Tag!

I have been tagged by Thelma to do upload the 4th photo in the 4th folder on my computer! The piece is called, "Enjoy the Little Things."

"Enjoy the Little Things"
To me, being happy is situational but joy is about taking delight in the little things in life and being content with taking glory in them... things like colorful pinwheels, ice cream, blowing bubbles, or a cup tea with good friends. Thanks, Thelma!

I tag the following 4 people:
1. Sophie Appleby
2.Lisa Lectura
3.Black Rose
4.Linda Cardina

And please visit these beautiful blogs, and thank you for stopping by!

Finally!

"Peace in the heart is divinely sweet"
A mixed media on canvas paper:
9" x 12"
When you do things from your soul you feel a river moving in you, a joy. --Rumi
I am not a great writer, though I wish I was! For me, painting is a very tender process that produces an unbelievable feeling. It's like escaping to a wonderful place in your imagination that you hardly can find in the real world. For me it's a process, always it starts with a vague image in my head, and then through stages, it develops itself. Sometimes it's hard to explain; painting from the images of what I see in my head helps me to connect with what I am doing. Every color and every brush stroke help me to bring the mental image to life. I would never know for sure how long or how much work it may involve, but all I know is that it'll let me know when to stop. It feels like she(the painting) is communicating too, in her own way. After all, "we" spend some time together and, of course, I cherish every second of the process. I hope you love the result as much as I do! :) ♥

Remembering San Francisco...

Driving to the airport with a cup of hot tea, that I was hoping to sip on my way to airport (I always have a cup of afternoon tea). I can't even begin to explain how excited I was just thinking about seeing my best friend, after few years, in the Denver airport. Why in Denver airport? *smiling* Well, she was on her way back home to San Francisco, after a business trip, and her connecting flight was in Denver... and so was mine. :) I actually requested the same, exact flight from Denver to San Francisco, just so I could surprise her. Just thinking about the moment we would meet made me smile...

When I was about to board the plane to Denver, I was so mentally captured by trying to visualize her; had she changed at all? It had been, after all, a few years since I had seen her. Trying to picture her was like a game, and there were so many thoughts going through my head... though mostly good ones, as I didn't want to think of any sad thoughts. Before I knew it, I was sitting by a window and looking outside... perhaps many miles above the ground, still deeply involved with my thoughts, until a voice interrupted, repeating, "Excuse me, do you have a piece of gum?"

I looked at the person who was asking, and saw a man in his thirties, sitting next to me... it's funny that I hardly noticed him before. I gave him a piece of gum, and I guess that was a form of permission for him to start a conversation, eventually questioning the purpose of my trip. At first I felt like it was an invasion to my thoughts, but soon, I was drawn into the conversation and before I knew it, I was in Denver, at the gate of my friend and I's flight... hiding behind a column, waiting for her. :)

I think everyone could tell, just by the look on my face, that something wonderful was about to happen. I was all eyes, eagerly and anxiously looking, waiting, until I could finally see her. And when I saw her, a very pure and innocent happiness suddenly captured me all over, like I couldn't fit in my own skin. She was a few steps away from the gate, but I couldn't wait any longer... and as I approached her, she saw me, and both of us were in tears.

At the end of it all, we had a wonderful time in our next flight together, and in San Francisco with her and her family. Love you Fatima!

2009

It's 2009! I can hardly believe we are approaching 2010 so soon! This year I decided not to have any resolutions, but just to be the best of myself. Hopefully that will guide me to make good choices throughout the year. :) I am not such a computer freak, but I spend some time looking, reading, searching and shopping online. I have made a decision a few months ago to use blogging to post my artwork. I am doing this for me, because as an "artist," I need to be friends with the world... but with no expectation of who might see or read my blog.

Since I can remember, I've been creating things and making paintings, which explains why I chose art as my career and major in school. But I can't say if I made it, in the sense that I can live and support myself on that, because I haven't... and I think I know why (or at least I think I do!). Just to name one or two reasons: I've been very involved in lot of other things that never left enough time and energy for the perseverance to pursue my dream job... and that's to create paintings. I think it's time to actually make the time. I can't explain how excited I get after any inspiring moment; how I like to sketch or write about my idea for next painting. I have this small sketch-pad that I carry with me to almost everywhere. Hopefully as I continue to update my new blog, I will post and write about some of my artwork. :)

My artist statement

They say there is a window that opens from heart to heart;
If there are no walls, there is no need for any window.
-- Rumi

I want to sing like the birds sing,
Not worrying about who hears or what they think.
-- Rumi

In one word, I am a "dreamer," but for those who would like to know more, I have been a freelance artist since 1999, after graduating with a Masters degree in Art. While it's my second job, art has always been a big part of my life in one way or another... I simply love to create with my hands, through my mind. When I paint, I am mindless and lost in the process, yet conscious and connected. ... Did I mention that I am a dreamer? A dreamer wanting a heart as big as the ocean, just to love.

Relationship is the most important aspect of my work; the coexistence of my dreams and realities easily appears in my paintings through different forms and feelings. To me, being happy is situational but joy is about taking delight in the little things in life and being content with taking glory in them. Last but not least, poems greatly impact my thinking process, as I see it as another way of painting... only through words. ... Did I mention that I am a dreamer?

I am so happy, I cannot be contained in the world;
But like a spirit, I am hidden from the eyes of the world.
-- Rumi

Unexpected Treasure

I already wrote about this in my journal, but I like to include it in my blog too. I had a very memorable trip to Santa Fe back in August. I was so surprised and amazed with the weather in that part of the Southwest region; I think my neck got sore because I was constantly looking up at the beautiful sky. It was, sincerely, the most gorgeous blue sky I have ever seen, with an unbelievable amount of white clouds that were scattered throughout. It was as if it was hosting some sort of cotton candy festival, featuring fluffy, thick puffs and wisps of clouds; I couldn't resist looking and taking so many pictures. It was a moment more than any other time that I felt the presence of a creator, while I was a little admirer, lost in the abundance of so much beauty.

My other very neat experience was visiting Canyon Road, a famous art district, or rather a community of many art galleries, which are like candy stores for artists and art lovers. :) I absolutely loved this road, uphill with bends throughout. There were so many fresh flowers, hanging over aged walls or planted in pots all over. The weather couldn't have been better; it was so pleasant and nice that I had to remind myself where I was. The air was fresh, almost divine, and I couldn't breathe in deeper. I had a wonderful time.


I should mention the highlight of my visit to Canyon Road was discovering an exquisite and charming gallery, owned by a beautiful person and artist named Heidi Kujat. At first I was drawn by the location, sitting a little back from the road, with welcoming signs featuring crimson and gold hearts. As soon as I entered, I was greeted by Heidi, who didn't introduce herself as the artist and gallery owner.

As we start to talk about the pieces in the gallery - beautiful sculptures of tree goddesses and angels - I thought that she had to be the creator of those incredibly pieces. And my intuition was right: she was, indeed, the person who created those beauties. Her goddesses were amazing, and I couldn't pick a favorite... except I did eventually. :) My family and I spent a great deal of time in her gallery, talking with her, and making sure to look at each piece. Her gallery, to me, was about feeling and inspirations; every piece had a tale to tell. The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and moving place. And I met someone who thought like me, and with whom I felt connected, remembering we humans are indeed like tapestries... with all the similarities we share inside, with our own unique threads.


My stay in Santa Fe was very short, about 3 - 4 days, but I brought back with me an experience and mental image that I'll never forget. I have traveled so many places and I do of course have favorites, but to me, Santa Fe was a truly unexpected treasure.