Lisa's ART & Horses

"Breath Love"

A good friend of mine passed away recently, ending her fight with cancer.  Before she died, she pondered some questions.  One question was “Who am I”. She thought about it for a few days.

She pronounced one day to a friend , “I know who I AM, I’m Love”.  Through her life she did exhibit much love.  She touched many people in her life: family, friends, children and adults she taught horseback riding to, people she cared for, etc.  Though her time on this earth seemed to be shortened, her life was full and full of love.

Love is what binds us together in many ways and facets.  There are family, friends, loved ones/partners in life and so much more.  Love expands.

I attended her viewing and “Celebration of her Life” service.  There were many people at both events.  Some people I hadn’t seen for a number of years as my life shifted the way …..well, the way life does.  Yet despite the years and time there was a strong connection there for us all.  Comfort to share, Memories to talk about and being present in time. And more than anything, Love stood out among us all and connected us.

Love interwines and weaves through our lives.

In this rough time of change, we have each other to get through each day.

So ask the Questions:         
                     
Who am I?
How do I want to be in this world?
How do I want to contribute to this world?
 
I learned about a meditative prayer to help bring ease.
Breath in Peace, Breath out Love—a simple meditative practice.

Breathe
LG                                                                 



Feature Art:

 

"Giraffe baby", scratch board.

In Honor of my friend, Carole and "the Team" that saw her through to her last day.
"The Giraffe Award"--- for sticking out one's neck to fulfill needs and wishes.

I created this image  from a reference photo I took of one of the baby giraffe's at the Roger William Zoo.

Baby Giraffe is available in prints at fineartamerica.



Check out my scratch board images at my scratch board page.

Happy New Year


"A Creative Journey"

Another year has begun to unfold.  Each day is another step on the journey of life.

What’s ahead? Where are things moving? Only time will tell.

I’ve come to a place in my life where I know what I know.  And know what I don’t know”.  I am certain about some things and completely unsure of other things.

I can say that some things worked out as I predicted while other things did not.  There have been things that were expected and other things that were wonderful surprises.

My creative path has been filled with twist and turns, highs and lows.

As a creative being, I witness what I know and don’t know.   In creating there can be an image, an idea, that one focuses on creating.  There’s learned techniques and honed skills that are used in the creative process.  Yet there’s another part of creating where there’s an unknown.  Unknown in how the process will move.  An unknown about what challenges might arise along the way.  And those moments when the energy may seem to go in an odd direction to becoming a “happy accident”.  “Happy accidents” can be amazingly wonderful.  Perhaps something inside came through in it’s unique way.  It’s something to stand back and view.

Whether a sculpture taking a block of clay or painter with brush in hand, one can’t always know where the energy will land. Yet we continue to handle that clay, and pick up that brush to the canvas and explore what could be.  We take the steps down that path to learn, experiment and explore where our creativity leads.  We embrace the adventure it heeds.

Best to exploring and experimenting ahead.

 



Feature Art:

 

"Tiny Snow Caps", Scratch board
Dried Black-eyed Susans covered with first snow of winter.

For sale at my scratch board page.



 






Lisa's Art&Horses' 2012  Monthly calendar.

ArtWanted daily Calendar -
My "Deer" scratch board image is featured in the ArtWanted Traditional calendar on 11/09/2012 day page.
Check out this daily calendar of artists' work.


Check out my scratch board images at my scratch board page.
 

Happy Holidays



"A Light within Us"


We enter the season of winter.  The daylight hours are shorter. The dark hours and night time are longer.  Is it no wonder then that the holidays we celebrate in December involve light in some way or another.

We might consider that long ago, Man discovered how to control fire in a way that helped him.  The light of Fire brought light to long nights in winter.  The light of fire gave warmth in cold weather.  The fire gave us a way to prepare food for consumption over a period of time.

Light has also inspired us in many ways.

Light is a symbol of Hope.
Light is a symbol of remembrance.
Light is a way to see through darkness and is often reflected upon during a dark time.

We can do our own inner work with the idea of light or a flame within us.  We can open our mind to ask questions as:
“What do we want?”
“How can we be in the world?”

