LISETTE FLORES-NIEVES

Halloween

2011-10-31T20:54:00.000-07:00

This years its a bit difefernt than any of the others. The main reasion being that the main inspiration of the festivities are now older and well, they are enjoying the festivitites in their own way. I continue to do what always came naturally, Having fun!!!

There is Beauty all around us

2011-06-06T23:48:00.000-07:00

There is beauty everywhere. Take a moment and look. smell, reach, touch. Life is happening all around me and I want to take it for a ride.

The Light House Journey

2011-03-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago , we started a journey. The journey was to discover lighthouses up the coast of California. It gives us a focus and a direction to move toward. California is a wondeful state what a shame not to really discover it for all its beauty. My daughter, my boyfriend and me as taking a look at the beauty and history that surrounds the historical light houses of California..I will be writing more, they are breath taking.

Reflection

2010-12-26T02:57:00.000-08:00

After losing so many people in my life. I have to admit, I spent great deal of time in lamentation of what I had and lost. Yes, you hear all the time people telling to do the opposite. Unfortunately, it is something you have to come in on you own about that part. I lost them, I know but, the grief caught me off guard. it took me off my game. what I mean for game? I mean the game called life. That is where my new observation has been. I spent a great deal of time lamenting what I had, that Id dint think about what I have. yes, I know its a very Christmas thing to do but, there really isn't a wrong time to come to that realization. The realization, brings a sense of freedom and a deep understanding I thought I had but, didn't.

Those that I have loved and lost, gave me so much. their loved changed me, enveloped me and create d anew me that would have never been created if it wasn't for their love. So, I wanted to take a moment to take all those who loved me for me, Your love put on the path to becoming the individual that I am now.
So, looking deep in my heart, and closing my eyes I want to send it out into the universe, thank you for becoming the fiber of who I am and who I am becoming.

Moving forward? well, of course. You can't be empowered with the power of where you are in the universe and decide to do nothing. That just sint' my way. Will I have a companion on this journey? That is still a mystery. I like surprises. If that happens, it will be a welcome asset to the path on this amazing journey called life....It really is all sweet...to sweet to waste. So, you hate what is happening in your life? Shake your bones, shake your body like you haven't shaken it ever and vow to begin again. To look forward and well do some butt kicking and give life a run for its money...

One Nation, One Economy

2010-12-01T15:55:00.000-08:00

I have never been on to be very political but, at this time of years you see all kinds of things and you wonder. What is the world coming to. at this point the Congress is arguing a bill that will give cut breaks for those who have anywhere from millions of dollars to billions...A tax break for people with enough money that in reality they will never be able to spend int heir life time. Now, I am not political but, I am practical what is really wrong with that picture. we are surrounded by a 12% unemployment , the everyday family living on the street. The same people who got rich out of all this want a tax break now. It doesn't make any sense.Doesn't anyone realize that Greed is not a good thing. Sure you are part of an elite club but, news flash, when your dead your are dead. And unless someone figured it out, you cant take it with you.

So the world seems to be divided very simply between the have and have nots. I am not saying to give people hand outs all the time. but, I am asking that if people are given an opportunity to work they will work. I know that for a fact. The news shows the information very isolated. when the majority of the people on unemployment, medicaid and welfare are white. It's not that the minorities are using the systems all up, its that peole are in hard times.If we came tot he conclusion that the crazy stories about people beating the system are the few not the norm maybe things would change.

So, I have to ask myself. Why would someone with so much money concern themselves with everyone else?
Why would 2% of the worlds wealth ( including the good US of A.) really want to help the nation that gave them the opportunity to be who they are? They won't. I myself yarn to win the lotto or something big that could afford me to take care of my family. But, it begins there. I would want it so I could make a real difference. Teach a man how to fish and he can feed his family forever.

