Expanding Perception, Connection and Vulnerability:

Greetings, Art Lovers!

I recently saw an extremely thought provoking video at Ted.com/Talks. It covers one of those topics that are like a mountain vista that stops us dead in our tracks and we have no choice but to pause and gaze and ponder.
I've been exploring the idea of perception (specifically the theory that everything is subject to interpretation [perception] for quite some time. So it's even more intriguing to me that I stumbled upon this video.

Click here to watch
Brene Brown and the Power of Vulnerability

This 20 minute talk by Brene Brown covers a topic that I hadn't considered a part of perception until now. I'll put this in terms of creativity and art and maybe it will simplify it for us all.
Brene states that "While vulnerability is the core of shame, fear and struggle for worthiness...it is also the birthplace of joy, creativity, belonging and love."
Did you get that??? Hearing this jolted me into a place of "oh my GOSH!" What this means is...in the land of creativity and art...it's LOADED, CHOCKED FULL of vulnerability...on all sides (the side of the art creator and also of the art viewer). It takes courage to create...because...it requires us to expose ourselves to vulnerability to our own selves and also to others who may criticize or doubt or demean. Yet...it is in the quite moments of creating that we discover the spark, the beginning, the unfolding of our most inner places. But we first must let ourselves go there. Creating new things really isn't that hard...it's in the allowing of ourselves to go to the place inside of ourselves that births the creation that's hard. (Mostly I think because we believe deep down that we can't do it, that we cannot create something spectacular!)
In allowing ourselves to go there...we expose ourselves to emotion that we may have feared in the past. But not until we stop limiting ourselves out of fear of the unknown and truly embrace and let flow into our midst all parts of this experience...true creation can never happen.
Yet, we cannot hold back in some parts of our lives and expect to fully unleash others. It's all or nothing. Because according to Brene, we cannot selectively numb emotion. We have to be in a place where we may feel shame or unworthiness while at exactly the same time being in a place where we may feel joy, belonging or love.
I too struggle with allowing. I struggle with trying to stay safe and create using images of what I've already seen created. Yet...unless I am still and quiet and allow my own inner voice to flow...am I truly creating?
Let's try this and see what happens? Shall we?

Go. Be. DO! Discover!

Happiness,

Rachel
 

Fresh from the Art Studio:

Introducing original mini-paintings, abstract on wood! If you are an avid art collector OR if you've been an art lover and have yet to start your personal collection, these little minis are perfect! Seven inches by seven inches?  Five inches by five inches? We all have space in our homes or office for a painting to fit that size. Which is why I opted to paint small. Affordable too!

To get a closer look, simply click on any of the images below.
 

More Q & A with Rachel:

Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school?

HAH! Yes. We used to call ourselves walking-American-flags. Our school uniforms were red, white and blue. Girls had to wear blue skirts and vests with either a red or white blouse. And there was a little tie that fit into a loop around the neck of the shirt. Yep, it was the 80s. Boys had to wear blue plants with a white or red shirt and a blue tie with little American flags on it. Made getting ready for school in the mornings really easy. We always knew what we were going to wear.

What are some different jobs you have had in your life?

I worked at a pig farm for a while when I was in high school. Couldn't get that smell out of my hair for weeks!.
I worked at an egg packing company cleaning the eggs that broke from the packing machines. Dried-on egg doesn't smell nice either.
LOVED hoeing soybeans. That was my most favorite job I had as a kid ...walking the soybean rows with a hook-like tool plucking stray corn stalks and weeds from the bean rows.
Officiated women's college basketball, high school basketball, high school soccer and high school and college volleyball. Nothing like wearing stripes and getting yelled at by fans and coaches.
By far the most fun job I ever had was working for a whitewater rafting company in the Smoky Mountains! Got to river-guide, be a photographer, book reservations and run the Ocoee river outpost among other things. TONS of fun!

Do you like to dance?

I LOVE to dance! The kitchen seems a common place for breaking out in a dance. Music blaring...I can't help but jumping around. And it seems that no matter where you break out into a dance...everyone around you smiles. I think dance is the great equalizer. Car dancing is WAY fun too! Take a glance at the people in the cars around you and everyone will be smiling back at you!

