After Rain I ©Susan Morrison Sims

giclee’ print, donated for charity  

~ 

In helping others,

we shall help ourselves,

for whatever good we give out

completes the circle

and

comes back to us.

~Flora Edwards

Well, it seems fall is upon us, and I am happy to see it come. It also seems to be a time of charities. I think I told you before that I had to select a few charities, as I can’t possibly donate to all of them. In the past, it has been charities for abused women/children and animal shelters (see my note below). During the year, I usually try to add in one or two other things that touch my heart,

and so… 

Recently, a new friend told my husband and me about a charity at his church. They give food to families in need and with the economical situation, they’ve had a VERY large increase of people in need. I am not into organized religion, but what my friend told us touched my heart. So at the very last minute I decided to donate something for their spaghetti dinner and silent auction. I donated an “After Rain I“ giclee’ print. Some of you may remember the “Mystery of the Woods”  post I wrote about the painting. (the original sold and hangs in Canada now).   

I usually donate things without attending the event, but for some reason I wanted to attend this one. So last Saturday we changed our normal routine and traveled to a little “one stoplight” town for a $7 spaghetti dinner and a silent auction. I admit, as we drove south I wondered why I hadn’t simply donated the print as I find it uncomfortable being there during the bidding.  Alas, only our friend and his wife knew the print was mine..so it was to be a true silent auction for me, and I liked it that way.  

As we drove through the little town it was obvious it was not a place of great material wealth. Yet, when we parked and entered the event  I saw lots and lots of local people helping..volunteers all of them…all ages, from old to young and from all walks of life. 

What I saw was wealth beyond material things in that little town.

I saw wealth, of heart.

The spaghetti line was long and continued to be so for hours!  The meal was simple but quite good..they even had cupcakes for desert!! We sat across the table from three delightful senior citizens..more new friends! I was happy that the print sold for a very good amount (three people bidding against each other), and I came home with an object I can use to hang things on the wall in one of the studios. Though I felt a little guilty about it..I was bidding against another person. eh, eh All for a good cause though…right?  

So not only did we leave our hermit world and attend..we stayed until the end, and we had a divine time! We came home filled up..I don’t mean just with spaghetti, salad, garlic toast, and cup cakes. Though I confess, I ate two chocolate cupcakes!!  

No, I mean our hearts were full. This is why I will always try to help in some way or another. I also have another reason, I have a debt to pay… 

Some years ago, as a single mother, I desperately needed help with food for my little four year old daughter and me. I did receive help. Some ordinary people came to our rescue..and they did so, more than once.

So…

I’ve seen and met angels

wearing the disguise of ordinary people 

living ordinary lives.

~Tracy Chapman 

I’ll never forget those ordinary people..those angels!

Though nothing like that long ago time, we all have challenges we deal with …such is life.  Alas, I can temporarily put it all aside and find happiness in helping others, even in small ways. Maybe it is somewhat selfish of me, but I also keep doing it because..

I want to be a part of that circle

that complete circle…

of love!

~

in Love, in light, and in laughter,

~gypsy-he♥rt

**Note I am donating a photo finish print of “Butterfly Blues” (original post Butterfly Secrets~ Butterfly Wisdom)to the Safe Animal Shelter charity event. How could I not donate something..’tis where I adopted our beloved guru dogs, Ringo and Amber! A wonderful friend of mine and of the shelter is anonymously donating beautiful framing! They too are having a dinner and silent auction…though their dinner will be much fancier! I will not be attending theirs this time..maybe next year…you just never know.   

 Butterfly Blues ©Susan Morrison Sims

original /oil on canvas

(click on thumbnail to enlarge) 

I’ve been around to “visit” some of you..will be around to see more of you. I can’t seem to keep up with everything anymore. I will tell you again that facebook has been an unexpected pleasant surprise.  A quick way to keep up with old friends and make new!  You may want to think about joining us.  ta, ta for now. :)

~♥♥~

susanmorrisonsims.com

Just me and my camera. (Susan Morrison Sims)

(photo by Louise Freshman Brown)

~

Look deeply into nature

and

you will

understand everything better.

~Albert Einstein

~

I hope all is good in your worlds. I know I have been quiet, as of late.

Where have I been?

Other than my painting trip to France,  this entire summer has been one of returning to nature at every opportunity. Often with camera in hand..not brushes. I wanted to go outside and let my lens capture what I was seeing and feeling.  No more thinking and rethinking..just seeing and feeling. No more talking and talking about the things going on around and within….

meditations in nature.