It is simple but, that is the problem its to simple in a very complicated world we live it. So, I sit here and write and throw these words out in to the universe...You never know what can happen unless you put it out there, Lets make a difference. As a people we are amazing, generous, unbeatable, loving , courageous, thinkers, doers, husbands , wives, sisters bothers, mothers, fathers, cousins, aunts, uncles, grand parents. Lief gives us a gift to make a difference. lets us become an army of doers. The 98% can make things happen but, we have to cover each others backs and think about not what makes us different but, what makes all the same..

Dare to Dream

2010-11-29T22:49:00.000-08:00

Fo one moment today I let myself fears go. I let my own belief of what I can not do disappear. What was I left with? I was left with the courage to dream again. To dream of a life where the past is but a fiant memory. To Dare believe that as this journey reached a fork in the road; there may actually be some unknown variables I never thought I would run into. So, great is the joy in my heart. I feel myself beginning to gain the strength of my own fearlessness . The true belief that all I have to do is dream it and it becomes possible. The journey becomes clear and the companion along the journey is clear as well.

Ink to Ink

2010-11-24T22:29:00.000-08:00

There is something about color and texture I can not resist.. Its like having a relationship with a brush and paint. I can just not get enough of it..

Channeling the Energy

2010-11-23T01:14:00.000-08:00

I can't seem to keep still. so, since, I have sleepless nights. I am either drawing, painting, cutting, sewing and everything else I have tried. It keeps my hands busy and it helps me channel my energy. When I am making things, I can concentrate and if I had anything on my mind it gets solved. The process makes me see all the possibilities of what I am thinking about. I used to think that making something out of nothing was magic. Now, I realize its just creative energy being channeled.

The World is Black and White

2010-11-21T20:20:00.000-08:00

The black ink drawings have helped me a great deal in working with my color work. I just have this feeling there is more to these ink drawings and it comes very easy for me. Hmmm, where to go from here?

Working

2010-11-17T23:12:00.000-08:00

I have been working on mini collages that I intend on putting on Esty soon. I have been having a good time making them because, I am using paper that I had previously printed and hand painted.Its a process and I love the process. The strange thing is that I love the process more than the actual product of it all. That's art isn't it. Unexpected!!!

The Process

2010-11-02T22:27:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, it isn't what you Create in your life: the home, the job, the car... all the things that define this lives as yours, where the joy of it all comes from. I believe that the true enjoyment of it all is the process of it. The things we need to do to get there. the little steps we all take to achieve the goals we want. Each step bringing us closer and closer to our goal. Each step sweeter and sweeter. Not because the end result is somethings we may want so badly. There is more to it. In the process of getting there we become who we really are meant to be. the ups and downs. The winning and losing defines us. It brings out parts of us that normally would not had developed if everything ran smoothly. We take an active role in our own development by constantly pushing the limits of who we are on all levels. Would life be sweeter if everything we wanted were already ours? I know it would feel good, a dream come true. but, would there be a sweetness of success and self worth... Well, that's it isn't it. We have to try and see where the cards all fall. The process on any level brings out who we reallyy are meant to be.

The Big Sky

2010-10-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

I cant believe its been so long since, I moved from back East. I will always be a New York City girl. I love the electricity of the city. The choices, the days that can merge into night. But, I realized after moving out west that there was something the city could never give me. Walking down the street on Fulton, in the Wall street section of town. There was something I could only see in slices as I looked up. What was that. The sky. I could see if it was sunny by the slivers of sunshine that could escape the skyscrapers of downtown.

Moving out West, each day there it is the big blue sky....Or as I used to say " The Big puffy clouds."

The Couple

2010-10-18T08:22:00.000-07:00

Life just keeps on happening around me. Mothers with their children. students getting out of school, texting, listening to music and talking to each other: talk about multi tasking. I saw an old couple at the super market. I see old couples all the time. They walk slowly around with their little lists and coupons. There is something very familiar between them. The kind of relationship I would like to have someday if possible.

Except there was something different about his one. when I looked in their faces, there was a sadness , a bit of stress that is not usual of the happily retired couples of days gone by. I look at them and they stand for quite sometime mulling over what they should buy. The look on their faces says it all. the aren't trying to get the best deal and become king of the coupon, they are having trouble deciding because they don't have enough. I followed them around and each choice was time consuming. One picking up something and the other making choices of what might have to stay because they cant purchase both.

