Don't forget ...

Don't forget to pause for a few moments each day and look UP ...

"Dance Across the Sky"

@Copyrighted 2013.  All Rights Reserved:  Isabelle Black Smith.

The rest speaks for itself.   ~M

P.S.  Looking at this sunset --and the one before it-- I am reminded that God colors 'outside the lines' too. 

Sky's on FIRE!

"We are all connected"

@2010 Copyrighted Image: Isabelle Black Smith.  All Rights Reserved.

Figured my page here could use a bit of color.  Revisiting one of my favorite summer sunsets.  Clouds up here are definitely alive!  I love looking up; finally warm enough to lay in the cool grass and day dream.  God writes his messages in the sky, I think.  Well, wherever you happen be in your life: just remember you're not alone ... somehow we are all connected.  Scenes like this one remind me of this 'connectivity' we all share.  God Bless and Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there!   ~M


P.S.  Praying for the workers who lost their lives --and families left behind-- in recent building collapse of a factory in Bangladesh.  I am a bit slow getting news when I shut myself off to focus on writing.  May God Bless them, one and all.  I sincerely hope all companies choosing to do business with clothing factories in this country do sign-on to support the new safety standards and inspections.  Last I have heard, Walmart --here in the U.S.-- is holding out because of cost concerns to their bottom line.   Don't think Walmart will be getting anymore of my business should they choose not to support this life-saving initiative.

To Light the World ....

"Kindness and compassion can bridge gaps, take down barriers

and even move mountains." 

~Isabelle Black Smith

"To Light the World with Kindness & Compassion" (a.k.a "The Painted Winter Sky)

 

@Copyrighted Photograph.  All Rights Reserved.

I read the news of events happening around the world today and I realize how lucky I am and how much I have to be grateful for in my own life. 

Normal is for other people ....

A friend managed to sum up in words what I have been struggling with of late myself, trying to find normal in my life:


"Jolted from her temporary solace,
she contemplated if normal
might not be just a word,
bouncing around in an orb
of complacency,
Something to be abandoned
Rather than quarreled with
or achieved."  

@2013 DiAnne Ebejer.


This verse is from a brilliant poem by DiAnne Ebejer, titled "Quarreling With Normal" (click on the link to view the entire poem).

"Coloring Outside the Lines!"

@Copyrighted Image, February 2013.  All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

You see, I've let go of a lot of things lately and that's left me feeling out of sorts and almost numb.  I keep telling myself that normal will come again soon, but upon reflection as I look back over life:  I see now that in truth "normal" is not something that I have ever had and maybe at this stage in the game it's time to accept that normal is not something that I will ever have.  It's time to give up that ghost and stop running after something that just doesn't exist.  Besides, I'm all about no boxes ... coloring outside the lines, right?  So why would I ever want "normal" anyhow?  Guess, it's because that is what everyone else around me seems to always be striving for ... where they seem to be happiest ... at peace?  I'll just have to settle for numb for now ... in time that will turn into peace, I think.


2/4/2013  ... Wisdom from my young daughter today, "Normal is average and average is BORING! Take it from me, life is more exciting when you're the weird one in the room." ~EJ

To see a world in a grain of sand ...

"To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour."  ~William Blake

 

"God's-Eye"

 

@Copyright Image, January 2013.  All Rights Reserved:  Isabelle Black Smith.

 

  

Water Reflection ....

Pink roses, reflected in water ... This one reminds me of an impressionist painting.  Had fun creating this one during a lull in conversation.  Sometimes the universe offers up more meaningful conversation, I think.  My ignorance in dealing with people amuses me?

"Water Reflection"

@Copyrighted Photograph, 2013.  All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

[Note:  You may download this image ONLY for ***non-profit*** personal use as a screen-saver or device backdrop image.  Enjoy! =) ]


Heading off to ponder Einstein's theory of relativity now.  Think I have a better chance of understanding the latter (relativity) over the former topic (understanding people ... the living, anyway).


~M

Spirit Dance ...

"The Middle Ground"

@Copyrighted Photograph.  All Rights Reserved: Isa Black Smith.

“Spirit Dance:  Night Owl”

These chains that bind me
Are loosed at night
And there my spirit dances,
Wild and free.

If you seek me, find me there,
Always by way of the silhouette.
Ouroborus, borne again and again.

These chains that bind me
Are loosed at night
And there my spirit dances,
Wild and free.

Tonight the Owl met the Eagle's gaze.

Looked him square within the eye.

Now the mystics dance,

Wild and free.

Homeward bound,

Pure in spirit,
Freed from earthly care,
Flying wild and free,
Borne upon ethereal wings
At long last my spirit sings.

@Isabelle Black Smith, August 2012.



