Around the museum

 Snow scene

Around the museum

Love.

Around the museum

Pop of color

Attraction at the museum

This is the huge sculpture that is currently sitting outside of the High Museum.  It was created by Brian Donnelly to be both "disconcerting" and "delightful".  Everyone definitely stopped to talk about it and take pictures of it.

It is a little cute and creepy at the same time.  What do you think about it?

Two days in the museum

Last week, I spent 2 days at the High Museum.  They are currently showing an exhibit called "Modern Masters" that includes work by Matisse, Picasso, Warhol, and Pollock.

It is an inspiring exhibit.  Unfortunately, the Atlanta museum won't let me show you pictures of the art. However, I do have a photo of one of the Jackson Pollock paintings that I took at the Met in New York in 2008 -

To some people it may look like a mess, but I am fascinated by it.  I can stare at it for a long time. He inspired me to paint this a few years ago -

One of my new favorites is Romare Bearden.  He created some amazing collages depicting life in Harlem in the 1920's and 30's.  You can go to http://www.high.org/moma.aspx#/Picasso-to-Warhol/video to see his work as well as the others.   

New Year's Resolutions

I love having a fresh start.  When I started my blog a year ago, I really thought I would have established some kind of business by this point - painting, sewing, photography... something.  But I haven't.  So I spent this past week asking myself a lot of questions.  Am I not being focused enough?  Do I really have time for a business?  Why do I feel the need to have a business? 

I crave meaningful work.  But why is being a mother not meaningful enough?  Being a mother is the most meaningful job in the world.  Why doesn't it feel like it is?

I've come to the conclusion that being a mother is hard for me because it's not just about DOING certain things.  You have to BE certain things.  The "do-ing" has to come out of the "be-ing".  If you want your children to be better people, you have to be a better person.  And the pain and difficulty of becoming that better person can often eclipse any meaning you find in the short-term.  It's much easier to go sew a dress.

Jesus was a great example of "being" more than "doing".  He had time for everyone.  He never seemed to be in a hurry.  Everything he said and did came out of who he was.  People could tell he was different.  He didn't seem to be pushing for his own agenda, yet he changed lives at every encounter.   

My oldest daughter is also never in a hurry.  She lives fully in the moment, and she makes you feel like she would give up the whole world just to be with you in that moment.  We sat down on January 1 to create a New Year's picture in our art book.  While I am driven by the clock and spent only 5 minutes on my picture (above), she spent over an hour filling in every white space on the page -  

         

It is filled to the brim with life and joy - just like she is.  So in contemplating my New Year's resolutions this year, I'm not going to ask, "What do I want to do?"  I'm going to ask, "Who do I want to be?"

Happy New Year!

In an effort to start out the new year with simplicity and contentment, I am taking a blogging and internet vacation.  I am going to spend some time with my family, my God, and my sewing machine. I pray that you all have a simple week.  See you next Monday!