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"The whole essence of Zen consists in walking along the razor's edge of Now - to be so utterly, so completely present that no problem, no suffering, nothing that is not who you are in your essence, can survive in you. In the Now, in the absence of time, all your problems dissolve. Suffering needs time; it cannot survive in the Now," states author Eckhart Tolle author of "The Power of Now."

I know for a fact that Eckhart's statement is true. Living 100% in the present moment should be easy, right? His whole book basically states how most of us live in the past or the future instead of the present. Why is living in the present so powerful? Because - as you look around you right now - everything is fine. You haven't projected your thoughts somewhere in the past or the future.

Any type of creative person - because they are creating something individual - and putting it "out there" for criticism - is subject to projection. As creatives, there is no separation of who we are and what we create - because we are what we create. In the creative's case, there is no subterfuge! What you see is what you get! The creative wears their feelings on their sleeves - because there basically is no "protection" between what we say we are and what we are! If you're a writer, if I read your book, I know what you're all about. The same is true for an artist, musician - or any creative. It's all "out there" to be judged.

I think that's why so many of my personal creative friends find it "difficult" to paint on site. I used to regularly paint on Sundays at the Grand Bohemian Hotel's art gallery in downtown Orlando. It was great fun to paint in the gallery space and have a chance to interact with all the visitors. One word of caution here, it is NOT for the faint of heart! Anyone can say anything - as they can when you hang your cherished artwork on any exhibit space. The difference here is I'm right there listening to it. I'm not removed from the comments. There is no where for me to go to distance myself from a comment that I might perceive to be disturbing.

The one really good thing (MANY great things came from this experience) that I learned is - people will say whatever pops into their head. They are coming from another place - someplace far, far away and me and my painting are a new experience for them, as they are to me.

I learned to embrace whatever they said as part of the experience. Many, many times their comments forced me to examine my own thoughts.

One time a little girl, all dressed up in her Sunday best came into the gallery with her parents. I was painting one of my landscapes. I'm guessing she was about 11 years old at the time. Her parents approached me and told me their daughter LOVED to draw! So, I picked up one of my brushes and gave it to her and told her what to do on the painting. The parents stepped back and said, Oh, are you sure you want to do that?" I said, "Absolutely!" So she painted the area, with such care and trepidation, and did a great job! I told her to stand back and take a look and she was amazed! It disappeared seamlessly into the painting! It was THE best experience for both of us!

We both were caught up in the amazing NOW where miracles happen. I left her brush strokes untouched in the painting and the painting was infused with her energy and painting style. She left filled with the potential of the creative spirit.

It all happened in the one place that it CAN happen - in the present moment. So, EMBRACE the present moment - no matter how scary it seems to be - you can face anything in the Now.

I love this quote by Bert Dodson, "Creativity occurs in action: it is not a trait; it is something you do."

This is so meaningful to me - because "getting out and sketching" is creativity in action. I think my "real" creative thoughts - ALL happen - outside my "studio." I'll see something, hear something - outside of my studio - and I'm really motivated to capture - and share that image. Now, the challenge is - I'll have this great idea - in my head - of what I think something will look like when it's completed. MY frustration comes - when my painted image doesn't match what I've conjured up in my head! Believe me, that can be very frustrating. But, I've found, as Bert states, that creativity does in fact occur with action, if I get back outside and start focusing on something else, the "solution" usually - but not always comes to me.

I was amazed recently at the disclosure Woody Allen made in a recent documentary. First, I didn't know he got started as a writer. Second, he keeps all his ideas that he's created on bits and pieces of paper in a drawer by his bed. Allen said, "I pull out all these pieces of paper and start going through them. No. This idea won't work. This is a maybe. This one is about a magician that was given another magician's trade secrets and what happens to him after that...." It was exactly like me! I have bits and pieces of envelopes, napkins, the back of business cards strewn all over the house with ideas and images scribbled on them.

I still have this stack of unfinished pieces. They just didn't quite come together. I've found that some of these, when I come back weeks, sometimes months (or even years) later can be revived. Time has a way of doing that.

Also, I've created binders of inspiring images and ideas I've had that I browse through when I hit a dead end. Having all these inspiring images and ideas at my fingertips does help - but hands down - the very best thing to do - if I hit a roadblock - is to get outside and do something.

There is so much being written about the power of "Flow," that heightened, focused mental state that everyone strives to achieve - it seems to me it's made that state seem - well somewhat unobtainable - or elusive! The Hungarian psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmlhayl brought the power of flow to the mainstream with his book "Flow." He described the state of flow and - basically how to "achieve" that state. I'm more of a "just give me the bottom line" type of person, so I want to make it clear - to me - in my own experience - flow is available - at all times - and is hardly elusive!

