Tuesday, December 29, 2015

CRYSTAL CLEAR






"Purple Butterfly Image"
Amethyst and Quartz Crystals



The crystal project joins the book project, the music project, the knitting projects, the clothing project, and the photograph project in a parade (deluge) of organization.  The goal is to streamline placement of items to help make an artist's life, or anyone's life, easier with more efficient  storage and retrieval of "items" needed for creative (or any and all) projects.

 Is this possible?  

Can I stay motivated?

Can it be fun?

Recently I bought Organizing Magic, a small pocket book at a used book sale.  It looked positive, simple, and even easy and humorous.  I need "easy and humorous!"

I already knew to group similar related items all in one location, however, I have never done it.  I am all over the map in "locations."  For example, printed film photos can and are in every area~ 

Why? 

I know that book, I know where it is, I know what page or area the sentence or subject is located.  And I go and retrieve the book "now!"  What's not to love?

Well, I started slowly collecting items in one place, intending that these will be replaced in new and planned areas.  Sorting and discarding unneeded items, that is the tough part.  I will donate as much as possible.  I'll take it slow.  True to form, I sorted many categories at once,  yarn, knitting needles, and patterns, all in one place, a biggie task.  Then  I added photos, books, and clothes in their places (whew):  work and play in  progress.

I am taking plenty of time, small spontaneous bits at a time. "Hours" of concentrating is information overload.  Is it "good enough?"  If it works for you, it's Good Enough!


Crystal Clear

Then! I saw the crystals, rocks, shells, beach glass, and fossils of all kinds hiding out downstairs!  Gem and mineral shows from years past, museum visits with my parents danced in my imagination.  I'll bring these treasures upstairs so we can all see them and enjoy them better!  I spritzed the collection with water from a spray bottle, shiny and clean!  I love items from nature, I love my petrified wood, and all I view.  I love parents, family, and friends who have given me these beautiful gifts, gifts of love.



Information and item storage and retrieval is already getting easier!


My Stuff My Way~



Rainbow Bright
It doesn't get any better than this~


Clear the Year and Move Forward!  Happy Newest Year, 2016!


Related Posts:
Good Enough
New Years Posts, key word "new year" includes New Years Evolution and others

Resources:
Debra Basham, Blog Post Dec 27, 2015, Truly Meaningful Gifts, made with love.  Debra's Blog, Yellow Brick Road, Your Path to Heart and Health.

Organizing Magic by Sandra Felton.  I open the book randomly and read "paper clutter.'  I'm a note taker, you said it, "Paper is the biggest source of clutter."  E-clutter is included.

Total Memory Makeover, Marilu Henner, actress, author.  How to index and store your memories, "Imagine!"


Dahlis Roy: Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor

Photos by Dahlis
Crystal Clear, Amethyst and Quartz

Rainbow Bright

Thursday, December 17, 2015

DANCE OF INFINITY

* Cosmic Dance



Points to Ponder

"We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity.

Life is Eternal.

We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.

This is a precious moment.  

It is a little parenthesis in eternity,"  ** Deepak Chopra




 Resources:
 * Dr. Paul Lam, Tai Chi for Health Institute, contributed photo with permission from Dr. Lam, Peacock, Tai Chi Tour April 2015

** Deepak Chopra, M.D. author, spiritual teacher, meditations, Chopra Center free Newsletter, Dec 15, 2015


Holidays and Everyday~a Precious Gift, the Gift of Love 


Dahlis Roy:  Visionary Artist, Author and Tai Chi Instructor
 

Saturday, December 12, 2015

FLEXIBLE REALITY


* "Current Art" by Jay Van Shelt


Currents of Energy Pour Around Me and Through Me~



"What Adventures Will I Have Today?" Charlie Rose

What will I write?  Will I write?


Flexible Reality?  What is it?

T-I-M-E

T =Physical Time for the intended project or event can be broken up into segments if needed over a period of "time."

I =Inspiration or Incentive to begin and complete the project.

