TracyDove.com

AH! I am beginning to breathe again. Not just breathe……. but, rather, REALLY BREATHE! Deep, full inhaling breaths and long, deflating exhaling breaths, like a gentle blowing out of a small candle. I am flowing within my own vibration and that is where I feel I need to be.

As I have been breathing, I have been receiving deep, rich clarity. Sitting still, arms and heart wide open welcomes in new possibilities and visions, sitting still in this here and now moment, surrounded by love and only the sound of my own beating heart is nothing and everything at the same time.

There are times when I feel prompted to paint and create after the stillness has arrived and other times when I do nothing. Both things are necessary for living a creative life. We must all spend time alone with ourselves in order to gain a clear perspective and even just to daydream. Great things are born out of breathing in the still areas of our lives. Leave the past behind and no drop all thoughts of tomorrow. This is where you will find the magic.

Tomorrow Never Knows

“All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness.”
~Eckhart Tolle

On this warm, spring night. It is a pleasure to paint into the wee hours of the morning while the world is mostly asleep. The quiet, undisturbed stillness is perfect for painting and creating. I don’t know what kind of night birds we have around here, but they often serenade me as I paint with my studio door open.

My creative fire is lit and that usually begins with a small spark and all I can ever hope for is that it builds into a raging wildfire of creativity burning through me. So many colors and designs flow through my mind. Before I fall asleep and as soon as I wake up I am neck deep in a river of these dreams.

To read in it’s original format: The original link is http://www.sparktheheart.com/passion/

This Month’s Passionate Person is

Tracy Dove

Tracy Dove is bohemian folk artist, a poet, a woman who has recovered from two brain surgeries and continues to bring joy and peace and love to the world through her artwork.

all artwork ©Tracy Dove

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PASSION AND PURPOSE?

My life’s passion is making art, specifically painting. My first love was pen and ink, but when I began painting with acrylic paints, it  expanded my universe. There is a sacred place where I go during the process of painting, where time and space dissolve. It is the closest feeling that I have come to flying, other than in my dreams.

Accessing my creative energy and harnessing it into a painting to create something that wasn’t there before is such a thrill. There is nothing more exciting and inviting than a blank canvas before me, a brush in hand and a large supply of paints in an array of colors. My purpose is to shine by example and hopefully, inspire other people to access their own source of creativity, overcome their blocks and obstacles and allow that energy to flow.

HOW DID YOU DISCOVER THIS?  

I discovered painting by years of trying every medium that I could get my hands on. I have gone from watercolors to pen and ink to fabric batik, tie dyes, etc to painting. I decided to make a small series of 15 paintings that I would shop to the Scottsdale galleries. So, I used my mantra, “Do The Work” ~ the rest always follows.

I painted  a series of 15 paintings that I called “Women at Rest”. I put them in a large, chicken wing box that was laying around and took them to Scottsdale. By the way, that is TOTALLY NOT the way to approach a gallery properly! The second gallery I went to loved them and decided to represent me. Most of my life I have done things my own way, so it was not a surprise that I was able to step around the professional manner of business operations of a high end gallery market.

WHERE WERE YOU IN YOUR LIFE BEFORE YOU FOUND THIS PASSIONATE PATH?

I have always made and sold some kind of art to make money. In high school, I made blue jean purses from children’s jeans that I purchased at thrift shops for 50 cents a pair, at that time. I made fliers and posters, had a how to tie dye mail order business, made jewelry at home, designed t-shirts for various companies. I must have had over a hundred different small art jobs and would take any freelance graphic design job that I could get my hands on.

From the moment that I had a driver’s license and a car, at the age of 16, I was constantly taking myself on artful journeys and to amazing, inspiring places. Wanderlust is in my blood and as I grew older and became more settled,I learned how to travel through my paintings. I create the world as I want to experience it or the way that I feel things to be. My paintings have taken me farther through my imagination than I could ever go by modern transportation.

WHAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO?  

