Under the Sea

Are you ever buffeted by thoughts and emotions?  Who isn't!  No matter how hard we try, we can't stop thinking about something, or our minds jump from thought to thought.  Sometimes this is called a "monkey mind" - like having a little monkey swinging from branch to branch.

 

  

I like the metaphor of  the ocean.  On the surface, the ocean is buffeted by the wind and other elements, causing sometimes gentle, and sometimes turbulent waves.  And no matter what, they keep coming.  But if you dive deep underneath the waves, the water is quiet and still -- it is a haven of peace.  

Under the waves of our thoughts and feelings, it is good to remember that the deep ocean of stillness is there.  We find it when we get deeply into our artwork or anything that consumes us.  We find it when when we train ourselves to sit quietly and tune into the breath.   

This spread is from an old encyclopedia I've been altering.  I created it by boxing off words that spoke to me, and then painting out the remainder in a wash of greens to dark blues.  The words say:

some of the finest

were the strongest

and the whole country 

became peaceful 

things will always 

reach up 

and

like the leaves

though you may not notice it

change

what happens

cannot be seen

the image 

varies

The shell and starfish are Recollections stamps from Michaels that I embossed, and the border stencil is Dylusions.  Here's the cover of the book.  I look forward to sharing more of it soon.

Thank you to everyone who visited and bid on my piece for the Sandy Hook auction, and congratulations to Lynn Cohen who won it!  It's on its way to you!

And congratulations to Eleni Gratsia, who found me through the gelli arts page on FB, because a subscriber and blog follower and has won the Jump for Joy stencil from the Retro Stencil test drive post!  I've emailed Eleni and for her address.

Stay tuned for a test drive post on 3/28, with another stencil giveaway!

Linking to the challenges at Simon Says Stamp and Show (water),  and the blog hops at Paint Party Friday, and Show and Tell Saturday at Artists in Blogland (where there are still a few days left for our quote challenge!).

Thank you for visiting! I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.