We can explore our inner fire and flame so that we may shine.
And intertestingly enough, when we shine we let others know they can shine too.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond imagination. It is our light more than our darkness which scares us. We ask ourselves – who are we to be brilliant, beautiful, talented, and fabulous. But honestly, who are you to not be so?
You are a child of God, small games do not work in this world. For those around us to feel peace, it is not example to make ourselves small. We were born to express the glory of god that lives in us. It is not in some of us, it is in all of us. While we allow our light to shine, we unconsciously give permission for others to do the same. When we liberate ourselves from our own fears, simply our presence may liberate others.’"
- Marianne Williamson in Return to Love: Reflections on a Course in Miracles
 
Let there be light  inside and out.


Blessings,

Lisa G.

Lisa's Art & Horses' 2012  Monthly calendar

ArtWanted daily Calendar  -
My "Deer" scratch board image will be featured in the ArtWanted Traditional calendar on 11/09/2012 day page.
Check out this daily calendar of artists' work.

 








"Deer", scratch board



Check out my scratch board images at my scratch board page.

Check out Great Gift items at Lisa's Art&Horses

“Who, Who”, says the wise ole owl”

 
 
 A few years ago, I was at an  Audubon society exhibit and a Great Horned  Owl was one of the featured animals.  The presenter explained a number of facts about owls.  
Owls are nocturnal.  They can see in dim light and have very keen hearing. An owl’s wings have soft hairs  on the end which enable them to fly without being heard.

I was able to take a picture of the owl.  Using that picture, I created my “Great Horned Owl” scratch board image. The owl at the exhibit was displayed on a perch. When I started to create this image I chose to place the owl in a natural setting.

At night on a tree branch, an owl sits.  The moon is the only light at night in the deep woods.  The owl’s large eyes allow him to see in the soft moonlight.  He listens to the noises of the night.  He then takes off, silently flying through the dark woods.  He uses his keen hearing to listen for any small creatures moving and rustling below on the ground.

Is he really wise?...  Perhaps a more interesting question would be, “What can we learn from the owl.”

One has to be patient on the hunt. One needs to look and listen, taking full advantage of strong senses.

He flies through the dark woods.  He’s very skilled at flying and searching in the night.
We have our skills, knowledge and talents.  What’s in the future we can not know.  Yet we must move forward each day on our path to meet our goals.  We move forward with what we have, just as the owl does in the dark woods at night.

Good Luck and Best to your journey.

Happy Halloween



This image is  in Lisa's Art&Horses' 2012 calendar.


Check out my scratch board images at my scratch board page.

Check out Great Gift items at Lisa's Art & Horses
Please feel free to contact me with questions on art/products and/or comments at lisa@lisasart.com

"Sense of Community"

The girls are back in school and enjoying their classes.  I'm enjoying doing things in the community.

This year I’m on the board of the PTO again at our kids school. It’s an opportunity to be an active part of the community.

I am also a member the Pawtucket Art Collaborative.   They’re a local arts community in Pawtucket.  It’s a group where artists can get together and bring the arts to the community through shows.
Every Sept. the group puts on the “The Pawtucket Arts Festival".  
There are art shows, music, and performances as well as many other events.
I’m participating in the Open Studio: Pawtucket.
I’ll be exhibiting my work on Sept. 24th and 25th.

It’s wonderful to be a part of the events going on and especially seeing and meeting others at these events.
 



Featured Art

 



"Ring Tail Lemur" is a scratch board image. This image is  in Lisa's Art&Horses;' 2012 calendar.   

If your local, you can see them at Open Studio: Pawtucket event.  See info below.

Check out my scratch board images at my scratch board page.

Check out Great Gift items at Lisa's Art&Horses

"AccentUate the Positive"

Change is a constant.

In the present economy there seems to be some doubts and worry.  There are people that are just getting by with their job.  There are others looking for another job.

Though it seems there is negative energy stirring quite a bit, I believe there is still Hope deep in side.

My own family is amidst a transition with a main job and income.