What drives me to create and paint is the desire that drives me to breathe. It happens naturally, without much thought.  After years of creating art for friends and family, I wanted to make my art visible by a lot of people. Art that I created just for the sake of creating, not focussed on whether or not it would bring in money or pay the bills.

The more art I made, the bigger the demand became for more of it. People began to collect my art, so I just kept creating it. It sort of took on a life of it’s own and gathered momentum as I continued to make a daily practice of painting. It was what I love to do and the reasons to go further with it grew.

WHAT OBSTACLES DID YOU ENCOUNTER AS YOU SHIFTED YOUR HEART’S DESIRE INTO THE WORK THAT SUSTAINS YOU?

I am certain that there there have been many obstacles during the shift, but the biggest obstacle came later, in 2006, in the form of a health crisis. I had a brain bleed from a cavernous malformation on my cerebellum, which is a little like an aneurysm. I had to undergo two surgeries within a week of each other. One to remove the CVM~ the bleeding part of my brain~ and another to stop more bleeding and clean up a severe staph infection that had developed around my brain.

After months of recovery, even learning how to walk again, I knew in my heart that the only way back to myself was through my art. It has been the pathway to healing many difficult situations throughout my life. Working with a therapist who encouraged me to return to painting and knew that I would not be satisfied or complete until I had regained my ability to paint again, was the medicine that I really needed. It helped to have someone cheer me on and in my corner to help gently, guide me back to a creative life again.

The surgeries left me with a condition called, “nystagmus”, also known as “dancing eyes”. This added another layer of difficulties to anything visual, including painting, of course. I have many mantras that carry me through difficulties and one of them that I use when I encounter difficulties of any kind is, “You are forcing me to be FABULOUS”!” That one works wonderfully and gives me a shot of strength whenever I need it!

HOW DID YOU MANIFEST YOUR PASSIONS INTO A LIFE THAT SUPPORTS YOU FINANCIALLY, SPIRITUALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY?

We have all heard the expression, “Do what you love and the rest will follow.” I believe that is true. I set my heart on what I love to do (dream the dream~ visualize), then action follows ( do the work), and everything beyond that truly fell into place. I believe that the same Source that puts the seed of desire in our heart is the same Source that will help us to manifest it into reality. Personally, I don’t sweat the details anymore, I have learned to sit back and relax and let the flow of the river of life carry me to where I need to be.

I trust that I am always exactly where I need to be at any given moment in all areas of my life. I am a perpetual dreamer, I have dreamt uncountable dreams of things that I want to do, places I want to go to, things I want to make, ways I want to live, ways I want to contribute, but those things that I follow through with action always seem to feed me in return. Spiritually, there are many ways to reach enlightenment and feed our spirits, creative energy is the most direct link to my higher self and my highest power. Emotionally, art is an outstanding outlet to express emotions. I view emotions like clouds…they come and go and gently pass through us, some with more vigor than others and some that reach level 5 hurricane activity, nonetheless, all with an ending. Spirituality is more intriguing to me because of the growth and learning and continuing journey that it holds. My paintings and drawings are my prayers and meditations, in a sense.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN YOUR EXCITEMENT AND ENTHUSIASM FOR LIVING FROM YOUR HEART?

I never really thought about this too much before. It is just something that I have to do. I was marinated in the arts since I was a baby, born the fifth child in a family of artists. So, it has always been a way of life. I was taught that if I listened to my heart song and followed my desires, I would never be unhappy.

There is no such thing as failure when you live from your heart. Actually, I don’t believe in failure at all, it is a manmade concept. Just doing what makes me feel good, supports and maintains my excitement and enthusiasm for living from my heart. Also, seeing so many creative people, with the exposure that the internet has allowed us to share, inspires me to continue creating and sharing. We are a world full of some amazing artists, poets and dreamers. It is exciting!

HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR SUCCESSES?

