are we there yet?

I spent much of my life feeling like I’m almost there, but not quite. Maybe it’s part of my internal monologue telling me “I’m not enough“. Perhaps it’s that I continually strive for more. I’m never really done learning or doing or trying to learn or learning to try. Geez too much of a head trip today.

The art by mimi.g website (this is it) is not almost there, although I’m working on it right now. My career took a detour the past few years as I searched for meaningful work. Yeah, I haven’t figured that one out yet either.

almost 50

In a few weeks, I will be 50 years old. Is there a giant expiration sign that appears above my head when actually reaching the mid-century mark? I don’t feel older, nor more mature. My kids are officially adults. Is it time for me to be a kid again?

Somehow, I wonder if I should be more reflective regarding this milestone. Look back at my accomplishments and consider where I started as opposed to now. Meh.

almost is boring

If I look at life as a bunch of almost there’s, I miss the journey itself. I’ve discovered a love of painting I never realized was there all along. I’m still working on ways to fully support myself through art.

Professionally, I realize how much I don’t like sitting at a desk all day. Funny because with a retail management background, I dreamed about a day when I wouldn’t be on my feet. Now, I miss it. I know I want balance of movement and stillness.

Rather than being almost there, I like to think of continually consistent forward progress. Believing that when I’m there, I’m done, I don’t ever want to be almost anywhere.

What are your thoughts about being almost there? Please share!

Fortunately the show is nearly set

• Paintings hanging in each room
• DJ booked for musical enjoyment
• Karleena’s husband Randy created 2 special beers for tasting
  • sea goddess IPA
  • sex kitten Wheat
• We are still creating jewelry to display (and sell)
• Now it’s time to promote

What a crazy busy week! Not only have I been painting like the wind, but I have been introduced to wonderful way to merchandise my art. I’ve been playing with baseball hats, jewelry, greeting cards and a new product store on Zazzle.

bring it!

Already booking shows for July and August. Will keep you posted! I feel like I finally woke up and reality has become the dream.

I just looked at my dashboard and realized it has been 19 days since my last post. To be fair, my laptop was out of commission for a couple of weeks. Yes, I realize I could have used my phone to post. It simply isn’t the same as tapping on a full-size keyboard.

now for the good stuff!

My creative juices are on hyper-drive. Yesterday, 4 of us (Karleena, Laura, Christy and me) met up to make jewelry. We needed to streamline the process so that we can meet demand and build inventory. I am truly grateful for the outpouring of support for my wearable art.

Last week, I participated in the Realtor’s Wine Walk at Fountain of Youth. It was a blast hanging with Ravi and the gang while sipping wine and talking about art. I am hoping to create buzz for the upcoming show, “Open Waters” on June 29.

I took a short shopping break (I know it’s shocking!) and found a snapback baseball hat with a see thru purple visor. How cool is that? I took it home and  painted a mermaid on the front the front. Added some sparkle and now have a new piece of wearable art.

miss impatient is in the house

Now, if I can only find a source to get more of these hats… This is a downside of being impatient; I not only want to order them now, but i want to paint them and sell them right away as well.

I hate waiting for anything. The website is moving along, art sales are picking up and I jump up and down looking for the next thing. It’s exciting and energizing considering the possibilities.

This reawakened passion is just beginning to blossom. Stay tuned!

buzz buzz buzz

The reality is that i have been busy putting together a plan. Unfortunately, it’t not an evil plan. When I jumped in a few weeks ago, I gained a sense of urgency towards seriously launching Art by Mimi.G. A logo, portfolio of my work thus far and (drumroll please) a whole bunch of wearable art/merchandise which showcases my paintings.

It is a poor excuse for not posting on a consistent basis, but it’s still exciting and amazing! Karleena Pares and I are experimenting with different shapes, photo editing techniques and having a blast.

new promise

Perhaps if I write down the promise/goal/etc. in this post, i will feel more accountable. It could happen. I think Spring is finally here and the possibilities are endless.

To be continued.

1. go to school
2. get married and start a family
3. start a business and successfully run it
   1. until i ran out
4. go back to school and complete a bachelors degree
   1. graduate before my daughter finished high school
   2. find a job in a recession after getting the degree
   3. stay at that job and complete a masters
5. find a career that suits my personality and education
6. search for spirituality
   1. dance
   2. mermaiding
   3. art

now what?

Throughout this dabbling, i discovered that my true passion is art. i’ve exhibited and sold pieces.  i Have been commissioned for custom orders and every chance i get to paint, is a blessing.

My personal life roils and the painting gets better. Hmm.. imagine that. Mid-life crisis awaits as I dig for the next challenge or goal. Dabbling isn’t cutting it anymore. How bad do I want this? What exactly is it that I want anyway?

dabbling is for sissies

An unexpected interruption in my daily work-flow (ie job) couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m tired of dabbling. I don’t want anyone to save me. I need to become self-reliant and self-sufficient.

It’s time to soar. To hell with mid-life crises. I’m ready to take it to the next level.

Ok. take a deep breath…jump in!

