* Play Date and Carolyn's Earrings

I had a great call from my friend Carolyn today.  Her earrings arrived safe and sound and she wanted to let me know and say thank you.  Such a lovely surprise.  Great to hear your voice.  Thanks so much for calling.   Most of all ... have FUN wearing them.

I haven't posted Carolyn's winnings prior to this, because I didn't want to spoil the surprise ... so here they are now.

Had a play date with my friend Pat today.  Pat wants to begin making greeting cards.  She created a gorgeous one today.

 

I am putting what is written below as food for thought today, for all of us.  All of us who struggle to 'believe in ourselves',  all of us who struggle to 'honour our work', all of us who 'have this deep need and passion to release what is inside' and in the end absolutely 'KNOW this is why we are here'.  So here's to Artists' ... all of us.  This is your thought to ponder for the weekend.

There is vitality, a life force,
an energy, a quickening
that is translated through you into action,
and because there is only one of you in all time,
this expression is unique.
And if you block it,
it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.
The world will not have it.

It is not your business to determine how good it is,
nor how valuable it is,
nor how it compares with other expressions.

It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly,
to keep the channel open.
You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.
You have to keep open and aware
directly to the urges that motivate you.

Keep the channels open...
No artist is pleased...
There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.
There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction;
A blessed unrest that keeps us marching
and makes us more alive than the others.

* Martha Graham to Agnes DeMille *