M =Means or money for the project, let's say planning a travel event.

E =physical energy to complete the project 


* Burst Forth
It's Time for Me to Write~



"Rapid Spontaneous Events"  How can I keep up?  What are my ever changing realities?  

What opportunity will I choose, if more than one presents itself at the same time?

Help!

How about "Acceptance" and "Organization?"  More Help!

How can I live in the moment and still plan for creative work and play, being on time for scheduled events, or being flexible enough to enjoy unscheduled spontaneous  happenings?

~Unknown~


"Every Project Will Take Longer Than You Think," Steven King

 

** I am a (smiling) hamster/mind running on a wheel, inside a moving transparent ball.  I come to a set of stairs. I stop.  Will I bump bump down the stairs or will I exit the ball and descend the stairs in comfort, one carpeted step at a time.  I note my owner is sleeping, so I am escaping "out of the ball" to freely investigate the great downstairs. 



* Sentinels Project Welcome


"Questions Are My Best Friend," Charlie Rose

***  Savatsana  The Hardest Yoga Pose?
Restorative Pose?  

Lying Down Meditation:  Calm Natural Breath, silent mantra or affirmations like "Love, Joy, Freedom, Peace," add your own.  Or, better yet, become free of conscious thought, simply "be."  Absorb energy from Earth and Sky.   Feel Refreshed~  


* En-Lighting Globe
 Represents 5 Elements in Chinese Medicine:  Earth, Water, Fire, Metal, Wood


I have no answers, only questions~



Related Posts:
Good Enough
T-I-M-E 

Resources:
*Jay Van Shelt, The Mad Hatters Art Studio, Facebook, paintings, computer generated art, prints.  Art work reprinted with permission.  Jay is also a Master Trainer with Dr. Paul Lam's Tai Chi for Health Institute.

** Nature, PBS.org 2015, various animal behaviors also includes cats and dogs 


*** Chopra Center Meditation, free Newsletter, article Nov 2015, Deepak Chopra, M.D.

Charlie Rose, investigative journalist and reporter, PBS and Bloomberg TV.


Tai Chi/Qigong/Yoga 
"So many forms, so little Time"

"Practice with Spirit. Got it?,"  Jou, Tsung Hwa, Tai Chi expert, mathematician, and author of The Dao of Taijiquan, The Dao of Meditation and more
Tai Chi Farm

Dr. Paul Lam,Tai Chi for Health, Worldwide  

Dr. Yang Jwing- ming, YMAA, Qigong, Martial Arts, Form Practices 

8 Pieces of Brocades, standing, sitting, or lying down 
Standing 8 Brocades with Music, Master Faye Yip, You Tube
Yang Long Form, Yang Family, Dr Yang Jwing-ming, Terry Dunn,

18 Forms, Master Wing Cheung
5 Elements Qigong, Dr. Paul Lam's Qigong for Health DVD

* Computer Art  courtesy of  Jay Van Shelt

"Currents" of Energy

Burst Forth

Sentinels Project Welcome

En-lighting Globe, 5 elements


Dahlis Roy: Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor
 

Friday, December 4, 2015

ABSOLUTE MAGIC

The Magic Tale of Colby Jack






This time last year I was painting two black Cocker Spaniels, Carbon and Livi, belonging to my friend, Judy J.  This spring Judy acquired a tiny furry kitten clothed in caramel and white angora soft long hair.

"I  want you to paint my kitten, Colby Jack!"

"Oh Yes~"


Before I started painting Colby, Judy told me, "I am sure that with each brush stroke you take, the love will flow."

Sharon reminds, "Learning about love is the highest form of art" 


I smiled remembering painting Phoebe, a gentle white cat with long hair, similar in appearance and temperament to a breed called the *Norwegian Forest Cat.  I flashed in cat portraits through the years, the most unusual ones were a group of four, all in one painting.  Each face unique, bonded in friendship.