That began as a child..one of my earliest memories is of hiding from everyone within the little woodland nearby. It is much the same today..I retreat to my beloved nature. She wraps me up in her gentle quietness…..

allowing me to renew and listen to my heart messages.

and that is where I have been. Listening to the messages from around me and from within

and now…

I am understanding everything better! ♥

Alas, summer is almost gone, and once again, the signs of change are around us. I am not only ready to embrace the change..I am eager for it! I am ready for fall (my most favorite season), and I am ready for my studio again.

The studio has been quiet…still brushes and empty canvases patiently waiting for me. It is time..for I have paintings swirling around in my head and in my heart.

So I will be “seeing” you again, and if all goes well I’ll have some new paintings to show you. :)

in Love, in light, and in laughter,

~gypsy-he♥rt

Ps I’ve tried to get around to “visit” some of you in emails and comments on your blogs. Some of us are together on facebook.  I’ll be in touch with more of you soon.

~♥♥~

susanmorrisonsims.com

Reflections, of heart ©Susan Morrison Sims

digital photo (click on image to enlarge)

~

There is no room

in my heart

for hatred…

only

for love.

~smSims

~~

Well, ’tis been a while hasn’t it?  I hope all of you are well and happy! I have been re-grouping as I said I must do. A lot has changed in my world..outside and within. Guess what…I am amazed…no, I AM STUNNED at how happy I feel!!! You know from some of my previous posts (7-15-09, and 7- 21-09) what transpired in my family. I guess I sort of went through the stages of grief.  I even thought I hated the people in charge of the Watchtower.  I am surprised at my own feelings as I type the word Watchtower. I do feel tinges of sadness for those still in there, but I no longer feel any hatred for the leaders. Hating them was allowing them to still control me…the poisonous affects of hatred are not pretty.  Hatred for anything controls us whether we realize it or not..it can even become an addiction, a passion, or like a new religion. I am not going to join another religion of hate (there are many out there).  Nope..my passions are otherwise, and that is what I am returning to…old passions and new!

I like coming here and chatting with you..here, through emails, and on facebook. Yet, I felt pressured about getting paintings finished, so I could post. How silly is that..as if the “posting police” would fine me or something! Sometimes I don’t paint for a few weeks, and I don’t want to just slap paint on the canvas. Nor do I want to slap words on here, only because it is time to “post” something…ANY thing. That is a waste of your precious time and mine.

So I confess, I haven’t painted much at all since my return from France. What I have been doing is walking every day, doing my yoga again, meditation, spending time on Drayton Island, and taking photographs of things that I see along my way. I am seeing my world much clearer again..maybe because I am free to do so.

I have started putting a few photos on face book, and so I am thinking of putting my photos on here along with paintings and whatever else moves my heart.

Now there’s that word that I am SO fond of… heart!  Some of you know that I see faces and  hearts everywhere..usually perfectly imperfect ones.  So this is one of my photos from this week. I took this while on my morning walk on Fleming Island. During the week here, I walk an hour every morning..back and forth on our dock that runs about 700′ over the St John’s River.  The river is tidal and brackish water so we have both fresh and salt water creatures passing through our world.

I love the energy of the St John’s ..it is constantly changing from gentle rolls to wild waves like the ocean. When it is smooth and almost still I like to take shots of what is beneath the water and the reflections floating on the surface. This is a cloud reflection shot. I was quite surprised when I found it while looking through my morning “over the river” shots.

I have been asking and looking for signs..for my own journey…and Reflections, of Heart was one. Here is another one:

This morning it was uncommonly smooth..moving so softly one would think it was still. I was thinking how my heart is at peace now..much like the river…calm, but gently rolling on. Guru dogs, Ringo and Amber, seemed a little perplexed at the stillness, so I said to them “magical things can come from stillness” (and yes, I talk to my guru dogs).  I was also thinking how wonderful it would be if we could have a manatee visit on such a morning. We have not seen any for a couple of months now.

Remember the post about this little 4″ x 6″ manatee magic painting? Can you believe that was a year ago!!

Manatee Magic ©Susan Morrison Sims

Anyway, I walked to the other end of the dock, and as I turned around I saw that both Ringo and Amber were very still and quiet (which is NOT a common thing, mind you). I could tell Ringo wanted me to quickly come to them.

This is why…

first one manatee

then more manatees…

then even more manatees…

I couldn’t even count all of them…I am guessing at about 15.  When the last one was going under our neighbor’s dock I waved good-bye.. he/she raised his/her fin and with a little splash disappeared with the others continuing on with their journey.  I don’t know if you can see it in my cropped photo or not.

a manatee good-bye.