This write was the bounce back --a need to escape and reconnect with the Divine ruling balance-- from writing another poem: "Old Brown Box."  The latter poem was written after finally finding the courage to re-open a tattered old, brown cardboard box that I've lugged around for years and years, always hiding it away in the back of each new closet.  I actually didn't consciously remember exactly what was inside the box when I pulled it out into the light a few days back.  Opening this box was like instantaneously reliving all the pain, within a matter of minutes, all over again.  I had forgotten that I had so hastily thrown so many of my deep dark secrets into a simple cardboard box ... Well, I poured my tears out into the aforementioned poem,"Old Brown Box", but I don't think I'll be sharing that poem here, save to say it felt like "crying someone else's tears."  Think maybe there's a country song in there?  Crying someone else's tears ...

It's all a matter of perspective ...

Said it before.  I'll say it again:  "Change your perspective; change your life."  ~Me

"X-ray Tulips"

@Copyrighted Image.  All Rights Reserved.

Guess this was the perfect day to post this image and thought? 

1) Venus crosses the sun for last time in the next 105 years ... (There are lots of great images available on the internet.  See Space.com  and scroll down to bottom of the page to see live images and a digital art render of the event. )

***Remember:  Never Look Directly Into the Sun!!***

2) Moonbow seen in Hawaii ... While a counterbalancing "celestial halo" encircled the sun as seen from view in Florida yesterday.





... The celestial heavens seem to be alive these days.  Perhaps their performances of late will provide you with a newfound source of inspiration.



Peace & Love Always,

~M

Song:  "Kashmir", By Led Zeppelin (live performance 1975)  (shortened)

Song: "Kashmir", By Led Zeppelin   (full version)

6/6/2012 ... Footnote:  Sci-fi Author, Ray Bradbury left this life, as we know it, today.  He was 91.  Onto his next great adventure.  Peace & Love to you and yours Mr. Bradbury.

Painting the Blues ...

Painting with my new graphics tablet while listening to some "Blues" music ... Writing to follow shortly.  Just have to get back into that groove again where the words and ideas are flowing.  Hoping "doodling" will help pave the way for the latter.  I just might print the larger version of this on canvas and hang it in my office?


Joyful day to you!



~M

"Tulip Blush"

@Copryrighted Image.  All Rights Reserved:  Isabelle Black Smith.

“A strange truth I have come of late to know of words: Words only breathe to life when the recipient is at last ready for what they have to 'say' to be heard.” ~Isabelle Black Smith

Song: "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", By Eva Cassidy 


... This was one of the very first songs I ever learned to play on my flute. Since then it has always been a favorite for me.  Love Eva Cassidy's voice; she really brings this song to LIFE.

Here's another of my favorites by Eva ... this song just touches me on a spiritual level for some reason.  I find myself swaying to the music and outright dancing by the end of the song : )



Song: "People Get Ready", By Eva Cassidy



6/12/11 ... Love Eva ... Discovered her just after my first daughter was born.  Lauren grew up listening up to Eva sing and by the age of two --she was very verbally advanced for one so little-- she began to sing along.  Lauren's favorite song quickly became "Wade in the Water".  By the time she was three, Lauren could hold her own against Eva with "Wade in the Water" ... Whenever that song came on, Lauren would drop everything, come running and climb up on the coffee table or stand smack in front of the TV --she wanted an audience for her song ; )  Then she would just belt out those Blues for 'her song'... and this at the tender age of three.  Today Lauren has the voice of an angel.  She sings in choirs and has even worked up the courage to do a number of solos.  I am so proud of Lauren.  She is my inspiriation to find my own voice to sing again.  ... Lauren had her final choir concert for the season this evening.  Guess, I was just reminiscing.  Remembering my little Lauren singing the Blues up on her coffee table stage not so very long ago.  Love you, Lauren ♥


.

Secrets & Lies??

As a new day --and a new week for that matter-- unfolds, I find myself pondering what this saying truly means ...

"Tell me no secrets; I'll tell you no lies."

Not entirely sure why this thought popped into my head this morning.  Maybe I need coffee? ; )
Guess, I'll just have to see where my pondering leads.  Enjoy the ride, right?

"Color Outside some LINES ..."

@Copyrighted Image.  Use under Creative Commons License

permitted (non-profit) with link back to this page.

Afternoon thoughts unfold ...


I wonder if this saying means that for many of us our truths lie in our secrets? Do constraints --spoken and unspoken-- in today's society make us less likely to show the real us to the world? Is the nod we give to 'conformity' the price to be paid for living in an ordered society? Hence the nature of our duality and struggles within?

It does seem to me that now more than ever --reflecting back on history throughout the ages--  people seem to be so truly lost and afraid. And this at a time when we are supposedly more 'connected' now than ever, yet --if we were honest with ourselves-- I would venture that many of us feel more alone than ever?

I have to wonder if our technology is fueling a trend towards "me-centered" thinking? Our focus in our society seems to be figure out "who you are" ... "what makes you tick" ... "what makes you happy". We're so intently listening to what our inner voice is trying to say that we completely drown out the universal voice -- that which connects us all, a Creator, God ... a Divine Ruling Balance. And I can't help but think that it is this very "me-centered" focus that is making us so unhappy and perpetuating this unspoken "loneliness" ... With all the me-speak in self-help and new age thinking, people assume they just must not be searching hard enough ... deep enough ... so they try deeper reflection ...more intensity... more "me-thinking" and the result is a no-win downward spiral, maybe?