I went to see Colby at eleven weeks of age. what a sweet boy!  I could tell he had a cat agenda in mind, already taking over the dogs' beds~

Then I recalled that cats are elusive and may be more of a challenge to capture on canvas than dogs.  Colby didn't pose photographically for this portrait, I spiced him together based on Judy's descriptions, at least seven photographs, numerous sketches, and memory rewind.

What surprises, adventures, and mischief will Colby have in store?  Judy and I agreed, Colby should be painted with a green plant and a lace doily draped on the chair.  Colby had chosen the backdrop of lace himself then fell asleep.  How am I going to paint lace?

Color of background for Colby?  Not at all what I had "pictured" as a blue-grey-green more like the original color of the chair.  The blue, painted vibrant and bold, had a mind of its ownLet it go (grow).

"I was praying that you and the Angels would together choose the background color," Judy told me later.



On afternoon passing by, I glanced up at Colby, half finished, resting on the mantel with an autumn scene painting behind him. Lo and behold, three orbs of golden light reflected above Colby.  I grabbed my camera and shot the scene.  The orbs come in as sunlight spots at various times in shifting light of ever changing seasons.  I remembered the "Big Three Angel Team" Sharon, Joanna, and Michelle help with numerous creative projects.  
Big Smile~
 





A couple of days later, I became aware of an Angel Presence painting with me that I had not felt before.  Her name is Louise and she makes herself known in a variety of ways.  This is the first time Louise has ever assisted/coached in a painting!  I looked up at Colby and saw a rainbow orb near the upper left top edge.  

Louise is Here!  The rainbow is Louise's Symbol.

As I gazed at the shape, it looked like a heart shape extending into the autumn leaf painting placed behind Colby.  When viewing, the heart shape appeared to be ringed with a very fine white line of light.  When photographed, the rainbow vanished and a blue light emerged on Colby's painting.  Blue is the color of communication, visible and invisible.



Another day, while painting, the brush fell out of my hands and rolled across the bottom left side of the blue painted background.

Judy remarked, "The half circle rounded 'eye' shapes with small marks below each one seem to be like an ancient script.  That's Louise's Signature!"

While writing this story, I just noticed that the shapes can also be "seen" as cranes flying!



How did photographed fountains of light appear on dark blue background paint with no flash used?  It looks 3-D?

Unknown~

Gazing at Colby, I came to realize the globe of lace can be like an aura of light forms.  The dark blue shadows at either side, can be wing like projections of light such as seen in Buddhist figures painted in the Silk Road Caves in China.  These meditative paintings show auras of various colors and the seated figures meditating are also encompassed by the "wings" forming a circular figure of spiritual energy.  These caves also feature "Angels" in motion practicing *Tai Chi forms including single whip!


Whiskers on Kittens
"Now" Judy and I agreed that Colby was almost completed except for his whiskers.  For the task, took my fine haired brush, containing about ten pointed hairs.  "I have one time to get it right."  Carefully and joyfully I added the eyebrows and muzzle whiskers pointing forward in kitten anticipation.  "Always put whiskers on last," I heard an art teacher whispering.  

That's Colby Jack!  Best Yet, painting was effortless and comfortable~free of agenda or outcome.


 
Presenting Judy J's photo of Colby is a young teenager shown here at 5 months of age.  His soft coat markings are much richer in color now, a red-gold.  His tail is fluffy and has lost the defined ring tail look when I first saw him. His fine featured face is softly chiseled in a triangular shape.  Colby is relaxed and confident.

Pictures Speak Louder Than Words 



Living Magic!


Related Posts:
Once and Forever, Unconditional Love, painting Judy J's Cocker Spaniels. 
The Rainbow Crane
Angels 101
The Human Angel
Stars and Snow, Spirit of Phoebe, painting the spirit cat
Phoebe's Angel


Resources:
James Herriot's Cat Stories, beautifully illustrated book for all ages.

*The Reader's Digest Illustrated Book of Cats


Note: Cats, Long Haired Phoebe, Colby Jack, and our Ruff have blends of breed characteristics similar to the Norwegian "Weigie."  

