Donna Iona Drozda...

Following the Moon: Wake Up

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:07:00 +0000

Esperance, Drozda, 72x54" mixed, 2010

Welcome to 'Following the Moon'. The 'Purity' Moon cycle begins Tuesday, February 21.
Today, February 20, is the last day of the Balsamic Renewal Phase. Dream of being awake!

My wandering friend Sara sent along this beautiful reminder to wake up on this day:

Maha shivratri is the day when shiv tattva touches the ground.

The consciousness (ethereal world) is 10 inches above the surface. On this day, it touches the Earth element. It is very useful for people to keep awake and meditate. This helps in fulfillment of desires....

It helps you grow stronger in your being.

It is like a new year for a sadhak (seeker).

The night on this day, when the constellations are in a particular position, it is auspicious. It is considered an auspicious moment for a spiritual aspirant.

It is the wedding of the spiritual and material world.

Ratri: That which comes you comfort is Ratri.

That which takes you from the issue to the solution is ratri. Ratri means night. It removes 3 types of discomfort.

Shivratri gives you comfort and confidence that the Divine is with you and He/she is your valentine.

Ask yourself what really, really, really works and reassure yourself in the areas that feel like a fit. As you come closer to the Equinox of March 20 sense that there is a shift taking place. Energy is beginning to move at a quickening pace.

The Crescent Phase of this 'Purity' Moon cycle begins Saturday, February 25...read more

Subscribe to monthly Luna See
Read 2012 Lifecycle Forecast and recieve your gift

I send along special heartfelt thanks to Ursuline College and Tri-C College for including me as Guest Artist, Keynote Speaker: 'Planting Seeds/Harvesting Health' and Workshop Presenter: 'Making Life the Master Peace' at 'The Art of Mental Health and Wellness' the 12th annual Art & Healing Exhibition at Tri-C Gallery East, Cleveland, Ohio.

Thank you Mary Sender, Amy Jacobs and all of your staff. Thank you gallery curator Roy Bigler. You all created a smooth and effortless ease that surround every aspect of a delightful experience. Thanks to all who attended the lively opening talk and the amazingly jazzed workshop...what a fabulous day!

If you, Dear Readers, are in the Cleveland area I invite you to stop in at Gallery East through March to savor the creative works of many who understand the power of creative healing. The exhibit is sponsored collaboratively by the Tri-C Creative Arts/Pre-Art Therapy Department, the Ursuline College Art Therapy & Counseling Department and Tri-C Gallery East, with support from The Buckeye Art Therapy Association.

See you next Monday for the First Quarter Phase of the Purity Moon

Following the Moon: Who Now?

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:20:00 +0000

Full Renewal Moon, Drozda 2012

Welcome to 'Following the Moon'. We began the 'Renewal' Moon cycle on January 23. I hope that you're finding the pace and the purpose of your Art/Life gathering momentum in a way that feels stable and grounded for you. The whole idea of taking this time within the Mystery is to discover the tempo that feels most natural for your Art/Life so that you are well aware of the rhythm that feels healthiest for you.

Monday, February 6 is the last day of the Gibbous Phase. The three days of the Gibbous Phase provide a level of energy that's best for: create, create, create! Create in conjunction with what it is you're attempting to renew.

The Full Phase of this 'Renewal' Moon cycle begins Tuesday, in the late afternoon, and extends through Friday, February 10. At the Full Moon each month cyber friend Dr. Lilan Laishley shares her beautifully designed monthly Full Moon Newsletter. Here's an excerpt from the current issue:

During this Full Moon we continue to work with the creative and innovative energy available during this Year of the Dragon. Dragon combines the visible actions of a bold innovator with the invisible essence of a spiritual mystic. Bold innovation and spiritual mysticism seem like two very different qualities, and our job this month is to figure out how to bring them together in ourselves. Fortunately we have a Full Moon in Leo (bold!) and Neptune in Pisces (mystic!) to help us out. As I contemplate this Moon I have come to believe that only actions infused with spirituality will create the changes we need in this world. Fortunately for us, these qualities are as close as our own heads and hearts.

More

Subscribe to the Luna See monthly newsletter
Read the full article, 2012 Lifecycle Forecast and email me for your 2012 Personal Year energy PDF

Following the Moon: Renew You

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:54:00 +0000

Happy Year of the Black Water Dragon...Monday, January 23 through Thursday, January 26 brings us the New 'Renewal' Moon.

At the New Phase of each Moon/month the opportunity presents us with a lovely three days for creating a vision and with the Lunar New Year bringing its gifts of the Dragon just imagine what's possible.

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Girl, Drozda, Watercolor/Arches

How does Renewal look in your Art/Life?
You can look deep inside. You see what needs Renewal.

