Frustration is what pent up anger, anger turned inward!  Well, my Gaia friends that's where i am.  I was married for 10 years, not a good marriage so I left.  Soon after I became involved in a relationship that went on/and off for the past 7 years.  Now that relationship is over.  I have come to terms with that after months of trying to believe(note the trying) that we would make it work.  Won't bore you with the details, although they are humorous, but the bottom is now, at this time, I am alone and I don't like it.  This man was my friend as well as lover, I miss talking, dancing and spending time with him and i want to fill that space with something.  Like an addict going through withdrawal, you think you need something to take the edge off the pain.  So like  I feel like the painting "The Scream"  I feel the colors, I feel the lines, I feel the pain the loneliness of screaming and no one can hear me, no one at all. 

Here is my latest painting,  I decided to have some fun with paint and create some narrative paintings around my personal experiences.  Dancin in the Moonlight aka, I'm just glad the squirrels didn't eat all my corn, is a celebration of dance as a healer.  Story goes, one day I went to water my garden, finding that squirrels had eaten the tops of new grown corn.  I was devastated, this vegetarian, animal loving creature, was ready to arm herself with a bb gun and lay wait for the critter's.  However the garden patrol decided on another tactic, out of respect to all animal lovers I will not reveal the outcome.  Thus the image of dancin was created.  Of course you must play the 1970's song by King Harvest while looking at the painting to actually see the figures move and they really do!

A lost love, a lost life, something lost, it feels like, something missing.  In the past these feelings would arise, ebb and flow in and out of my life always passing, but while there it seemed like forever, caught in a dream unable to wake, calling, mouth moving without sound.  God would fill the void with an aura of protection, when touch and talk was needed, pay for therapy again, no way.  Mantra being this too shall pass. Solitude gives way to  Aloneness, loneliness, and lack there of,   Joan Armastraden sang save me and I drew myself being saved.  Thank you 

Exhibits coming up.  Simply Nina  Opening Thursday, July 23, 6-8 p.m. at the African American Arts and Cultural Complex, 762 Fulton Street,San Francisco, Ca 94102

Beautiful Flower (on the road again) Pacific Art League,668 Ramona St, Palo Alto Ca
Reception Friday, August 7th, 6-9 p.m.

If you are in the area, please come out.  Simply Nina will be up until December.  PAC will run until September.
Many Blessings

Just like a child, putting away my clothes!

Just returned from Vancouver Wa. for the reception.  It was fantastic.  Everything about it was good and worth the effort to get the drawing there.  Will post pictures soon.  Came back motivated to continue to work.  Now will be looking for an artists co-op to join or start.

I responded to a call posted on Art Calendar Mag. web site, for a portrait exhibit. At the same time I responed to two local showings. I did not get chosen for the local showings, but was accepted into the Washington Show. The exhibit is entitled "Staring Back" Portraits of all types. At the last minute and after getting the two "rejection emails" I thought what do I have to loose, $20.00 for three images, lets give it a go. This is another test to the practice of detachment. I should not allow the previous outcomes dictate my response to the future. So there I went. I did not practice detachment, however when I received the "acceptance email" I danced, I shouted, I called all my friends and then I took a breath. So anyone reading this who may live in that area, stop by the reception, May 1, 6th Street Gallery, Vancouver Washington. I will be there and hopefully there will be music, so I can dance some more!

Some times I feel that I have taken on more than I can bare, then I am reminded of a biblical passage that God will not give you more than you are able to bare.  So I ask myself why do I.   I just completed the show at CSE ( this is the last weekend)  and I had work that was chosen to be a part of a opening for a new yoga studio, here in San Jose,  I am also completing the last painting in the series for the San Jose City Art Show and completing a mural for a private contractor.  I tired to pace myself to get all the work done, but I didn't do so well because my immune system got ran down and now I'm sick.  So here I am not doing anything.  I have a sore throat and the cold stuff, feeling tired, weak and lethargic from the cold meds.    So by force I am giving my body a time out.  The mural project will hold until next week.  The city project, I am still working on.  The opening is tomorrow night, I hope with another day of rest I will make it, even with the dark circles under the eyes.  I am determined to complete the taks before me and believe it or not look forward to starting a new project. 

Today would have been Robert Nesta Marley's 64th Birthday.  As with all that have passed on to the other realm, I wonder what  would they be doing had they remained in this realm a little longer.   I imagine that Mr. Marley would have been very excited to have Mr. Obama in the White House and probably would have written a song about it, that he would have produced music with all his sons and promoted his daughters in their creative endeavors.  I also imagine that he would be a proud grandfather and continued to be spokesperson against violence and poverty throughout the world, but especially Africa and Jamaica.  The prophet, Bob is no longer here but his spirit lives on in his music and the music of his sons, as well as, in the hearts of those who loved him.  RASTAFARI
Tried to insert the video, but it didn't take.   On you Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xjPODksI08

One Love

I had an art exhibit open Sunday at the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment in my home of San Jose, Ca.  The reception went really well and the art was well received.  I learned so much during the preparation and installation of the show, as well as from the reception.   The show was a great way to introduce myself and my art to the community although it involved a great deal of work.   At the reception there was an opportunity to answer questions and share art stories with other members which was very rewarding.  I also included the cards I had for sell and did fairly well with the sells.  This show is/was part of a vision plan I created for myself a year prior to retirement.  At the time I wondered if I would be able to supplement my retirement income with my art and or yoga.    I included a guest book and collected very positive, motivational and inspirational comments.  Just what I needed to assist me in keeping my vision alive.  The one thing I found in working from home is the feeling of isolation and lack of feedback.  This exhibit served to address both needs.  I have been meditating and studying Kriya Yoga, particularly the art of detachment.  Although I had a plan for this show, it was with much prayer and meditation that I was able to detach myself from the outcome. ( for an old social worker this was hard ) This lessened my anxiety and increased my faith in the fact that God, through the Universe will provide for all my needs.  I look forward to what ever manifests from this showing and  I thank God and the universe for meeting my needs.  Now it's on to the next project!
Namaste