Monetary gain, group art shows and solo exhibitions, gallery representation, and recognition are all fine measures of success. My idea of success is the amount of happiness and joy that I experience during each project. Being able to balance a creative career with family, friends and “me” time is what I consider success.

Living a lifestyle that is tightly woven into what I do on a daily basis is the key to my personal success. I have chosen a life style and art style that embraces my free spirited, free thinking, old hippie lifestyle ~ with one foot firmly planted in a traditional lifestyle, ie; mother, wife, homemaker, etc. ~ All the while dancing through my life under the same influence that I grew up under of the 60′s and 70′s.

WHAT INSPIRATIONS CAN YOU OFFER PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING TO MANIFEST THEIR PASSIONS INTO A LIFE LIVED ON PURPOSE?

Depending on where you are in your journey I always advice that in the beginning, start with committing to sitting with your art for, at least ten to fifteen minutes a day. Make micro movements towards it, if nothing else. Spend the time contemplating and daydreaming about it, at first, if that is all you can do. No movement is too small. Once you begin rolling, you need do nothing but to keep creating. If necessary, take classes and whatever you need to further yourself and move closer to the place where you dream of being.

I always feed my head and take myself on dates to places in nature that inspire me, places where I can empty my mind and fill it up with inspiration and a new perspective. Struggling does no good, so relax and enjoy your journey of self discovery and self expression through your heart’s unique song, whatever that may be. All of the rewards are downstream, so just float along and one day you will be able to look back and and admire all of the magical treasures that you have collected and spread along the way.

For more information about Tracy and to purchase her artwork, visitwww.tracydove.com

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Any Higher Purpose Than Joy?

Recently I was interviewed and the nine “simple” questions have plunged me into a deeper search for true and authentic answers. Of course, for the interview, I tried to give clear, basic answers, without going off into my esoteric language. In other words, I tried to make it easy and something that could be understood and related to on a larger scale. My moon in Pisces has been a little overactive and I am still hanging onto the very first question, “What is your life’s passion and purpose”.  Since the interview was about my career as an artist, I stayed on subject. However, since then, I have been  obsessing over that question. My life’s passions are MANY. I cannot even imagine having passion for only one subject, in a multi~faceted exsitence. And my purpose seems to wax and wain and ebb and flow with whatever is needed of me at that time. When I hear the call, I answer. Intuition and my heart rule my actions, in general. When I go against these things, it only leaves me with more spiritual awareness ~ the awareness that I need and the opportunity to take actions to realign myself and heal my perception of the situation.

So, life’s passions and purpose….. I’m not certain that I will ever KNOW what that is, other than the obvious. Maybe that is all there is to it and I may be complicating things. Like I said, my moon is in Pisces (the ruler of emotions and feelings), for what it’s worth. ~ I do feel it in every fiber of my being that my purpose is JOY! ~ But, I cannot help but feel that I have missed the mark by not “living my life with purpose”. Maybe I am not getting the meaning. I have read many inspirational books and am blessed to know some pretty great people, artists, healers, writers, poets, authors, musicians, free thinkers, philosophers, spiritual gurus, creative gurus, and more. Most speak of finding your purpose, your ONE TRUE purpose and follow that. “Live Out loud”, “Live Your Dreams”, “Follow Your Bliss”. All of these things ring true for the most part. I am just hung up on the purpose part! LOL Sometimes my purpose is to make a nice, clean, fluffy bed to fall into. Sometimes my purpose is to comfort someone else….. it constantly changes, moment by moment. So, therefore, although I came up with answers for the interview, my answers keep coming as I interview myself and work my way into the abyss of my soul in search of true answers and meaning.

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“There’s more than one answer to these questions
pointing me in crooked line
The less I seek my source for some definitive
The closer I am to fine.”