At the New Moon you're standing at the Eastern most point on your Moon/month circle. It's the dawn, it's the beginning. Take a moment to gaze out and imagine the 4 weeks ahead...so much will be coming to meet you.

The New Moon is that classic space in which you hold the vision of the 'art of the start'. Feel inspired by the 'not yet experienced', there is adventure ahead. It's the time to embrace the active emotion that can propel you toward your passion. It's time to be visualize the emergence of new levels of clarity in your Art/Life.

Being filled with inspiration as the Equinox approaches...'something wonderful is emerging, something wonderful is on its way'.

Read More...

Subscribe to the Luna See
Read the 2012 Lifecycle Forecast

Following the Moon: Refining Tradition

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:54:00 +0000

Rescue, Drozda, Acrylic/wood, 2001

Monday, January 16 through Thursday, January 19 brings us to the 3rd Quarter 'Cleansing' Moon. At the 3rd Quarter Phase of each Moon/month the opportunity presents us with a lovely three days for giving grateful thanks.

You can take a deep soothing breath. You can refine this into a tradition.

At 3rd Quarter you're standing at the top most point on your Moon/month circle. Take a moment to gaze out absorbing the lay of the last three weeks terrain and count the blessings.

The 3rd Quarter is that classic space in which you can realign. Feel washed over by the wisdom gathered and guidance received. It's the time to embrace the Instinctive You. It's time to be grateful to yourself for all the ways in which you have wisely chosen to invest in your Art/Life.

Be filled with gratitude for the wealth given to you to share within your world.
...More

See you next Monday for the New Renewal Moon and the start of 'Ages & Stages...registration is open.

Subscribe to the monthly 'Luna See'

Read the 2012 Lifecycle Forecast

Following the Moon: Nature/Nurture: YOU

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:13:00 +0000

Standing at the West Gate, Drozda, Ink on Bristol board

Monday, January 9 through early evening (EST) Thursday, January 12 brings you the opportunity to reflect (that's what Full Moon's make room for) upon all that you are willing to face and release as part of the Cleansing of your Art/Life at this time. I'd like to share with you the creative brilliance of my friend Lilan Laishley. You can Google her and sign up for her newsletter at the top of her home page. I put her link in repeatedly and for some reason it wouldn't open. Lilan is a word artist who writes a beautifully illustrated Full Moon journal/newsletter that you may enjoying subscribing to. I know that each month I brighten when it arrives and I am ever delighted by Lilan's gift for word-weaving the 'above with the below'.

This, the Full Moon segment of the cycle, is an important time for nurturing yourself. The Full Moon is that classic space in which we can see our shadow and it can sometimes feel a bit spooky and disconcerting. Thta's for good reason. It's a marvelous time of the Moon/Month to allow yourself the time/space to claim more of who you are now. It's a time to relate to yourself more clearly. Who you are now, in January during the Cleansing cycle is not known because you're in the depths of the Mystery. Yet even in the 'not knowing' you can recognize that you are filled with treasure of enormous value to yourself and our world.

Read more...

IT’S TIME TO BECOME AN AHA ADVOCATE:

January 12…this Thursday... registration opens

On January 24 as the New ‘Renewal’ moon begins, AHA’s for the Art/Life e-studio will open with ‘AGES & STAGES'...THE NATURAL ART OF PERSONAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT 'Ages & Stages' explores YOUR gold mine applying eight focused ways to deepen your Art/Life adventure. In this eStudio we will be getting personally attuned to the gifts and talents that are yours to share... in 2012...specifically. You'll be able to place your Art/Life goal on the Natural Wheel at Spring Equinox and watch the unfolding Moon by Moon.

Read more...

Subscribe to the Moon/monthly 'Luna See'
Read the 2012 Lifecycle Forecast

Following the Moon: Relaxing into the Middle Way

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:13:00 +0000

Hindu Flyer

Welcome to the Cleansing Moon cycle and our first step into the New Roman Calendar Year...may it bring all that your heart desires.

2012 will be bringing forward all that you have worked toward over the past 4 years.

My yearly article, Lifecycle Forecast for 2012, is posted and I hope that you'll take a few minutes to check it out. It's hefty so you may choose to bookmark it. The information is there for reminding you throughout the year that you've hit the balance point...this is the year of learning to walk, what in Buddhism is referred to, as the Middle Way.

Sunday, January 1 through Thursday, January 5 is a terrific period for taking all action possible to clear away the old and unusable. This is the Cleansing cycle so all manner of release and refresh is in order. We continue to move through the quietest time of the year. With Winter Solstice, on December 22, we stepped into the last quadrant of the Natural Year's walk around the wheel.

The next three Moon/Months are all about sinking into the MYSTERY... Ahhhh...couldn't you use some of that level of immersion in your Art/Life?

The definition of IMMERSION:

the act of immersing or the state of being immersed: as a : baptism by complete submersion of the person in water b : absorbing involvement c : instruction based on extensive exposure to surroundings or conditions that are native or pertinent to the object of study.