If their cart was over flowing I could see why the constant decision making but, it wasn't. In their cart there were no more than 7 items.

My heart went out to them, on so many levels. The most painful one of all being that these two people were still trying to make ends meet in such a troubled manner; it was painful to watch.

Getting old is just not going to get easier is it. We think that tomorrow will never come and yet 20, 30 years pass by like a block of an eye and we can all find ourselves there if we are not careful with our finances and the future.

Lifeis really full of surprises, isn't it?

Looking at the past

2010-10-10T20:39:00.000-07:00

I am excited about the different work created in the past. I am looking forward to see how much my vision has changed and where it will lead me to. A different color palette, shapes, a new iconographic language . I am excited.

I Love My Avatar

2010-10-07T15:31:00.000-07:00

I am another person when ti comes to Second Life. I know I didn't think it was going to be a game I would play. But, I love it. I can do anything I want. I paint, I design, I travel. Its an amazing experience. I have made friends who exist in Second Life and In real Life. It is a hobby that does keep the world at my feet. I love it.Yes, I admit, I love my avatar. She requested that her name be withheld to protect her identity.t

Working for a Living

2010-10-06T15:55:00.000-07:00

I think that in this whole wave of technology we seem to have forgotten what making an actual living is all about. Not everyone will become billionaires like Mark Eisenberg. That, we would like to, of course. will it happen? Maybe yes, Maybe no. Nut, we have t work with the possibilities of maybe no and run with it. Life is to short to be working and dreaming about the what ifs. If we spent as much time in the here and now,as we do on the what ifs and a lot could be accomplished.

It isvery simply. Those qualities that you like about yourself. those skills that you know you do better than anyone else. That's where you begin. You nurture those skills and run fast with it. There is plenty of room fro everyone on this beautiful planet of ours. We all just have to believe that we make a difference. and whether you believe it or not we all do.Its as if we are all part of great big fabric. Have you noticed what happens when there is a snag on a piece of fabric. yes, it comes a part. Yes, that is how important we all are to each other. Am I a bit idealistic? Well, in all honesty not always but, that just makes me human. Do I strive to make it better for myself, those around at where I am working? You are so right. It is my own standard.Far from perfect but, still working towards being better everyday. Especially on those days when just want to hide under the covers because well...life gets little overwhelming...I have to keep on keeping on...

One Moment

2010-10-04T02:42:00.000-07:00

I find it so hard to believe that material just speak to me. I know, it sounds strange, but when I was a kid it felt like magic. While someone looked at a big pile of

nothing and saw, basically nothing. I could see that the pile had many possibilities:more than even I could figure it out at the time. Is it a good things? I believe it is. it keeps life very interesting. the possibilities are endless. Things are not always what they seem.

Its the Quiet

2010-10-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

Its the quiet moments that give me meaning and help me remember. Remember the fact that life is short and that if we don't enjoy the here and now, what do we all have really. I think of my family, friends, lost relatives and it all comes together like a stories that seems to get better with each chapter. In the end all I want to do is my best. The best for me for all those that I share my life with. The best of me especially for me. Now that's a shocker.

2010-09-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

Doing the Job, keeping the dream.

2010-09-30T14:18:00.000-07:00

I would like to think that I am so fabulous as an artist that I can make a living on art alone. How many of us have that same feeling. Making a living doing one thing but, still dreaming career that got away. I think its healthy to keep dreaming forward. sure we have our day to day jobs which we enjoy, we do the best we can. we are committed to but, we all need something to work towards.

The economic situation makes many take jobs they may have not intended. There is one saving grace, the dream. The thing we are going to do, when all is said an done. Sometimes, the dream is all we need. The choice, of it existing makes us stronger to do the jobs we do with honor, commitment and enjoyment.

