Creativity

"Allow your creativity to explode in a burst of illumination in the world.  Follow the muse that fills your heart with passion.  Listen to music that inspires your highest consciousness.  Get out of the cities and into nature.  You are not a sinner who must be penitent; you are a child, a part of the cosmos.  Abstain from foods and drinks that suppress your creative force.  Change your life; seek out new adventures.  Practice compassion to all living beings, and live a gentle life.  Let the beauty of your spirit be your endowment to the world.  Become a conscious and transformative element in the conception of the world."

Howard G. Charing

The Accidental Shaman

If are are interested in healing wisdom, 
indigenous cultures or Shamanism, I'd definitely
recommend this book. 

artwork by Adam Fergurson 
 is available through his website

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The Candle Sculpture

I decided to resurrect my candle sculpture today.  I was putting Christmas decorations away,

went to move the sculpture, and decided that it not

only deserved to be lit up on a more regular basis, but needed 

a little TLC as well.

The candle sculpture has to be at least 15 years old, if not older.

I was in a coffee bar long ago and saw the coolest

candle sculpture perched on the side of the bar.

Wax had dripped down everywhere.  Down the books, down the

side of the bar and on to the floor.  It was totally inspiring!

Over the years when people have seen the candle sculpture in our home,

their responses vary and are often pretty amusing.

The creative/art people will simply say its really cool and 

look at the sculpture as a sculpture...taking mental notes

on how it was structured and balanced.
The more spiritually inclined usually comment 
that it would make a fabulous alter piece...which it definitely would.
 The less creative, more literal crowd always do the same thing.

They say it's pretty cool, then squat down low to

try and read what book titles are.

That kind of diminishes the magic and point of the

piece, in my opinion, but whatever.

I guess that's how some people process art.
Literally.

It you're going to make a candle sculpture...a few tips.

You will want to build in something metal to use as a

base for the candles so the books don't catch on fire.

Also, the type of candles you use really does matter. 

I found that the cheap package of IKEA tapers

 work the best.  The wax isn't great quality,

so the candles burn faster and the wax runs farther then

the more expensive tapers.

Since I'm planning a burn-a-thon to refresh and

replenish some of the dripped wax on the piece,

I also set it on top of a big piece of wood so the wax

won't run all over my table. 

You should definitely try to make one of your own!
The sculpture will take time, finesse and patience but
the results are well worth it.
The magic and enchantment it generates will
definitely warm your heart, expand your
imagination,  lift your spirits during the
log cold winter months!

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Your Facebook Feed - You Are What You Read

Yellow Crabapple Autumn Print

It's been awhile since I posted in this blog, but like most artists who are fortunate enough to be able to express themselves through multiple platforms, I write when I'm inspired to write.
When the words fill my head, I write.
I paint, draw and take photographs when I'm visually inspired.
The last few months, the visual has definitely taken a front seat in my life.

This morning I read something on my Facebook page that has come up several times.
That I've actually posted about it on our Mind Body Spirit Marketplace page in the past.

A friend had requested that her friends post photos of baby animals to counteract all the hateful comments and negativity that she was seeing in her Facebook feed.
  

I had to ask myself...why?
 My Facebook feed doesn't look like that, and neither does the MBS page.

So I commented:

"I honestly don't see much hatred in my feed. In fact mine is usually full of artwork, nature and people posting positive, inspiring quotes. My 'FB friends' don't tend to post negative things or hateful, political spew. The one thing about FB that a lot of people overlook, is that what you see is totally within your own control. So people need to ask themselves....who 'do' you friend with that would post such negative things to begin with?? If I don't like what I see...I just block or unfriend...
I mean, why not?"

We become what we choose to feed ourselves.  
Not just food, but what we choose to ingest visually and auditorily too.  
What we read, what we watch, who we talk to...what we listed to and choose to focus on.  
Who DO we talk to?  
Who DO we choose to spend our time socializing with?  
Both online and off.
Does it make us more intelligent and informed?
Do we feel better or angry after we read it?
Does it bring us up, or dumb us down?

We make our own choices everyday that either uplift our soul or compel us to dive down and 
swim with the bottom feeders.
  
What do you think about in your spare time? 
And -
How do you think about it?
In positive or negative terms?

  Are you thinking about how much you dislike someone or how angry they make you?
Or do or you move your thought process on to more 
positive  thoughts?

It's all within your own control, you know.