I could share more and more signs and symbols from this week, alone, but enough for now.  This week has passed by quickly..but sweetly so. I am in a good place now, and I am hoping you won’t mind a mix of  things here from my world..including my non-professional photos. My photos, like my art, say what I struggle to tell you in words.

If you could see into my heart now you would see that it is FULL of love and gentleness, like this mornings river.

Love and Gentleness of Heart to you,

~gypsy-he♥rt

Ps  One more sign..I simply can’t resist. :O  As I told you I was undecided about posting my photos here.  This came in the mail..and I did not order it.  In fact, I’ve never owned a photo magazine! My guess is, it was sent because I bought a new camera for the France trip. Of course I bought it back in May…and it just happened to arrive now. Needless to say,  I think I got my answer..what do you think? hee, hee

~♥♥~

susanmorrisonsims.com

Path at the Shadow’s Edge ©Susan Morrison Sims

8″ x 10″ acrylic on canvas / Little Paintings Series

(click on image to enlarge)

Hello dear hearts, I find myself wanting to chat with you this evening. :) I have been dwelling within my own shadows for a spell, and those of you that read my last couple of posts (7-15-09, and 7- 21-09), know why.  I found myself once again, searching for light, and once again, I found it waiting for me just beyond the shadow’s edge.

Yesterday, I returned to meditation just to see if I could escape the endless noisiness of my mind. It was in that place of sacred silence that I finally listened to my heart, and I found peace. Why had I avoided meditation for months??? I found light within the silence..like a trillion little stars in a colorless night sky, and…

my energy instantly changed!

Later that day…as if by design, I received some very sage words from one of my very first blogging friends, 94Stranger at Rainring.   Here are some of his words:

“All I can say is that the only way I know to gain something out of even the most devastating experiences is to try and understand what they have to teach us.”

“..each human being has to live their own experiences and face their own destiny…”

Thank you 94S!! Somehow, I had forgotten that!!! Last night and today, I have received more positive messages and confirmations. I also realized that I have been running along side others on their paths..trying to save them, make them leave it, and follow me.  Not only, was that wrong..it kept me from moving forward. I had become weighted down with a very heavy heart, my own. I had stopped my own journey. I was also living in fear of alienated them, of losing them. Thus, I found myself wearing all kinds of smothering masks, just like before, **see Masked Mime**, well

NO MORE…

the masks are off, once and for all..

discarded into the darkness!

How very LIBERATING.. I instantly felt the weight lift from my heart!!

My wings began unfolding again…

stronger than ever before,

So as to carry me

further and higher

straight into my dreams.

Dreams waiting there

just beyond..

the shadow’s edge!

~~

I now find myself dwelling in new energies.

Changes are coming..including here.

I want to paint,  to garden,  to dance, and to laugh,  to live life to the fullest, and most of all

I want to LOVE and BE LOVED, AS I AM.

I can do all these things now

and I will

because…

I am free

to continue, on my own path.

~~

I wish the same for all of you!

in Love, in light, and in laughter,

~gypsy-he♥rt

Ps I will leave the cult info on here, and of course, I will talk to any one that wants or needs to talk about it. It will no longer be my energy focus.

I want to thank all of you for your comments and emails..you’ll never know how much it meant. If I neglected to respond to any one of you, I apologize. Please don’t hesitate telling me so I can do so. You are all sparkles of light along my path.

~~♥~~

To Shanni Lea, my beloved daughter, I will be waiting until our paths cross again

..and they will, because

our love is more powerful, than ANY cult!!

~♥♥~

susanmorrisonsims.com

Cezanne’s Mountain  ©Susan Morrison Sims

(en plein air, Aix en Provence)

acrylic on unstretched canvas approx 14.5″ x 16.5″

(click on the image to enlarge, twice to walk in the vineyard with me : )

~~

On the mountains of truth

you can never climb in vain;

either you reach a point higher up today

or

you will be training your powers

so that

you will be able to climb higher tomorrow!

~Friedrich Nietzsche

~~

First and foremost, I want to thank all of you for the precious comments and support on here, in emails, and on facebook!!  I plan to respond soon and to visit those of you with sites.  Alas, I did not want to allow too much time to go by after my last post. It was much too serious, and I did not wish to leave my words lingering. I want positive energies flowing from here..so whatta’ you say, let’s just move on!

