As I embarked on my "Retreat Week" the only distinct plan was to follow these points:
1. Don't plan anything solid. This week was about letting life unfold naturally. Aside from a few things I want to enjoy in the week (a concert, the monks visit, lots of painting,etc) the only real "plan" is to be very mindful and enjoy a great week. However spontaneous that may be.
2. Stay off the internet as much as possible if its not "work related". And especially NO POSTING. This is a week of quiet. Non reaction. Inner stillness.
I decided to prepare on Sunday by telling all my friends what I was doing then taking care of some mundane loose ends so they would be done and off my brain.
Sunday- TCB day.....did my taxes! Feels so good to get that out of my hair. Highlights of the day were taco lunch with bestie and getting caught in a glorious rain shower and getting soaked. Blessed by rain, amazing to just slow walk and enjoy the sensation. Now that taxes are done the week is open for my retreat.
Monday- slowing it down with slow cooker stew and baked sweet potatoes. I love cooking when Im in the mood for it so getting in the kitchen and prepping a few meals worth was nice. An unexpected job popped up (always welcome!) and although no personal painting happened today it was a laid back day taking care of business, enjoying the rainstorms and some catnaps. I also backed up a ton of photos and cleared space on my phone before 6 am. Who is this productive person? 😝 Space on my phone means I can post videos next week 🙌
Tuesday- oh so much rain but how glorious to be home to enjoy the dim house and music it plays against the windows. The plan was to meet up to see the monks with a friend but the plan fell through. Instead I worked on getting prints matted for the open studio and upcoming selling season. Monks will happen Thursday if all goes well ✌ Productive cozy day, made potato and chicken salad and cleaned out the fridge. Being offline has given me SO MUCH TIME back...everything is getting done! I feel rested and peaceful 🌞
Getting prints matted for open studios!
Wednesday- Looking forward to a good workout, studio time and Bob Dylan is tonight!
I bought tickets a long time ago when I had money for such things. Now in my frugal days I can enjoy a night out and feel abundant. Not posting anything online and not looking at the internet is becoming easier by the day. *The Dylan show was great. No photography or cellphones allowed so it was easy to be mindful. ✌
Thursday- Today is the birthday of Thich Nhat Hahn, one of my favorite monks. Its only befitting today is the day to see the monks making the sand mandala. The weather has turned cool and gorgeous- a great day for an outing. I try to see the monks making the mandala every year. It was actually one of the things that got me painting again once upon a time. Their patience and dedication to their art is beyond phenomenal.
I was lucky to catch them while such a cool art show was going on. The Jacob Hashimoto show is up until April. He does beautiful installations and printwork. "Nuvole" was the big cloud-like installation that hung above the monks as they worked.
Its made of so many little disks of wood and silk. If I thought that was impressive I was in love with the downstairs gallery showcasing more...
Woodblock prints...so many
Beautiful layers upon layers...Ive always been a sucker for the most tedious looking work. Between the attention to detail in Hashimotos work and the extreme patience of the monks- I was remembering my "go deep" aesthetic once again.
After the Crow Collection of Asian Arts I visited my old haunt - the DMA. I worked all my youth away in that building. 😝 This was where I hurt my back in 2009 and left my job to be AN ARTIST! Saw lots of old friends and a cool exhibit called "Cult of the Machine".
Charles Scheeler "Golden Gate Bridge"
Its an amazing show that warrants a couple of visits. Precision paintings that illustrate the machine age. Think Georgia O Keefe only painted flowers? Think again- she has some impressive work in this show along with greats like Gerald Murphy, Demuth and many others.
It was a whole day of art and Tibetan monks and a journey to old places as a new person.
The monks painstakingly creating the sand mandala...they will destroy this weekend. Impermanence and its deep lesson.
Work in progress
Friday- woke up not feeling 100%. I think I've been battling an infection and decided that while I was still functional I should prep meals...just in case. Made a big pot of chicken soup-one of my best yet- and threw some chicken into a crockpot to slow cook. So if things do go downwards- meal planning won't be one of my concerns. But fingers crossed I stay up 🙏 hopefully some antibiotics fly my way next week and everything goes back to normal. Taking it easy today.
All art is on sale in my Shopify shop right now, 20% off... use code PUMPKIN
Saturday- I actually had to pop back onto social media and put up some promos for my Shopify shop. Ah the life of a freelance artist- you have to go fishing every day if you want to eat.
Theres an odd pain in my side but I did get antibiotics so hopefully it cures the ailments. Looking forward to a mellow weekend taking care of business and healing. ✌
Things I learned this week or thoughts Im pondering on now:
*We have an inherent need to have an audience these days. Not posting or reacting for a week was hard but liberating. You learn the art of silence, savoring things for YOURSELF and not having instant gratification via likes.
*If your business is an online thing (like mine) its very hard to do this and still keep your electricity on and food on the table.
*I did it- for the most part. Unfortunately my funds are just too low to not hawk prints and art right now...but achieving balance is what Im seeking and it was a necessary challenge.
I'll be practicing the art of silence more often online and "deferred satisfaction". ✌Enjoy the weekend and stay healthy friends ✌
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