  Good example:  
This morning I was talking with a friend in his yard.  
Yes, it would have been almost too easy to focus my attention on all the work he 
needed to catch up on around his house... but when I looked in his yard, his wonderful 
 little trees, the trees that he loves so much and has patiently cultivated and 
nursed over the years, 
stood out like little golden jewels. 
Their fall colors vibrated wildly in the sunlight.
They were simply stunning.  
(I'm obviously still thinking about them)

Next time you wake up in the morning and and find yourself mindlessly scrolling through 
your Facebook feed, ask yourself -

"Why do I choose to allow myself to ingest the things I do?
And - how does that not only effect my own well being, but the well being of others?
(especially when I choose to re-post)"

Don't become a Facebook drone.  
Disconnect from the things that do not bring you to a good place and move on.

Enjoy your day!

diane fergurson

Yellow Crabapple Tree Autumn Print courtesy of Jude McConkey Photography

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Crystal Jewelry? Not Such a New Thing.

There's always something new and interesting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
This morning as we hurried through the galleries to a talk on 'Magic Rituals in Ancient Egyptian Art', which was excellent by the way, I glanced over into a small alcove and the most beautiful crystal necklace with a carved crystal cross caught my eye.  The crystal cross portion of the piece really intrigued me, and as I walked over to look it over and snap a few photos I couldn't help but think - 'Yes, people really have been making and wearing crystal necklaces for hundreds and hundreds of years.'  I couldn't help but wonder if they were aware of all the energetic properties they possess  (probably more aware then we are) or, was it just the clerics or shaman who held that knowledge?  I suppose it really depended on the civilization or culture.  Was the crystal jewelry part of their symbolic folklore, or was it only used specifically for ritualistic purposes? Whatever the history of this particular necklace, it was definitely very beautiful, and something quite unique and special.
I really glad it called me over to say hello ~   

This stunning crystal necklace and pendant cross is from the Byzantine period, from Medinet Habu
(near Thebes), Egypt.  Carved 500-700

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Positive Affirmation - Live Your Dreams

Take Time To...

Lean against a tree

and dream your world of dreams

Work hard at what you like to do

and try to overcome all obstacles

Laugh at your mistakes

and praise yourself for learning from them

Pick some flowers

and appreciate the beauty of nature

Be honest with people

and enjoy the good in them

Don't be afraid to show your emotions

Laughing and crying make you feel better

Love your friends and family with your

   entire being

They are the most important part of your life

Feel the calmness on a quiet sunny day

and plan what you want to accomplish in life

Find a rainbow

and live your

world of dreams 

~ Susan Polis Schutz

Artwork - "It's All In Your Dreams #17 by Diane Fergurson

prints available on Etsy

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A June Sunday at the Cloisters

June 1, 2014

One of my favorite places is the Cloisters.  
I've said it before, and I'll probably say it many, many more times.
It's one of the most beautiful and spiritually uplifting places I've ever visited.

The gardens are always changing.   
Stunning... whether lush and full in the fall, or stark and bare in the winter.  
Traditional herbs, medieval herbs or magical herbs...they're all there, along with 
topiaries, miniature roses and small fruit trees. 

We went in for a while this morning, probably one of several visits before the year's end.
Some of the photos are from today's visit, others are from years past.

August 2013

August 2013

6-1-14

6-1-14

One of the reasons I find the Cloisters to be a unique environment
 is that the pieces in the collection seem to be in harmony with each other,
 both visually and vibrationally.
That isn't always the case when displaying religious and spiritual artwork and
artifacts together.

  Angels and Gargoyles look down upon dragons and unicorns.  
Age old tapestries - some, internationally famous - adorn the walls.
There are beautifully carved altar pieces and triptychs. 
You'll see a silver chalice here and there, along with scepters and crosses belonging 
to royalty and clergy of centuries past.  
Illuminated manuscripts and books are also on display.

The famous 'Hunt of the Unicorn' tapestry.

Silver Chalice 15th Century Spanish

The colors in the stained glass windows are simply stunning.  

You could easily become mesmerized by all the patterns, symbols and saints that they depict.

The Cloisters are part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, but it's 
located in a separate space in Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan.  
It houses an extensive collection (over 2,000 pieces) of art, 
architecture and artifacts from Medieval Europe.  

The Cloisters opened to the public in 1938 and overlooks the beautiful Hudson River.  
The building itself is not a copy itself of any specific medieval structure, but a deliberate 
combination of ecclesiastical and secular spaces arranged in chronological order from four 
medieval cloisters, as well as from other sites in Europe.