I decided to share this en plein air painting now, as I feel a timely connection to it and to Nietzche’s words. Of the five pieces from my trip, I had planned to post this one last. Obviously, my plan changed.  This piece was painted just a stones throw from the villa where I was staying.  I was looking through the vineyard at Cezanne’s beautiful and beloved mountain (Mt Sainte Victoire). We had grape vineyards surrounding us on all sides, and that was fine with me. For some reason,  I am drawn to them..the lights and shadows weaving in and out of the grape vines and within the furrows connecting the rows. I love the muted colors of the earth, the various greens,  and the rich golds and reds revealed in the sunlight.  Everything about the vineyard symbolizes life to me..even how the vines must be cut back with the change of seasons…

for the new growth, that is to come

I see myself in this painting…I am like those vineyards with lights and shadows weaving in and out of my life connected by time, places, and people. I have asked myself, what seems a thousand times..possibly a million times..why so many set backs..is all this in vain???  Happiness and loss seem to come and go..and so do people. Like changing seasons.  Do you ever feel like that?

What seems a thousand times..possibly a million times, my heart answers…

all was and is not in vain,  for ’tis how truths are found.

Now once again changes..happiness and loss and people have come and gone, and…

once again…

My mountains of truth beckon me forward.

Not only, will I NOT turn back…

I am empowered

and

ready to climb higher!

~~

I am wishing the same for all of you.

Love, light, and laughter,

~gypsy-he♥rt

***Ps There is an obscure upside down heart in this piece…did you see it? This post is dedicated to my daughter, my first born. If you are reading my words here..my love for you is unfinished…as it will forever be! NO man made religious organization can ever change that!!!

susanmorrisonsims.com

Unfinished Changes..

en plein air, France ©Susan Morrison Sims

acrylic on outstretched canvas (click on the image to enlarge)

~~

Life is one of those precious fleeting gifts,

and

everything can change in a heartbeat.

~author unknown

~~

Yes, I am still alive and breathing, and needless to say, I am wishing the same for all of you. :) (An explanation of the entire title follows after the warning below).  How have all of you been? I have been busy with necessary things of life..and I confess, some not so necessary things.

First I want to tell you the funny story about this en plein air painting that so exemplifies the quote. As I told you before, I had five pieces going, and I would return to them when the light was the same. There were two pieces I was struggling with..the one that lies beneath Roses, from Rain (my last post) and this one. For one thing, I started this  mid-day in the brightest and hottest time of day. I ended up seeking shade within some bushes under some small trees, and here is a photo:   Me…”in the bushes”, painting. (photo courtesy of Radius Workshops)

The last morning of painting (before the rains came) I was awakened by the loud sound of a machine nearby. I couldn’t imagine as we were in a villa deep in the country, but I thought..maybe a garbage truck? So I tried to fall back into sleep, but the relentless humming of the engine would not allow it. I then had a horrible thought..what if that was coming from where I was working on a painting??  So I threw my clothes on and ran outside following the sound. I didn’t have to run far, because there on top of the hill was a huge tractor plowing up the dirt..along with all the beautiful wild flowers that I was saving to paint last! :(  I stood there with my hands on my hips staring in disbelief. Of all the fields around why this one..why MY beautiful wildflower field??? The driver finally saw me. He paused and then gestured with his hands as if to say…

I’m sorry.

I simply waved back as if to say….

It’s okay…it’s done.

What would be the point in getting upset..it was over it, all had changed.  The earth was ready for the new garden to come..

So here is the painting..Unfinished Changes. I am not sure what I will do with it. I may return to it, painting from my before the plow photos, OR I may return to my memories of what was and paint,  OR..I may just let it be and move on.  What do you think I should do? I am open to your opinions and advice.

**Warning…stop reading here if you only want light thoughts from me, today.

I’ve often said that my paintings always seem to coincide with my life…and this piece does. Lots of changes in my life, as of late..and  more to come. For one thing, as I told you Stephanie closed her shop/gallery. So I have to embrace the business side of this more..and I have been looking into what directions I will go. I think I’ve mentioned before that I will eventually have a gallery in the house we are renovating on Drayton Island. I am excited about that, but I have other ideas and offers swirling in my head.  Trust me, I see these issues as minor and petty problems in the big scheme of things.

on the other hand…

Some MAJOR personal things have changed in my life too…that is one reason I was happy to get away to France and hopefully stop my mind from THINKING and THINKING!!