What's the secret? Actively engaging in an activity you are passionate about. Do you love to ride your bike like I do? I feel exhilarated when I'm riding my bike. I'm focused on everything around me, but still riding fast enough to get plenty of exercise. If I pass something that suddenly jumps out at me, I just turn around. I can't tell you how many times I've seem something - the light shining on a tree - a shadow making a particular pattern that catches my eye - and turned my bike around and stopped in my tracks!

When I'm painting, the minute I pick up the pencil, brush or whatever - I go into that state of flow. To me that state is focusing on what I'm painting 100%. I'm listening to music which helps me sustain that state. I'm not a fanatic about being interrupted, as I can paint anywhere on site and carry on a conversation with anyone at anytime during my painting process and immediately return to my previous "flow," state. So, I guess, in some ways, I'm somewhat of a hybrid. Many (not all) of my artist friends are the happiest sequestered in their studios with no - or little contact with the outside world during their creative process.

When, in 2001, I saw Baz Luhrmann's (He's an Australian film director) "Moulin Rouge!," I was so blown away I spent 2 weeks in "Moulin Rouge!" la-la land. Yep. I went off the deep end and painted in a frenzy for 2 weeks straight. I had purchased the sound track, so I spent those 2 weeks in a state of heightened awareness painting my version of "Moulin Rouge!"

The one thing I can say is, once I get bitten by the "frenzy" bug, I pretty much have to play it out! I definitely would call that state of awareness, "flow." Everything else disappears. My whole focus is on my painting and trying to re-create the image in my head onto a flat one-dimensional surface! NOT EASY! In my head - I can see it clearly - in all dimensions - it's right there - within reach! Being in the state of flow - for me - is trying to capture that feeling and image and transfer all that energy to the canvas, paper, or whatever. Being in the state of flow basically is being involved 100% in something that takes 100% of your focus!

What inspires you? Where does your inspiration come from? How do you come up with ideas to paint? Ask any artist, and 100% of them will tell you they have been asked these questions - over and over! These are great questions, and for me, fairly easy to answer. What inspires me? Anything! That's what's so amazing about being an artist, inspiration comes from ANYWHERE! I've found the most mundane, unassuming subject-matter is sometimes the very best - and found in the most unusual place - my own backyard! For instance, one day, I was getting ready for my bike/sketch ride, I walked out the door, and voila - I see this amazing - I mean really amazing blossom on this tree I planted. A friend gave me the tree, so I have no idea what kind of a tree it is, or even that it flowered! It proved to be an amazing painting! I painted the roof line of the house and the blossom of the tree. What could be more simple than that? Music also inspires me. I'll be driving down the road, listening to music in my car and suddenly a song will come on and my mind starts seeing images. It's something that's automatic. The challenge is - while driving - to capture that feeling - and remember those images - and still drive the car! Sometimes, when I get to a stop light - I'll grab a piece of paper and start sketching and write down the name of the song. Other times I just try to keep the images in my mind until I get to where I'm going. Music totally transports me to another plane of existence! I created a whole series I call, "Music for Your Eyes," based on my "music" visions! Now, every once in a while, when I've totally exhausted every idea in my brain, the creative well - so to speak - runs dry. THE ONE BOOK that totally changed my life regarding inspiration was Julia Cameron's book, "The Artist's Way." She started working with "blocked" musicians and branched out to include any creative or any one wanting to be more creative. Her advice for a "blocked" creative - get out! Get outside - take an "artist's date," a date with yourself or with someone else - outside your studio (house or whatever) and into another setting. Apparently, we can actually dry up the creative well, and need to replenish the water. So, go anywhere different - to a museum - for a cup of coffee - a bicycle ride - just anywhere different than where you usually go! I found this works 100%. I also found my "new" creative ideas need a bit of time to percolate - so be prepared that your new creative ideas may/may not be instantaneous! So, hopefully this book and maybe these insights will help YOU to be and continue to be more creative. The "artist date," works for any kind of creative dilemma - whether it be a solution to a math problem or the next thing you paint, or the next line you write in your book, or the next song you create!
#backyardart #art #arte #bike #bikelife #arte #floridaartist #juliacameron

I've mentioned many times that "roosters rule the roost," in downtown Oviedo, FL - and this is further proof! I decided to stop for a cup of coffee on my bike ride today at the Town House Restaurant. I walk up to the front door and there is a rooster sitting on the windowsill greeting me as I walk in the front door! It really is funny! He was the official greeter! According to one of my Instagram followers, "roosters rule!" Too funny!

#backyardart #floridaartist #bike #bikelife #backyard #art #arte #landscape #Ovideo #Florida #artblogger #artist #photography #colorful #explore

We are lucky to be living in Florida, where these gorgeous sand cranes walk leisurely around the neighborhood pecking about in the lawns looking for bugs! Sometimes, I hear this - well, prehistoric squawk - coming from these cranes as they're flying overhead - I guess squawking directions to each other, "No, I said left, Niles, not right! Your other left, please!"

