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| A R T I S T S A N D W R I T E R S in their own words A bimonthly ezine that explores how we create our lives as artists. Each issue features a quote from an artist; a brief article; and follow up coaching questions. Published every other Wednesday. Judith Perry Artist & Writer Monica R. Perry Writer & Coach To join or leave send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.com This newsletter is copyrighted by Judith Perry please do not reprint its contents in any form without permission. .İ2005 ........................................... 5/4 /05 Vol.2, Issue 9 Dear Friends, I have been reading Robert Blyıs Winged Energy of Delight which is a collection of selected translation of poems from Europe, Asia and the Americas. I found this weeks quote there and thought that this line connects to the idea of congruency and to truth which we have talked about in the past. . .. . . .. . "To create Art, we have to stitch together both the inner and the outer worlds." Antonio Machado
. .. . . .. . JUDYıS ARTICLE:
The context of this quote isif we pay attention exclusively to the inner world it will dissolve, if we pay attention exclusively to the outer world, it will dissolve. It went on to ask the question, how do we do that? Iıd say with focus and determination. Itıs a big task and maybe we never get it done. ~ judy To reach Judy with a comment or question, send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.com . .. . . .. . MONICAıS Q: Is your true self revealed in your daily transactions? As always I welcome your comments on this section, send an email to: tscoach@midcoast.com ~ Monica ........................................... 4/6/05 Vol.2.7 Dear Friends, With the lengthening days, and rising temperatures, lots of things seem to be springing forth. A new interview has just been published in Inner TapestryMaineıs Holistic Journal and a piece I did about a photographer came out in the spring edition of The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardenerıs Newspaper. In the coming weeks I will share some of their words with you. . .. . . .. . "Is the life that I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me." Parker J. Palmer . .. . . .. . JUDYıS ARTICLE: Monica is reading a book by Parker J. Palmer called Let Your Life Speak, thatıs where this weeks quote comes from. Thinking of the question I immediately go to my artwork, I have often wondered about the work that I do-is it the work that Iım supposed to be making? Palmerıs question is not easy but well worth pondering, it seems on a broader scale to be an issue of congruency. ~judy To reach Judy with a comment or question, send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.com . .. . . .. . MONICAıS Q: Most people can answer this question with a strong and quick response either yes or no. If you answered no, try holding-- What is the life that wants to live in me? As always I welcome your comments on this section, send an email to: tscoach@midcoast.com ~ Monica 3/23/05 Vol.2, Issue 6 Dear Friends, The sap pails are hanging from trees and I heard the unmistakable sound of a fishing boat heading out across the bay, surely these are signs of spring! Itıs such a hopeful time, knowing the days are getting longer and that summer is soon upon us.. .. . . .. . "To me, life is in the struggle, and I never feel more alive than when Iım struggling" Dean Karnazes . .. . . .. . JUDYıS ARTICLE: I am reading a book about ultra marathoning, much to my surprise! I saw an article in the NY Times and was intrigued enough to want to read Ultra Marathon Manı by Mr. Karnases. I remember a friend remarking that she thought artists and athletes were not that different. When I read the above quote, I thought every artist knows about struggle. Karnazes gives us the opportunity to look at the idea of struggle in a different way. Karnazeıs goes on to say that ultra marathoners are completed by digging deeply into ones heart and tapping the reservoirs of will and determination that he thinks exist in all of us. I wonıt be running 100 miles anytime soon but it makes me think I have the capacity to do much more than I am doing. J " judy To reach Judy with a comment or question, send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.com . .. . . .. . MONICAıS Q: Karnazes say that he hopes people will find the inspiration to push themselves beyond their comfort zones in whatever their passion is. What is your ultra marathon? Also, consider what life events or people you have struggled with. In the next issue weıll send out a special resource to help you change your perception of what has been a struggle for you in your life. As always I welcome your comments on this section, send an email to: tscoach@midcoast.com ~ Monica \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 3/9/05 Vol.2, Issue 5 Dear Friends, Lots of new ideas, new music and new books in the air, spring feels close even though as I write this, freezing rain is pelting the windows. Hopefully this will be the last big storm! . .. . . .. . "Iıve got to sing my song..." Oleta Adams . .. . . .. . JUDYıS ARTICLE: I occasionally dig deep into my CD collection and I pulled "Circle of One" by Singer/Songwriter Oleta Adams from 1990. Itıs amazing to realize how life changes, looking back 15 years the words from that song are more of a comfort than a challenge at this point. The song continues, "Before I give up, I got to live up to the challenge to do my thing." Artists, Creatives and Entrepreneurs answer that challenge everyday- they know that they have something to say and they are quietly working away. I see this all the time and I think that dedication is really quite amazing. To reach Judy with a comment or question, send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.com . .. . . .. . MONICAıS Q: Take a moment. Now, listen to your first and instant response to the following question: What would happen if you really sang your song? What