I am at liberty to tell you this now, because I have no reason not to shout it out to the world. My beautiful beloved daughter, my first born, has returned to a religion that does not allow her to even speak to me..I am dead to her and her little family (my grandchildren). Why..because almost twenty years ago, I left the religion of my family which I now believe is recognized as a cult (another link). You can google away and the info is endless.

There I’ve said it…

I am not going to write long and boring words about the difficult and heart hurting change. Am I dwelling on it?? Less and less…at least I’ve stopped shedding tears over it (for the most part). I can tell you it happened on November 28, 2008 at 1:38  pm. That was the last time I heard her voice when she told me over the phone, because she could not tell me while looking into my eyes. I’ve known for a while that this day could come and most likely would! Alas, one can only hope, and dance the dance until the music stops..eh?

Forgive me for I know, unlike my field story, this is not funny. You may think this post so unlike me for I SO try to be positive and stay focused on the good things of life. Don’t worry henceforth I do not plan to place my thoughts and  energies into ranting and raving about the unfairness of it all..but dammit I am not a bad person!! I will be freely speaking out about this now. You see, this happened once before..I was cut off from her for seven years and she came back (secretly so) for eleven years. I don’t know what happened maybe the “elders” found out. ..maybe someone reported her for associating with me. I do know “they” are tightening up their rules and fear tactics again and frightening the members about “the end and Armageddon.” Again..as they have countless times before!

I may upset and alienate some that read this, but right now I really don’t give a damn! I felt the need to say it.

sorry.

Maybe my words will help one person. If not, whatever comes or doesn’t come of this is okay, because..

it is done.

I don’t expect answers to this..nor do I wish to be saved by another religion. I can also assure you that I will NEVER go back into the JW’s..not even to be with my family…not again (I tried to leave it in my 20’s). How can I help them if I return. No, I need to write and speak out about it. In fact, I may even write my book about my crazy life  now. I feel better after having told you and all those who may pass by my words here..

I’ve plowed up the “real truth” from the dirt.

Now that I have exposed it all to “new light” I feel liberated..no more fears of saying or doing the wrong thing. I am free and looking forward to whatever unfolds. I am like that fresh turned earth in the light..awaiting what is to come..like wild flowers waiting to burst forth again!!!

I know in my heart that my daughter will return to me one day..and I will be out here patiently waiting. I am only a heartbeat away…

for this is about love,

and it is forever, unfinished….

~gypsy-he♥rt

Ps I also wrote this to help others that may be out there disfellowshipped or thinking of leaving the JW’s.  I want you to know there is a sweet and wonderful life beyond the Watchtower!  I will not publish or respond to comments or emails that I think insincere, hurtful, or hateful…sorry.

**Speaking of b♥♥ks, here are a few that I have in my personal library, a chat forum, and a help line # that I called myself.

Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz Written by a former member of the governing body of the Jehovah’s Witnesses (one of the grand poopa’s, so to speak). This book opened my eyes and not only changed my life..it gave me my life back! He too, was disfellowshipped for speaking out and exposing the falsehood and lies within the organization!

I’m Perfect, You’re Doomed Tales from a Jehovah’s Witness Upbringing by Kyria Abrahams:  This is written by a stand-up comic so needless to say, it is a comical view of life as a child in the JW’s.  I just received this book in the mail today, and I am looking forward to reading it.

Out of the Cocoon A Young Woman’s Courageous Flight from the Grip of a Religious Cut by Brenda Lee : I read this book in a matter of hours! I am a speed reader, but the point is..I could not put it down. I related in so many ways to her words, and I am so moved by it I plan to email her. (You will probably not be surprised to hear that the cult is Jehovah’s Witnesses)

Here is a toll free help line:

1-800-WHY-1914 (1-800-949-1914)

(I called this number when I first left and they were very kind and helpful). They are there for those affected by Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watchtower Society who are seeking confidential assistance. They will also mail you a free JW information packet.

Ex Jehovah’s Witness forum: I just found this site..it looks like it could be very helpful and informative for those contemplating leaving the JW’s or those that already have.

susanmorrisonsims.com

Roses, from  rain… en plein air, France. ©Susan Morrison Sims

(acrylic on unstretched canvas. approx 14.5″ x 16.5″  Click on image to see complete painting)

~~

They must often change,

who would be constant in

happiness or wisdom.

