The Painter's Keys

I love to share with you, the letters' from The Painters' Keys, when I find them interesting & inspiring~

The home remedy

March 24, 2006

Dear Izabella,

On Thursday afternoon Joe Blodgett and I were at the bird sanctuary, chasing rainbows, walking Caravaggio and Dorothy. We were talking about Dr. Oliver Sacks--the widely published neurologist who has something to say about everything from Alzheimer's to Zoroastrianism. Readers may remember his observations of the calming and animating effects of art exhibitions on mentally disturbed patients.

Joe knows my interest in the neurology of art. He told me that while Dr. Sacks blurred science and art, he thought that his studies of isolated peoples had shed light on the actions of the creative mind. Current Art Therapy practice has certainly been affected by his writings--and his ideas have implications for active artists. Joe said that there was stuff going on around our studios that could be just what the doctor ordered. We came up with a few:

Focusing the mind on a higher purpose.
Exercising skills for sensitivity and understanding.
Employing idiosyncrasies and weaknesses for enrichment.
Blurring the area between reality and imagination.
Enduring monotony as the keys to freedom and action.
Yielding to and articulating the condition of isolation.
Making a contribution to the greater community.
Satisfying the inborn need for creation itself.
Attaching oneself to the miracles of nature.
Building of self-esteem by consecutive jobs well done.
Exploiting the richness of the childlike dreaming world.
Activating the mind to delay potential dementia.
Exercising the body through thought-gathering travel.
Making and sustaining friendships with interesting people.
Exercising the brain with bicameral interaction.
Building purpose-filled activity for joy of achievement.
Enhancing life through praise and appreciation.
Feeling of well-being derived from taking control.
Pacing work periods to suit individual capacity.
Seeking perfection in an imperfect world.

When we came to the place where the squirrels are, we let the dogs run. It was an imperfect pursuit. We still had more studio Sacksisms--all beginning with "ing" words. You'll notice that I didn't mention the feeling of well-being that one gets from a decent bank balance--the natural outcome of persistent labour. Joe mentioned that. Sacks never did. The squirrels won.

Best regards,

Robert

PS: "For the past century, clinical neurology has looked at illnesses, diseases, damages, abnormalities and the lower parts of the nervous system. It is only just now beginning to address itself to questions of sensibility, talent, skill, imagination, dreaming and consciousness." (Dr. Oliver Sacks) Esoterica: When artists enter their studios and begin to work, they intuitively know that there is something deeper going on--perhaps some sort of collective consciousness. We submit to this mystery and the timelessness of our craft. For some of us this understanding is the key to our feelings of well-being. By implication, it may be the well-being of our planet. "Creativity involves the depth of a mind, and many, many depths of unconsciousness." (Dr. Oliver Sacks)

http://www.painterskeys.com/

ebay auction ~ 4 X 4 Artist Collaboration ~ Proceeds to Rupert's Kid's

I am so excited to announce this auction!!

Hosted by my friend Jewels who is originator of Altered Art Obsession (yahoo group) & Rita (discodog ebay) has put this auction together...an artist collaboration, this time I am in it!!! and I also suggested to donate to Ruperts Kids & they did!!!

Remember Rupert from the tv show Survivor?! He such an amazing person & is so dedicated to helping these kids, I hope the auction goes well !!

here is some info Rita wrote for the auction, the link to this ebay auction is at the bottom

xo ~Bella

p.s. this is my contribution of art (2 sided) along with 16 other artists~



Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2006
From: "Rita"
Subject: AAO COMM: another charity auction up for bid!!The breathtaking open-theme chunky book is now up for bid on ebay!

This time the proceeds will benefit Rupert's Kids-http://rupertskids.com

Rupert's Kids, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to changing lives by empowering youth to discover their inner strengths, realize their own self worth and their value to society.

Rupert's Kids facilitates this process by providing mentoring and educational programming to youth through the rehabilitation of housing for low-income families. Through Rupert's Kids, we can realize the potential in every young person by building upon the Rupert Philosophy of Life: Life is Good. Be You. Give Back.

Their mission statement is: To empower youth to discover their inner strengths, realize their own self worth and their value to society.

Their goals are: Provide mentoring and educational programming to youth.Develop housing options for low-income families.Foster community partnership, which serve youth and families.Facilitate delivery of financial assistance and/or services to youth, low-income and homeless families in the areas of education, vocational training and job placement.Develop committed volunteers and donors to provide resources of time, money and property.

