Monday Inspiration

Today's inspiration is....SPRING!!!! 

Even though it's not officially spring yet, I could feel it in the air today.  It was such a gorgeous day that it made me feel happy, light, kind of like this...

Did you feel it too?  All giddy and bouncy?  Did you get outside and soak it up?  I hope so. 

I was walking in downtown Pleasant Hill when a light breeze kicked in and blew hundreds of blossoms around me.  It was one of those picture perfect moments when everything just felt right.  Hmm, this reminds me of a favorite song and gives me an idea for a painting...

After this blissful moment I went to fetch my dog for a walk.  She is living with my niece and her family because we are living with my brother (who already has two cats).  This brings me to a reality about my life that I haven't exactly broadcast.  We're living with my brother because we don't have jobs and are on welfare.  There. I said it.  I'm trying to be more transparent and bring people into my process as an artist, and my financial situation is a BIG part of my artistic journey right now.

You know, I'm actually not that down about it.  After we lost the house and divested ourselves of half of our earthly belongings, I honestly felt...relief.  Debt and junk can really way you down in a way that you become numb to until it's gone and you feel like you're an inch off the ground, buoyant.  Am I making sense?  

Anyways, blah blah blah, I hope I'm not rambling.  One of the cool things about  "losing it all" (I haven't really) and "hitting rock bottom" (I've really had it harder than this) is there's nowhere to go but up (I'm hoping).  You kind of get to scrap it all and start all over.  It's actually kind of exciting.  I always said I wanted to be a starving artist and well...I DID IT!!  Hurray for me! (note sarcasm please)

I guess it helps that I'm one of those people that believes that everything happens for a reason, whether immediately tangible or not.  And that, I'll be ok and even beyond that, this could do me some good - if I let it.  My dad says, "What doesn't kill you makes you fat."  Ha!  He makes me laugh.  There's another gift...humor.  Very thankful for the ability to laugh in the face of adversity.

So, in light of these facts which I have divulged to you, you can see perhaps a bit more of the importance that I succeed (whatever that means) in this pursuit of mine to take my art thing to the "next level".  There's definitely some angst there. 

So now you know.  And if you haven't already, I hope you go outside, laugh at your troubles, count your blessings, and do a snoopy dance. 

Peace out.