~Confucius

~~

I am struggling for words this afternoon…can you imagine that? ha! I think that is why I decided to show you this piece painted en plein air in France. It was painted over another piece..one of struggles.  The other four pieces, I’ll eventually post, are probably more of what you are expecting..landscape paintings from that area. Well maybe, you know I tend to step into my own little world when I paint…right?  eh, eh

On the last day of painting, before a road trip to Lyon, I was painting, re-painting, and RE-PAINTING a landscape. I started it the very first day of painting, and I was VERY frustrated with it! :o Then on top of that the weather changed and a gentle rain began, which quickly turned into a steady drizzle. So I had no choice but to pack up and head back to the villa…which only added to my frustration!  I walked under a certain window, as I often had while staying there.  Alas this time, despite the rain, I found myself standing there mesmerized by the beautiful roses caressing the window and wall.  In awe and enchanted by their simple beauty in the rain…my frustration simply dissipated and happiness filled the space. I then knew what I wanted and needed to paint that morning.

I spotted a large umbrella on the patio and moved it beneath the little window and set up to paint roses OVER the frustrating landscape (things of life). The rain not only continued, it strengthened and it was challenging to keep everything dry..including the canvas.  I painted for about 45 minutes until my palette and my canvas were a mix of paint and rain.  I decided to just let it be, as you see it here. So I can honestly say..this painting is of roses, from rain.

This painting (and this post) are metaphors for some recent events in my life and in a friend’s.

Life is constant change

and

one never knows what wisdom or gifts

are contained

within the change.

I am dedicating this post to Stephanie,  my wonderful framer and wonderful friend. I have often mentioned her here. Sadly she is closing her shop, and today is her last day. I have witnessed her strength and determination to adjust and embrace change, and I admire and respect her more than ever! May good energies abound on her new path, and YES I am saying it, corny as it may be, I can’t help myself….I am wishing her Roses, from rain.

I am wishing the same for all of us,

love, light, and laughter,

~gypsy-he♥rt

~♥~

susanmorrisonsims.com

Tagged: acrylic paintings, Art, art workshops, en plein air, fine art, flower paintings, France, little paintings, Provence, roses, Susan Morrison Sims art, SusanMorrisonSims.com ]]> http://island11.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/change-and-roses-from-rain/feed/ 17 gypsy-he♥rt Roses, from rain...en plein air, France. ©Susan Morrison Sims peering-into-the-soul-susan-morrison-sims http://island11.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/tis-the-simple-things-i-see-magic/ http://island11.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/tis-the-simple-things-i-see-magic/#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:36:31 +0000 gypsy-heart http://island11.wordpress.com/?p=2343 ]]>

You lose sight of things

and

when you travel

everything balances out.

~Daranna Gidel

~~

Me in front of an ancient Roman bridge (of course, those damn safety rails are not ancient).

(click on the photos to enlarge )

I must tell you….

Standing there at 55 years of age (yes, 55..so F’n what! :)

face naked

laugh lines exposed

silver hair blowing in the breeze…..

I felt like a child again

and

it was utterly divine!

~~

Dinner sitting next to David, a friend and fellow artist in the Radius workshop.

Tidied up a bit and in candle light..which tends to help hide those laugh lines. ha, ha

~~

One of the courses I had that evening…

Prepared special for me…how’s that for vegetarian?

Hello dear hearts..I am back in Florida. I hope all is well in your worlds!

I don’t know where to begin. I guess I’ll just begin by saying, I had a wonderful time in France!! I confess, I am still adjusting to being back in the real world. I think you know what I mean..cooking my own meals, laundry, driving myself around, etc. Oh and did I mention gardening? The weeds tried to claim my little vegetable~flower garden!  So one entire morning was spent removing them (all but the wild morning glories..my heart would not allow such). Anyway, it looks loved again.

I painted five en plein air pieces which I will post soon. I still have them rolled up from their journey home within my carry on suitcase.  :O

I have MUCH to tell you, and I promise I will soon. For example, I dined at the best restaurants, and I dined outside on a farm with roosters and hens running around and under the table (I swear)!  Which do you think I preferred???  While in Lyon I ate more rich decadent food..than in my entire life..and yet I lost weight from walking a lot in that glorious city. (I would love to live there, part time).

I know this is short, but I just wanted to say hello today. I hope to start making my way to your blogs and responding to your most appreciated comments and emails!! I wish all of you could have been there with me!! I plan to post more photos on here and on Facebook.

I do feel centered, balanced, and quite free again (to new levels!!). Other than the beauty and excitement of France, what other magic on my trip? Well…

I re-discovered how much I love life

especially the simple things like

good food,

good wine,

good music,

good friends,

and laughter

yes…

lots and lots of laughter!