Many people come to visit NYC and may include a quick visit to the Met part of their travel agenda, but not necessarily plan to visit the Cloisters.

If you have the time to go, it's just a quick subway, bus or car ride from the Met.

  You could also easily spend an entire day in Fort Tryon Park itself, where it is located.  

Especially on a beautiful day like today.

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Being Thankful for the Little Things

They say we should be thankful for the little things in life.  How many times have you heard that expression?

I had to opportunity to hear a woman speak recently who was recovering from a stroke.  She was leading a meditation, and was talking about how we should be grateful and more mindful of all the little things in our lives.  She then proceeded to share with us some of the little things 'she' was grateful for.


 
Her list was long and meandering - but the beautiful flow and sincerity of her words deeply touched everyone in the room.  It wasn't so much a meditation, as a journey.  Her unique journey ~

" - like when you are looking for a parking place and you happen to see the very last one in the lot...and you barely have room to squeeze your car into the corner - but hey, you got to park!  Or how about there not being any ice on the roads anymore so you don't have to worry about hitting another car or falling down when you try to get out?  Those are some of the things I'm grateful for...and I'm also pretty grateful to get my plants in the ground after they have been sitting on my deck for a long time ~"

Through my silent laughter at her candor - eyes closed and tears of happiness streaming down my smiling face - I felt my heart completely open up and send all the love and hugs I had within me to this wonderful, brave soul.
Yes, I thought - it really is the small things we overlook that we should be thankful for.
It really is ~

~ diane

It's all in Your Dreams #1 by Diane Fergurson
Prints available on Etsy

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Time - Welcome to 2014

If you stop and think about it, during the last two days a large majority of people on this plant have been preoccupied with the concept of time.  Saying goodbye to a period of time - New Years Eve - and welcoming in a new conceptualized period of time - 2014.

I was recently looking through a stack of very old books from my Grandmother's library and I found a well worn, 1939 edition of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran.  

A 75 year old book - wow - although the book was first published
 in 1923 and continues to
be one of the best selling books of all time.

I loved Gibran's words concerning time, and thought I would share 

them with you to begin this new year.  

Hope yours is a good one

 

                                         ~ diane fergurson

And an astronomer said, Master, what of Time? 

And he answered:

You would measure time the measureless and 

the immeasurable.

You would adjust your conduct and even direct 

the course of your spirit according to hours 

and seasons. 

Of time you would make a stream upon whose

bank you would sit and watch its flowing.

Yet, the timeless in you is aware of timelessness,

And knows that yesterday is but today's

memory and tomorrow is today's dream.

And that which sings and contemplates

in you is still swelling with the bounds of that 

first moment which scattered the stars into

space.

Who among you does not feel that his power 

to love is boundless?

And yet who does not feel that very love,

through boundless, encompassed within the 

center of his being, not moving from love

thought to love through, nor from love deeds to

other love deeds?

And is not time even as love is, undivided and

paceless?

But if in your thought you must measure 

time into seasons, let each season encircle all the

other seasons,

And let today embrace the past with remembrance

and the future with longing.

Photo by diane fergurson

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Thoughts on Mother's Day

We recently moved my 87 year old mother into an Assisted Living facility.  It wasn't really a sad or bad thing - just an acceptance of time passing - what is.  While we were packing up her apartment I ran across the note, pictured above, taped rather haphazardly to the back of a framed photo that was on top of her bookcase.  My mother was never one to keep my things from childhood.

  Photos yes, but not sentimental mementos or any of my artwork. 

So when I saw this note that she had saved for over 50 years, I knew it must 

have held a special place in her heart.

Putting an elderly parent in an Assisted Living or Nursing Home will inevitably throw you into a backtrack through time.  As I ran across the note and starting thinking about growing up, I not only thought about my mother, but all the other motherly figures who were important during different periods of my life too.  My grandma, aunts, godmother, my friend's mother, neighbors - the list is a long one.

   My mother never pretended to be supermom.  She was outstanding at some things - ahead of her time really - good at others, and fell short on others.  But what for what she didn't manage to do, there was always someone from that cluster of women who was there to fill in the gaps of my ever 
growing knowledge base.

Definitely a divine plan of some sort.

 

 So to all those women, and especially to my own mom - cheers!
Thanks a bunch!

Enjoy your Mother's Day!

 

*as a post note - I open my sketch book, thumb through the pages, and what do I see?  

All these years later and I'm still drawing flowers - over and over and over.  

I guess some things never change!

                                                                                                          ~ diane fergurson

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