Hyper focus is a must for artists
It has been cloudy last week due to the smoke from Canada.
But since we have some rain, the sky is blue again.
Thank goodness.
People are traveling or having fun during this time, but I do nothing except just taking care of my art business and probably making cherry preserves.
I like it when am productive and this is my version of 'having fun' that I don't need to go anywhere or join a flashy party to have fun.
I think artists need to be hyper focused otherwise we cannot succeed.
The world is noisy with so many information and news that we tend to get hugely influenced by them. If we are to pay attention to every, little news and information out there, we sure get nothing done. And if we go to every fun activity, equally we don't accmplish a thing. We are just being swayed by what is around us; we are not leading our lives but being led by others.
It means we are not the masters of life.
Therefore, we have to ignore most of the things happening in the world. After all, there is not much we can do to fix every issue of this world nor joining every club.
So, just fix your life and move forward with your focus.
After all, If I cannot control my tiny world, then, why bother this huge world.
And, I am not interested in the world because I got bord with it.
An art studio is a sanctuary for an artist
I've moved my art studio to our sunroom since it is much warmer there.
It is a very private, cozy room where the time stops and my mind goes to somewhere else.
The light and the warmth from sun penetrate not only my body but also my soul making me feel I am in a sanctuary.
Indeed, art studio is a sanctuary for artists.
Since it is a sanctuary, I hope to keep this room nice and tidy, at least most of the time........
Yet, I feel these days, such thing may not be so important.
I see other fellow artists' studios are rather messy yet very productive.
I tend to fuss about tidyness and cleaness which trait seems uncommon for majority of working artists.
I wonder why I can't be like them.
Maybe I can learn to be free so that I too can enjoy the creative mess.
Let the control go.
Let all the meaningless preconcieved expectations go.
Let myself loosen up!!!!!
That is my goal.
Loosen up and letting go!
At least not entirely, but much more than I have been in the past.
Remembering January
I wrote this following entry in January but forgot to upload it. So here it is, although it is quit late.
We are deep in winter, experiencing the arctic blast coming yonder Canadian forest. Habitually, when the glacial wind pierces my cheeks, I murmur.
But this morning, I am different. I am captivated.
A fairyland of
Silvery-lace figurines
Is in hibernation
Under the spell of Snedronningen.
Hushed scent, enchanted glory. (Cardon, 2023)
Mesmerised, I decided to photograph this scenery so that the sense of bliss will linger.
Years ago, we marvelled at every little wonder. But we’ve forgotten doing so as we have been too busy doing something more “important” and consequently lost a touch with our very essence.
Like children, if we can find something to awaken our dormant senses each day, we can realise how beautiful our lives truly are. After all, happiness dwells in small miracles. A happy person is the one who can recognise this small miracle each day. Surely gratitude is the prerequisite to happiness.
All the snow is melted now and the ground is starting to be green intead of white.
The birds are back from south looking for foods.
How marvelous each season is.
Snow in Spring
Snow has started to fall yesterday afternoon.
It has accumulated about 10 inches by morning.
I see the sun is hitting the snow creating dazzling world and making my entire being radiated.
Feeling elated, I said a prayer of gratitude.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you, for this amazing day.
This scnery seems so familiar at this time of each year, but it is a bit different from each year as well.
Season changes, so does my life, although I do not notice a big change.
At each stage, there is a beauty.
But I tend to pass by.
This morning, I notice the changes in my inner depth, as the nature teaches me to look for a change and notice it.
It takes time to learn the trade
Mashmarrow for my sparrows
Searching tomorrow.
©LULIECARDON
I've learned, for anything including art, it takes time to learn the trade—meaning manipulating the media.
It takes time to achieve certain level of competency and the path may be frustrating for time to time.
In the past, I tried many media, materials, and techniques but I am not sure how good it was wondering around.
If you find something clicks with you, it is probably better to stay there and improve what you already have had than constantly looking for other greener grass around you.
There may be no other greener grass after all.
The winter represents perseverance.
Perseverance as an artist is more than important.
I think....
When the storms in the world causing us to feel overwhelmed
The weather report was correct.
The snow storm arrived in southern Michigan.
The wind is 29 mph.
Humidity: 70%
Temperature: 7℉ (-13.9℃）🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
In inland Siberia, it is below -50℃.
So, it is not that bad here. 😅
So far, 3700 flights have been cancelled throughout the US due to this weather.
Wow.
And I can still hear the roaring sounds outside and it is getting worse.
I feel as if the loud sounds are speaking to me—
The winter is the season for resting to ponder the meaning of life.
So, this is my ponder:
There are many types of storms happening concurrently in the world, not just weather storm.
I know, being informed is important, yet it is stressful at the same time.
For many of us, how to stay calm and feel peace is becoming a major challenge these days.
As you know, there are much pains in the world and I want to feel like crying out of my inability.
I know, no matter how much I want to, since there is not much I can do for all the calamities in the world, all I can do it to pray and believe in God, not in a way every child of God is rescured from these calamities, but to save each person in His way.
Our definition of peace: There are no issues and life is thoroughly smooth.
His definition of peace: Peace even in a midst of chaos. He grants us peace.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27.)
Haiku poem to go with art
Peal with marion—
Marriage between the two
Blazing crystal night.
©LULIECARDON
Usually illustrators add image to the words or theme, but I employ the opposite way.
I create art from my intuition, then, I write haiku/tanka poem by staring at the image I have just created.
I try to see the hidden message been buried there.
The words simply pop up and my hands move as if my fingers have their own minds.
Years ago, when was a child, I wrote haiku poems and such in Japanese language but I haven't written since then.
Obviously, I never have written haiku in English language before but I was prompted to try as descriptions to my artworks.
What I like about haiku is that it does not say a whole thing there. So that the readers must read between the lines which traits very much reflects Japanese culture.
For some people, it maybe too ambiguous but that is the beauty of haiku.
Haiku is a very short poem but it communicates deep thoughts as if it seems that the focus is on the dialog between the poet and the reader, instead on the each word.
Writing of haiku force you to get acquaintance with your deepest psyche and sensitivity thus it is very healing.
I notice, through this process or painting and writing haiku, I release something within myself.
Sometimes I feel I am being too vulnerable in front of spectators as I disclose my inner depth—secret. 😅
But I am hoping my works touch some souls in a way the lengthy words cannot accomplish.
