Creativity, Joy, Permission, MESSterpiece, Progress = Contribution

CREATIVITY. IMAGINATION. ORIGINALITY. BRILLIANCE.

• Where does 'it' come from? 
• How do you foster creativity?
• What's the connection between capability and accomplishment? 
• Where does talent fit into the equation?
• What is the role of inspiration in the process of creation? 
• Is it possible to grow originality and flair? 
• How do you cultivate inventiveness? 
• Are there fairies and gremlins involved in awakening shazam? 
• Where does gumption fit into the equation?
• What does it take to have hot flashes of genius? 
• How long does it take to claim a new skill as your own? 
• What activities jumpstart an awakening? 
• What do I want to be when I grow up?  

Susan Hale's personal sketch journal of her travels, shared during her Master Class

Sublime Snowbird Summer Season Subsides

In real-time today is a day of packing. We leave at dawn tomorrow for the other side of our snowbirding equation. Packing up is always a time for reflection and introspection. Where does the time go? How well was it spent? What lies on the horizon? 

Immersing myself up-here in the unique and creative culture of this peninsula affords me the opportunity to rub shoulders with creative genius-at-work. These first several images are from my opportunity to attend Susan Hale's master-class at Edgewood Orchard Gallery a couple weeks ago. Yes. Those are her tubes of paint in the sunshine. Yes. The quote is from those two golden hours at her elbow. Yes. It is pure JOY to watch this woman in action. To watch and listen? PRICELESS!

"Give yourself permission to make a MESS-ter-piece."  

In the two hours of her class, in addition to watching her painting unfold, I got to hear Susan also speak inspirationally of the creative process: her own process and that of others.... that of her teachers and fellow artists. 

She addressed the need to allow yourself the freedom to explore, the freedom to mess up, start over, rewind, scrape off the paint and start over again. Oil is a forgiving medium for 'messing around.'  She laughed and said that no painting of hers is ever done until it is sold and physically taken away. When she still has access to her work she continues to have the ability to improve, revise, revisit, refresh and resuscitate  She shared that she has dozens of works 'underway' at any given time. Thank you, Susan for your example of brilliance. 

[Today's photos are the second such class of Susan's that I've been fortunate to attend from beginning to end. Hop back in time to see an  earlier class unfold. I have also watched her paintings emerge at length during our Plein Air festival ~~ Click pic to go back in time.] 

So what do I want to BE when I grow up?

Apparently I will be gnawing on that question as long as I have days to consider the possibilities. What I know moving forward into the future? I will allow myself the joy of the MESSterpiece! I will give myself permission to make more messes. I will encourage myself to appreciate the beginning phase of every new opportunity, every new project, every new adventure: where new skills are needed and things are sloppy and raw and in need of editing and rambling is expected and you wouldn't show it to anyone and there's just a glimmer of progress from experiment to experiment but there's a thrill in the process. 

I've written at length on process art for children..... what about process-for-me-as-an-adult? 

Seeing Susan's personal art journal lights a fire. What if I started keeping something of a similar ilk? What if I started? What if I gave myself permission (and time) to sketch? To draw? Where could I find those minutes in a day? In a week? Baby steps, Debbie. Baby steps. I'm thinking that cultivating that discipline would require stepping away from the screen. Hmmmm. That might not be a bad thing? Less screen time? Just mulling over the concept is exciting. Susan's journals were especially small. Maybe 4" by 6" ish. Great format. Keep it handy, available and immediate. (Yup. Talking to myself.) 

Must get to the packing and the departing first. Must say goodbye to this season's daisies.  

I'm certainly NOT a photographer, but I will continue to give myself permission to take LOTS of photos! I have a couple of new daisy shots to add to my collection. I never, ever tire of the daisies up here against the blue sky! What can I do with all of these daisy shots? 

Did you know that I made a 'movie' of JUST my daisies? 

Do you need 5 minutes of calm in your day today? 

Maybe it's time to make another movie?

Having a camera on hand, with both memory card space and battery power available, is one critical factor in capturing moments suspended in time. Giving myself permission to take dozens of awful photos -- of any given subject affords me the opportunity to capture one image worth sharing. I'm mastering the MESSterpiece of photography! What a blessing to be alive during the digital camera era. Oh happy day! Take a couple hundred while you're at it! How much patience do you have? 

