Ups and Downs

 I got into a conversation with a woman the other day, and she shared with me that she has been feeling a little down. She was unhappy with her job and I shared with her a positive action that I have taken that helped some. 

Later, when I was alone and could really think about what she was feeling, I realized that I did not validate how she was feeling. When there is something going on in my life that makes me feel sad, stuck, angry, or frustrated, I really sit with the feelings and ask the hard questions. How did I get here? I am responsible for my actions and decisions. I made choices and now I am reaping the consequences of those choices. Some will be positive and some will produce the negative feelings that I have mentioned.

It is time to look at the situation and evaluate. Let's use the feelings the woman shared about not liking her job as an example. There are questions she might want to ask herself, like:

 1.  What does the work look like that I would like to be doing everyday?

 2.  What would I need to do to get a job like that? 

 3.  What do I want to be doing in five (5) years career wise.?

 And if your current job is where you have to be for now. Ask these questions:

 1.  What do I need to do to enjoy my life more?

      a. Make time for a hobby; something that you enjoy.

      b. Validate your feelings. You have the right to feel this way. Then let it go. And if you cannot let it go and you feel overwhelmed then talk with someone that you trust and if you need to get professional help.

 2.  What can I do to change my attitude and not let these circumstance dictate my mood and how I view my life?

      a. This is challenging. Start each day making the choice to feel good about the day. Smile. Today is your day to make it a positive experience regardless of other people and outside circumstance. 

I have to admit that in the moment someone or something can catch me off guard and I have reacted with my emotions and not with my common sense, however; I take a breath and let the negative feelings pass. I realize that it was a reaction that is not healthy for me and believe that I will do better next time. Practice self-love, believe in yourself, and decide next time that you will make a better choice in the heat of the moment. 

These are just a few of my personal thoughts on the topic of feeling a little down and what I wished I had offered to talk about with this woman instead of just offering platitudes. I am sure you have had experiences that gave you insight on how you would talk to a person in this circumstance and I would love to have you share any thoughts that you have.

"Summertime" Update

 Here is where I left off with my mosaic that I have given the title "Summertime"to. As you can see, I had done some work, but whenever I looked at the four bare triangles at the sides I drew a blank on what to do. I was starting to question the decisions I was making on the center part and had to admit that it was time to stop.

 I threw out two other mosaics that I had started, was displeased with, and were not salvageable. I almost threw this mosaic out also. But something made me stop and just set it aside. After a bit of time, I found an Etsy store that sold these beautiful glass Cabochons. The Cabochons inspired me and I will use them to finish the mosaic. I just needed something new and unique to tie the blank triangles into the theme of the mosaic. I will be finishing the mosaic when I am ready. I can look at it now and see the way to go. 

I don't know how many of you have started something and messed up and then had to start again in another direction, but I think you will understand what I have gone through with my mosaics. I wanted so badly to create something beautiful and magical that I tried forcing uninspired ideas and failed. I was getting a second chance with this mosaic when I stumbled. I haven't had this much difficulty before. I was always blessed with inspirations, and enjoyed executing them. Now that I have another outlet for expressing myself artistically, I have found that the inspiration will come for my mosaic when it comes and in the meantime I can do something else. 

So, I guess what I have learned from these angst-filled times is that inspiration and magic cannot be forced. They are to be sought through the labyrinth of life seeking joy in the fulfillment of passion through art. Wait. Believe. Be Open to Receiving. 

I used to see the next mosaic that I wanted to create before I had finished the one I was working on, but not so (yet) with this one. We'll see...

New Project Continued

 The fourth page is titled "Baby's Home"

The fifth and Sixth pages are titled "Woodland Fairies"

I have drawn trees before as a template for my mosaics but these were the first that I have drawn that were so stark and eerie looking. Fairies live and frolic in beautiful forests also (FYI).

I have been having a fun time with this book and still have many pages to fill.

New Project Continued

 Here is the second page which started the theme "Baby Fairies".

The third page continues with the theme "Baby Fairies".

A New Project

 Once again I lost interest in my current mosaic and realized that I needed a new avenue in Art to pursue.  I have started drawing and doing collage. My daughter gave me a journal with a fairy on the front. It inspired me to start creating pages filled with drawings, stickers, ephemera, and assorted items used in journals and mixed media projects. I have found a new outlet to express myself creatively. Here is the first page.

Mosaic Progress Report

 I have been plugging along with this mosaic. To complete my new vision for this mosaic, I had to order some new mosaic tiles in different hues of blue. And I am so glad that I did. That original blue glass that surrounds the butterfly is very stark and doesn't work as a background for the whole piece. 

I am working on the top right now (light blue glass)so, it is presenting upside-down. The left side (inside the yellow millefiori border) is finished and will make sense once the right side is completed. When working with a mosaic that has so much going on in the middle area, it is necessary to have the sides soothing with a place for the eyes to rest and to frame the striking design or else it is too chaotic.

We are only ten days away from Christmas and I am happy to say that all the presents have been sent and the rest are here that are meant for here. Although, I do still have some gift wrapping yet to do. I love decorating the house for Christmas and baking goodies, but I also take pleasure in just kicking back and enjoying the fruits of my labor, right?

Even though it's the holidays, I will still be making time to work on my mosaic and I will post again when I have made more progress. Until then, I hope you and yours have a Magical Holiday!

Make Time for What You Love

 I picked up this mosaic (again) that I started years ago. Parts of it are lovely and others are merely pedestrian. It has made me realize that instead of forcing myself to continue to do uninspired work when I reach an impasse; it is time to stop and walk away until a worthy idea spurs me onward.

 From this place that I am now in my work, I am trying to save this depressing mess. Perhaps my empathy for this mosaic is driven by the way it reflects my mosaic journey. I started out creating mosaics from my heart. So much love and joy went into them. Then I thought I should make mosaics that other people might like and sell them on Etsy. Of course, I would get inspired and create a mosaic that I loved and could not sell. Then I would feel that I should make something to sell. I have now come to understand that my mosaic journey needs to be fueled by love and joy. I no longer will create a mosaic for the purpose of making a sale, but my mosaics are to be an expression of me through the medium of mosaic.

During the pandemic, I have had absolutely no luck in creating new mosaics. The fairy door is a hideous mess and I started a mosaic of a mermaid that failed miserably due to uninspired choices. As soon as I finish or set aside this twice abandoned mosaic, I am going to attempt a mosaic that has been haunting me for years,but one that I felt was beyond my abilities to properly execute. But then I figured if not now then when...

Here is the mosaic mess I am trying to save. The left side is amazing but the butterfly surrounded by blue glass does not fit, right. And the dragonfly at the top has ugly, boring wings. Stop laughing and saying it belongs in the trash. Okay, the challenge is great; I admit. However, I have been inspired and so I want to try and save it. I'll keep you updated and hopefully, surprise us both.