Intuition - Painting with Joy

Afternoon Impressions, 12 x 16

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” 

― Rumi

I have been liking two recent Oil Painters of America blogs on "Dancing with the Angels," or being in the zone (http://blog.oilpaintersofamerica.com).  Feeling distinctly out of that intuitive place lately, I have been giving thought to finding the way - if not to the "zone," at least to ease and joy :-)

SO,

Back to the Drawing Board (literally) --  I've been doing gesture drawings or studies, of everything -- photos of kids, Michael's hand, drooping roses, the bushes in my snowy Atlanta yard.

Making Lists of All Things Positive -- I've been lying in bed each morning appreciating everything.

Getting Up Earlier and Doing New Workouts -- which makes me feel strong and on top of it.

Remembering This:  the most important goal is to be joyful in LIFE, then all else will flow.

Little Bits 

Sketch, 12 x 9

Pink Purse, demo, 12 x 9

Blue Bowl, 8 x 6

 Lenten Roses,  demo, 12 x 12

 Sarah, demo, 12 x 9

 Sarah and Eli, gesture sketch, 12 x 9

Living mindfully, I shall reach for joy by meditating, drawing, playing, interacting, walking, thinking, looking at fine work, trying new things, and just by letting myself stumble so I can get up and fly higher.
 
And most importantly, I shall keep looking out the windshield, not the rear-view mirror!