* A Truck Load of GIFTS ...

The evening we gathered here after encaustics class for champagne, Judith looked at my as yet unfinished jardin.  She looked at all the empty space and the few little plants I had started.  "You know, Donna, I'm cleaning out my jardin.  Every time a leaf falls off a plant, my gardener plants it, and of course it grows.  You must come over and I'll give you some plants."  I said thank you and envisioned coming home with a bag full of leaf starts.  I was excited.

The evening we spent at Judith's house for dinner she mentioned getting a 'taxi truck' (literally a taxi with a flat bed for hauling).  I nearly fell over.  Last Tuesday, I spent a delightful afternoon sitting drinking iced hibiscus tea while Judith directed which plants to put in the back of the truck.  It took two strong men for a couple of them. 

My jardin is now well underway.  What a difference a day makes, and a very dear and generous spirit.

A gorgeous young palm.  Actually two palms.  Looks great on the terrace and will offer some afternoon shade when it gets a little taller.

A huge tree which they had just pruned.  Not sure what it is.  Hope it flourishes and spreads out.  May have to move it if it's not happy there.  Geraniums, a lovely bougainvillea bush and another unknown.

Another grouping of plants below my terrace.  Three more small palms, mums and calla lilies

A great spider plant.

A peace lily in a funky pot which will be great in my covered terrace.

And an oleander, which will grow huge in this pot.

"Asking is the beginning of receiving.  Make sure you don't go to the ocean with a teaspoon.  At least take a bucket so the kids won't laugh at you." ~ Jim Rohn 

Isn't that the truth.  Many of us, including ME, do not dream BIG enough, do not ASK for 'this or more'.  I'm working on that one.

* Mexican Sunsets ...

I rented Ezshwans encaustic studio for a day and finished my "Mexican Sunset".  It took all day, layers and layers and lots of scraping and then more layers.  Had fun.  I like it.  It's going up on my wall.

Is there anything more beautiful than a beautiful, beautiful flamingo, flying across in front of a beautiful sunset?  And he's carrying a beautiful rose in his beak, and also he's carrying a very beautiful

painting with his feet.  And also .. you are drunk."  ~ Jack Handy

This made me laugh out loud!  Hope you have a good chuckle too.

* The Moon and New York City ...

The crescent moon last night was magical.  I could have sat on the terrace forever and just soaked it up.

All afternoon yesterday I worked on "New York City" .... couldn't stop.  I love that feeling.  It's coming.  Still work to do, however yesterday I had fun finding their faces.  They are still evolving.

"Only when she no longer knows what she is doing does the painter do good things."  ~ Edgar Degas

Sooooo true.

* Welcome to "By The Light" ...

As you know, I wanted to name the Studio.  Since my home is built around the theme of 'Universal Light', I am calling my Studio "By The Light Studios".  "Creations by Donna Parker and the Universal Muse". Something like that.  The name is finalized in my mind, the phrase which follows is not.  Any ideas? 

I'll update you on the Studio with photographs.  It's a long way from finished.  Poco a Poco.

View of Studio from driveway, looking up.  Facing Street.

Walking up the stairs.

Entrance at top of stairs.

Looking left and out the front door on to the terrace

Looking to the right.  The wall you see is the bathroom.

Straight ahead is the fireplace.

Mi pocito bano.

Some of the terrace.

Terrace looking to the left over the neighbours roof.

The view still takes my breath away.

Just before the storm.

"I am a being of Heaven and Earth, of thunder and lightning, of rain and wind, of the galaxies."  

~ Eden Ahbez

* A lovely day at a Gallery

Cate and Jud, as I may have mentioned have a joint exhibition on at the moment.  How exciting, don't you think?  All the way from 'down unda', coming to SMA, making their art here and having an exhibition together.  Sounds like a 9.5 to me.

I had not attended the exhibition.  A couple of days ago a few of us got together and went because Cate and Jud were going to be there.  Nothing like having the artists in attendance so you can learn. 

A fabulous day.  An interesting gallery exhibiting several artists, all very different, all delightful.  A group of like minded people.   I know I've said it before.  How good does it get?