What is self love? Is it a synonym for self-absorbed? Is it a euphemism for masturbation? Maybe it’s a pat on the back, tip of the hat, or a secret knowing smile.

love me tender

I am one of those self-proclaimed “I am not enough’ers” who tends to second guess myself on a regular basis. Although I never considered myself to be super needy; in reality, i have been needy much 0f my life.

Wanting to be liked, i worried about what others thought. Was i smart enough, nice enough, pretty enough, worthy? With all this crap floating in my head, how could I love myself for who i was/am?

Putting my self-worth in the hands of others, i was doomed to believe the lie that i am not enough. It is impossible to be enough, if I wasn’t enough for myself.

selfie love

No matter what, i keep revisiting the whole spiritual journey thing. It is all about the moment. Right now, at this very second, i am OK. I am confident and comfortable in my skin.

More importantly, i like who I am. Being a mermaid, burlesque cupcake, artiste, zebra princess and lobster queen is a tall order for anyone. Thank goodness I am tall!

The moment after the next is irrelevant to how I feel right now. I love the woman i am. In order to remain in love with me, i need to take care of myself and realize that i create my own happiness.

go girl!

How do I take care of myself? How do I show self love? I am an extroverted story teller. I have few secrets, and pieces of me are easily found in my artwork. Expressionism gives me the perfect venue to share my view of the world.

Realizing and owning my emotions is what i consider self love. Whether is am sad and crying or joyfully giggling, I accept the emotion for what it is. There is no wrong answer.

tag! your’e it.

How would you describe self love? Do you practice it regularly or at all? Please share your thoughts and stories.

hanging with friends

The other day, I was out and about visiting friends. One of these people is (fairly) newly single. He recently decided to take a year off from dating. He was married for many years and really doesn’t know what it is to be alone. Scary thought.

My other friend said we tend to get relationships backwards. How so? After growing up in a family setting, people tend to be in a rush to get in a relationship and start the cycle anew.

The problem is that we are more focused on the developing relationship than on ourselves as individuals. Eventually realizing that a relationship cannot flourish without each partner having a sense and love of self, the relationship dissolves.

deep thoughts

Crap! I haven’t been able to get this profound vision out of my head for the past 2 days now. It reminds me when Dorothy realizes she can go home from Oz anytime she chooses. Was the journey still valuable or a colossal waste of time?

Maybe the yellow brick road is more meaningful if you are OK with yourself. Rather than questioning every move and running from the threat of flying monkeys I would be more surefooted. Did I just say I? 

spiritual journey revisited

Was my own spiritual journey just a rouse to learn and accept who i am? If I am OK in the present, I am not alone. I am enough. I am in control of my version of the present.

It’s when I stress about possible futures that I lose my sense of self. When taking the time to understand the present and accept it, anxiety, fear, worry, disconcertment and any other uncomfortable emotions disappear.They are no longer part of the equation.

what about the art?

I have been told that all artists are broken or tortured. Painting is my way (spiritual stuff happening here) to translate emotion into something tangible. When I am broken, my art signifies the pain.

As a story-teller, art is another platform in which to tell a tale. People ask if my paintings are all self-portraits. I never really thought about it, but upon reflection, pieces of me are always to be found.

get to know you

How comfortable are you in your own skin? Do you know yourself or do you hide (raised hand here) in the shadows of depression or anxiety? Share your thoughts and stories.

Somehow I feel like i should be dressed all in black (not unusual for me) while sipping an almond milk latte in a hipster bar. Maybe a beret? Definitely wearing my favorite red lipstick.

time to ponder

 Everything is relative. What is considered tragedy in my life might be laughable to someone else. Also, what brings me joy (painting, dancing, mermaiding, singing) are someone else’s nightmare.

It’s my story. In the end, I am responsible and accountable for my version of everything. I can be empathetic towards others, yet I truly can’t feel their pain as they do.

nobody knows my nothing

If everything is nothing, what am i doing wasting time dwelling on the matter? It is ok to carve out my piece of happiness wherever and whenever i can. Becoming easily overwhelmed, I relinquish everything and wallow in nothing.

A good friend suggested I use the impetus of nothingness towards my painting. Welcome to my blue period. I am caught up in an exercise of utilizing only black, white, and one color (usually red, purple or blue) for accent.

By sharing my nothing through art, I let go. I begin to embrace everything through serene, somber, thoughtful subjects. I’m totally digging the blue period.

embrace nothing

It is ok to mourn. It is ok to be quiet and ponder the universe. It is also ok to break out in random song when the mood takes you. These are all part of the everything that is nothing. What is your everything? Do you find solace in art, coffee, friends, aloneness? Please share your thoughts.

]]> https://miriamgomberg.wordpress.com/2016/11/11/everything-is-nothing/feed/ 0 14962750_10209022897224213_3442088369338347220_n miriamgomberg https://miriamgomberg.wordpress.com/2016/08/05/chasing-sunset/ https://miriamgomberg.wordpress.com/2016/08/05/chasing-sunset/#respond Fri, 05 Aug 2016 07:40:54 +0000 http://miriamgomberg.wordpress.com/?p=3232 Read more chasing sunset]]> I love a colorful sunset. Lately there have been wildfires all over California and Nevada, which gives the air a smoky haze. Along with the gunk, comes some spectacular sunsets. While in the midst …

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