In the last few posts I've been sharing images of water and with the mild weather that we've had here at the beach it's been easy to hang out and take advantage of all of the beautiful views that surround. It goes without saying that during the Cleansing cycle hot baths, saunas, steams of any kind and floating, whenever possible, are in order.

Since I have been 'Following the Moon'... being a Luna-tic for 22 years now... I've also been experimenting that long with the keywords that represent each Moon/Month. Here's a review of the moon by moon keywords given to our culture as a gift from Sun Bear: January=Cleansing, February=Renewal, March=Purity, April=Clarity, May=Wisdom, June=Illumination, July=Growth, August=Trust, September=Love, October=Experience, November=Introspection(death&rebirth), December=Strength.

I've experienced many forms of consciously chosen techniques for Cleansings during this period of the year. I have several favorites...one of them is the Floatation Tank.

'In You Go', Drozda, Acrylic/wood

read more...
Subscribe to the monthly 'Luna See'

Read the 2012 Lifecycle Forecast

A Water World

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:18:00 +0000

River View:Dusk, Drozda, 2011

It's the Strength Moon cycle and this week the energy is offering each of us the opportunity to be as creative, in connection to our current goal, as we can allow. We're moving toward a Lunar Eclipse at this weekend's Full Moon...The Full Moon makes me think of the pull of the tide so here are a few more shares on the topic of water.

Palm, Kim Keever

The glorious, albeit disorienting, large format photographs by Kim Keever are on exhibit at MOCA . I've had the pleasure of spending time with them over the last two months and also observing how catalytic Kim's method is for inspiring minds. My young artists in the MOCA 'Saturday in the Studio' arts apprentice program quickly found themselves enthralled. This was made easy for them with a terrific hand's on corner of the gallery. Two empty 20 gallon tanks are surrounded by baskets of many miniature landscape elements that Keever favors. With these, tiny clamp on lights and filmy fabrics that drapes 'like his pumped paints' they were very happy to create their own versions of 'tank art' (as they coined the term).
Here's a bit of info on Keever's process...and a video of him working in the studio...

"New York-based Kim Keever makes photographs of bonsai-scaled landscapes assembled inside a 200-gallon tank that is filled with water and topped with paint pigment and addressed with lights and gels to create convincing effects of clouds and atmosphere. His tropical vistas, sylvan forests, and mountain views openly wear their own artifice while they also display the fine-grained complexity of the real thing. Looking at them can be an otherworldly experience. NewArtTV visits Keever at his East Village studio."

Read more...and click over to my main blog see the charming water tale here

Gratitude to Water

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:24:00 +0000

Hooded Mergansers in the Cove

"Water, whether still or in motion, has so great an attraction for the lover of nature, that the most beautiful landscape seems scarcely complete without it. There are no effects so fascinating as those produced by the reflexions in nature’s living mirror, with their delicacy of form, ever fleeting and changing, and their subtle combinations of colour.”
- Montagu Pollock - Light and Water: A Study of Reflexion and Colour in River, Lake and Sea, 1903 -

"A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature."
Henry David Thoreau

A week of being on or near the water...during the Strength Moon cycle...

more

Media Blend & Contemporary Retablo

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:57:00 +0000

Media Blend at Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art

"If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is "thank you", that would suffice." Meister Eckhart

My catalog blurb reads something like this...

Media Blend: Step outside the box and find new ways of seeing. Sticking with the tried and true can also be stiff and stagnant. Discover exciting combinations of materials... express... make handmade prints, stamps, stencils ... experiment with a wide variety of mediums...unsettle and surprise yourself. Each session builds on the last: experiment with ideas in deeper, more personally relevant ways and unleash an invigorating style...of your own.

Here's a sampling...

Your inspiration may be a gift...

It may arrive through a poem...

your impulse may rise up through a deeply personal story...

more...

Saturday in the Studio

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:03:00 +0000

Saturday in the Studio/Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art

I have an on going love affair with young artists and the positively open, spontaneous and joyful willingness that allows them to be inventors and detectives continually discovering ways to express and playfully explore.

Three semesters and a summer studio make up the yearly schedule for my program called 'Saturday in the Studio' an on-going series at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. I developed this program a number of years ago so that young artists would have a place to come and experiment with diverse materials and ideas of their own. Here's a collection of projects simply to celebrate unstructured imagination:

Saturday in the Studio/Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art

Each artist is free to develop their own direction....read more

MY 7 LINKS: Something a Little Different

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:37:00 +0000

XTC#1, Drozda, Mixed/canvas, 2011

I've been away from the blogosphere for the past five weeks as my first eStudio: AHA's for the Art/Life: Tools for Change got born...a complete delight...a Luna tic labor of love.

