by the light of the moon, Monotype of the Day #359

Interesting, I'm still learning so much with this new ink. This was a blue black ink that I mixed and the paper turned it green. That's the adventure of making art. You never know what will happen. Happy surprises abound!

Today I had a really lovely studio visit, a nice couple. They purchased one of my favorite prints (I'll post the picture tomorrow) and when they left I noticed I had a huge thick swatch of dark ink on my upper lip. Basically I had given myself a Hitler mustache. Oy, is really the only word that adequately describes the feeling! Of course I was mortified. But then I reflected on the kindness they showed me in not mentioning it. Instead of beating myself up, I took their example and practiced kindness toward myself. The mortification (mostly 😊) turned to laughter. So many times in life we go to self-blame and miss the opportunity for kindness. Kindness really changes everything. Could I have made the same print tonight, if I was still giving myself a hard time? I doubt it.

Poem by Dogen

Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water.
The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken.
Although its light is wide and great,
The moon is reflected even in a puddle an inch wide.
The whole moon and the entire sky
Are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.

nightscape 2, Monotype of the Day #300

Day 300! I'm feeling very happy, accomplished and excited to keep going! I'm somewhat surprised at myself in a good way, my meditation work on loving kindness must be paying off. It is a delight to be able to see the accomplishment instead of all the negatives my brain used to spin out. Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun I have followed for many years, has this to say: "The first step is developing an unconditional friendship with yourself. Unconditional friendship means staying open when you want to shut down, when it is just too painful, too embarrassing, too unpleasant what you see in yourself." I've really been working with this concept. I've seen what kindness can do to a rescued dog and how much love that dog is now able to give to the world. I wonder if we gave the same level of kindness and love to ourselves how that would pour back to the people we love? It's a worthy goal.

More from Pema: https://noaimiloa.livejournal.com/6121.html

xo

the artist seeks forgiveness, Monotype of the Day #208

One of the challenges of being an artist is there is no escape while you are working. Many times unprocessed emotions come up while working. I'm convinced this is why so many artists have been heavy drinkers, etc. These feelings can be raw and intense and as with anything, you can choose to face them or run away. I try my best to (wo)man up and deal. This is a very personal piece. I'm sharing it because it's an universal experience. We torture ourselves for years over such minor things. We turn to others for forgiveness when it is really we who need to forgive ourselves. Today after making this piece, I forgive myself for the times I didn’t live up to my own expectations