I am wishing the same for all of you,

mwah mwah,

~gypsy-he♥rt

Ps  Most of you recall some of my “chats” about my Grandmother Morrison (G’ma M). Well, she turned 102 on June 13. Needless to say, she loves life too..and she agrees about the magic of the simple things in life! Okay..maybe not about the wine..she only drinks coffee (strong and straight). Hmmm… I have to think that maybe..there was a little more fun to be had in her 102 years with a little wine…agree?

What’s age anyway…G’ma M say’s it’s subjective. I have to agree…hell, I was an old soul when young!

Here’s a wine toast to my G’ma M on her 102!

Here’s to all centenarians!

~♥~

susanmorrisonsims.com

Ashlen’s Vision 1 – 4 © Susan Morrison Sims

acrylic on canvas  (As one image 48″ x 64″ Individual 24″ x 32″ )

click on images to enlarge

~~

Visualize this thing that you want,

see it,

feel it,

believe in it.

Make your mental blueprint

and

begin to build.

~Robert Collier

~~

Yes, my dears…I am still among the living, and I’ve missed all of you! As usual thank you for your wonderful comments and emails! How are things in your world’s…good I hope! All is good in mine I have just been living, loving, and laughing, and I’ve been extra, extra busy. Among other things spending a lot of time on Drayton Island working on the old 1880 house.  I must stop calling her the “old girl” because she is getting a makeover, and she is evolving into quite a “babe” if you know what I mean. hee, hee In time I will post pictures of her on here and Facebook. Who knows someday you may come for a weekend retreat.  That is, if you are not afraid of being on a island, with no bridges, old Florida style..complete with deer, bob cats, wild turkey, bears, alligators,…. Hmmm… Cross Creek by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings comes to mind.

A few posts ago I told you I was working on four commissioned pieces that were quite a challenge. Well these are the pieces Ashlen’s Vision 1-4.  Why the title? Well, there is a young woman named Ashlen that is part of my art business world here. One day, I was in her business and while chatting I discovered her dream of traveling to Tuscany with her husband. She told me she wanted a painting that reflected her dream.  So we talked about what I saw and loved on my visits there, and what she wants to see. Her vision and my vision are the “things” in the paintings. Villas, grape vineyards, rolling hills, divine little roads and paths here and there, ……

At first,  she wanted one large piece for her wall. I mulled it over and suggested four separate pieces that work together as one image. Thus, the four pieces. It is a lot about connections for me, and I have always liked her energy…so I thought it over, and I called her with an idea. I offered to paint the pieces, and then have my printer create canvas giclee’ prints, which would fit within her budget. Needless to say, as my Grandmother would say that was going about it all  “back’ards.”  One normally paints the pieces then the prints follow…so this was certainly a first! :O

I won’t go into all the challenges, but here are just a few: I had to come up with four smaller compositions within one and they all had to flow together and yet work individually. Each piece was large so I had to line up easels to work on them, and it was cumbersome. She wanted certain colors with a Tuscan theme. Her colors of choice were the same that tend to be in my palette anyway (my energy colors) so that was a good thing.  Alas, you know I like challenges and all ended up as we both envisioned. When you stand in front of them you feel as if you are on a hill..standing at the edge of the vineyard looking out over Tuscany. It’s during the fall harvest, which is my most favorite time of year there (and here). As usual, I have some symbolism in it..when she looks at it I want her to feel as if

~she’s standing at the edge of her dream,

and

all she need do is step into it~

I think I told you that she was very happy with the results and so was her husband…so that made me very happy and the whole ordeal worth while. Besides, I learned a lot from it! Oh I forgot…she wanted the pieces in time for an important dinner party she was having on a Saturday. Her husband was literally hanging the last piece as the first guest arrived. (talk about timing!) As for me..I was spent so I propped my feet up and had a glass (or two) of muscadine wine while listening to my girl, Duffy! I have four commissioned pieces to begin after my trip to France ..but they are for four individuals. These are for the originals this time, and prints to follow if some souls out there feel a connection. So maybe, just maybe a little less challenging…eh?

*Little side Note: Not the best photos, but did you notice the rose bushes in the front of a few of the vineyard rows? Well, when I saw those in Tuscany I thought..oh these people are so creative and seem to make everything so beautiful. Well, that is true, but I found out the rose bushes are there for a reason other than beauty. The farmers  watch them for pest and disease problems before it happens in the vineyard. So one could say the rose bushes are there as sacrificial bait, but I prefer to think of them as the guardians of the vineyard. Hmmm…guardian roses…I happen to like that image! For as most of you know, I count roses among my most favorite flowers..esp wild roses. :)

Before I leave you again,  I want to say how much I believe Robert Collier’s quote to be true! This can apply to anything in our lives. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve put this into practice and it works!! Word of caution…one must be careful not to visualize the negative!