Last week I took a week off. Now I thought it would be perfect timing to engage in an invitation from my bloggin' buddy Dora Ficher.

I'm a bit overwhelmed to have been invited to be part of the ‘My 7 Links’ project but Dora assured me that this was not a rush and so I've allowed it to sit quietly 'on the back burner ' for a number of weeks. I trust that those whose blogs I've invited will allow themselves the same lee way...and if the time or interest doesn't fit no worries.

The idea is to go back to your own posts and find one to fit each of the 7 proposed categories, then ‘choose’ 5 more bloggers to do the same, and so on, and so on.

The project is described as a way of “uniting bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint venture.

The following are the 7 categories:

Most beautiful post

Most popular post

Most controversial post

Most helpful post

Most “surprisingly successful” post

Most neglected post

and finally….the post that makes them most proud

This was a actually a great way for me to come back to my blog since AHA's for the Art/Life: 'Tools for Change' actually did change my days in unexpected ways...it was so much of a dedication and endeavor that little time remained for further writing... thus a five week gap in my weekly blog practice...so...Thank You Dora... this is the ideal occasion to make a blogging comeback '-)

read more...

Following the Moon: Relaxing With What IS

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:47:00 +0000

La Luna, Drozda, 2011, mixed media

Welcome to the New ‘Experience’ Moon

The New Moon begins Tuesday, September 27 in the early morning (EST) and the New Phase extends through Friday, September 30 at noon.
At the time of the New Phase, during this post Equinox cycle, you can begin the turn toward the calming period of the Natural Year. You can begin to slow down and cease the push. You can begin to relax your pace. This Experience cycle is about recognizing that your own needs are now met. You can consciously begin to open to Life and the Mystery in the six months ahead. Now you can acknowledge that you’re truly a pioneer…you’re moving in a direction that is all new…and you get there by turning inward.

On Friday, September 30, in the early morning, the Crescent Phase begins. The Crescent Phase extends through the late evening of Monday, October 3 giving you the ability to research and develop the Experience that is the work of your now inward turning heart. Think about harvesting what the Natural Year has brought your way. Gather your resources...read more

Following the Moon: AHAs for the Art/Life: Registration Now Open

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:39:00 +0000

Welcome to 'Following the Moon': It's the Fall Equinox...a beautiful time to consider deepening calm and turning our attention toward balanced harmony.

With this in mind I'm taking a step onto a new path in my Art/Life and I invite you to join me.

Beginning on the New Moon, Tuesday, September 27, and through the entire 'Experience' Moon cycle ending October 26, I will be offering my first in the eStudio series titled AHA's for the Art/Life.

Our first eStudio is called "Tools for Change." In this four week Experience, we'll explore the gentling of time. You will be able to experience the cadence of lunar flow through the area of your Art/Life that you choose to focus upon. With the information that you gather during this four week eStudio you'll have access to completely transferrable and continually applicable 'Tools for Change'.
The AHA eStudio format is structured so that you can be fluid in terms of how you engage.

You can either take the information in privately at your own pace, or you can share your process by bringing it to the "Tools for Change" forum. At the forum we'll share our Experience and keep the conversation going.

My heartfelt invitation to you is to step into this Experience... a natural way to gentle and calm time making space for consistency and focus.

Cost for the eight modules of "Tools for Change" September 27 - October 26:

$40.00

Our first eStudio opens on September 27 with each phase of the moon (approximately every four days) the next segment of our Experience will be posted within our secure 'Tools for Change' site.

You can Experience 'Tools for Change' in two ways... self guided or interactive. Either format allows you full access to information for the gentling of the next phase of your Art/Life.

Here at the Fall Equinox consider a quiet focus.

Walk into calm and balance.

Take an inward turn and greet your Art/Life with these gentling 'Tools for Change'.

REGISTER AND SIGN UP NOW

Fall Equinox...the time for calm balance

~Lookin' Up~
d

Following the Moon: Love is a Verb

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 02:55:00 +0000

Heart Work, Drozda, 2009, underpainting

Welcome to the First Quarter Moon phase of the ~Love Moon cycle~

“The love we give away is the only love we keep” Elbert Hubbard (1859-1915)

The First Quarter Moon phase began Sunday, September 4 in the early afternoon (EST) and extends through Thursday, September 8 at dawn.