I'm not saying find religon here ... in fact, I seem to have lost my own faith in the tennants of man's religion --but that is another discussion entirely. The key to enlightenment, from what I have gleaned thus far, is a falling away from self; it is not a deeper understanding of self.   If there is even a grain of truth in my reasoning, then we as a society are headed 180 degrees in the wrong direction. Sure you have to live with yourself, understand yourself ... but I have found that I often learn more about myself and feel better about myself ... am happier ... when I'm not focusing not so much on me, but rather focusing on the others in the world around me.  I think we maybe need to cut ourselves --and those around us-- a little bit of slack, unplug and embrace the world around us a bit more and in doing so, maybe the light within us will shine just a bit brighter and show us the way ahead ... not within. 

So maybe this saying should mean:  Let your secrets go and just BE ... Life in the moment without the need for any lies.



Song: "Less than Perfect", By PINK

Bring Me to LIFE ...

Lots of rain here these past several, several days.  Normally, I truly don't mind the rain ... Rain can be very refreshing, renewing, invigorating.  I used to love to dance in the rain and splash barefoot through all of the puddles ... Seems I haven't done that in ages? ... The rain here of late, however, seems to really be wearing on me though.  I am EXCITED for Spring and all the blossoming of fabulous colors and textures.  I want to get outside and photograph some of this unfolding beauty, but every time I have time to get out it seems there is rain, rain and more rain.  It's starting to get me down : (  I need some sunshine to breathe new life into me, I think.  At least my words are still flowing, I guess that's something?  Maybe I can't have both words and images at once?

Well in an effort to keep my photographic muscles flexed and in shape, I forced myself to venture out in the drizzle this afternoon.  It wasn't dancing in the rain, but perhaps the next best thing:  I found some interesting blossoms nestled among the backdrop of an evergreen wood, laced with lichen.  Hard to photograph in the rainy drizzle so these aren't much, but beauty lies in the eye of the beholder ...





"Gentle Raindrops Chance ..."  (my favorite photo from this set on my Flickr site)

"Laces of Lichen"

@Copyrighted Photograph.  All Rights Reserved.

"Silent Beauty, Accentuated By Gentle Rain"

@Copyrighted Photograph. All Rights Reserved.

"What distinguishes the artist from the dilettante? Only the pain the artist feels. The dilettante looks only for pleasure in art."

~Odilon Redon, French Painter 1840-1916

Song:  "Bring Me to Life", By Evanescence





P.S.  Some good news ... Seems people have atually been reading a bit here these past two weeks and not just image browsing.  That does help to bring a smile to my face =)  I think that in this day and age of information at our fingertips, we can be overwhelmed with all of the options for input.  It is difficult to be discerning and filter through the mountains of data being presented to you in any given instance when you are 'connected'.  Perhaps that's why I so often 'unplug' and regroup ... helps to reset my priorities and focus.  The latter being said, I do sincerely respect and appreciate people who take the time to stop and actually experience other people's ART ... to pause for a moment and embrace an openess to seeing the world from another perspective, through another's eyes.  Peace & Love to all those willing to pass that way.  ♥

Blue Destiny ...

No words or images have returned, but I finally found it in me to play with some beads.  Started work on some new pieces I am calling "Blue Destiny" ... ethereal, dreamy ... hazy blues seem to be my favorite color to work with these days.  I am trying to learn some new wire bending and molding techniques that have a spiraled cage looking sort of effect. Linking these cages together you can make longer chains and create some really original looking pieces. This new technique tries my patience a bit, but I will persevere.  Think I might need a few new tools to make the task a bit simpler? Making jewelry seems to be a good focus and distraction for me --especially when I am up, unable to sleep, until all hours of the morning-- plus it gives me a small sense of accomplishment and is a healthy outlet for my creativity.

"Blue Destiny" Close-up Detail

@Isabelle Black Smith, 2012. 

Signed "Blue Destiny"

@Isabelle Black Smith, 2012.

These earring just did NOT want to be photographed.

But it was fun to play with light and reflections here. : )

Think that pinkish-orange in the light source is my reflection.

I wonder, do you BELIEVE in destiny?  

To me, Destiny is just another set of lines .. a box to jump out of ... Perhaps Destiny is more of a sort of a set of near infinite possibilities --some more heavily weighted than others-- from which we consciously or subconsciously choose by our thoughts and actions.

One of my favorite artists and paintings.

"Destiny", By John William Waterhouse

(Image Source: ArtMagick.com)

Interesting ... Seems Waterhouse associates Destiny with Blue as well.

Anyone know a good song for Blue and Destiny?  How about this one:  "Desert Rose", By Sting.

In our deserts we dream of rain ... hope and endless possibilities... our thirst drives us to seek out and drink from the cup of destiny as we long for the magic of fulfillment, our own rose of the desert ... and when, and if, we are so fortunate as to find this elusive treasure: is what we find merely a figment of our imagination? Little more than a taunting mirage conjured up by our own personal desert?