~ The Indigo Girls

I have spent a month or so and daze off and on over the past, who knows how long, painting this beautiful beast. She had a lot that needed to be painted on and loads of images to include. Because of the amount of space available, I have had to cut back on some of the cool things that were planned to be added. Maybe they will be included someday during another session. I felt as if I was tattooing this vehicle. It was pains taking and a little back breaking, at times, but it was also a blissful experience on the days when it wasn’t raining or unbearably hot. Working around the weather was the biggest challenge because I don’t have an awning to work under. I am thinking that I will need to erect the one that I have for future jobs. I have another car on its way to be delivered soon, to paint and then I plan on tackling my “66 Volkswagen bug. I started on it several times, but was interrupted by family crisis moments, like a death in the family, my hubby had a heart attack and a quadruple bypass, that took us for a loop. 2011 was a very difficult year. But, here I am, finding my way back through art, again. After every life changing event, my creative spirit always carries me back to my true home again and again. Everything is so much different for me now, but I have found courage and strength through creative, uplifting, supportive friends and doing what I have always know to do in any crisis or immediate change of circumstances.

I truly believe that creating art has been the oxygen in my blood, what keeps me breathing and being still with each situation I am faced with. To quote Eckhart Tolle, “All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness.” I find those words to ring true in my life and it sounds like I am not alone. A quiet, still mind brings forth all that my mind couldn’t conjure up in a thinking process, it’s that place where one becomes very present and aware, without the chattering of the mind. Time and space are not calculated into the experience, there are no thoughts of the past or future. Only the NOW.

I have a very new project on the board that will begin in April that has me over the moon with excitement. It is a rare opportunity and will be leading me onto a path that I have always wondered what lies beyond what I can see of it. This will be out of my comfort zone and facing a challenge that I have desired for so many years. More news on that to come. I don’t want to jump ahead of myself here.

“Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at the moment.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

There is a mural project going on in El Mirage at the Sew N Vac on the corner of west Grand avenue and Primrose. The El Mirage Art Group is bringing the arts to the small community of El Mirage, Arizona. These photos were taken in the afternoon of the second Saturday of the project. I missed the first Saturday, but am so glad that my hubby and I were able to show up and help out last Saturday, it was nothing short of a blast. Many hands are working on this project and there is a call to all artists who are interested in helping with this and future projects. There are other mural projects on the horizon.  To read the article that was printed in the West valley paper click on the highlighted words. There you can read the complete article.

We rock and rolled our way through the day with paint, laughter and great conversations and sharing of ideas. This small city has big visions of bringing arts and their community together. Their leaders are strong and their plans are realistic and something to be excited about.

While we were out there, we received lots of honking from passing vehicles on Grand Avenue with thumbs up and people walking by giving their input and voices of appreciation. One elderly gentleman expressed his desire for seeing some peace signs on the mural. He told how he was from Woodstock, New York and he would really like to see more of the hippie vibe put into the public art. I granted his wish by placing peace signs, hearts and flowers on one of the quilts, I am certain that he will be pleased when he sees it.

It is true how art can bring a community together and heal wounded places in ourselves and in our communities. It is a beautiful project that I am glad to have had the opportunity to be involved in. If you are interested in being involved in this or future projects, please contact EMAG (El Mirage Arts Group) at emag@emag-az.org. or visit their website at www.emag-az.org .

Before I just begin to start posting photos, a brief explanation is the best place to start to give a better understanding of what is being shown~ Recent discussion about an upcoming relocation that we have desired for years led us to reminiscing about places that we have nearly purchased in the past and places  where we have lived. I found a monolithic dome home in the heart of Phoenix, hidden away and funky as could be, reeking of art vibes inside and out. It felt like the ghosts of many parties were still hanging out around the fire pit and small seating areas around the property. The home and property had loads of possibilities and the price was sweet. To make a long story short, my daughter was looking to purchase a home at the same time and since we already owned a home, she fell in love with the dome so we backed off and she moved forward to purchase it. What transpired after that was strange, but, basically it appeared to be a done deal, so the dude who was selling it left for Costa Rica and my daughter was given the keys and she and her boyfriend moved in. They lived there for quite awhile until the deal fell through because nobody would lend on something that had no comparison price. Crazy turns of events, but, they did end up living there for free for a long time. There were little surprises and funky little treasures all over the property, placed around and embedded into the walls ( inside and out) in the least expected places. An old trailer, belonging to the Meat Puppets, sat on the property and was quite charming, actually. When I think back on this kind of lifestyle and even the one that I am living now, I look forward to a more relaxed, less demanding and one requiring less upkeep. I am slowing down and needing to preserve my energy more than ever. Time spent doing the things that I love is more important to me now and, physically, I need to put my energy towards working on less daunting projects. But, theses are some photos of years prior to my daughter’s move into the magical monolithic dome home in the heart of the city.

