Surprised by art

Ok, advanced upon by the Holy Spirit to create, which feels like play is getting to be rather funny.

First, I've found that I have more supplies than I'll ever need. Yes, over time I've collected things. I'm guessing I believed that in purchasing these elements, I was also purchasing time. Or permission to play rather than work. Ughh! Life is a process. A journey. A long walk. And now that I'm paying attention to what I'm hearing, I'm having an awful lot of fun and finding an abundance of joy and love along the way.

So, today, I took the day off so my mom and I could use theatre tickets for a matinee of Harmony at the Ahmanson. My dear husband suggested the Wednesday matinee. (He was born on the left coast but he's more like a New Yorker without the subway tokens. Every theatre on Broadway has a Wednesday matinee, so L.A. must, goes the logic.) I snagged the day. Mom was in. The kids had plans and rides, so off I am. I planned breakfast with my Dear, then a little art time, then, the shower and the drive to the Ahmanson.

On a whim, my darling checked the time and, surprise!, we'll be seeing the Saturday show. Los Angeles does not have a Wednesday matinee. All of this is simply to say that here I am, with a free day to play with the art and reorganize a few supplies I've recently repatriated.

Along the way, I made this cute book for my friend Joan.

I'm all so joyously surprised that I feel the call to artishness and, that I'm obeying.

So I continue to wonder, "What's He doing?"

Seriously

I'm cleaning a corner of my room. Deep cleaning and what do I find?

Yep. I've had this book a long time. But really, now I find it? God is rather clear!

She calls it creative calisthenics

I have to report that on the quiet, God pursuing me journey, I came across this amazing video by accident (perhaps). If I share with you, quite easily, how to warm up to write, or how to do writing practice for journaling or for more formal writing I'm happy. I've learned lots of ways to get at the page. But when it comes to creating in an art journal, well, not so much. I see lots of blank paper.

Enter Dina Wakley's video.

She calls it creative calisthenics. And just watching I was ready to go.

Oh do watch. Her method of "waking up creative juices" is fun and doable and where did those spray ink spritzers come from?

Must find. Now.
Oh! I must go paint too.

Falling into place.

Yesterday my soon-to-be-new boss brought a reading from the book, "A Million Little Ways," to our meeting. He plans to promote space and stillness in our meetings. I like space and stillness. I need space. I need stillness. As he read, I heard words about the art created between us. I caught my breath. My soon-to-be new boss is using God's words with me. Art. Write. Relate.

I had to stop and note this. This is an advancement on me. Pressure. Pressure, especially to find the tools, pick up the tools, and do what I'm dying to do. (Living to do?)

I wrote the name of the author down on the back sheet of my notepad and continued to listen and ponder the what in, "What is He doing?"

After the meeting I hopped onto my computer, ordered the book and dashed to another meeting. Later, I reopened the search for the book and found that Emily Freeman is the author, and she's also the author of a blog I have loved, Chatting at the Sky. It's not been on my radar for a while. I was surprised, joyfully, by the synchronicity of the morning.

Later in the day someone asked me what I thought I needed most. (People ask things like this when a new boss is coming and we're all trying to gain perspective before new perspective is brought into town.) I replied, space to breathe. This is packed with much more than the toss off line, breathing space. I really am seeking to declutter shelves and corners, boxes, drawers, my brain, my office -- to release things which neither extend joy and peace in my life or help with the process.

So today, I returned to read the Chatting blog, (eagerly awaiting my book) and what do I see but the author's personal description: Emily Freeman is a writer who creates space for souls to breathe. She is the author of three books: Grace for the Good Girl, Graceful (For Young Women), and A Million Little Ways.

Really? Space for souls? Is that what I need. Space. Breath. A connection to my soul?

Clearly, the Creator of the Universe is moving me into His lane.
How about you? Are you experiencing the voice, the interruption of God in your world?

Do share.