Just think- you can donate to this worth cause and end up with a gorgeous unique chunky book all at the same time!! :) This book contains artwork from 16 artists who chose to follow their individual muses for a completely unique and wonderful creation. Just check out the auction for some sample photos! Thank you!! Rita B

Here is the link to the ebay auction http://tinyurl.com/lxv4c

~His Muse Art Card Project~

Art Card created for His Muse ebay group~
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart" Proverbs 3:5

www.velvet-and-rust.com

2006 Artist's Choice Awards~

Wow! I can't believe this! I have been nominated & am a finalist in 2 categories...

~Best Craftsmanship
~Inspirational (small format)

I am stunned that people have recognized my art & to be nominated by other well known ebay artists' is so inspiring!

I'm sure I won't win in any of the catagories, because the other finalists are phenominal, but I am so honored to even have my name mentioned, it is beyond words....thank you for voting for me :)

March 18, 2006

11,284 visitors!

Who are all you people?!

I wonder sometimes, how accurate this counter is~

11,284 visitors to my lil' ol' site, that amazes me! xoxo

So pretty~

New art card "prints" for sale in my ebay store....
www.velvet-rooms.com

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."

~Picasso

hmmmmmm......

This note sent to me today, is rather confusing......is it, a nice note or a mean note.....a good note or bad note...uplifting or condiscending?! Notes like this, make me want to go hide away~


comments: Thank you for the eye candy! Your atcs are outstanding. But shame on you, it's unethical to sell them! I hope this isn't the start of a trend...regards M


To check out some history on art cards
www.art-cards.org

Sweet & innocent~

Le Fabuleux destin d' Amelie Poulain~

I watched Amelie last night....had to share! What a grand movie, I didn't want it to end~

Impish Amelie (Audrey Tautou) lives alone and works in a cafe. When she finds a trove of toys hidden for 40 years behind a baseboard in her apartment, she's inspired to repatriate the items, an impulse of generousity that sparks more benevolent acts. A celebration of life, Amelie reminds us, of the small wonders that abound around us...if only we paused to look.

It is a french film, with subtitles. I also loved the music by Guy Klucevsek, it was perfect for this movie! Here is a link to the trailer, photos & bio of Audrey....now go get the movie!!

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/amelie/photos.php

Ways To Reduce Stress~

WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about
what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in
vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over
Time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern,
Find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If
You can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your
quallity of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small
Problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try
And pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is
Often a good "Thank you Jesus."

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for
That you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING
THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
(Romans 8:31

OH MY GOODNESS... JoAnnA!!! (mosshillstudio.com)

Oh my...I went to go check out the art for the ZNE Theme Week & JoAnnA (mosshillstudio ebay id) created the most beautiful soldered crown, all hand made, and dedicated it, to me!!! I am in tears! It is gorgeous! This is what SHE wrote in her ebay listing...


about this piece:

In honor of "Bella" eBay user name: izabellaalteredarts, I dedicate this here crown to her.

She picked our theme this month for ZNE contest. She is a spectacular artist, always sends me into awe, so I created this piece by soldering together some found objects and them embellishing them with vintage rhinestones and jewels. This is a petite crown, measuring approx. 12.5" in circumference. Highest point measures 2.5" and approx. 4" across.

A delightful piece to sit on a shelf...crown thy self "Queen".
I have also used Lumiere Bronze( a copper look) paint to finish her up, ready for you, the Queen!!!!
Pictures just do not do this justice. If disappointed, I would gladly refund!!!


You can check out JoAnnA's website, you'll be happy you did! She is amazing! www.mosshillstudio.com Or to see this crown, type in ZNE Theme Week in ebay search bar.

Funny what she wrote about me...because I feel the same about her, I am ab~soul~utely in love with her work, she in beyond amazing, my heart flutters a lil faster every time I see her art~

P.S. the cute model is not included in the auction ;)

ZNE THEME WEEK ~ CROWNS

ZNE Theme week is crowns! Since I happened to win the last contest, I was able to choose the upcoming theme...I chose crowns~

For my art piece I started with a 4 X 4 canvas, plastered it with crackle paste, stained it with acrylics & walnut ink. Handmade painted & crackled clay doll face, adorned with her lovely jeweled crown & copper colored fibers. Butterfly wings, and brown velvet trim with jeweled piece at the bottom of canvas.

This was fun to create, as I have been in an uncreative mood these days, so this was inspiring for me~

There is quite a few entries already. The artist who has the most bids, wins~ to see more crowns, type in ZNE Theme Week in the ebay search bar.

To check out this crown & other goodies, here is a link to my ebay store...Thanks for looking! http://www.velvet-rooms.com

Sunday March 5, 2006