artists

My Favorite Treasures Found While Visiting Georgia

Posted by Barbara Techel
Hugging a Crape Myrtle tree (a favorite!) over 150 years old outside the historic home Rose Cottage in Madison, GA

It wasn’t part of our plans to visit Georgia while we were on vacation recently. We set out for Gaffney, South Carolina with plans to also visit Charlotte, North Carolina and drive through Virginia.

But the weather wasn’t on our side much of this trip. We ended up chasing after the sun and warmth. This brought us to Georgia after experiencing storms, winds and cold in both North and South Carolina. Though we did have one beautiful day in the low 80s while perusing Columbia, the capital of South Carolina.

The blessing of traveling by van converted to camper is we could roll with it and move on. And that’s exactly what we did! But isn’t this how it goes? You are busy making all these plans of how you think things will turn out and then life throws you a couple of curve balls. But as my blog and mission is about, it’s about learning to roll with those changes and letting go of expectations.

Learning to adapt brought us to the cities of Greensboro and Madison, GA. So quaint and so full of charm. From the historic homes, to the lovely southern architecture of homes, an abundant array of blooming shrubs and flowers, to the antique and unique shops, I was happy we were open to adventure, which brought us here.

While I’m not a big shopper anymore, I do love to support artists and look for artisan marketplaces or shops when visiting a city or state I’ve not been before. And so I share my favorite treasures with you.

Candle holder made out of beeswax with insert of dried, pressed flowers. It glows beautifully! From Genuine Georgia – An Artisans Marketplace in Greensboro, GA.
Leaf shaped night light made out of clay. So pretty in my bathroom! From Genuine Georgia – An Artisans Marketplace in Greensboro, GA.
Clay tea cup with top for steeping found in a shop in Madison, GA (the name of shop escapes me!)

Did I really need any of these treasures? No. But it does my heart good to know I’m supporting artists. I imagine them in their studios lost in their creative world, doing what they love best…just as I love to do with my writing and what makes my world go round, and why I see these items now as dear treasures.

And to think I almost left the tea cup behind as I was trying to talk myself out of it telling myself I have more than enough of them. But as I headed toward the door my hubby said, “Aren’t you going to get that mug?”  Well that was all the enticing I needed! 🙂

Twist my arm and open my wallet. I’m glad I did.

XO,

Barbara

I Imagine A World Someday with Art as the Way

Posted by Barbara Techel
I imagine a world someday with art as the way
Two Fish Gallery/Elkhart Lake, WI

The whole culture is telling you to hurry, while art tells you to take your time. Always listen to the art. -Junot Diaz

Last night I started reading, Art as a Way by Frederick Franck – A Return to the Spiritual Roots.

He talks about how it wasn’t that long ago that an artist did not rate high on the crew-cut scale of American values. That they were seen as long-haired hippie types and you needed to protect your daughter from them.

And I still see this in the world at times. Though I try to only surround myself with those that are striving toward the heart of their art.

I imagine a world someday where art is the way. No longer will it be considered something one may do on the “side” or thoughts that someone couldn’t get a “real” job so they took up art instead.

I imagine it as weaved into the very core of who we are, integrated into every aspect of our lives.

I imagine that others will value it greatly and want in on it, too.

When creativity is a big part of my days its as if minutes and hours don’t exist. I never see or feel them tick by. I am just in the flow. Rather like nature – just being as I’m meant to be. Like I am right now writing this post, eager to talk about something I’m passionate about.

Though, in our culture I sometimes feel as if I’m swimming against the tide, not keeping up with the materialistic world. But wanting less so it does not weigh me down and yearning for more authentic experiences that light up my soul.

But I keep at it. Making choices that are right for me. Pushing away the naysayers and silently blessing them with peace.

And the thing is, art comes in so many forms.  My husband, John, is a carpenter and a very good one at that, if I might add. But it is truly his art because it is weaved into the very nature of who he is. Most days he can hardly wait to get to his job site. This is a garden shed he built which is almost complete.

This morning I saw a photo that someone posted on a Facebook group I belong to called, Creative Group at Bedlam Farm. It is a group of people living creative lives with a wide range of artistic talents.

Justin Lynch, from the group, shared these pies he baked. Check out the decor on these! Now that is art!

And fiber artist, Maria Wulf from the group received a bag full of someone’s dresses and skirts they no longer want, and she is turning them into beautiful scarves.

When I see photos of someone’s art or listen to my husband talk about his art in the construction business, there is an undeniable feeling of joy that comes from the pictures and the thoughts being shared.

They are living from that place inside where peace and happiness reside – they are at the heart of their art.

And I imagine a world someday where more find that sweet, spiritual spot of existence and live from it so that it creates a wave of peace that washes over our world.

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Synchronicity Chronicles: The Tree Goddess is Alive and Well in Me.

Posted by Barbara Techel
Synchronicity Chronicles: The Tree Goddess is Alive and Well in Me.
artwork by Maria Wulf

“She saw her reflection for the first time.” -Maria Wulf

Earlier today on my blog I shared my tree Goddess paintings that I completed over the weekend.

The tree Goddesses that speak to me of my feminine divine essence. They speak to me of truly embracing and appreciating all the many facets of who I am.

artwork by Barbara Techel

I was a bit nervous about sharing the paintings I did as I don’t consider myself a painter. But these tree gals are stirring things up inside of me — and it’s been interesting to watch it unfold.

And an hour later after I hit “publish” and sent my Goddess paintings out into the world, I walked to my mailbox.

I was about to discover that synchronicity was at work again. I opened a package I found waiting inside my mailbox. It contained a book called “Red Moon Passage” which I had sent to artist Maria Wulf about a month ago.

I had mailed her a copy after reading on her blog some struggles she was having around menopause. We are very close in age and I relate to so much of what Maria writes about. I thought she would enjoy the book, which had helped me and which talks much about enveloping our feminine energy.

She shared with me that she got much out of the book and many of the ideas will stay with her. And though I meant for her to keep the book, I smiled knowing there is likely someone else who needs to benefit from it, and I will pass it along when that time comes.

But it was the card that Maria enclosed that made me smile with recognition of how this universe works when we are in alignment.

It’s the image of the card I share and the quote at the beginning of this post – could it not be more fitting for what I just wrote about and my tree Goddess paintings?

The universe — always supporting us and reflecting back — this was so evident to me with the timing of my finished paintings, the post written, and the card received from Maria.

Indeed… the Tree Goddess is alive and well… and she is growing in new directions, reaching toward the sky, grounding herself in what she knows, and opening her arms to embrace all of who she is, and knowing there is nothing she has to prove — but that be-ing is where the magic and wisdom is at.

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