Let’s help each keep our heads up through these times.

As I said one day to my husband, “You must accentUate the Positive.”

Here’s an article to help  focus on the Positive.

 
A Positive Focus - Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Pete_Koerner]Pete Koerner
 
If you want to change your life, you aren't alone. Most people are less than content with at least one part of their lives. Most people would change something about their lives if they could -- or if they knew how. The thing all of these people have in common is they know "what they don't want." The good news is that your life -- and everyone else's -- is continually changing; the bad news is that, if you only focus on the parts of your life you don't want, you'll keep getting more of the same.
 
In 1944, Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen published a song called, "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," that offers age-old wisdom on a subject all great prophets and teachers are in agreement on: The Universe tends to give you what you think about, so don't waste your time being wishy-washy about your desires; and certainly don't be foolish enough to dwell on negatives! All religions and philosophies are in agreement on this fundamental observation; though, sadly, very few people actually understand it -- and even fewer have the discipline or self-control to put this wisdom into practice.
 
The chorus of this song goes like this:
 
"You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between."
 
Teachers like Jesus used phrases such as, "As a man thinketh, so it is done unto him," "Ask and ye shall receive," and "Fear not; be of good cheer," to explain how this philosophy works and how to put it into practice. Essentially, if you walk around moping about how bad things are, you aren't using your mental resources in a way that will bring you great joy.
 
Likewise, if you spend all of your time thinking about the things in life you don't want, your thoughts are in the wrong place -- on the wrong thing. If things are done to you "according to your thoughts," it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what placing your thoughts on misery, debt, loss, and suffering will bring you. And, regardless of whether these things come immediately or not, you will always feel as if they are upon you; it isn't possible to be happy while thinking sad thoughts.
 
Creating a happy life takes some focus and effort -- mental focus and effort. You've got to train yourself to keep your thoughts positive. It isn't necessary to say things like, "Oh no; I had plans today and now it's raining! My day is ruined!" If your thoughts go in this direction, you will feel as if your day really is ruined.
 
Instead of allowing your external circumstances to create inner turmoil and suffering, teach yourself to respond differently: "Well, it's raining; I suppose the plants and water table need it. Now how can I go about my day? What can I do to carry out my plans for the day; or, what other plans can I make that won't be affected by the rain?" If you learn to be flexible and let things happen without attaching your emotions to them, you will quickly master the art of being happy always -- or at least most of the time. And, after all, what could be better than that?
 
*To download your FREE, Illustrated Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Manual, go to: http://www.ExploreExpandEvolve.com/free_download/ It only takes about 10-seconds to get your Free EFT manual and start erasing fears, resentment, stress, anxiety, grief, negative emotions, negative self-talk, phobias, and limiting beliefs that could be holding you back and limiting your life, health, and relationships.
 
Pete Koerner is the author of The Belief Formula: The Secret to Unlocking the Power of Prayer. The Belief Formula is a look at how you can use ancient wisdom and modern scientific awareness to learn how to use your mind to reclaim your health and create the life of your dreams. For a Free Report on Making The Belief Formula Work for You, visit: http://www.TheBeliefFormula.com (This report focuses on improving your health with your thoughts.)
 
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Positive-Focus---Accentuate-the-Positive,-Eliminate-the-Negative&id;=2418205,  A Positive Focus - Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative


Accentuate the Positive: song by Bing Crosby and Bette Milder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z45EB4TiYz4




Featured Art

 

"Candlelight"
medium: scratch board

I created this image for my holiday card last year.  The flame reminds us of the inner fire within us all and Hope.

Blessings

Lisa G.


Check out Great Gift items at Lisa's Art&Horses

“The Making of EQUUS Masks”

The EQUUS masks were created in 2000 for Ubiquity Stage theater co.’s production of “EQUUS” by Peter Shaffer.

I collaborated with the director, Brian Triber.  The idea was to create a mask that resembled a horse,  yet not a realistic horse. The play is a psychodrama and the nature of the play is focused on the perception of a pretty troubled boy.  The horse is seen through his eyes as a deity in the form of a horse.

