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With Dusty 
INSPIRATION by Nic East Whenever we talk about the now-popular subject of Creativity, sooner or later the words Imagination, Originality, Novelty and Inspiration burst into the discussion and we necessarily have to define our terms. Art is such a complicated and nearly indefinable word, standing for the wonderful variety of possibilities we can discover in our manipulation of disparate materials into some sort of an aesthetic example. Tied up with the making of Art is that always very conceptual term; Creativity. To me, Art must embody an idea or feeling that you convey to us via your Art object or performance. Art is all about you communicating your feelings to others: The feelings always come before your creation of any finished Art object and they sustain you throughout the process of its actualization. The better our senses, the sharper our minds, the greater our Artistic empathy and the better we can understand our Art experience. The inspirational stimulation that causes any true Artist to create Art and not merely decoration is quite another matter. To become an Artist in the first place, it is necessary that you clearly understand the Language of Art and be able to technically use that language by manipulating materials to express your idea in the clearest manner. Also, so that you can clearly express the idea of the Art subject matter, you must be at least informally conversant with a variety of techniques of visual expression. This knowledge creates a fertile environment in which the seeds if the Art idea may flourish within your mind. It sets your stage, so to speak. The flame that ignites the Artist's imagination is Inspiration. That sometimes fragile flame is illusive and often may come at inconvenient times. Sources of stimulation are as varied as there are techniques used to express Art. Sometimes a word or phrase ignites your imagination. Other times, it may be a dream or visual scene or even music. I have found that Art shows are most successful for me that make me want to rush to my studio and get right to work, impelled by the power of my inspiration's energy. Now, as to the care and feeding of Inspiration, Artists use many tactics to enrich their experience: First, they train their sensitivity by educating their senses, particularly their eyes. This is done by exposing themselves to all sorts of novel experiences and challenges. Second, they are highly interactive and go to as many museums, galleries, fairs and festivals of Art and Craft as often as possible. Often they subscribe to many resource magazines in their chosen field, sometimes contributing articles to them. Often, they purchase lesson DVD's and take classes with noted leaders within their profession. Third, they try to share their experiences as frequently as they can with others. The best relationship, of course, is with a Muse. A Muse is a close and trusted friend, lover or another professional Artist with whom they can share their innermost thoughts and feelings without any fear of disparagement. Fourth, they are diligent, often spending all their free time at their chosen work, pursuing their ideas, impatient to bring them to fruition. Fifth, when inspiration does come, they are always ready to act upon its message. To do this, they usually carry at minimum a note- or sketchbook and a well-charged digital camera with them when they go out from their studio, making sure they have a variety of writing or sketching tools, usually in a carrying case. Feeling inspired is a wonderfully energizing reaction to the stimulation, whatever the source that ignites your emotions toward action. In spite of what intellectuals say, art is really all about conveying or instigating emotion. From Inspiration through actualization, to the satisfaction of completion and sometimes beyond to a sale of the piece of work, the Artist moves through a series of increasingly satisfying steps, all the time taking huge risks and "wearing his heart on his sleeve". Inspiration is the key when your mind is the lock, for it enables you to literally throw the doors of creativity wide and go through, crossing its threshold toward your personal Artistic goals. - Nic East
Dusty’s Sharing – Spring Cleaning My opportunity is to overcome my concern about what others might be concluding when they come to visit. It is about not doing immaculate house cleaning. The outcome of raising children usually produces plenty of clutter. How does one deal with the situation? I read something the other day in a magazine. The suggestion was to have a cleaning parade. While Mom is cleaning, the child could do his room and maybe dress in a big apron or something fun and different, maybe Dad's shirt. It can be a fun project, defining specific areas and maybe giving small prizes for cleaning each of those certain areas. For myself, I wrote a special cleaning list. There are myriad nooks and crannies that never get touched. A general list of activities with some specified rewards, such as taking a walk, lounging in a bubble bath, or whatever soothes one's body and soul, could provide accomplishment more often. I did some fun furniture rearrangements and cleaning. The facility cleaning took place between the fun things so seemed effortless. A specific declaration or a thoughts of a desired trait can be consumed while cooking supper, washing dishes or cleaning house. Listening to enjoyable music, repeating affirmations or communing in prayer can embrace listening as well as talking. When I make constructive declarations, I am accomplishing something within my mind, cleansing my outlook. I discovered letting go happens in completion once I allow it to be immersed in the cascade of love. That is what letting go is. I will continue in awareness of letting go with a cleansing with love, as necessary. When one focuses on cleansing the mind with love, it fills to overflowing with positives so there is no room for anything else. More love replaces less love. Taking concern for special needs of each family member, doing little extra deeds and favors, and providing a clean and cozy home environment are general concerns. We each have specifics that fit our particular situations. Commitment to God, family and one's self is a beautiful concept. There is a difference between a commitment to the future and being committed right now. Setting fond hopes and intentions for events of the future does not insure commitment to the present. At the center of each created being is the God-self, the self that was created in God's image. This is the pure Love-self. The first overlay is what defines the unique personality of each person. This sometimes remains hidden. It becomes tainted as it seeps to the surface. The outer layer, which builds up the "stuff" of humanity, is made up of character and choices. Many only observe or experience this outer layer without searching deeper for the unique personality and loving God-self. My responsibility is to get my outer layer cleaned up and in submission with the Holy Spirit. This keeps the glass clean so others can see my God-self. Symbolically, one can gather up every particle in her life right now. It can all be put into two different collected stacks: one material and one spiritual. Every material thing that has no purpose can be sorted, tossed or given away. This project begins with organizing the items to be kept so they may serve to their best capacity. One's spiritual collection may include habits, hopes, dreams, desires and a personal relationship with the Lord. Strengthening faith, love and fellowship with God will allow Him to do the rest of the sorting. This includes anything the Lord sees fit to clean out of one's inner house. Experiencing the joy in each moment is simply a matter of letting go of concerns to do so. There is no effort involved to find this joy. The only thing that some might consider effort would be the act of turning from the shadow to face the Light. We do not have to fight the shadow, condemn it or try to make it go away. There is great opportunity in remembering this. We simply turn to the Light and accept the energy and cleansing. We take another step in life with the Light revealing our path. The decisions that come to your awareness will help bring the unexpected into a smooth flowing household to be cleansed quickly, easily and with peace of mind.
Enjoy every moment to the fullest! - Dusty
- PATHWAY ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - LIFE NOW
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