I'm new to Instagram. This was the season to start there.

It is a good discipline for me. 

Are you on that sharing platform? 

Again. Instagram is an opportunity to share an image. Limited words. 

Square orientation. 

Crop. Edit. Share. 

Short and to the point. 

Ta-da. 

Having a blog is a platform for journaling out into the world. 

Instagram is a suspended moment in time. 

The network prompts me to look at my day a little bit differently. 

I'm enjoying the 'discipline' of posting there regularly.

Whether I'm looking within my little haven................. 

.................. or out onto the larger canvas surrounding me. 

This is me: old dog learning new tricks. 

New 'non-threatening' platform to share/inspire/learn. 

So. It is time to say goodbye to our goats on the roof. 

Such a fun diversion just out our front door. 

They never cease to create smiles for our village visitors. 

It's time to say goodbye to this unique shade of sky. 

It's a blessing that today's prediction calls for clouds and scattered showers. 

It's easier to pack on a rare gray day. 

It's easier to leave. 

It's time to reflect on the sunsets that breath life to the observers. 

Reflection indeed. 

On Golden Pond.

There are exciting opportunities on the horizon! 

There are new places to go. 

New teachers to meet. 

New schools to visit. 

New things to learn.

New disciplines awaint. 

I have NEW BUSINESS CARDS! 

I HAVE NEW SHOES! 

AND

I HAVE NEW TIGHTS! 

BRING IT ON! 

Let the seasons march on.

Fall brings with it a whole new palette!  

Did you have a chance to *see* my FREEBIE fall printable? Just pop over to our Early Education Emporium for your free download in pdf format. 

By the numbers. 

18: the number of years I've had my own creative company. 

5: the number of years I've been blogging. 

100+: the number of original songs that I've written for children. 

3: the number of picture books that I've published as author/illustrator. 

1: the number of nationally award winning DVD's I've created. 

554: the number of people following me on Teachers Pay Teachers

134,105: the number of followers on Pinterest. 

2,807,995: the number of pageviews on my blog.

2: the number of national keynotes that I've delivered.  

7: the number of grand-wonders in our tribe. 

56: the number of trips I've taken round the sun. 

Isn't it fun to look over the shoulders of others? 

I thought you might appreciate looking at my bookshelf as I continue to wrestle. 

Here are a few of my favorite books on my own bookshelf that speak to all of these delightful issues. 

I have linked them with my Amazon Affiliate code. 

Your shopping via clicking from here is a sweet way to support my efforts as I support yours! 

You can't possibly go wrong with any of these women! 

I guess that it's time to plow back through them again. 

I am at a crossroads. 

So it's off to our next adventure. 

Thanks for your support as I continue my journey. 

We'll see where I end up after taking all of these baby steps. 

By all means pin your favorite. My hope is 'entice' creatives, art teachers and the like to 'discover' my humble efforts and share with their students. 

Kindergarten in Heaven: Tribute to Super Hero Carter

Childhood Cancer and Carter: On the death of a child

What do you say in the face of the unthinkable? 

What do you say in the midst of heartbreak beyond all understanding?

How does your faith lead you through times of crisis?  

This is the first image of Carter that I shared on FB less than six months ago. 

At the time Carter exclaimed, "I look like Spider Man"

and he became a superhero in my heart forever after. 

Carter didn't get to start Kindergarten this fall. 

Science-on-earth failed him. 

All of our prayers have helped sustain his faith-filled parents, 

but those prayers did not turn back the outcome of the beast.

The predictions of his medical team were accurate.

Carter gathered his angel wings this morning at 2:30 a.m. 

Cancer is brutal. 

Brain cancer in a five year old is well beyond horrific.

So what can we say? 

What can we do? 

How do we behave as we wrestle with the reality of unfairness of this scope? 

In this era of cyber-connectedness, we can reach out to one another, 

offering prayer, consolation and support. 

From around the world caring individuals added their voices of encouragement 

to Carter's family, during these their darkest hours.

