Another swap complete...

I have hosted yet another art doll swap on Milliande Art Community for Women.  This doll was to be a Nature Spirit Doll and have at least three natural elements.  Of course when I first posted the swap I had not considered potential customs issues, especially with Australia who has very strict policies.  After sorting through pages and pages (and pages) of the post office customs policy binder, I ended up dividing people by continent to limit potential problems (especially after participants recounted horror stories of other art dolls being burned by their customs officials because of prohibited materials).

This is the doll I created.  Her name is Grace and she was shipped with a wand of lavender and a note that read:

Greetings Friend!

My name is Grace. I am so looking forward to living with you. I am known as a 'crone' goddess because I'm considered by some to be elderly- but I think age is a state of mind!! Regardless, I have lived a long time, and offer my wisdom and comfort to you. I am the Goddess of Compassion, Mercy, and Balance. I am a reminder that 'grace' is something one can never have too much of.

My face has been sculpted of clay and painted with watercolours. I am a prayerful and meditative old elf, so that is why my eyes are closed. I use my raspberry walking stick to hike into the woods and make my bonfire. The stick is a reminder to maintain balance in your life. My cloak is muslin that has been dyed with tea. My hair is naturally dyed wool, and my wood sack is burlap with a raffia strap. I decided to pack my jade pendant. Jade, like me, brings serenity, wisdom and balance.

I often invite all my elf and fairy friends to join me in the moonlight, so don't be surprised if 'funny' things happen close to the full moon! I burn lavender to draw love and balance emotions. I burn raspberry to bring protection, draw love, and promote healing. I packed my seashell so that I may 'smudge' your home when I arrive, clearing any unwanted negativity and drawing love and restoring balance to the energy in my new home. Don't worry, I'll do it while you are sleeping.

I like working by moonlight best. I was so glad to be shipped to you on a full moon! I think I shall sneak out of my packaging to catch a glimpse and offer a prayer or two to the Universe for you. I've also brought my scrolls to burn on my fire- they say 'compassion', 'mercy' , and 'grace' (of course) and the Universe is sure to bring these to you now that I am here.

I am so glad to be joining you. I hope you put me somewhere I can see the moon at night?

Much Love and Blessings,

Grace.

Still Here and Letting Go!

I know what you're  thinking, 'she's gone and forgot about this blog'...NOT true!  July has been spent creating, just as it should be (pics to follow soon).  But before I get into what I've been up to, first thing's first.  I am very happy to announce that GINGER CHILD is the winner of some arty goodness.  Another draw will be held September 30th for all followers of this blog... tell your friends (and if you don't like this blog, tell your enemies, but either way- tell people)!

So here's the deal.  I have been working on all sorts of things, but don't seem to be getting nearly as much done this summer as I was hoping.  Ever have that happen?  I had a wonderful list of things to accomplish and grand visions of me flouncing around yielding my paintbrush with ease, dust off my soft pastels dancing in the sunlight as it trickles through the window, masterpiece after masterpiece, the Universe's grand design flowing through MY hands onto paper...eat your heart out Michelangelo!  Dream on Leonardo! Never has the world been witness to such raw and unhindered expression...the magnificence of it all!

...That didn't happen.  It's been hot.  And humid.  My hair's frizz level has reached critical mass. I've barely slept in over a month for some inexplicable reason, but that's okay.  I'm letting go...

It's so easy to spend too long in one state of mind, with one goal (or in my case ten too many) and the result of all this 'focus', seems to be becoming 'unfocused'.  Irony- my life's cruel mistress. So many thoughts, so many plans, so many ideas to get onto paper and yet they just don't flow as they should.  Come on brain, sort yourself out! Dialogue a bit with the hand and make it happen!  Frustration rears it's ugly head...but I let it go...

I stuck all the projects I had unsuccessfully completed aside and meditated. I cleared out all that I had been trying to accomplish, trying too hard to 'force' into fruition.  In the wise words of Master Yoda, I had to unlearn all that I had learned...or at least in this case all I had envisioned.  Release myself from the notion that all of you can see what is in my brain...I mean, how do you know if I got it right?!  Once I did this, once I allowed myself to go in a new direction (which is actually an old direction for me), the energy flowed through me once more.  No flouncing though.  I'm not good at it, and let's face it, I'd only hurt myself. 

The Universe doesn't work in time lines.  This means, as an Intuitive artist and someone who has more meaningful conversations with dead people than the living some days (sad but true),  I can't try to fit everything into a structured 'human' way of being.  Now, if only I could remember this...

So, as the gentle rain breaks through the heat and cleanses the air, I too am cleansed.  My spirit is free of self-imposed burdens, and I am once again open to receive all that the  Universe has to offer.