The horse masks are made of 9 gauge wire, ferrels, and a leather mane.

Wire-9 gauge:  This wire is normally used to connect a wire fence to a post. The wire had to be flexible yet also be firm enough to hold the mask’s shape.  The masks would be handled frequently during the play.  The masks also had to be able to be seen by the audience.  This wire perfectly reflected the lights on stage and set the eerie mood of the play.

Ferrules: a metal piece that has two hollow holes running through it.  Wires can be put in each hole and crimped to hold the wires together.
We tried a method or two to hold the wire pieces together.  The ferrels turned out to be the best option.  As I mentioned before the masks had to be firm and durable since they would be handled frequently.
 
We went with leather for the horse's mane.  The leather was cut in long, wide strips.  Then sections where cut in along the long sides.  Holes were punched and a thin wire run through and twisted to make it so the mane stood up.  The mane was sprayed with silver paint to match the silver color of the wire.  Thus a uniform look to the masks.  It also added to the stage lighting affect of the masks.

This is how EQUUS mask was created.

 
 
I’m thankful for the amazing opportunity and creative challenge. (what artist could pass up a creative challenge like this—not me) It was an opportunity to create, persevere and see this project through and ultimately see the masks used in a wonderful performance on stage.

Oh, I also created the logo for the marketing material.  ;-)
EQUUS page: http://www.lisasart.com/equusmasks.html

EQUUS mask is on display at the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative Gallery.

Thank you

Happy summer


 
“Time for another Take”

Another Take for EQUUS masks.

In 2000, I created 6 wire horse masks for Ubiquity stage theater co.’s production of “EQUUS”.

Here is one of the pictures from the production.

 

















You can see other pictures from the production at: http://www.lisasart.com/equusmasks.html.  

The masks were admired by those that saw the play.

Another year, one mask was used for another play.

I entered one masks into a juried exhibit, but it didn’t get picked to be in. oh, well.

Then for a while they lay in storage.

Last year I got an inquiry to use one for a  high school production of “EQUUS”.  Yet it didn’t pan out because of shipping – over seas to Scotland.  Cool at the least- a joy to connect.

Apparently the time for these masks hasn’t yet gone away.  Another opportunity has come.

The Pawtucket Arts Collaborative is holding a members exhibit this summer. The theme of the exhibit is “Masked and Unmasked”.

“Hmm”, I said to myself when I read the details for the exhibit.  “EQUUS mask would be a perfect fit.”

So another opportunity to exhibit my twisted wire horse masks.  

Who knew.
One must always keep eyes open for opportunities, since one never knows when they’ll show up.  It’s about creating and being ready for what may come.



Pawtucket Arts Collaborative presents a members exhibit:

"Masked and Unmasked"
June 26 - August 26
Reception: Thursday, July 14th 5:30-7pm
The PAC Gallery at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center  
175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Mon-Sat  10 to 5

“Changes”

Changes in weather. 
Changes in work.
Changes in perspective.
Changes in ourselves.
 
Change is a constant.



 

 

Feature Art/product

"Diary" is a Pen and Ink illustration I did for illustrationfriday.com's weekly event. Word of the week: Diary.

Write down your dreams.
Write down your thoughts.
Write down your goals.

Then watch and see what comes to be.



Check out Great Gift items at Lisa's Art&Horses

Please feel free to contact me with questions on art/products and/or comments at lisa@lisasart.com

“April Showers”


April showers bring May flowers.  What do May flowers bring?
<
<
<
Pilgrims.

In my yard presently, bunches of Daffidols.  Such yellow, sunny happy flowers amidst cloudy rainy days.
It's something to smile about.

Pay It forward and do an act of kindness.  Put a smile on someone's face.

I'm an artist involved with  the tripleyourheart.com programs to spread Acts of Kindness around.
For information about the program go to tripleyourheart.com.

Thank you.
 

 
Feature Art/product
 
 
 
"A Smile can be Contagious" is a colored pencil illustration being used within  the tripleyourheart.com program.




Check out Great Gift items at Lisa's Art&Horses