Images of happier times remain to act as anchors.

This morning when I learned the finality of Carter's story 

from his great-aunt Janet, 

(my fellow breast-cancer-surviving-cyber-friend,) 

I promised her I would attempt to put some words together.

It didn't start out as a poem. 

I certainly don't think of myself as a poet, nor a philosopher and certainly not a theologian. 

But knowing that Carter's parents are faith-filled Christians..... I began. 

I gave myself permission to express our heaven 

as a place ready to celebrate Carter and childhood alike.

Quite by accident a phrase had obvious meter and I turned on a dime. 

This simplistic sentiment that follows is the outcome.  

Is it too simplistic? 

My most sincere hope is that my humble rhyme buoys up the family,

I pray it doesn't disparage the depth of their grief. 

Their emotions are many and will continue to roller-coaster 

over the days and weeks ahead.

I can't begin to imagine their sorrow.

Their faith an anchor. 

Their friends and family a safe haven through the storm.

Here is a FB message left in response to my 'poem.'

I think the heart-felt truth makes it important to include here.  

Very well written. The reality is that the family of course will wish he was going to Kindergarten here and in their arms. To come home with excitement and stories. They will return to a room with all his things. Toys he will never again play with, clothes that he will never wear again, and dreams he will never achieve. They will always wonder what he would have been. There will always be a missing piece.

They will love to hear their son remembered. Perhaps one thing each of us can do is in tribute to their son, to do a special act of kindness today. Maybe it is dropping an argument with a colleague, or being nice to someone you don't get along with. Helping a stranger. Also keep in mind there are many kids fighting cancer in your neighborhood wherever you live. Consider donating some mylar balloons to the pediatric oncology floor of your local hospital in his honor.

Sorry this is a topic that is very close to me, and though the family knows their child is with our Heavenly Father, sometimes it is heartbreaking to continually hear they are in a "better place". One parent recently brought this concept home to me by saying, granted their child is in Heaven, but would you allow one of your kids to swap places with their child? Every parent wants their child with them. To watch them grow up. To kiss the boo boos. To wipe away tears on the first heart break. 

To see them graduate, marry, and make their way in this world. In short, to see them live their life. 

Yes. This loss of innocence renders hearts into pieces, 

as long-held dreams are shattered. 

Seeing an empty place at the table will be a daily reminder, months, years, even decades from now.

How do we celebrate life in the midst of death?

Others before us have pondered. 

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

   a time for war and a time for peace.   ~~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I have also gathered several of the uplifting thoughts from our earlier 

cyber prayer circle, to house them here together.

These sentiments are just a few of so many added from around the globe.  

"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." -- 2 Corinthians 1:4

 Psalm 23:4 -- Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me

 Isaiah 40:11
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Many Sweet Angels that go before Carter are Opening their Arms Wide, waiting to Surround him in much Love & Care! Fly Free Soar High Little Carter while We surround Your Parents & Brother with the same!

 Prayers For Cárter and his Family are being sent from Puerto Rico. We must stay strong in our faith. All is in His hands and He will do what is best.

Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong. We are weak but he is strong.Yes Jesus loves me...the bible tells me so....

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 
Please know that you will be with Carter again in a heavenly future. May God hold you in his hands and comfort you.

 Much love to all of you..from South Africa

Thoughts and prayers of comfort to Carter's family as they begin their journey in the days ahead without him in their arms. There can be no greater sorrow, than the loss of a child.

Praying for the peace that passes all understanding. I'm so sorry for the pain that surrounds this family but I pray that this child's life will serve a greater purpose shown to his family and their sweet memories will be sewn into their hearts forever.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and may the Lord's peace be with you now and forever. I pray that He takes you into His arms and gives you a freedom from this hurt. May the Lord be with your family and friends and help them to know that the pain is over and an eternity of joy awaits you.  