At the time of the First Quarter Phase under this September Moon we rally and manifest what we’ve been working toward. We make a push forward and step up the pace. This Love cycle isn’t about getting our own needs met it’s about giving our best and making what we love visible.
The vision that we held at the Spring Equinox (March 22) and at the New Moon of August 28 (think gathering power) becomes propelled…think rocket booster…blast o’ power… and this level of moving forward requires courage. I may sound like a broken record but this is the month to send your energy ideas into orbit…this is the month to grab hold of your star and shine. And just to keep it all in perspective…a gentle reminder that blasting off into a place of depth connection to ‘loving the life that is’ requires major courage and committment...read more

IT’S TIME TO BECOME AN AHA ADVOCATE:

On the New ‘Experience’ moon, September 27, AHA’s for the Art/Life e-studio will open with ‘Tools for Change’. Eight focused ways to deepen your calm and quiet as you balance intention, motivation and desire. Being a member of the AHA community will be a rich and enlivening no pressure addition to your Art/Life. This is an opportunity to experience a lot of joy in a time when…hello…we truly deserve to recognize that we as artists are responsible for bringing the best we have to offer to every situation, relationship, opportunity and challenge…this is the time we were made for.

Participants in the live workshop version of AHA wrote in their evals:

“I want more!”

“This is a very powerful,creative and wonderful course. The instructor is very talented and brings forward participants gifts and skills.”

“Uplifting, encouraging, motivating, self-encouragement.”

”This is the second time I took this course and I loved it even more this time…”

Thanks so much (!!) for your AHA interest, email me at drozda33ATgmail.com and we’ll have a grand time as we share this wonderful new adventure…specifics will be coming on September 19… I so appreciate your patience with me on this…I’m in a new world and I’m all a flutter with the technology ‘-) To Paraphrase the wisdom of Osho : “…one learns what is a mistake and how not to commit it. Knowing what is error, one comes closer and closer to AHA’s”…and so it is.

Following the Moon: Topsy Turvy Love

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:38:00 +0000

Welcome to the New 'Love' Moon...

The New Moon began Sunday, August 28 just before midnight (EST) and extends through Thursday, September 1 in the pre-dawn.

At the New Phase we gaze out into the future. During the 'Love' cycle you have an unusual opportunity to turn your view of the Art/Life on its head and see what you've been involved with... as if for the first time. The Love cycle is a very heady time. You know how things go topsy turvy when you fall head over heels for another? Consider that same sort of oo la la for what you've been devoting your creative time and energy to since the Spring Equinox on March 20.

Gaze into the vision that you hold for your Art/Life. This is the Love Moon cycle. Four weeks available for basking in the Love... for all that you create. Pretty heady stuff...
read more

My 10 year anniversary illustrated e-book of Twenty Two Prayer Poems for Care Givers now available here

e-studios: 'AHA's for the Art/Life' begin September 27...

Experience the strength that comes when you align with the Natural Calendar in relation to your Art/Life

Become familiar with the Natural Calendar's progression in conjunction with the goals, visions and dreams for your Art/Life

Establish your own natural, empowered rhythm available to you under all circumstances and conditions

Following the Moon: Graditude for Engaged Detachment

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:37:00 +0000

Summer at Casa del Mar, Drozda, 1979, watercolor/Arches, 18x24"

Welcome to the Third Quarter phase of the ~Trust Moon cycle~

The Third Quarter phase began Sunday, August 21 in the early evening (EST) and extends through Thursday, August 25 in the early afternoon.
At the time of the Third Quarter Phase we can breathe in grace and gratitude. We can invest this time in remembering how miraculous it is to come to this thanksgiving place each month (moon).

Here we enter a very grown-up space. This time period is when it becomes clear that one goal simply leads to another. During these few days a great deal can happen. There's the opportunity to reflect in a way that sets the stage for where the Art/Life will carry you next. There's also the option to just allow space to be...to rest in preparation for the deep dream of where you would like to be moving as you enter the next cycle in the month ahead.

This manner of working with the progression of the moon cycles has delighted me for two decades. Using the model that's shared here at 'Following the Moon' offers a way of working with time that's rich in 'room to breathe'. In that breathing space find the ability to listen more deeply to inner creative prompts.

Consider the keyword for each month since the Spring Equinox... more

~Metta~
d

Following the Moon: And Now... A Few Lovely Announcements

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 23:28:00 +0000

Welcome to the Full Moon phase of the Trust Moon cycle! The Full phase extends from Saturday, August 13 until Wednesday, August 17.

I've waited till today, August 16, before beginning to post again (after a 2.5 month break) because I've been working in the studio on a renewed way of moving through the world and I wanted the first piece to be in place, and the first mention to happen, here at 'Following the Moon'.

So before we look at the current natural energy of the Lunar phase I'd like to make three wonderful announcements.

{visualize white birds flying up into the bluest of skies}

Announcement #1...

New e-book release of Twenty Two Prayer Poems for Care Givers...
I start with a celebration: This year is the 10th anniversary of the publishing of Twenty Two Prayer Poems for Care Givers a quieting collection of meditations that I wrote and illustrated while serving as a hospice volunteer.
Today I'm so pleased to share with you the launch of the anniversary edition as an e-book available as an immediate download for $9.99. I hope that you will consider a copy for yourself and I know that there are those in your immediate circle who could benefit from its gentle, soothing and timeless path. If you print the download and have them spiral bound with a clear acetate cover it will make a gorgeous gift...for you and those you love.