Meditation:
Deepak Chopra
 
Dahlis Roy:Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor

Oil Painting by Dahlis, Colby Jack's portrait profile:
Completed Colby
with Three Orbs, 
with Heart Shaped light, 
with Signature Script/Cranes

Photo by Judy J.
Young Colby Jack, "My, how you have grown!"

Saturday, November 21, 2015

MIRACULOUS THANKSGIVING

One Picture



 A couple of days ago, the words "One Picture" came into my imagination.  The thought unwound, "If you could post just one picture at Thanksgiving Season, what would it be?"

Thousands of pictures flashed and shouted "choose me", but I quickly settled on the one I call Angel on the Mountain.  The mental image was crystal clear.  Then, I hunted the picture down.  The hunting took longer than I had planned.  I have several hunting areas for waiting pictures!  We all have thousands of picture memories in our storage banks, admit it!

As you gaze at the picture, defocus your eyes and toward the middle left we see Long's Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, veiled in clouds.  I shot several scenes, but only one stood out as I pictured a feathery white angel form raising her arms in Praise and Thanksgiving.  She looks like she is practicing Yoga or Qigong, meditative exercises.  My heart leaped up!

Today, as I gaze again at the chosen photo, I see Angel Sharon (I know it's You), holding up some mist in her arms.  Look above her outstretched arms and notice a white dove of peace taking off.  See the beak and folded wings as the bird launches.  This is a new expanded evolving image I see today for the first time! 

 I think back to the Paris attacks on Friday 13.  I feel turbulent emotions.  I send and intend, "May All Beings Be At Peace."

 
"When I see you again it will be for the first time."



Post One Positive Picture at Thanksgiving, any subject, any memory.  Use your favorite social media/medias or share with friends and family with a physical printout if they want one (smiles).  What picture will you choose?



Key Words: Long's Peak, Angel and Thanksgiving

Related Posts
Giving Thanks Opens the Heavens

Thanks-Giving

The Giving Tree



Resources
Marilu Henner, actress, author, Total Memory Makeover. What kind/kinds of memory are your strongest?  How to preview, experience, store, and access your memories. 

Song of the Day, John Denver, Rhymes and Reasons, John Denver's Greatest Hits 

Tai Chi/Qigong/Yoga/Meditation complete the picture

Dahlis Roy: Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor

Photo by Dahlis
Angel on the Mountain

Thursday, November 12, 2015

FLOATING FEATHER

The tale of the traveling feather continues....

During a pleasant laugh filled lunch, my friend, Joyce expounded:

"My sister and I were remembering Mom.   We asked for a sign."

"Feathers are a sign of Angels, let's ask for feathers!"

"We went out to lunch and returned later. As we entered my sister's house, there was a little hallway.  The light was subtle.  We noticed right away a small white downy feather lying on the dark wood floor!"

I got out note paper and scribbled a feather plus jumbled notes around the sides.





"What did the feather look like?"


"It was the size that easily fit into the palm of your hand.  It was pure white and downy, very soft.  It was not a pinion feather.  There were no feather pillows in the house.  Where did it come from?  We took it as a sign from Mom."

Later, the feather had vanished. 

Now a total of seven people have seen, held or even kept the small white feather.

My friend Dolores wonders,  "Where will she go from here?"

 
* Recently I saw a video of a white peacock dancing.  As I viewed the short Shamanic ceremony, I was filled with seeing the joy of a fan of white feathers in graceful motion.  The feathers remind me of delicate hand made lace patterns of yesterday and today. 

Later I noticed the above feather sketch looked like a white tree, open wings, or a peacock dancing when turned in a different direction.




 


"Let your Life be a blueprint without boundaries," Louise Watson. R.N.