would be next.... As always I welcome your comments on this section, send an email to: tscoach@midcoast.com ~ Monica ///////////////////// 2/23/05 Vol.2, Issue 4 Dear Friends, When we head south (to NY) we always take along books on tape. It was interesting, recently to listen to a current business bestseller. These ideas are certainly relevant to entrepreneurs (artists) and Monica insists that the very same principles (used to manage and develop large corporations) can be applied to ones personal life. . .. . . .. . "Put your best people on your best opportunities, not on problem solving" Jim Collins, Author- Good to Great . .. . . .. . JUDYıS ARTICLE: It was a real eye opener for me to switch my thinking on this. I am my best people and the only people in my business So if I spend all my time problem solving than nothing else is happening. I have to remember to use my best abilities and focus on what is working both in life and art. For instance, doing interviews with artists is really exhilarating for me, so I continue to put my energy into that, versus worrying about how to get paid for doing them and happily it is taking on a life of its own with ease. ~judyTo reach Judy with a comment or question, send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.com . .. . . .. . MONICAıS Q: You are at your best when your tapped into your passion. What are you secretly passionate about? Thatıs where opportunities can come from. Pour all your energy into that and allow it to move you, your life and work forward. As always I welcome your comments on this section. We are putting the finishing touches on a ebook about this very topic. If you are interested in learning more about discovering what you are passionate about and would like to help us shape the material please let me know. In exchange for your feedback and constructive criticism you would have access to the material for free. Send an email with Find Your Passion in the subject line to: tscoach@midcoast.com~ Monica İ2005 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
2/9/05 Vol.2, Issue 3 An ezine that explores how we create our lives as artists. Each issue features a quote from an artist/creative; a brief article; and follow up coaching questions. Dear Friends, We are grateful for a little winter recess here on the coast of Maine, its been above 30 all week! We are curious about which component of this newsletter you like the best, is it the quote, the article or the follow up questions- let us know . .. . . .. . "I write to find out what Iım thinking." Joan Didion . .. . . .. . JUDYıS ARTICLE: I have heard this quote twice in the last month. I think the same is true for a painter or any other creative artist. The creative process can be an opportunity to discover what you think and know. You can spend your whole life on this, and thatıs good! ~ judy To reach Judy with a comment or question, send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.com . .. . . .. . MONICAıS Q: Writing, a right brain activity, is a perfect compliment to the creative process. Everything that I have written began as an idea in my notes. I highly recommend the use of a nice 3 subject spiral notebook! Itıs here that you can discover your own wisdom. As always I welcome your comments on this section, send an email to: tscoach@midcoast.com ~ Monica İ2005 Judy and Monica Perry, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 1/12/05 Vol.2,Issue 1 . .. . . .. . Dear Friends, As the new year begins we are inspired to take Artists and Writersı to the next level. In the coming weeks weıll have some exciting news to share with you. . .. . . .. . "Those in creative occupations from engineers and designers to artists and writers to high end planners, analysts, managers, and other "creative professional" now comprise more than 30% of the workforce. What about the other 70% who do not have the opportunity to do valuable creative work ?" Richard Florida, Author of The Rise of The Creative Class . .. . . .. . JUDYıS ARTICLE: This is exactly why we are doing what we do here! Artists and Writers is all about supporting the creative potential of all people. We want to teach people to tap, manage, produce and prosper from their own Creativity. ~ judy and monica To reach Judy with a comment or question, send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.com . .. . . .. . MONICAıS Q: This time of year everyone is hot on new goals and resolutions. Instead of a new to-do list why not write up a list of things you will not do this year! As always I welcome your comments on this section, send an email to: tscoach@midcoast.com ~ Monica \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 12/15/04, Vol.1,Issue 8 Dear Friends, In the last few weeks I have heard several interviews and I noticed a common thread. It was this idea of letting things come in; resting and giving yourself the time and space to let inspiration come. . .. . . .. . "While Iım resting, a song will come into my mind.. A lot of my career, my music has been letting them come in, there is a discipline, though - I do have to then sit down and work." ~ Judy Collins . .. . . .. . JUDYıS ARTICLE: Judy Collins talked about her life and music recently on NOW with Bill Moyers and I was struck by this idea. Slowing down has always been a challenge for me. I figured the only way to get things done was to apply the direct method of hard work! It is an entirely different approach for me to trust that down timeı can be productive. Iım trying to find a good balance between work and rest. ~ judy To reach Judy with a comment or question, send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.com . .. . . .. . MONICAıS Q: Examine the time you spend being creative. Is there a balance between letting things in -allowing inspiration to come and the discipline of completing the creative cycle-letting things go out? As always I welcome your comments on this section, send an email to: tscoach@midcoast.com ~ Monica 12/1/04, Vol.1,Issue 7 Dear