A meditative pause

Glitter disco monarch of the glen with added buddha

How in the world is it already Friday again? Sorry, these types of pronouncements are about as dull as talking about the weather.

I have been awake for ages in the dark so I figured I might as well type a few words. I am still not ready to share what I have been up to on the art front. Maybe I will feel inclined to share this on boxing day (which will be the next time I write here). 

I also can't believe that we are less than a week away from Christmas. I put out a few decorations but nothing major - I've been too preoccupied with my job and my behind the scenes art vibes. Let's just say I have been working hard. Thankfully, I have had some welcomed help from my pal Julia (it's not a blog if my talented friend isn't in the mix these days).

 

all that glitters

At this point in my life, Christmas serves as a meditative pause. I am looking forward to time off work, time to reflect, to watch films, eat good food, catch up with some friends and go for walks. Time to settle into some new patterns and create future pathways. Ooh, and time for genealogy too! Now, I'm excited!

Whatever you get up to during the festive season, I hope you have moments of peace and security. It's been one hell of a year for a lot of us, so take it easy and don't forget to honour your needs (this is a reminder to myself). And remember too, it's almost Solstice - the light will be making its slow return back to us!

Wishing you a joyous season. Thank you for sharing some of your precious time with me. We need you and the gifts you bring. Keep fighting and shining.

Whether in art or life

Scottish National Portrait Gallery 

So here we are, it's almost the holidays or the festive winter break, Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and whatever else you may celebrate. Perhaps, you enjoy Festivus.

The next two weeks may be quiet and weird with extra heaviness to navigate for some and for some, it will be light, bright, and easy. For many it will be a combination of nostalgia, guilt, religion, and capitalism. I used to like the holidays more - not the shopping part, or the wrapping part, or the logistics in seeing all the people that needed to be seen. I enjoyed the sparkling bits and the magical parts. At some point, things ceased sparkling in the same way and seemed much less magical. And each year since, if I have managed to find the sparkle in some way, it has been a real triumph. And I do manage. I am sitting here in a festive corner of my own design and my sparkly resilience is on full display. I enjoy my rituals and familiar ways of doing things even with certain adjustments.

I used my somewhat dulled creativity to conjure up my festive corner, using mostly what I had on hand to change the look and feel of the space. I enjoy putting things in groups and making it "just so." I probably should have been a set or window dresser or interior decorator. I miss creating spaces and vignettes.

Art is about making things "just so" but in a loose way. So that's what I will endeavour to do, create space and make it just right, whether in art or life. 

I plan to use this time to check in with friends and family, rest, recalibrate, and enjoy the time off from my job. I plan to have a residency of sorts while the world is a bit more quiet and return to my art, which has been a bit sidelined. When I write next week's post (my year end review) you will be curious by what I mean by "sidelined," as it probably won't seem that way to you, but I can be a bit of a task master. 

However you spend your day next Wednesday, I wish you beauty and peace.

Thank you for being here, the world needs you and the gifts you bring. 

Contemplation, rest, and gratitude

Thank you to all those who have supported me in the past, present, and future. I can't do this without you. You are a vital part of this dance. 

I will see you again next Friday for my 2023 year-end review blog. 

May contemplation and rest find you in the next week.

With love and gratitude, 

Megan