My Mom used to say "Girl(Muchacha) dream. It's the only thing that doesn't cost anything and it gives you hope and strength for the future." Thanks Mom
She was right..So

KEEPING THE CREATIVE FLOW GOING

2010-09-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

I find that when I write to much about what is going on, I dont do what I need to do to keep everything going on. If that makes sense, I have some more for you.

Being in the eternal conflict of how much time do I need to be cerative, or where will I find the time to be creative. I am now cerating. Yes, it doesnt matter what surface, what time. Just workign with what I have available and making the best of if. I feel that narrowing my choices, helps me get right into making art. I have to say that working with good old fashion pen, ink and paper brought me back to the good old days of A&D. Less choices more creativity.

Paper, glue, printed scraps, whatever I have near me that is what I am using. it is freeing me up so that I can get the cob webs out of my inner artist and well... go make ART....

Creative Sleeping

2010-07-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

OK. I have to admit that I am having trouble sleeping. I admit I have tried several of the suggestions I have received from everyone. Thank you all by the by for all your good intentions. I think that I am wired this way. I have talked to several of my friends who have known me for years. They all came to agreement that they have never known me to sleep to much. Only on occasion and that was usually accompanied by a short illness: a cold, allergies.

Well, coming to an understand that, this is how I am truly wired, I have decided to create my own day.I wont pay attention anymore when I look at the clock when it says 3:30 Am. If I have the energy I will keep on with my low stimulation projects. The little ink drawing's is something that I have been doing thought I have not added them to this blog. I will add them to the blog and one more catch I have decided to put them up for sale for a very reasonable price. I think everyone wants a little treasure, a little bit of art that they can admire and not pay a king's ransom for..And so it begins..

Digital and 80

2010-07-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

Why is it that Target seems to think that I need my items constantly moved around. I use my Target walks to mindless walk around and entertain my mind on all the things. I would like to buy that I don't need. and, of course all the things that I need and I don't want to buy. near the cameras there is a very interesting sight. An elderly woman of about 80 years old is looking at cameras. She looks like she is a bit intimidated by all the technology. I decide to slow down my tour a bit to see how this all will play out.

Hell, I don't even know what to ask for when I am looking for a camera. I usually see what one of my friends are shooting with, look at the quality of the photos, I write down the make and model number and purchase it. I call it no stress shopping.

The elderly woman calls over the salesperson. I can see by the look on their face that they think this is going to be a long one. when was the last time she brought a camera?

Well, she sure showed us, no sooner did she approach the salesperson when she started asking all these questions about pixels, battery life, shutter speed, manual, automatic, digital cards and everything else.

Well, well, well, did she show us. I glanced at the sales person and he smiled back.. We both knew we had learned a very valuable lesson. Don't a book by its cover..
Even in the digital age....

There is always time to start again.

2010-06-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid I heard the term "Do overs" and I have to admit I never really knew what that meant. Now, years later I know exactly what it means. As a child we have the chance to make mistakes and begin again. Learm from our errors and keep moving forward, a wonderful concept. Not a bad lesson to learn at any age actually...

Sleepless Nights Creative Energy

2010-05-28T10:31:00.001-07:00

Well, I cant sleep and that is a well documented reality for me. Doctors just give out tons of prescriptions that I don't fill because, I figure their has to be a better way. One way has been working on this evening drawings. There is something very relaxing and stress less about them. Stress less, because they don't have to be perfect and there are no mistakes. We all get so caught up on the fact that itl has to be right the first time. In business and work it seems to be the only way. Especially, in today's society with technology. It is all quite unforgiving. But, on a personal level; when, we aren't all in the lime light. It is nice to find little space and place just to be a let go. Letting go, not with something that requires a battery, a controller, or an Internet connection. But, something a lot more simpler. I believe that "the pen was mightier than the sword" this could have been a small inclination on what was meant. In their own imperfections they are perfect, just like us. I can not take the credit for this technique. I have been following a technique called Zentangel. I changed likeit to suite me like all artist do, when it comes to reinterpreting art and technique. Give them a look at at: Zenangle.com. It all begins with one stroke and the journey becomes endless. Enjoy...