:: day one, getting started again... ::

journalling is helpful for me

 I don't usually have a problem getting started on new projects...I have lots of things unfinished - UFOs, yes indeed.

form drawing

 But...getting me into art again has been a very slow, painful, protracted process. I had made up so many reasons/excuses/beliefs about why I wouldn't start, yes indeed.

more form drawing

I've been reading lots about creativity and motivation, talking lots about how to get started, visiting shows and openings, talking to artists -heck I've even attracted artists for close friends and neighbours (!!) and everything I read or hear seems to say the same stuff to me - only I can do this, only I can choose it, only I can want it enough to make it happen. And if I practise it daily, or as near to as I can, then magic will happen...

Here's to magic and making a daily practise of creating seriously happen...

:: IV: farmer's market fare ::

being the end of April and rather Autumny here in NZ, verging on Wintry some days, it feels rather wonderful to still have ratatouille on our menu at home

 these beauties, are of course, grown under glass to be still this vital-looking at this time of year. I'll happily keep enjoying them - and not just for the eating.

nature really does create some colour that pops, doesn't it?

:: III: microlandscape ::

 I've remembered again, today. In fact, I woke up thinking about moss and concrete!

At first glance - that is if noticing something like this is even on the radar for many busy humans - there's just a bit of inconvenient weedy-looking stuff happening in the driveway/path, RIGHT? (I think that's what most humans might conclude of the above growth).

Looking closer wonderment takes over upon the discovery of a miniature landscape - fully operational - the Earth is literally installing a nature strip in the middle of the driveway - tiny blade of grass by tiny blade of grass. Just look at that miraculous little thread of sap green-coloured moss bordering the concrete.

Like an island of green in a sea of grey...two of my favourite colours, by the way. And what is an island actively doing? Why making humus, or soil - enough so to grow some grass.

Such hope can be perceived in the stalwart strength of the organism that strikes out and colonises...CONCRETE! 

what these images represent is inspiring for me today - how about you?

:: the small things - a good place to begin ::

On our way home from milking a neighbour's beautiful Dexter cow, Lady,  in our very pre-loved farm vehicle (old truck!), chattering excitedly, making plans for the rest of the day, we rumble along the gravel road past this ditch (or culvert is the correct term, I think), running gently alongside, shaded by tall, bare poplars...just quietly, serenely doing its own thing.

There was occasion to stop beside it last week and I could observe for a few moments.

For me, it is enchantingly special and soooo inspiring...the bands of colour harmoniously sitting side by side; the texture of the mosses and tiny grasses, stones, twigs, leaves earth, pondweed; the glassy-smooth plane of the slip of visible water reflecting harshly in just that minute window/mirror the world outside of this mini-cosmos.

A little inspiration to help me along the way.

What things are inspiring to you?