed out mess; and last but certainly not least, my spiritual mother, Amma, without whom I simply would never have emerged from the hard cocoon of anger I grew up in.
Here’s to a wonderful, prosperous, and adventurous 2010!
So much love,
D~
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Reader Comments (4)
Vive la liberation! It's great to be a part of your creative process, and be a "fly on the wall"
I'm glad your settling in well, and tapping your creative roots with new verve.
Love you dear!
A.
Avia ... so many thanks to you, dear one, in the support of my art and my efforts. You are more important to me than you may know!!
Love,
D~
Dear Donna,
What an inspiring newsletter. I so love your spirit of adventure & grasping life with both hands. Although I agree with most of what you say, I am at an age where I look back to the past more than you do. But I think this can be positive as well as a drag on inspiration. This year I have reconnected with 2 very dear friends who I'd lost touch with as well as made new friends. With the old friends, we delved into events that we had experienced in the past & remembered old stories, which I used subconsciously when painting. So I see an intertwining between past & present & future.......
Go girl - I hope 1010 is an inspiring & creative year for you & your family - I'm really enjoying getting to know you better through glimpses of your family life as well as through your amazing artwork.
Love,
~ L<3
Lambi ... so many thanks for your kind words. I feel time slipping by quickly myself, and have vowed to make 2010 productive, positive and inspiring! I'm so glad we met! Love, D~