From the Introduction to this new e-book edition:

Rosalynn Carter's recent testimony before congress might teach each of us in turn:

There are only four kinds of people in the world
1. Those who have been caregivers

2. Those who currently are caregivers

3. Those who will be caregivers,

4. And those who will need caregivers.

In the ten years since publishing the original volume of Twenty Two Prayer Poems for Care Givers I've learned a great deal more about the necessity of being first of all Care Givers of the Self. The Prayer/Poems have grown and blossomed for me over this decade. More and more they point, like arrows, to the daily choice and opportunity we each have... to learn to take wise and good care of what Tibetan Buddhist's call this "precious human life". Here are a few of the comments received in response to the original hardcopy edition....read more

Please visit my main blog site to read about the other two lovely offerings coming in the next month...

Love all around...
d

Following the Moon: Stepping Up and Stepping Out

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 31 May 2011 20:20:00 +0000

Silent Observations, Drozda, 1987, Acrylic/panel, 48x60, private collection

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”

Martha Graham

We've all come upon these magnificent words and during this cycle they are most fitting and foundational.

Welcome to 'Following the Moon'. Today, Tuesday, May 31, we're closing the door on this year's 'Wisdom' Moon cycle. Do you feel the swell of creative energy building?

Situations, circumstances, ideas and impulses are now meant to be in fast forward. That doesn't mean you have to jump onto a band wagon it simply indicates that this is the opportune time to be considering what your Art/Life needs from you to fuel it forward in the direction that you feel would be so great for you.

As you've heard here before: notice the natural world to tune into the true pulse and rhythm of life in its native state...there's no better time than approaching summer to feel the many layered aspects of aliveness taking place.

This New Moon cycle opens your Art/Life to 'Illumination' and there is every reason to believe that you can pioneer that idea that is closest to your heart, the vision and dream that is most authenticly yours out and onto the world stage as this month unfolds. You know how we're often told to think big and stretch...maybe that means something huge and substantial in your mind or perhaps you prefer surrounding yourself with the simple life. Whichever end of the spectrum you find yourself, or anywhere in between, June 2011 is the appropriate time to get your groove on.

I love the Art/Life that is quietly rooted. The parent Great Horned Owls have been whispering to the fledglings...read more

Please feel free to return to comment here or here.

Following the Moon: Wisdom, Food and Wealth

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:40:00 +0000

Homage, Drozda, Acrylic/board, 20x16", 1998

Welcome to 'Following the Moon'. I trust that your Art/Life brought you some in-depth opportunities for growth over the past week. We're currently traveling through the 'Wisdom' Moon cycle.

This is the second moon cycle within the 90 day Spring quadrant. Begin to cast a line out toward Summer Solstice, June 21, sensing what is required to accomplish the goals you've set. Keep in mind that this time of year is all about gathering forces and taking action based upon the goal that you set at the Spring Equinox.
The month of May opens the door to deepening the Wisdom that we're born to express through our Art/Life. Now is the time to see, sense and feel the relationship that you have with its multi-layered aspects.

Wisdom, Food and Wealth

One day wisdom., food and wealth started on a journey. As they went along they came to a man sitting under a tree. The man said, "Where are you going?" They said, "We are hunting a place to live." The man said, "As for me, I want wealth to live with me." Wealth said, "You are a dumb man. If you had chosen wisdom, all three of us could have lived with you. But you have chosen me. This cannot be, because if I lived with you without wisdom, you could not have me long."

They started off again and they met another man. The man said, "Where are you going, young man?" They said, "We are hunting a place to live." The man said , "I believe that I would like to have food live with me." Food said, "You are not clever. If you had chosen a certain one of us, all of us would live with you. But look, you have chosen me. Do you think that you could keep me? No, you could not keep me. Let us go on."

Farther on they came to a man who was working. He said, "Where are you going today?" They said, "We want a place to live." The man said, "I would like for wisdom to live with me." Food said, "If you have chosen wisdom, then I will live with you, too. I know that you will be able to take good care of me." Wealth said, "If you have chosen wisdom, then I will live with you, too. I know that you will be able to take good care of me." All three lived with him because he made a good choice.

Parable by Northeastern Nigeria Bura Folktale

Tuesday afternoon, May 24 the Third Quarter Phase opens and extends through Saturday, May 28.

In the Third Quarter phase of the Wisdom cycle consider what it is you're grateful for...see if you can include the chance to say: Thank you... 'all is well'.

Read more comment here or there it's so good to share.