One of Cates' pieces.  I simply could not get good shots in the light.  All her work is under glass and I could not get away from the glare.  Pity, because her work is incredible.  For those of you who have worked in encaustic, you can see how Cate could slide right into that medium almost seamlessly.  For whatever reason, encaustic artists here do not use an iron in their work.  Makes a huge difference in the outcome.  I think I like the 'purest' way better.

The following work is Juds.  He is a sculpter.  They are all bronzes poured at a foundry just outside San Miguel.

This is my favorite piece of Juds.  If I had $$ I would have it in my home.  I cannot tell you what the name of it is.  All I know is, he has caught the essence of his wife, Cate.  It's incredibly beautiful, elegant and soulful.  I want it.

Other art in the gallery which was yummy and interesting follows.

A nice photo of all of us embraced by Cate and Juds art.

"How many are silenced, because in order to get to their art they would have to scream and hurt other people." 

* The Moon and New York City

A little more work done yesterday.  Added her hand on his shoulder.

* Art Class

I worked a little at home his week.  I was getting so frustrated with the medium (acrylic) which I have not worked in to any great extent before.  The paint drys to quickly here.  Purchased some extender.  Haven't tried it yet.  It will be interesting to see the difference.  Still working on the light and dark spaces.  Obviously, they got their hair.  I really like it.  It was still wet when I left - so there will probably be some blues and purples in there as well.  I'm happy with the water at the front.  They look like they are floating to me which is what I want.  NY needs a little more reflection in the water.  The sky needs work in places.  Then I just have their bodies which I will be working on this week.  This is so much fun.  It's quite a large canvas as well.  I like working large.

There is nothing in all the world more beautiful or significant of the laws of the universe than the nude human body. ~ Robert Henri

* The Gathering

My puter is up and running again!  At least for a moment.  The part that died has come back to life (it did that once before) ... so I am connected for the moment.  Hopefully, the new part will arrive before any more concerns raise their little heads.

The Encaustics group was invited out for dinner.  I think I mentioned that "Southern Hospitality", and it does not get better than this.  Our host and hostess are interesting, fun, warm and every so gracious.  Their home -- well let's just say I'm in love.  The company, truly serindipitious in that we are all artists and something is definitely going on with the dynamics of the group.  Obviously it was meant to be.  We enjoy each other's company and the evening was indeed grand.

The only 'ungrand' event which occurred was my camera.  Set on the wrong mode for the entire evening, the photos are less than even just OK.  I was so disappointed, as the ambiance of our surroundings, and the group of people together made for a very very special evening.  Photographs of us on the inside of the house were pretty hopeless.  Most of them are the 'outside ones'.

The house, gracious and creatively decorated, warm and welcoming, embraces you at every turn.  Once ensconsed, I simply wanted to sit somewhere and be embraced.

Part of the main living area looking out into the courtyard.

Walking across "The Bridge" (Upper level) from the main house to the casita.  Underneath the bridge are what I call 'the arches'.  A beautifully sheltered space with comfortable furniture to relax away from the elements.

Part of the main garden looking down from the bridge.

Looking the other way from the bridge, back to the main house.

Judith's studio.  Part of the Casita

I know this photo is blurred - but I couldn't resist putting it in.  The garden is just so lush.

The beautiful solarium in the garden where we gathered for dinner.

Outdoors by the fountain for drinks.

Underneath the arches for tapas and drinks.

An old stone wall exquisitely planted.  I fell in love.

All of us, except Judith our hostess who took the photograph.

Judith and Tiffy after dinner.

Life is really short and instead of being burdened by the heavy "shoulds" and "could have beens", perhaps it's really time to have the courage to make more mistakes, be sillier, and travel lighter for the rest of your life.

 I'm learning .... I'm learning.

* Had a great day!

Computer isn't so great though.  Glitch in the system!  I have had to order a part from the US.  Goodness only knows when that will arrive.  Until then ... try and keep off the streets and out of the bars.  Hope I'm back soon.   Really detest being disconnected.

"Have you ever felt like a phone call that's been disconnected?"  ~Shannen Doherty

That's sort of how I'm feeling.

* Spiritual Practice and what I am learning ..

Do you have some sort a 'spiritual practice'?  A walk, a prayer, meditation, a little ponder?  Something which centers and grounds?

Without really realizing it, over the past few years, I have developed a spiritual practice I could no longer live without.  It begins my day.  It centers me.  Collects all my scattered energy and brings it back into my core.  It involves coffee!  I know, I know!  However, it is a big part of it.  It's about ritual, and routine.  I'm not big on routine, however, it certainly has become part of my spiritual practice.  Allow me to explain.