Snowy Egret



Key Words:  Angel, Feather, Crane


Related Posts:
Angels 101
The Human Angel
Mystery Feather
Traveling Feather
Double Vision, two cranes are better than one

 Resources:
* Facebook Page, Natural Beauty, Nov 2015, white peacock, turns and swirls

Art and Music

Lace Knitting
Knitting Daily TV.com
Books: Curls, Hunter Hammersen, Rustic Modern Knits, Yumiko Alexander
Pamphlet I found in my archives:  Shawls #273, Red Heart Yarn, Coats and Clark, Inc., cost 50 cents in 1978!
 
The Graduate Soundtrack. Simon and Garfunkel,  tracks: Scarborough Fair Canticle and Interlude, and Whew with harpsichord, plus Simon and Garfunkel, 1967 live, Homeward Bound


Tai Chi and Qigong
Tai Chi Fan Forms, 18 Form Fan and others
8 Brocades, Qigong for Health
Tai Chi Yang Long Form  
18 Form Taiji Qigong (3 different forms) 


Dahlis Roy:Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor 

Images:
Ink Sketches  feather and notes by Dahlis

Snowy Egret, watercolor on paper by Robert D. Liverman, Ph.D. art student 

Thursday, November 5, 2015

CLOUD MONET

In this moment, glow within....



The Morning of the Pink Sun
Rob and I saw the sun rise that May morning, a veil of pink mist in the haze.  A pink Sun?  I entered my art room to view the whole room lit with vibrant pink light!  My heart leaped with joy.

I immediately thought of Claude Monet and his painting Impression Sunrise (1872).  In the painting, mists rise from the water, atmospheric ripples, brush strokes with abandon yet carefully placed, suggestions of boats and reflections emerge.  The eye leaps up!  A bright misted sun disk rises throwing vibrant orange slashed brush strokes, sharp as daggers, into the quiet blueness of water 


Today, as I write, I grab a couple of handy books within reach and open to see a Monet painting I have no memory of noticing before.  Sunrise at Lavacourt (1880).  * "This picture forms a sequel to the famous Impression Sunrise."  This painting is mostly red orange sky and water with purple violet  blend accents of feathery trees, misty horizon and, again, small boats veiled in humidity, almost invisible.   

Monet is a great example for us all  We see a clear view of his paintings from a distance yet details fade when viewed close up.  Sometimes stepping back, brings our own life picture into focus.  Monet paints surface water ripples and veiled depths of the spirit all at once.  "Look again, what do you see?  Feel?"  Monet teases our perceptions of reality.  Shifting lights float over paintings as the (real) sun rises and sets Colors, light, and shimmering effects evolve and dance with unpainted inner light creating feelings of joy and wonder.

A recent autumn morning was eye stunning bright with colored leaves of all hues painted in the foreground with a backdrop of the rising morning sun in full spectrum light.  Tiny bits of clouds fanned out in their full potential brightness with oranges, golds, yellows, violets, and purples.  The clouds appeared transparent as they glowed within.  Monet is a work and play.


"That's Cloud Monet!"   



 
 Painted Clouds in Afternoon



I am having a journey painting lace onto canvas.  I certainly can relate to the Impressionist Painters here.  How can painted lace be delicate yet enable the viewer to feel solidity and strength, even touch stitch texture when they view the painting?  Lace is certainly a mind game of "learning and experiencing something new everyday...."  It is like painting a spiderweb of color and light.







**  "I choose to open my heart to myself, expanding until my being fades into the infinite," Deepak Chopra 




Key Words:  Creativity, Painting, Claude Monet, Impressionist Painting
 
Resources:
Google Images, Claude Monet   
  
Books

*  quote from The Impressionists Handbook, Barnes and Nobel Books, NY
Impressionism, Phoebe Pool 

Meditation:
** Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey 21 Day Meditation Experience, Miraculous  Relationships.  Quote from Miraculous Nature segment.  

Music
Crystal Rain, Wind Records, Taiwan


Dahlis Roy Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor

Images
Pink Sun, photo with permission of Judy J. 

Art Work and Play by Dahlis
Afternoon Clouds, oil on canvas, mimicing Monet's techniques is fun
Painted Lace and Green Plant, oil on canvas