Another Quiet Day of Creating!

Yesterday was a quiet day for me. Sometimes my body and my health issues tell me that I need to slow down and take a couple of days to move slowly and carefully. I am blessed because I get those messages loud and clear.....if I am listening!!! I'm getting better at stopping and taking the time I need. It is hard because that means days off at the Doodle and often cancelling plans with family and friends. The beautiful people who surround me know that I don't take these days unless I really need them.

I use to resent the requirements of "down days" so much. I would get so angry at my illness and would feel so horribly sorry for myself. I would constantly worry about my "to-do" list and would never let my mind turn off. I realize now how unproductive that was. It only made things worse instead of better.

Now I give into these days. I even can celebrate them as mini "retreats" just for me. I move very slowly, spend time just sitting and petting my dogs, looking, for long periods of time, at our beautiful view, read, watch some HGTV and do some quiet drawing and painting. I have to do these days. For me it really isn't a choice. If I don't take them....it always leads to even more down time and eventually a crisis. I've been able to avoid serious bouts of illness flares just by listening.... That is a miracle!!!

Yesterday I made four possible card fronts. I've included them here. I'm planning on making a series of cards for my future etsy shop. Also I'm hoping to use these as refrigerator magnets for my trades at Artfest. When I scan them they always come out so dark and you can't see the sparkle of the pens and paints I use. That's disappointing....but as this blogging adventure continues maybe I'll figure out a way to make my artwork look a little more like the real thing.

I get totally lost when I am painting, drawing and coloring. It is a glorious feeling when you find your creative groove. I have so much going on in my mind....it is a blessing to just rest in the moments of making art. It's a struggle to keep my critical mind quiet....but I am having more moments of pure enjoyment. It takes practice and diligence....hard work!

Today is another "retreat" day. Jamaica, our little, "old" dog is snoring on the floor next to me (All three dogs love my retreat days because they also get to rest and be quiet with me!!!). I can hear the rain falling on our windows. It's amazing that I use to resent these days with amazing amounts of energy. I called them "sick days" and never really rested. Now I can see the perfection of these wondrous moments of blessed retreat.