Subscribe to the monthly Luna See newsletter

Following the Moon: Distractions Fly Away

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 17 May 2011 04:11:00 +0000

Shakyamuni, Drozda, Private Collection

Welcome to 'Following the Moon'. It's Tuesday, May 17 and we're in the powerful and potent Full 'Wisdom' Moon. My friend Che'usa includes a wonderfully informative post about the power of this Full Moon as a Tibetan Buddhist Festival called Wesak.

This Full Moon extends through Friday evening, May 20. This is an excellent time to remind yourself that the rhythms of these cycles create a mirror. Each month when we come to the Full Moon these several days offer all of us a chance to see our shadow.... look it in the eye.

Honestly looking at our insecurities, confusions, and inner turmoil during the Wisdom cycle may bring us some of the most powerful Art/Life insights and outcomes that we can possibly imagine.

During this cranking up time of the year conceive of, picture, envision, think of, expect, and assume that you can power yourself into another level of Art/Life expression.

I received this quote, attributed to the Tibetan Buddhist saint, Milarepa, from my friend Rita in an email today. Milarepa's words fit this point in the Wisdom cycle beautifully:

Maintain the state of undistractedness, and distractions will fly away. Dwell alone, and you shall find the Friend. Take the lowest place, and you shall reach the highest. Hasten slowly, and you shall soon arrive. Renounce all worldly goals, and you shall reach the highest Goal. If you follow this unfrequented path, you will find the shortest way. If you realize Sunyata (the absolute Emptiness), compassion will arise within your hearts; and when you lose all differentiation between yourself and others, then you will be fit to serve others. ~ Milarepa

Read More...return here to leave a comment or share a few thoughts there ...it'so good to hear how the moon cycles are moving through your Art/Life.

Subscribe to the monthly Luna See

Following the Moon: God is an Artist

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:52:00 +0000

Morning, Drozda, Acrylic/canvas, 36x48", Private Collection

Welcome to 'Following the Moon'. Today, Wednesday, May 11, we're one week into the 'Wisdom' Moon cycle and things are moving in a fast forward mode barreling toward this cycles Full Moon on May 17.
Do you feel the energy charge that's taking place? Yes, you're always busy these days, yet notice the natural world to tune into the true pulse and rhythm of life in its native state. Notice the activity level of the birds as they prepare to fledge the first batch of nestlings. Notice the blast off of trees and flowers. There's the mad dash to reproduce and make the most of the expanded daylight. Being part of the natural world it makes sense that our pace would also quicken as we give birth to new ideas and set the tone for the direction we intend to move throughout this year.

The First Quarter Phase of the Wisdom Moon began Tuesday, May 10 in the late afternoon (EST). It extends though Friday midnight, May 13 and offers the stretch of time devoted to taking action on your goal. First Quarter is always the time to risk. Go someplace or do something that makes you feels a bit edgy. What have you considered applying for? Who do you need to contact? Where are the new materials that you've thought to experiment with? Trust that if it's in conjunction with your Art/Life the encounter will move you in the direction that you want to go.
On Saturday, May 14 the Gibbous Phase begins and up until early morning Tuesday, May 17 there's time to bring in a little left brain engagement. Analyze your project and discern the strength of your preparations so far. Be clear and smart as you reconnect to the emotion that's been propelling you toward this leg of your Heart's Work.

Though the Gibbous Phase connects us to an emotional check and balance the main thrust of this year is logical building. The May cycle is the second step outward following the inward directed Winter season. The days are lengthening and the Wheel is now open and oriented to the outer action direction. During the weeks ahead, ask: 'Why am I here?' 'What do I contribute?'

From this vantage point you can observe the visions for your Art/Life future. From here you can gaze outward and set into motion actions to take as you move forward on your Art/Life journey.

This continued practice of holding a vision, this 'active seeing' will anchor you into a greater 'Wisdom'.

Read more, comment here or there...and thanks so much for visiting.

Subscribe to the monthly Luna See

Following the Moon: Wisdom Wonder

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 03 May 2011 02:10:00 +0000

Wisdom Wonder, Drozda, Encaustic, 2010, 6x4"

'Wisdom Begins in Wonder' Socrates

Welcome to 'Following the Moon'. Today, Monday, May 2, we're on the threshold of the 'Wisdom' Moon cycle which begins tomorrow.

In May there is the deepening opportunity to visualize the wisdom that you carry into your Art/Life walk. Each year at the time of the Spring Equinox we begin again, we're re-birthed if you will, and the canvas, the slate, the stage is clear for starting a new twelve month segment of the Art/Life journey.

The New Moon begins in the early morning hours Tuesday, May 3 and extends through late Friday night, May 7 (EST). Each month during these few days you can reboot your project and visualize where you intend to go during the coming four weeks. As you move into this first week of the cycle use your ability to hold an image of what your goal looks like.

These days are always well spent in looking forward. Gaze toward your biggest opportunity to stretch. This entire year is asking a great deal of us and as artists it's important to be inventive and courageous and...as this moon's keyword suggests: wise.
Read more...

