Things that Matter

Dear readers, how are you?  It's so nice to see you, you look marvelous.  I've missed you, even when I'm away I think of you often.  Thank you so much to those readers who sent emails asking how I was. I apologize for being a very bad blogger.  I took an unscheduled hiatus due to illness.  After spending a week with my family, I am feeling recharged.  Nothing like love to make you feel better.

During my month of laying low, I spent a lot of time in meditation and deep introspection.  I'd like to send a shout out to the brave people taking part in the various Occupy movements.  It's of great concern to me that the country is in so much trouble, and yet I don't know how to help.  I began to question my little blog - does it seem frivolous to blog about pretty things when people are in so much trouble?  How much politics and personal business should be posted on a blog?  I prefer blogs where I feel as if I get to know the blogger.  I maintain, that art is political and politics is art.  Art is extremely important as it elevates the consciousness of a people.  We are all connected.  Those of us who are struggling right now are not engaged in class war.  We would simply like to remind the wealthy that  poverty should be eradicated.  Simply because it's the right thing to do.  The poverty of even one individual encroaches on the comfort of us all.  There is enough to go around, let's spread it around a little more fairly.  That's all.  It's that simple.

I've been accused of being naive at times.  But things don't need to be overly complex.  I have been out of work for almost two years, and there have been many gifts and lessons during this time period.  Many things that used to matter to me do not matter any more.  I am not attached to things, and I no longer worry what people think of me.  I also move at a slower pace.  I'm not sure what all the hurrying is about.  

The greatest thing in my life  is that I notice simple pleasures and experience them deeply.  I had the pleasure of staying with my family last week.  This experience has brought me even closer to my family and I am grateful.  These are people who love me without condition.  I'd like to share an experience I had the other night.

Self portrait by my nephew

My nephew wasn't feeling well Monday night.  We sat in the love chair together, he put his head on my shoulder and fell asleep.

 Oliver, world's cutest kitten

This baby was snuggled under my chin asleep, purring loudly.  The love in my heart swelled up, caught in my throat and brought a tear to my eye.  As I held my two babies, I thought, "This is one of the best moments of my life."  Recognizing this as such, I emptied my mind to everything except that moment.  I was completely present and so grateful.  I savored that moment.  I know it sounds trite, but there is nothing more important than love.

How often do we actually pause and say to ourselves, this is a really good moment?  We should do that more often.  Why don't we take a pledge to love each other more fully and to be more present?  To slow down and to contemplate the things that matter and stop chasing the things that don't.  I have found that the more I embrace simplicity, the happier I am.  It might work for you too.  I'd love to hear your thoughts, dear readers.

Stay tuned for more color obsession and more discussions of simplicity.  Thanks for reading, it means the world to me.  xxoo

Procrastination

Laundry day. Sigh. There's a shitload of snow outside, so there's no excuse - I need to get the laundry done. I'm having company tomorrow - I need to get the laundry done. What am I doing? Procrastinating. Like a motherfucker. My preferred method of procrastination is reading blogs. It doesn't help that Desire to Inspire published a reading list over the past few days. (Note to self: update blogroll. One more thing for my long to do list.) I've been perusing some fascinating blogs while my laundry has been screaming at me, "Peg, get off your lazy ass!"

Image via Shelly Kay Cullen. Don't you find it amazing when people elevate the mundane to a work of art? Shelly is an amazing photographer. I know - I'm procrastinating.

I often receive emails saying my place is too perfect. These emails amaze me, because my furniture is second-hand and covered with sheets. I don't have a lot of stuff around, because I hate clutter. But it's not rocket science - I only photograph my apartment when it's reasonably clean. So for these critics, here's what my place looks like today:

Just kidding. I wish I had a laundry room this chic. Image Design Conversation. Have I mentioned that I hate laundry? I imagine Nirvana is much easier to achieve with in-suite laundry.

Have you read the blog Six in the City yet? If not, you must! It's about the adventures of a family of six who moved from their Colorado home (4800 square feet) into a New York apartment (1200 square feet). I love following their adventures, and the writer is hilarious. I'm no stranger to moving into smaller digs and getting rid of stuff, but I grieved with her when she got rid of her washer and dryer!

Oh the pain. I've never had in-suite laundry. Heck, it would be a luxury to have a laundry room on the same floor, I have to lug my laundry to the basement. Believe me when I tell you it's drudgery. Fortunately, my nephew has come up with a design that solves all my woes.

Meet the washing/drying robot! As you can see the robot has a built-in washer and dryer. He is equipped with agile arms. He can sort, load, remove, iron and put laundry away. The robot is even equipped with a sensor so that it adjusts the temperature, and it never over dries. I told you my nephews are geniuses!

Until we find a manufacturer, I guess I'm stuck lugging the laundry to the basement.

Children Are Our Teachers

I love children's art. When a child sits down to create, they do it earnestly. There is no self-judgment nor are there any notions that some colors don't go well together, no preconceived notions. No shoulds. Just absolute freedom and abandon. Children are our teachers. Watch a child create. There is no greater joy. Somewhere in their path to adulthood, children have this absolute freedom and joy pounded out of them. I think that's sad. I believe everyone is creative and everyone should be encouraged to create. Creation is life. I know when I am creating and not imposing my perfectionistic garbage on myself, when I am really creating with abandon and not judging - that is when I am happiest. The key is not to judge your creations but to just create with joy, like we did when we were children.

My nephews are a constant source of joy and inspiration for me. I love watching them create. Here are a few of the masterpieces they have created.

G.P. created this when he was five. He is fascinated with rollercoasters. He told me that this picture was he and I on a rollercoaster. Note the fab hat he gave me.

The following are all created by his younger brother, G.G.

This is my favorite picture of me. G.G. said it's me under a rainbow. Doesn't my hair look lovely?

The following was created by a coworker's daughter, who knew I love mermaids. She cleverly pointed out that my intitials "MER," are actually short for mermaid and even invented the City of MER in this beautiful drawing.

I first noticed Korean artist Yeondoo Jung's fascinating work in a travel magazine which I stole from a local diner. He has a wonderful blog called Blue Sloth. Jung brings children's art to life.


Below is a picture of Snow White and his reinterpretation of it.



I love it, love it, love it! I would love to see his interpretations of my nephews' work.

In my own collage and multi-media work, I have used the most perfect of all icons, the stick figure.

Community Too, 1999, 14" x 8", Mixed Media. I think Jung could have some fun with this one too.