An Artist's Quest for "Soul" in a Chaotic World—by InnerSpirit

This is my InnerSpirit blog page...a page of reflection...inquiry...
and artistic questions about myself, my life, and the world around me. A place for my own personal contemplation of my emotions, my actions, my art, my spiritual journey and how they all intertwine and influence each other. I hope that you check it out, think a little about your life and the many creative things that you might be engaged in...how do those fit into your life and impact the various aspects of your own life? Let's reflect together!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Sometime In The Wee Hours: Day 17

Crunch, Crunch, Crunch...the stress of the end of the semester has been upon me for the past week. I have skipped out of Art Every Day Month the last few days to focus on my huge case study review for my Clinical III class. It was an important "gateway" to the approval process for my internship to begin next fall. I did pass that, so the crunching paid off, but now I still have a few more assignments to get in by the end of the month. I took some time in the wee hours of the night/early morning today to play a little bit with this abstract piece just to clear my head after typing for several hours straight. I could not even think anymore, so I enjoyed some relaxing play time creating this and now I can refocus with a clear head. (Click on the image for a larger view)


I should be used to this time of year after being in grad school for close to 8 years now with this double major. It sure seemed like a good idea back when I started this art therapy masters degree 3 years ago. It is still a good idea, it has just been harder and LONGER than I originally envisioned it to be. I was originally told that I would only need 21 credits of a 45 credit Masters in Art Therapy because all of my psychology credits and both of my research courses would all transfer into this Master's program from my Master of Social Work degree. I naively thought...WOW...with 4 credits a semester that would be about two and a half years and I would be done. So I went for it. Well...working full-time, not all the classes being offered when I was able to take them and the art therapy credentialing board changing the requirements midstream for how many credits must be done within the actual art therapy program, put me a little behind the original plan. But, plans sometimes have to be flexible if you want to succeed I am learning. Slowly but surely, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Holiday Is Around The Corner
. .. but it always takes me by surprise each year with how crazy it gets during this time. The semester before the holidays is always the worst, because just as everyone else it getting ready for relaxed time with family and friends, I am still usually functioning on little sleep and void of any social interactions other than work. Everyone is asking me, what are you doing for Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving I think...I can't think that far out...though it is really only next week. For me I am only able to focus on one day at time and doing what I can to get all my assignments in, then I come up for air and wonder..."Yes, what AM I doing for the holiday?" It is about that same time that I am also craving a few glasses of holiday cheer to celebrate another semesters end.

Save a bottle of "cheer" for me PLEASE I say to friends and family...or maybe two this year! A nice "oaky, robust" Merlot sounds good about now or a nice "buttery and oaky", Chardonnay. What's your holiday drink of choice? It doesn't have to be alcoholic, just yummy and festive. I also LOVE to try nice new flavors of hot cocoa and coffee this time of the year.

Blessings and much love,
D.

10 comments:

  1. My first reaction: Oh how beautiful!
    #2: It doesn't look abstract to me.
    #3: I see trumpets at the top.
    #4: I want to dive right in through the tunnel in the center. It looks like such a serene space.

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  2. I agree with Mlissabeth, it doesn't look abstract to me at all, but it's beautiful abstract or not.

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  3. That is absolutely alive and vibrant! I agree with both B and Mlissabeth - I want to climb right in there. :)

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  4. Melissabeth...How very sweet your comment is. I am glad to know that others find such beauty in something that I did in the wee hours, with little sleep, and a brain that was probably at BEST "mush". Maybe it was the "mushiness" that made it flow. Who knows. Jump in if you want to, I won't tell!

    D.

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  5. B @ Sweet Limes...I guess I am calling it abstract because other than the Lilies being from a photo that I took over the summer of a lily in my back yard, the lines and texture in the background is all just abstract fun. I took the same Lily and duplicated it several times and played with the colors, size and rotation to place it into the background. Lots of fun, "no plan in mind" kind of play. Maybe I was looking for energy in it's vibrancy? Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. Tracy...if you and Mlissabeth decide to climb in let me know, I would not mind escaping the rest of this homework! So nice of you to stop by and view what I am doing over here on my blog. Isn't AEDM such fun!

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  7. How smart you were to take the time to unwind and look how it paid off with a beautiful piece of art...you can name it "crunch time"...lol!

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  8. Maron...yes, unwinding does help me to think better if I can remember to do it. I often find that it is hard to actually allow myself to take the time because I am so caught up in the moment of "deadlines" and the drive to get it all done, that I forget that sometimes just relaxing a bit and taking that extra breath can actually speed things up and allow more clarity in other things. Creativity opens up our minds, and I believe it really helps us to think better.
    I LOVE your name suggestion too!

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  9. So grateful you took a moment or two to relax, Diane and what lovely art came as a result. LOVELY!

    See my AEDM check in here.

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  10. Julie...thanks for stopping by. I sure appreciate all the wonderful responses to this art. I think I must have hit upon something people are responding favorably to. Sometimes those late night things are a blessing I guess!

    D.

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