Mandala and Intention

Maṇḍala (मण्डल) is a Sanskrit word that means "circle". In the Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions their sacred art often takes a mandala form.   I did a Mandala workshop a few months ago with a teacher at Yoga Inlet in West Reading, her name is Jody Ermold,  and it was a really wonderful experience.  The purpose is to set an intention, and then watch what flows onto the canvas.  I had not intended to use any of the colors in the above Mandala, the colors chose me more than I chose them.  The intention that I set was I AM ENOUGH.  I DO ENOUGH.  I specifically was thinking about all of the people in my life that I know, and thinking about what I give or wish I could give, but at this time in my life know that I am doing all that I can.  IT IS ENOUGH.  You are enough, you do enough, you give enough.  When I look at my beautiful first Mandala, I remember this intention and  know that I am doing the best that I can.

I was at GoggleWorks today doing work in the cafe, and a few other artists were there, lamenting the fact that GoggleWorks is a gem in this area, but how do we get the public to come see us? Please check out our website:  http://www.goggleworks.org/

The two artists I was speaking to, Jessie and Wilfred, are on the second floor and are wildly talented.  Here is a mask they recently made that took them 53 hours!  They are cousins, named Wilfer Buitrago Bugo & Disey Zemog, in studio 213 at GoggleWorks.  They are trying so hard to create community and make things interesting in the art world.  If you want to see some "art in action", stop by GoggleWorks on a Wednesday around 1pm and go to the cafe area.  Wilfer and Disey are encouraging artists to all convene and do work together in the cafe, public art, cool to watch, ask questions, see local talented people DOING THEIR THING.

95% of the people I know live mere miles from Goggle and have yet to visit.  Please come, meet us, see what we are doing, think of our cafe next time you want lunch, our gift shop next time you need a cool handmade gift or card; our movie theater next time you want to see a non-mainstream film  http://www.goggleworks.org/film-theatre/, and our artists next time you want a gift that WAS NOT MADE IN CHINA!!!  

Finding that peaceful place...

I was just talking to a friend about the "monkey chatter" that can over take our brain, often negative in nature. Telling her that when it starts, get a mental image of a big red STOP SIGN, and turn that negative chatter into a positive thought. Start to list what is good in your life, instead of listing the negative. I sometimes picture the above church when I want a tranquil image, even though I was never inside of it, just the photo itself makes me feel peaceful.

My dog quietly sleeps next to me, his little snub nose tucked between his paws. My healthy children are playing with my husband, after a fabulous Sunday lunch all together. I saw so many friends Friday night at my studio, one even drove an hour with his daughter just for a 2 hour visit, to see me and my space at GoggleWorks. Outside my daffodils are still standing despite being snow covered on Friday morning when I awoke. I know so many smart, creative and interesting people at this point in my life. I have a supportive and loving family. My in-laws are soon coming from France to visit us for nearly 3 weeks. So much to be happy about!

So, make your happy list, too. Nip that monkey chatter in the bud with a stop sign image, or whatever thought it is that makes you happy. Realize that whatever it is that bothers you right this second will soon be a distant memory, as we sail through life. I will leave you with a favorite little poem of mine, by German poet Goethe:

Do you wish to roam farther and farther?

See the good that lies so near.

Just learn how to capture your luck,

for your luck is always there.

I have not written anything since last November, where does time go? Already February, a windy and wild day, snow has melted and I see some bulbs peeking up through the ground.

I have been at the Goggleworks with my studio for 6 months already! It is so wonderful to be making time on a regular basis for my art. Here are 2 small collages that I did, happy little pieces that actually look really great hanging together.

Don't forget that the second Sunday of each month is an open house at Goggleworks, so much to see and do... check it out!

www.goggleworks.org/

I confess, I am having a love affair. His name is DANSKO and he is...a shoe. I first heard about Dansko shoes at least 15 years ago, and have gone through many pairs since. They are literally more comfortable than sneakers to me, and even though some people think clogs make me look like I am going to go and milk the cows, I don't care. I wear them to teach, to walk, to do art, to do everything. I have had black, purple, leopard print, pink, turquoise, but my true love is RED. I have clogs, sandals, boots, many different styles...but the red clogs are my true love. I recently took this photo at the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, and it was made into the piece of art that I will also post here. This piece is about to be shown in Wyomissing, PA, at a show revolving around "SHOES", and it was fun for me to do...to finally do some art showing my TRUE LOVE ALWAYS for Dansko shoes. They have an outlet where they are 50% off in Southern Chester County, and each time I go, I have to control myself by only getting one or two pairs, when there are always 10 that I want. Try them, you'll love them...

Goggleworks

I can't believe that I am fortunate enough to have a studio at the Goggleworks. I don't remember exactly the first time I walked through the halls of this amazing place, it was over 2 years ago. I was in awe that Reading Pennsylvania had something as vibrant and alive, as creative and amazing as what Goggleworks is. Artists, galleries, movie theater, cafe, gift shop, art partners (dance, choral, Berks Living Magazine)...there is so much going on in this old safety goggle factory. It was renovated 5 years ago, and I wish that everyone would take time to wander around Gogglworks and see what is there.

http://www.goggleworks.org/ Please take a moment to check out this cool place!

Serendipity and Teaching

(These photos are of my fabulous group of students from Harrisburg, whom I have the privilege of teaching 2 more classes to soon...)

Someone recently asked me how I started teaching, and it really was one of the most serendipitous moments in my entire adult life.

I moved to Shillington, Pennsylvania in July of 2007, and during the summer of 2008 was walking my dog with my lovely neighbor Sharon. Sharon has lived here since the neighborhood was built 20 plus years ago, and knows many people. As we were looping around, she introduced me to Dr. Jerry Lee, who is a neighbor, and full time Psychology Professor at Albright College. I mentioned to him that I wanted to go back to work doing something in my field (social work, case management, therapy...I was not sure), and he said he had a list of agencies in the area that he would drop off to me.

Weeks later he knocked on my door with the list. He then asked me a question "have you ever thought of teaching?" I think I responded by saying something like "teaching who, what???" I had led group therapies, taught English in France, taught French in my kids' school...but I was not a TEACHER per say, I was more of a clinician. He asked me to send him my resume, and I did.

I got a call later from Dr. Andra Basu, who is in charge of all of the adjunct psychology professors in an accelerated degree program that Albright has, and Dr. Lee was the person who started the program over a decade ago. Classes are held at night, so that working people can finish their 4 year degree in a non-traditional setting. It is a great program, check it out.

http://www.albright.edu/accelerated/


I never had an interview. I was offered "Abnormal Psychology" as my first class to teach in early 2009, went to a day long orientation, and before I knew it, I was standing in front of my first group of students. I was scared, excited, and thrilled...and it just felt RIGHT. All of my life's experience and education had led me to that moment...

I now teach a variety of subjects for Albright, and learn so much from each and every group of students that I have had. I am excited to get back to a group in Harrisburg in a few weeks, I had them for Group Dynamics in May, and I learn so much from hearing what each and every one of them brings to the classroom. I miss them and their weekly updates! The classes are 4 hours long and we meet 5 weeks in a row, so it is a lot of hours in a short amount of time. I am so impressed with them as people, how brave they are in what they reveal about their work or personal lives, pertaining to the subjects that we learn. I know that they will all graduate and have success...I get to have this particular group in Harrisburg for 2 more classes in a row, and am excited to see them all again....

So, just as my stamp paintings emerged from a dream, my teaching career emerged from a walk with my dog, and a serendipitous meeting with Dr. Jerry Lee. Thank you, Dr. Lee, for seeing something inside of me that I did not even know was there. This is the best job, ever.