These cranes are very slow, unfortunately, and they cross all roads slowly with complete abandon - throwing caution to the wind, so unfortunately many of them don't live too long, becoming road kill fatalities. But, for those quiet moments, as I'm working in the garden in my front yard, and look up and there they are! These incredible tall and beautiful sand cranes coming up to say "hi" to me!

Now I know, for most (well, let's be completely honest here - ALL) of you - you can tell the difference between a nice cup of hot peach tea and a dirty brush water bucket. Right?? Well, in the heat of the moment - or painting - I've cleaned my dirty brush in my tea cup - not the dirty water bucket. Right side of easel - dirty water bucket - left side - nice hot cup of peach green tea. Silly, you say? Absolutely! So - just move the tea cup (or the dirty brush water bucket) for heaven's sake!! Yes, I've moved the tea cup (I don't want to move the dirty brush water bucket - it's too convenient) so I move my tea cup - then the tea cup is out-of-sight, then it gets cold - then I lose interest.

Today, I couldn't find my favorite Gabriel angel tea cup! Can't you have a cup of tea in another cup? The answer is "no," I don't want t! It's my favorite cup! I look for it, then find it, only to discover I had forgotten to take the tea bag out, and now, the remaining tea bag is covered in mold. I didn't know tea bags could attract mold - but now I do! Completely disgusting!! So, I wash out my cup - this disgusting moldy smell wafting about - yuck - and start all over again with a fresh cup of hot tea. Anyway, I'm happy as a clam again and can get back to work. (PUHLEASE - I'm begging you - get back to work and stop boring us with your tea cup vs. the dirty brush water bucket minutia!!!!!)

One of my favorite places to ride my bike is Central Winds Park in Winter Springs, FL. It's a beautiful park and part of it sits on top of a hill, while other parts slope off toward HUGE Lake Jessup. Lake Jessup, because it's such a big lake, (our 417 Expressway cuts right through the middle of it) park rangers and others who capture errant alligators release them back into the lake, because of its size. Unfortunately, some of the alligators escape the lake! One day, while riding my bike on the road by residential houses fronting the lake, I saw a police car on the far side of the street. His car had cornered - I'm guessing what had to be about a 6-7 foot alligator - against the back of a residential fence. Kids walk that way to school in the morning, and I'm sure he was waiting for someone to capture the alligator and release him back into the lake. (I just heard on the news recently about a policeman and an alligator in a similar situation - he (the policeman) had alligator "capture & release experience" - so he captured the alligator - put the alligator in the back of his police car - and released him! Amazing!) This day in the park was another perfect day. The sun was so bright is blurs all the other colors! The birds were chirping away, especially the osprey! The park has created osprey nests on top of some of the light fixtures that keep the park playing fields ablaze at night. I always call the nests "the penthouse suites," because how many birds have supporting structures for their nests already built in? As I'm flying (well riding my bike fast) down the hill, I'll see happy osprey struggling as they're flying to hang onto wriggling fish on their way back to the nest. Occasionally, an osprey gets a fish a bit bigger than his wings and drops it somewhere on the road. I've seen them trying to sustain their height while their prey struggle to for freedom. I'd say the osprey have it pretty good in the park - luxury accommodations - a penthouse view - what more can you ask for? It's another beautiful day in the neighborhood! I created this piece on watercolor paper from acrylics, watercolors, and oil pastels.
#backyardart #biking #backyard #bikelife #art #bike #Oviedo #Florida #centralwindspark #floridaartist

I keep talking about all the roosters wandering about in downtown Oviedo, FL so it's high time I showed you some of them. They are really funny! Of course, the funniest thing is the fact that the roosters have the entire downtown area to themselves. Yep! If you go into the post office, they are wandering around the parking lot. ACE Hardware is one of their favorite hang-outs. They hang out in front of the store and really like the stacks of potting soil or anything that gives them a little height. Speaking of height, I was really surprised one day when I rode into the downtown area and heard the roosters, but couldn't see them until I got closer and realized they were in a tree! I had no idea that roosters liked trees, but they do. They can fly short distances and apparently fly into smaller trees. I'm a city girl, so this is all news to me! They really - for whatever reason - like the Mobil gas station across the street from ACE Hardware. They seem to hang out there a lot! The funny thing is, anyone driving into the downtown area seemingly knows that the whole area is inhabited by wandering roosters and look out for them so they don't get run over! People and cars are swaying this-way-and-that to avoid hitting the roosters. In the case of downtown Oviedo, FL roosters definitely rule the roost!
#Oviedo #Florida #roosters #backyardart #art #floridaartist #bike #bikelife #backyard

It's another beautiful day in the neighborhood! This time I'm on my bike, on my way to my next adventure, and I see a Panera! It's time for a break, so I put my bike into the bike stand, get a cup of coffee, sit outside and see this incredible view! If you're an artist, everything becomes art - even an umbrella and an awning! Have a wonderful art day!