Do you realize how much power you have?

‘Tis all contained within your own heart and mind?

Powerful energies around and within all of us,

if only we…

open our hearts and minds to what is there!

So, my little pretties may we embrace Collier’s words.. …just visualize, see it, feel it, believe in it, make your mental blueprint, and begin to build!!!

~JUST STEP INTO IT~

Love and light to all of you!

mwah, mwah

~gypsy-he♥rt

Ps I will tell you when Ashlen travels to Tuscany, because I know she will someday! Speaking of travel. As I mentioned I will be leaving on a trip to France (May 26). I will be staying in a medieval village in Provence ten days or so.  Then three of us are renting a car and driving into Paris and where ever else the road takes us.  I’ll try to do another post before I go, but I am running out of time and still have much to do before the trip. I may just try to get around to visit all of you.   ta, ta for now.

~♥~

susanmorrisonsims.com

Imperfection (plein air Tuscany)© Susan Morrison Sims

acrylic on paper (approx 6.5″ x 9″) click on image to enlarge

~~

Imperfection is beauty,

madness is genius,

and

it’s better to be

absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.

~Marilyn Monroe

~~

Hello darlings..so sorry I have been absent. Your comments and emails  to me were most appreciated, and your little nudges of

come back!

paint- paint- paint!

why aren’t you talking?

where the hell are you?

etc..

made me laugh (and you know I love a good laugh)!

Well, among lots of other things..I have been painting, and I will post a series of four soon. This piece Imperfection was quickly painted en plein air on a previous Tuscany trip. It was in the spring, so I thought this piece fitting for April.

It may surprise some of you that Marilyn Monroe made such a statement.  I’ve learned that guru’s come in all shapes and sizes. Actually, Marilyn was a very intelligent young woman, and who better to speak about beauty..eh?

What does it have to do with this painting though? Well, where I stayed in Tuscany (the Contessa’s) seemed pure perfection…especially the vineyards and olive groves. Of course I wondered off alone and I found this little olive grove full of random trees and it looked..hmmm…how shall I say it…well, it looked somewhat a mess. Yet, I thought it looked as if the little random trees were traveling to the soft light in the distance.

Now I probably should not say this for all to see, but

~I instantly felt a connection to the messy randomness~

so I had to paint it.  I found the imperfections metaphorically reassuring..does that make sense?   I also find this quote reassuring. Why?

because:

#1- I often think I am going a little mad (only randomly so…no need to worry)

#2- more often than not I dwell in the ridiculous (must be why I am never ever bored)

#3- last but not least I am forever an imperfect perfectionist. (which very well may be the reason for #1 and #2!)

Hell, all is not lost though because according to Marilyn…

I may be an interesting beautiful genius! hee, hee

thank god!

There is so much more I could and would say..alas time does not permit my lingering with you tonight. So I leave you now with this thought….

What if imperfection is perfection?

My, my wouldn’t that be

simply divine…

Love, light, and laughter to all you

Interesting beautiful genius souls out there!

~gypsy-he♥rt

Ps  Some of my realist friends may find the piece below, imperfect. :) I do not deny it is different. It is another one of my symbolic self portraits (my past self)..a collage (mixed media). Surprisingly, it was awarded first place in a St Augustine show. Here is a little event notice  “Out of Bounds” Before my dear perfectionist friends start emailing me..I know this is a terrible photo of the piece. I will have a better photo and tell you about it, after the show comes down on the 26 (I believe). As I often do I did a painting from this piece, and I’ll post both of them next time I post.

Here is the gallery site which is always behind on posting about the shows:  St Augustine Art Association (be forewarned of obnoxious music when you open their site). Both links have phone numbers, directions, and gallery hours, just in case you are in the area and wish to see the show. :) I haven’t seen it myself, but I plan to. If any of you are going let me know when and I’ll try to go at the same time. Maybe we can have a cup of coffee or lunch. St Augustine is one of my most favorite places in Florida.

Escape Series, III (symbolic self portrait) © Susan Morrison Sims

collage (mixed media) on paper

~♥~

susanmorrisonsims.com

gypsy-heart, I am

gypsy-heart, I am