The entire place, inside and out was painted like the sky, with lots of rock and wood benches and niches built into and around the structure.

~WELCOME~

The three photos above are in the kitchen.

Four photos above are the bathroom.

second bedroom

Five photos above are in the master bedroom.

From the outside~ side yard, the outside of the dome is covered in cat’s claw vine.

Even the fences are painted with sky.

Beautiful when it is up and running.

Big Rock Candy Mountain sign found in the wood pile

along with some other signs laying around in wood piles.

Bamboo was planted around the parameters of the property. It took the kids months to clear out the dead parts.

And now for some sweet surprises and treasures….

The painted sky fence incorporating the tree trunk on the other side of the fence. And then the sky art fell onto the Meat Puppet trailer, as well. (below)

Of course, my daughter had the place full of Arcosanti bells anywhere she could hang one. We are a family of collectors of Arcosanti bells and supporters of the Cosanti Foundation and all Arcosanti projects.

~” I’d like to be under the sea, in an octopus’s garden in the sea “~ Or living in a little, round, magical faerie, hobbit house, monolithic dome home ~

Yellow Submarine~Octopus\’s Garden

Last night was a new moon and a few friends and I pulled together a ceremony ~ gathering ~ woman circle ~ and Crone ritual all, pretty much last minute. Of course, we knew that the new moon was happening, but this just goes to show you how quickly a small celebration with deep meaning can be pulled together. All I had to do was drape some scarves and cloths over chairs and benches and tables and make a fresh flower wreath for one of the ladies who was celebrating becoming a Crone and entering a new age and phase of her life. It was very powerful to embrace the divine female energy of who we are and how we are connected to each other and our mother earth. Caregivers and nurturers of all life. The meaning of the word Crone in fairy tales and folklore are generally negative in content and make reference to being more like a hag. However, Crone reveres “ancient feminine wisdom” “the wise elder”. Regardless of the origin, the act of participating in these ceremonies are beautiful and full of loving intent. In our modern, American society I feel that we have lost many traditional rites of passage ceremonies to pass onto our children of all ages. I am thrilled to have my daughter present with me during these gatherings. After burning sage to clear the energy in our sacred circle around the campfire that blazed in the center, even adding a little sage to the fire. We began one at a time, each reading what we wrote earlier on a piece of paper of the things that we want to release and let go of, and then placed the paper into the fire after it was read. Following the releasing, came the time to read what we desire, what we are ready to receive in our lives. One by one a paper was read, some were lengthy and some were short and after each reading, the paper was placed in the fire to send our heart’s desires into the Universe. Our prayers, our hearts and our higher selves were shared as a collective and it was powerful and so beautiful. It sprinkled and tried to rain a little while we were in the circle, so I thought that there was something magical about the fire and rain ~ earth and wind elements that were all at play. The fire did some pretty interesting things with the papers as they were placed into it. Each one was something different. One took on the form of a butterfly as it burned, another blew out of the fire pit and sat on the ground at my daughters feet and sparkled like a million, tiny stars. Another had to be prodded into burning ~ it was something that one of the ladies wanted to release ~ apparently, she must have been uncertain of wanting to completely letting go! We later found out that she was. One paper just flared up like a dragon’s breath and, of course, it didn’t escape me that it was also Chinese New Year~ the year of the dragon! The entire evening was like that. Full of everything connecting perfectly and with ironic timing, it was crazy fun.