I arise between 6:30 and 7:00 am.  It's quiet and peaceful.  I do not turn on any music or other noise pollution like a TV or radio.  I no longer watch the news and haven't for years.  I plug in the kettle and prepare my french press with the best coffee I can find, fresh ground.  I continue with readying myself for the day.  By the time I am finished that process (I'm finding it takes longer as I age - or perhaps I'm just not in such a huge rush), the coffee is done to perfection.  The aroma fills the air.

My favorite chair beckons.  I sit with my current spiritual book sipping coffee and soaking up the words.  If I'm tired, I crawl back into bed and prop myself up on the six deliciously decadent down pillows I treasure for their comfort.  It feels so luxurious.  Currently, I coming to the end of "Infinite Possibilities", The Art of Living Your Dreams, by Mike Dooley. When I finish reading for the morning, I pick up Julia Cameron's "Prayers to the Great Creator" or Michael Leunigs "When I Talk to You".  I simply allow the book to fall open where it wishes, absorb the words like a protein drink and fill my body mind and spirit with all that goodness.  Then for just a few moments I sit quietly.  Then I set my intentions for the day.  My intentions are a new part of my Spiritual Practice.  Baby Steps.  Sometimes I use white light and visualization which is part of my training as a Clinical Hypnotherapist.   It works beautifully for me.  As I continue to cull my old belief systems, throwing out the ones which no longer serve me, keeping and making new ones which benefit me for the greater good,  this morning ritual becomes an integral part of my day.

I'm finding if I don't begin my day in this manner, I can and do feel somewhat discombobulated.  It's become a incredible way to begin each day anew.  Allowing the old to fall away and bringing myself into the present moment.

I'd like to share a passage from Mike Dooleys' book.  Over the past year, I have learned so much about 'choices'.  That's what it's all about.  Hope you enjoy this.

How do I deal with all the uncertainties in my life?

"By trusting the 'unknown'. (I'm finding trusting involves letting go of all fear and banishing my critic from the building.)  After all, it's the wellspring of all things including every wonderful thing that's ever happened or that will ever happen to you.  The unknown is your friend, made of divine intelligence, home of infinite possibilities.

Whenever you don't know what lies around the corner, you can choose to be frightened or happy about it, and whichever you choose will affect, influence, and even decide those mysterious moments to come.  Also remember that just because you can't see something wonderful with your eyes or detect it with your physical senses doesn't mean it's not there.  Always, just beyond your physical senses, the Universe churns with all its magic and miracles.  It's not just sitting there on idle; it's in the middle of orchestrating your life.  Right now, because of your natural-born inclination to thrive, things are happening invisibly - things you can be happily looking forward to - so start looking.  Every wonderful thought that you've ever thought is now busy at work, looking to fit itself into your life.

To judge the progress of our lives strictly by using our physical senses means we're not looking within to define who we are and where we're going.  It means, instead, that we're looking at mirages for meaning.  This is life's ultimate test - to see without looking, to hear without listening, to know without going, and to be without becoming.  How?  By confidently unleashing the power of your imagination into the unknown, into the cast net of invisible principles and understanding that wonderful results are inevitable.

Getting in touch with the Universe starts with just being quiet and following your feelings.  Really, it's about getting in touch with yourself, because you are your own point of contact with the Universe.  Spend some time totally relaxing every day breathing deeply, and leting your mind wander anywhere it likes without rules.  Give some exclusive time to yourself just feeling and thinking whatever your like, and forget trying to be spiritual.  Just be yourself.

Do something - anything.  Take action.  Be the shift.  Stop waiting for it.  It's not enough to claim that life is wonderful, to see it's beauty, and to spin dreams that may one day come true all by themselves.  They won't.  Join a club, take a class, ask for a promotion, move across town, adopt a pet, volunteer, mingle, network.  Dare yourself, challenge yourself, engage in the magic of life."


The following quote is an important one for me.  I am making progress.  This belief system not only sits correctly in my intellectual self, it has fallen down to a soul level.  I am now able to begin to practice it.  Baby steps!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be.  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It's not just in some of us.  It is in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."  ~ Marianne Williamson