As I've been thinking about 2012 and that it marked the year when I took my sketchbook places I'd never taken it before, I started to wonder what other places in my life I could take my sketchbook and draw. I HAVE taken it to my school where I teach and I've drawn there on … Continue reading Draw Where You’ve Never Drawn Before
Category: Philosophizing
Pulling Down Deep Heaven: Part 2
If I climbed up to the tippy-top of a tree, and held out my bucket- Could I catch the sun-drops, and keep them with me... ...then share with others at the base of the tree? -jpe If any creative act, (be it visual, musical, theatrical, written or otherwise), is a definitively spiritual endeavor, then there … Continue reading Pulling Down Deep Heaven: Part 2
Pulling Down Deep Heaven: Part 1
It can happen even at a swim meet. A dear friend of mine and I sat talking in between watching our kids swim their events. She, a musician and music educator. I, a visual artist and art educator. Our middle children swim on the same team. Our oldest children are in college learning to be … Continue reading Pulling Down Deep Heaven: Part 1
Draw Near…
I didn't see it until later...a week or so after I drew this. I was merely in the moment, reveling in my spot to draw at Tanglewood Park, perched with pen in hand on a little hill enjoying a pastoral view across the road. But now I see how the image and the words I … Continue reading Draw Near…
How…
"How in the world do you do what you do?" This is an interesting question I get either verbalized or emailed to me. I'm always surprised at the question. I wonder what it is they perceive I'm doing or accomplishing, since USUALLY I'm thinking I can't do anywhere near what I'd like to do or … Continue reading How…
A Fair Memory
This year, at the Dixie Classic Fair in October, something significant happened. I was reminded of it this morning. To read what happened, click on the drawing above to enlarge it. When words fly out of my mouth like this, they often have a sense of gravity to them, as if I'm not just saying … Continue reading A Fair Memory
Thoughts on Teaching
Some of you may not know that I teach Art part-time in a sweet little private school in Winston-Salem called Redeemer School. The emphasis and thrust of this school's philosophy is based on Charlotte Mason's work on education. I won't go into all of what that means other than to say that Charlotte Mason calls … Continue reading Thoughts on Teaching
Revelations in Dust
Keepsakes Yesterday I wiped away the dust and grime on all surfaces lay besmirching the shine life’s glory maligned. How long it was there I truly could not say. What of this play on words which may or may not enshrine a moment in my mind? Is it kind to pause and then rewind the … Continue reading Revelations in Dust
Dropping Down
This moment, right here, is where i need to be. Drinking in the lines & curves of the NOW life which is SO unassuming, SO simple, perhaps not even note-worthy. And yet...in drawing, i find worth and value in just BEING. BEING still, being focused on here and not on there. This dropping-down of … Continue reading Dropping Down
When Light Invades the Dark
Straggling storm clouds, leftover from Sandy, lingered in the sky as I walked one morning this week. They were enshrouded by night's darkness with only the barest hint that morning was here. I rounded a corner and WHAM! Two piercing spots of light invaded the gray surroundings as if spotlights were being turned on in … Continue reading When Light Invades the Dark