- Asuncion, Paraguay

Dear Heavenly Father, As you begin preparing Carter for his journey toward his eternal home, I ask Lord, that you begin to place the right people to surround his mom, his dad, his brother and other who will support them not only during this moment but throughout the years to come. I pray that the family feels your presence and knows that you will hold them when they can walk no more. Lord, watch over them and may you give them a gift of peace in knowing that Carter will be flying over them daily as "their " Guardian Angel. Lord we as this all in your sons precious and holy name, in Jesus name I pray AMEN

 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 Prayers for those left behind that the healing of their grief will be swift! Prayer of thankfulness & joy for Carter's triumphant entry to live with the King of Kings!

 Prayers for Carter's family, & friends as well as for his lil body to finally be pain free & resting comfortable!

There is a beautiful song by Chris Rice with a verse that says "Fly to Jesus and live..." Jesus is there, Carter, when you are ready...

 I join your chorus of prayers for Carter. I pray for his family and friends. I also thank God for his young life and all who have been touched by his struggle to remain with us on a physical plane. Now is the time for us to prepare our hearts and minds to receive God's precious "kindergarten angel".

 For to his angels he's given a command 
To guard you in all of your ways; 
Upon their hands they will bear you up, 
Lest you dash your foot against a stone. And he will lift you up on eagle's wings, 
Bear you on the breath of dawn, 
Make you to shine like the sun, 
And hold you in the palm of his hand.

I pray that little Carter's body rests as his spirit soars on in the kingdom of Heaven.

 romans 12 :15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Praying! We may not understand why things happen the way they do or why He doesn't answer our prayers the way we wanted Him to do. But Jesus is there. He is waiting with open arms to welcome Carter into the kingdom of Heaven and He is waiting with open arms to wrap His loving arms around the family to give them comfort. This is a wonderful uplifting song to remind us that Jesus is always with us, always listening.

May The Lord give Carter's family peace and comfort them with the loving embrace of friends. Lean on our faith.

I Carry Your Heart With Me-E.E. Cummings.
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) 

Sending prayers and love to Carter's family.

Jer. 29:11 For I know the Plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you...to give you hope and a future. Soon the Lord will be wrapping His loving arms around Carter. We don't understand it - but there's no better place to be.

Psalm 46:10a

Almighty God, and merciful Father, to whom alone belong the issues of life and death: Look down from heaven, we humbly beseech thee, with the eyes of mercy upon this child now lying upon the bed of sickness: Visit him, 0 Lord, with thy salvation; deliver him in thy good appointed time from his bodily pain, and save his soul for thy mercies' sake: That, if it shall be thy pleasure to prolong his days here on earth, he may live to thee, and be an instrument of thy glory, by serving thee faithfully, and doing good in his generation; or else receive him into those heavenly habitations, where the souls of them that sleep in the Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual rest and felicity. Grant this, 0 Lord, for thy mercies' sake, in the same thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end 

So we that remain must move forward. Putting one foot in front of the other. Giving our very best of our selves is the offering we share on this community altar that is life. At this exact same time last year I shared from my pulpit here of the loss of our village's teenage Bo, as he too lost his valiant fight to cancer. On that occasion I was prompted to create this piece of art as my reflection. [You can click the pic to read some of Bo's story.] There is now a foundation in his name, with the simple name "Go Bo." What good can result from super hero Carter's brief life? Time will tell. 

My own favorite scripture passage in times of the unbearable, 

"We know that for those who love Him, for those called in agreement with His purpose, God makes all things work together for good." 

It's hard to imagine how the loss of a child could possibly 'work-together-for-good.' My imagination is not that strong...... but my faith trusts in these words. This promise. This reality that I have experienced first hand. 

I have other articles here on my blog, dealing with my own travels thru early stage Breast Cancer diagnosis. Not once, but twice. Those are housed in this conglomeration. 

Just this weekend there is a RoundUP of blogger's articles as they have dealt with/confronted cancer in their own family. I refer you to "Life Happens, Then you Write."  You will be able to read other first-hand accounts from across cybersphere. 

If you are in search of 'consolation' for any reason..... not necessarily cancer related, but when you are going through an especially difficult challenge, I have two earlier articles here entitled,
BLUE CHRISTMAS and BLUE CHRISTMAS Re-Run 
that are a genuine effort to offer encouragement in the face of difficulty. 

I will get Carter's tribute into pdf format just as soon as possible, for your ease in printing. 

-- Debbie --