ART: A UNIVERSE of Possibilities!!

A glimpse into my thought process and my philosophy of life

How is it that anyone can NOT see all the amazing things that exist within the realms of artistic possibilities!  And not just within art—but LIFE itself!!

And, what exactly does it mean to be called a “Renaissance Woman”?

A title attributed to me, though not one I necessarily embrace. Yes, I do have many interests and many, not all seem to come through in the art world. 

As it happens, I seem to be one of those souls who find wonder in most things. I love contemplating many things . . . the world is chock full of mysteries, closed doors waiting to be opened, a garden of infinite baby buds about to open up their secrets to us, if only we’d stop to look.

It takes my breath away every time I stop to think about all the WONDER-FULL things we have all around us—at all times!The Awesomeness of nature: The sky; day and night versions, the stars, the planets, solar systems, our earth--nature:  All living things:  Creatures, plants, trees, the undersea world and all its mysteries—the beautiful colors all around—then the crown of creation—human beings!  Talk about an artist’s “palette” brimming with endless compositional inspirations!

I’m a huge hydroponic gardener enthusiast and every time I hold a seed in my hand, I cannot help but contemplate how the all living things in the universe begins its journey in some sort of “pouch”. Yes, including us humans too…. But those tiny microscopic seeds, such as broccoli or cauliflower specks- all contain perfect little “embryos” of the plant that the universe directs they one day become…. How COOL is that?

Okay, no sermons here- but that gives you a glimpse into my storming thought process. For better or worse, I seem to have a brain that is stuck perpetually in overdrive. I often describe my thought process as a rain storm of bouncing superballs that really never ebbs, so no wonder I have so many interests and have plunged myself into so many art forms!

If my brother and I were talking, he would tell you that as a little kid, maybe 5 or so, he used to parade me around the neighborhood to his friends, showing off my memory skills:  He’d do it with a full deck of cards, lay all of them out, face up, let me look at them for a few moments, then turn them back around.  Thinking it was no big deal, I was able to match all the cards up—Concentration Style—every time!  I think he made some money off me as well!

In spite of my many earth-shattering happenings in my life, I cannot seem to shake my child like fascination with most things. I also think that that is one key contributor to happiness.

Everyone these days is SO busy, right? There doesn’t seem to be enough time or maybe willingness to stop and contemplate the universe. Unless, we really make an effort.

I firmly believe that all of us are born with different talents. Maybe we never recognize them as we are so busy coveting what talents we think we ought to have or wish we had. Dunno.

As a little kid, I had a real love for rocks, stones, pebbles, sea glass, shells . . .  My mother would save old shoe boxes for me which I quickly filled up.  That’s probably fairly common, but with me, that was one I never grew out of. And here I am today making jewelry with generally 95 %+ with some sort of gem or semi-precious stone!

Trips to the library were a special treat as I would stack as many books as I could to take out. Then there was my collecting Nancy Drew Mysteries—and then also sneaking my brother’s Hardy Boys books, graduating eventually to reading all Agatha Christie’s . . . then those 100 best books or whatever they were called:  No wonder I love word smithing as much as metal smithing!

Though, I’m drawn and torn into a lot of different artistic directions, I have shrunk down my arts to:  Music, Jewelry Making, Book Writing, Landscape Photography and Landscape Painting.

Growing up in an International Household, both my parents filled our home with music, not so much orchestral, but Italian, folk and opera, French music and a lot of classical guitar music…… As soon as I was old enough, I picked up the flute at ages 7-12, but when my father came home with an unwanted upright from one of his construction jobs—I tell ya—that was IT! I begged for lessons and here I am some 60 years later, still totally in love with it!

Now, I’m not sayin’ I’m some sort of “Jack of All Trades” or even a “Renaissance Woman”, there are things I’ve attempted and have not succeeded at.  Playing the violin instantly comes to mind: Jack Benny could’ve taken a few tips from me!  Then, there is my short-lived stint as a dental assistant—no joke—or how about a make-up consultant at a posh Nebraska department store!  One bomb after another—but, main thing:  Staying positive—pick yourself up by your bootstraps, when life hands you lemons—whatever motto works for your grey matter—that’s the moral of the story!

Bottom line:  For me, the world is jam packed with endless possibilities. How could anyone EVER be bored! I literally have to control myself to not over indulge in all the gifts that are around us! Yes, there are bad things (trust me, I am currently wading in a cesspool of them)—but, we should look at that and then move on to all the positives. That’s got to be good for the mind, heart and soul!

Take a leap of Faith and open your horizons to unimagined, amazing possibilities of the universe! --- I’m here to say that I’m gonna continue to launch myself into parts unknown and hoping you’ll join me too!