Friends, A few weeks ago, we talked about Ofocusı and how discernment over time shapes us. Its worth repeating that we need to be very aware of the forces that influence us on a daily basis. . .. . . .. . "Woodworking is an art of self-definition. Itıs a way that a person explores who they are, who they want to become and how we should live." ~ Peter Korn, Director of The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship. . .. . . .. . JUDYıS ARTICLE: If you want to be exploring these questions and strongly define for yourself, who you are, who you want to become, and how you should live, then designing/creating a high quality of life is essential. Ultimately isnıt the quality of your life revealed in your art work? ~judy To reach Judy with a comment or question, send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.com . .. . . .. . MONICAıS Q: Are you living a high quality of life? To reach Monica with a comment or question, send an email to: PS. In an effort to follow up on our last issue regarding the election, I wanted to provide two intelligent and thoughtful references. One is how to take care of yourself, post election written by Cheryl Richardson, a coach. To read this newsletter on the net, go to: The other is from Economist, Richard Florida the author of Rise of the Creative Class. A very interesting book for all artists / creatives to be aware of. Below is a link to an article he wrote last Jan/Feb for Washington Monthly. He refers to the blue states as the creatives and the reds well, not. It put the election results into a new perspective for me. http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0401.florida.html November 4, 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/6/04, Vol.1,Issue 3 Dear Friends, We received a lot of feedback from our last letter which posed the question could your voice find you. The notion of finding and expressing our voices, I think is the most important thing we can do as Artists and individuals. How we find, develop and put our voices to good use in the world will always be a central theme of this newsletter. This weeks issue continues the conversation. ~ judy and monica . .. . . .. . "The Portrait Boxes honor the uniqueness of each human life." Suzanne Benton . .. . . .. . JUDYıS ARTICLE: So often, we donıt really know what weıll end up doing within the Arts and that, in part is what can be so exciting how you might be led to something never imagined! My friend Suzanne Benton is a mask maker, printmaker and performer who started out as a painter. She once mentioned a series of portrait boxes and remarked that they were meant to honor the uniqueness of each human life. Itıs a very powerful idea and also reflects the power we have as artists. Iım struck by the idea that there is an intention or purpose behind a particular body of work. A larger idea or theme can be very helpful. That may not work in every situation but it is worth thinking about. It could give you a greater sense of purpose, direction or clarity. That information could also be useful when you have to talk about your work. You can see Suzanneıs work on the web at www.suzannemasks.homestead.com To reach Judy with a comment or question, send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.com . .. . . .. . MONICAıS Q: Look back over your body of work-- are there any underlying themes? You can learn so much about yourself if you engage deeply in the process of your work. In looking back do you see things now, that you were unaware of then? Most artists are trying to express themselves say something through their work. Try putting your art into words, write about each piece and phase of your work. This can make your work concrete in a whole new way. Note: each issue generates lots of thoughts, ideas and more questions for me. It gets me going, makes me think and I apply them to my writing life. In an effort to keep this section simple, we have posed only one question. For those interested in exploring this further, more coaching questions are available. Just send me an email tscoach@midcoast.com As always I welcome your comments on this section. ~ Monica \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 9/22/04, Vol.1, Issue 2 Dear Friends, Well we are off to a great start. Lots of ideas are brewing
for future issues. I attended a lecture on Radical Simplicity, heard an
interview with Phil Cousineau and was just looking at the NY Timesı new
season, I look forward to sharing some of that with you at a later point.
I was reading Hope Magazine and came across an interview with the writer Terry Tempest Williams <HopeMag.org> In the piece she talks about her experience as a child with a speech class. She said her own voice found her through the compassion of a teacher who understood how poetry heals and transforms us through the elegance and lyricism of language. She went on to say that "What I have to share is much stronger than me." I love both of these quotes, to suggest that your voice can find you that changes everything. What if its already there fully formed, just waiting for you? Sometimes, I think we just have to get out of our own way! It is also interesting to me that when you do find the thing that is really you, it comes with ease and you are able to move beyond the typical obstacles. Iıve had a similar experience doing my interviews. It took some time for it to find its form but once I did, it has been one of the easiest things Iıve ever done. I feel like Iım being pulled along rather than having to wrestle with it. To reach Judy with a comment or question, send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.com . . . . . Q 1. Could your voice find you?To reach Monica with a coaching comment or question, send an email to tscoach@midcoast.com\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Judith Perry . . . To Sign up for this newsletter: Send an email to jppaintr@midcoast.comNo longer wish to be part of this community simply send an email to tscoach@midcoast.com |