After the release and receiving New Moon ritual~ we named in a woman for the Crone ceremony. One woman read a beautiful piece on the passage about entering into the wise elder. The Crone took on a new name, for the purpose of strengthening her place in this new phase of life and group of elders that she is joining. She took on the name of Helga, which means “holy” or ” blessed”. Honoring ourselves and those who came before us and those who come and will come after us is necessary when gaining wisdom. After she was called in with her new name and we acknowledged that we were present and bore witness. I placed the wreath of fresh flowers on her head to crown her. The circle was opened and we continued our healing with good conversation,wine and cupcakes on the patio. It was lovely having candles lit everywhere and The Bells of Arcosanti playing and twinkle lights hanging around the patio.

We also did a “Rock Reading”, which I will post about next time, it was incredibly interesting. I would rather dedicate an entire post to that.

“I celebrate myself and sing myself. And what I assume you shall assume. For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you” ~Walt Whitman

“Celebrate life we will for life is short but sweet for certain” ~ Dave Matthews Band

One unique plant that we have in Arizona, of course, is the saguaro cactus. More than one cactus is called cacti, although so many people still say “cactuses”. Having lived here most of my life, I feel that it is my duty to correct that. I’m not sure why, maybe because these things were pounded into my head at a young age. The saguaro cactus is protected by state laws, so you cannot just go into the desert and dig one up and take it home and plant it. You must purchase them through a reputable grower. I am certainly not a cactus expert, by any means, but you don’t have to know anything about them to enjoy them. I love to see them in the front yards of homes, as well as in the undeveloped desert areas. That gives us the opportunity to observe them a little closer. Birds nest inside of the saguaro, like owls, woodpeckers and hawks.  Eventually, as the saguaro dies, like every other living thing, the flesh of the cactus gets eaten by animals and decays leaving the skeletal remains. I was able to get some close up shots of a cactus with holes large enough to see the skeleton inside. Close up shots with the textures and various shades of grays and greens and browns only inspire me to want to paint these beautiful designs. I am always in awe of these clever, desert giants.

Even my tallest shadow is dwarfed by the magnificent height of these prickly neighbors. North Scottsdale is full of pristine, desert landscaped yards. It is good to see the natural beauty of xeriscaped residential landscaping. It makes complete sense to use drought resistant plants that are indigenous to the region. Conserving water means more water to make things like…….

TEQUILA!!! Which is made from the blue agave plant, of course

Okay, class….. that is our lesson for the day! I just had to share a little bit about the glorious state that I live in and love so very much. I don’t get out very often anymore, but this is one visual pleasure that I don’t have to go far to see. With my eyes and arms and heart wide open, I await every breath that this desert city exhales onto me. If I close my eyes and be real still I swear that I can feel the heartbeat of this great land that is alive and beating under my moccasins, just below the surface of the desert floor. The same life force that sustains me and all of the life around me ~ lives that are stationary and lives that are flowing ~

Quite a few years ago, I designed this stained glass door panel for a doctor in north Scottsdale. This weekend, I had the pleasure of finally seeing it in person. It was stunning in her gorgeous home. I only did the drawing and she took it to a stained glass artist who transformed my simple drawing into this gorgeous piece of art. It is on the stationery side of a sliding glass door. Of course, I had to take lots of photos and share them, being pretty happy with the finished piece!

Her home and yard are filled with custom pieces from different artists. So here are a few photos that I took of some of the pieces she had made and installed in her backyard around the pool area.

These totem poles are outrageous! I don’t know the artist’s name who made these ( I will find out and post it)  but they are just spectacular. The chocolate lab totem pole is representative of her love of big, chocolate labs and the fact that she works with therapy dogs.

~If it makes you happy, then DO IT, MAKE IT HAPPEN, SURROUND YOURSELF WITH IT!~