Subscribe to monthly Luna See

Following the Moon: Child's Play

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:36:00 +0000

'Gardean', Drozda, 16x20", Mixed, work in progress

I want to thank my dear artist/friend Che'usa for sending along a recent Huffington Post link that includes this thoughtful story:

Shuren Sakurai was born to a family of farmers, in rural Aichi prefecture. Life for many was very different then. "In those days, families were large and poor, and children were often adopted out. When I was nine, I entered this temple as a boy monk, and the abbot here became my master, my teacher, my parent. Though it was hard for me to be away from my real parents, in those days, we accepted the reality of what life gave us and we just did what we had to do."

"My adopted father often said to me, 'Become true gold, not gold plating. Whatever you do in your life, put your entire self into it. Make it gold." People now-a-days only want to do things that are easy and comfortable. There is nothing that can be accomplished well through short cuts. Things that matter take time and our complete attention."

Welcome to 'Following the Moon'. Today, Tuesday, April 26, we're seven days away from the close of the 'Clarity' Moon cycle.
In April there is an opportunity to consider what it is you'll focus on for your Art/Life walk around the Natural Wheel. The Natural Wheel begins each year at the time of the Spring Equinox (look back to March 22, 2011).

This segment of the year holds the energy for the entire year ahead. There's a feeling of new in the air. There's a natural sense of beginning. Each spring we can literally feel reborn, as many religious traditions celebrate and remind us.

Spring is a most excellent time to refresh and remember the goals that hold your passion and purpose. This is a time to invest in what you know is true for you, and often times you carry this from childhood.

This past week I was the, 'short n sweet', featured speaker at our Earth Day Eve Event at the Contemporary Art Center. It was wonderfully festive, the entire evening conceived by a lovely high school student, Margaret Salazar, for her senior year project.

Artists with tables filled with wondrous arts created of recycled pieces and parts, musicians, Art 21 playing in the theatre, and families & friends gathering indoors and out.

In the crowd I met 7 year old, Jackson, whose 9 year old sister told me, as he inspected my Animal Artz sculptures, that he wants to be an artist when he grows up. I leaned forward and whispered to him, "You're already an artist, just don't ever forget." His Grandfather heard what I said and after the family had moved outdoors to make Origami birds for a Wishing Tree/donation zone for Japan Relief efforts, Grandad returned to tell me a bit of Jackson's story.

Indeed we often are living our Art/Life by the time we're seven. I can mark this same time for my clearest awareness, how about you?
Read More...
I hope you'll comment there or here...it's always so good to hear from you.

Subscribe to the monthly Luna See

Following the Moon: We are the Movers and Shakers

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:40:00 +0000

'Good Planets are Hard to Find', Drozda, 2006, 18x18" mixed/panel

Welcome to ‘Following the Moon’. Today, Monday, April 18, we’re two weeks into the ‘Clarity’ Moon cycle. In April I find that it’s powerful to cast a glance back to October. Exactly 6 months ago you had a 31 day energy preview of what this year holds. It happens every October. It’s as though a magic mirror is held up. If you look into it you’ll catch a glimpse of where you’re headed physically, emotionally and spiritually.
This year suggests that there is significant effort required, groundwork to be laid and concentration is mandatory. You might find it interesting to take a look back at your calendar to see what was happening 6 months ago…just notice.

I’ve had some challenge with concentration during this Clarity cycle. It occurred this past week. I thought to relate what’s come of it for me.
When I get particularly happy I tend to unconsciously stop myself. I sober up. No nonsense, take care of business. I imagine it comes from having lived through violence and the post trauma of having to be hyper vigilant...

read more and as always return here to leave your wonderful thoughts or leave them here...either way do leave your footprint ;-)

Earth Day April 22...Love your Mother.

Subscribe to the monthly Luna see

Following the Moon: The Compositions of Our Lives

noreply@blogger.com (merci33) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 03:25:00 +0000

Memory Copy after Matisse, Drozda, 1976, Oil on paper, 24x36'

The Artist must summon all his energy, his sincerity, and the greatest modesty in order to shatter the old cliches that come so easily to hand while working, which can suffocate the little flower that does not come, ever, the way one expects.

Henri Matisse

Welcome to 'Following the Moon'. Today, Monday, April 11, we're ten days into the 'Clarity' Moon cycle. The Clarity Moon cycle opens the door to the Natural Year and is a time of an emergent vision. The overall energy of the entire year suggests that there is important work to be done, foundations to be shored up and focus to attend to.
Are you feeling a larger picture? Are you getting a feeling for the overview of your Natural Year's walk? Can you envison where it may take you? Are you imagining the possibility? Are you sensing your direction?

Seeing the world differently is clearly being required of each of us. Artists are the antenna...
read more

Subscribe to the monthly Luna See