Specialization (I think not)

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”
— Robert Heinlein

I love this quote. It may be a bit ambitious but you know I'm pretty good on an awfully lot of the list. I've never needed to plan an invasion, conn a ship, or set a bone at least so far and I do fully intend to die gallantly but we will see. 

There is such a push to be an expert, to specialize, to have that consistent style but being able to do a little bit of everything has its perks. Not to mention it makes you quite popular for trivia pursuit and other random games. Ok so I may not become the next master or whatever.

Art for me is a little like this. I want to learn (or learn to do better) glass blowing, quilting, tatting, lettering, sculpting, sketching, 3-D rendering, photography, collage, paper piecing, jewelry making, creating clothing and accessories, making mosaics, art dolls, assemblage, welding, paper mache, crocheting, painting, flower arranging, styling, writing, screen printing, pottery making, encaustic artwork, altered books, art journaling, creating large art installations and murals.... Oh my goodness I could go on and on. I want to try everything then go back do them all over again! I honestly think that will be a part of heaven -time to learn and experiment and grow. Ahhh -bliss! I can teach and take classes. Who knows maybe I'll gain the gift of singing and composing. Wouldn't that be just grand! Everyone sharing what they know and infinite time to imagine new and wonderful things!

Music for the moment: Queen's I Want It All

Ramblings during a Work Day

  Oh Happy Day, free two hour parking just a block from the City-County building (lets hope my meeting doesn't go over an hour and a half as I am early -yet another blessing; traffic was amazingly smooth. I made record time though Daphne and across the Bay. Now, I've got a free 20 minutes to write, sketch, daydream, whatever.

   I've been fighting some frustration and bitterness lately. The homeless lady I've been allowing to stay temporarily in my house doesn't seem to have any personal motivation to help herself and I guess would be perfectly happy to stay at my house forever.

   I keep telling myself this is an opportunity to show God's mercy but I feel like a failure -between irritation at my inhospitable thoughts and at the opposite pole - irritation at my lack of assertiveness.

What should be a win-win gift from God, the blessing of using my house to do his bidding, I have turned into a loose-loose. Please no pity; it just makes me feel guilty. I am merely venting. I so do love the Lord and want to make him smile.

   Next is the overwhelming amount left to do on the house and the $$$ it is going to cost. I am tired of being cold until I can get the mechanical units replaced -And while I am cold I still have high utility bills with the gas fireplace (but how happy I am to have it) and electric blankets.

   Goodness I sound so negative today -but really I feel wonderful. Guess a few things have been simmering and hit a quick boil. Time to turn off the burner! It is dreary, cold and wet but my heart is lighter than it has been in a while. My radio is blaring and I am singing in my usual off-key way. Joyful noise and all, you know. Life is beautiful!

   I keep wondering how I can use my art in a glorifying way. Giving to good causes of course, but what about just by creating and bring small bits of joy in to the world? I know the happiness that I get from creating is in itself a glorifying thing. Creating is an activity in the image of my maker - and Oh how he delights in the beautiful and even the just plain weird. Think of the insect kingdom -talk about bazaar. Obvious God has one way out sense of humor!

   Back from my meeting; rezoning accomplished. Yeah and while a little over on the parking time -no ticket (knock on wood) I've stopped by Guido's restaurant (so so good) and while I was planning on a little soup to take the chill off; they have a shrimp special today. Mmmm... my mouth is watering. Go to go. Time for some good eats!

   Music for my Madness: Fleet Foxes (Whole Album on YouTube -I love this band!)

My Little DayDream Bee-liever!

With my birthday just a little away, I have several more of my "Literary Ladies" yet to complete. So tonight I painted on one I had drawn out yesterday. I've decided to play around with a few collage bits on this one and thought I'd post a sampling of my options and then the final little darling. 

First Option: Butterfly Blouse and Purple Flower in Hair.

Second Option: Pink Beret, Bird Headed Bee, and Gothic Fence.

Third Option: Party Hat, Oversized Sunglasses, Word Bird, and Ledger Skirt.

Fourth Option: Flower Eye Patch, Stick Hair Piece, Gothic Fence with Bird Head, and Tissue Paper Dress.

Fifth and Final Option: Bumble Bee in Hair, Ledger Skirt, and Striped Paper Belt.

I decided to go with number five. I used Matte Gel to attach and then Fluid Acrylics to blend in the new elements and finish up details in her eyes and cheeks. So there you go... my latest little cutie pie all completed. 

Daydream BEE-liever!

(Today's Music: Daydream Believer, of course.... The Monkey's version)