Check out Rachel's NEW, COOL friends, Page:

I don't think we give enough credit to where credit is due sometimes. Nor do I think it really cool that most accolades aren't given until AFTER those who've inspired us or left an impression on us one-way-or-another are gone. With that in mind, I've created a page on my website where I've begun listing some of those people. Titled "Cool Friends", it's on that page (obviously an evolving project) that I begin to tell their stories.

Click here to view Rachel's newest COOL Friend Jai Johnson.

Check out Rachel's Art Store on Etsy:

Have you ever heard of Etsy.com? I hadn't until I purchased some custom made jewelry from robandlean's etsy shop on this AMAZING online marketplace! Self-proclaimed as "the world's handmade marketplace" Etsy.com is truly a marketplace chocked FULL of handmade original goods!  You'll find everything on Etsy.com from paintings, to jewelry, to glass, to furniture, to everything in between!

Click here to shop online at Rachel's Art Store on Etsy.

The Daily Blog:

This quote is prominently displayed near my desk as a reminder to not be a whiner about what I don't have and to embrace what I currently DO have to work with.

The Daily Blog is full of such personal inspirations and aspirations. You will find daily musings, adventure recaps, talk about personal thought topics and much more at Rachel's blog. Certainly the most comprehensive place online that you'll find the goings-on with Rachel.

Go, Do, BE!

Click here to view the Daily Blog

Faster than a Rolling Stone!:

Rolling, rolling, rolling. Keeps those good times rolling! We all have good times and bad times, things just keep on rolling. Swooping in and swooping out. Which is what this painting is about. Measuring 3.50"x3.50" this mini-abstract would be a great accent to that part of your home you need a little bit of red.

Mini-Abstract Art!

Or need a little artsy gift to give that special someone? Give ART!

Click here to view "Faster than a Rolling Stone."

Artists that I LIKE!:

If you've ever wandered the home decor aisles of Target, then you've seen prints of Michael Kalish's work. His first original piece was a map of the United States made out of license plates and up, up and away his art career flew!

According to Michael's artist statement, "I owe my art career to a South Dakota license plate and a fascination with the fundamental principles of America. After spending most of my life on the baseball field, I was uncertain about what life after college had in store. I was driving around one day and saw this car with a South Dakota license tag. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen and I found myself obsessed with the thought of collecting license plates from all over the country and turning them into art. I began collecting tags and experimenting with ways to fuse them together to form a sculptural flag of the United States, my first piece."

I love re-purposed artwork...that is art made out of found or recycled objects and Michael's work is a brilliant re-use of something we are all familiar with...the license plate!

Click here to view Michael Kalish's work.

Talk, Tell, Rumor, Spread the Word:

Pass this link along to your friends:
http://www.racheldickson.com/rachel_dickson_newsletter_art_lovers_may2012_week3.htm

Then if they like what they see, all they have to do is enter their name and email address on the sign-up page found by clicking on the image below and they'll receive a copy of this same enewsletter.

This is an opt-in list, they may unsubscribe at any time.

And THANK YOU in advance for spreading the word!

Do You...Facebook?:

Click here to "LIKE" Rachel's artist page on Facebook

Summary:

One thing that I can't help reaching for when I see them...fun hats! Wearing fun hats goes hand-in-hand with honoring Rule #6. (which invariably when I say Rule #6 I get asked..."what is Rule #6?").

I first learned of Rule #6 when reading a book titled "The Art of Possibility"...and it's a super simple rule that often times isn't super simple to honor. That is...don't take life so seriously.

I think there are certain things that lend a helping hand in our not taking life so serious...and to me the most fun things are things that cause us to crack up. And yes, wearing a chicken on your head...leads directly to laughter. I could go NO where with this hat on my head and people not be cracking up left and right.

The stupid little details of life (taking out the trash, washing the dishes, mowing the grass, laundry, wiping off a sticky counter-top, sweeping the sidewalk, etc) too often make us crazy. But let us not forget...those things don't really matter. They're just details. Big deal. Grab a fun hat...laugh a little...and relax.

Until next time...enjoy life! After all...we are the ones creating it.

Happiness,

Rachel

Questions? Comments? Snide Remarks?
email rachel at racheldickson.com