af Lise Meijer | apr 30, 2012 | From my life, Paintings, small joys, Uncategorized
Shared language, new painting
I don´t always feel romantic, but I do have a romantic soul. I enjoy romance in many forms, like in that old café where I could sit and write for hours or in the sound of a longing irish tune. And I truly enjoy when me and Rune find the time, space and language to connect. And isn´t it like that; couples need to find something to meet in, something that is neither solely me or you, but a third room or interest, that offers that space where connection is possible?
Time to nurture
Recently couples have been creeping into my canvasses again, I think these two paintings above make a nice couple too, they seem to like each other, hanging right now on the wall in my livingroom, before being send out in the world real soon (they go to a shop, but they are for sale, contact me if you are interested)
The other night Rune and I made a celebration. We didn´t really know what specifically to celebrate so we decided to celebrate life. So, here´s to this wonderful weird, challenging, ever renewing life we are born into here on this planet. I am truly grateful for being here. Cheers!
af Lise Meijer | apr 24, 2012 | Cards, Creative Quickie, From my life, small joys, Uncategorized
Lately I have been thinking a lot about the balance between the process and the result. Like the process of baking a cake and the result of the finished cake. I absolutely love both: I love to be lost in process and also to get a tangible result out of it. And I am aware that I have a need for those two states to appear in reasonably balanced portions in my life.
(Creative quickie about finding the balance between what I want and what I do in life)
I know I need to create just for the fun of creating. I deliberately do that almost every day, often in creative quickies. But for me, it is also utterly important to get a practical outcome I can share with others from some of the stuff I create.
Truth be told, I did not always have an easy time getting my own creative results out in the world. It took me a long time to realise how much happiness actual creative birth gives me. And that it is a completely natural process: to create and then to enjoy the result. And to show that result or put it to use in the world in some way, and not be shy about it. Once I understood, I knew it was my responsibility to make that happen, also with my art.
(One actual creative birth I am real proud of: postcards with motives from my paintings, yay!)
I do believe that when something makes us happy, it is wise to do more of that, in whatever way we can. I am sure there is a creating power out there (call it God, a higher power, the universe or what you may prefere) who smiles a big, deep, contagous smile whenever one human being manage to do and be…happy. So simple. Not always easy, but simple.
(Small beautyful moments can stand alone….creative quickie)
Did you wonder lately what makes you happy? It may be something really simple like the smell of the trees after rain or the smile from a loved one. It may just make other people smile and take a deep breath to hear your “happy´s”! I would love to hear….
af Lise Meijer | apr 1, 2012 | From my life, Paintings, small joys, Uncategorized
New painting: Time to nurture
So much nurturing is going on right now. It seems that any alive thing in this part of the planet are drinking sunshine like a life-saving vitamin-boost. And it is. Lifesaving.
I cherish the season´s. All of them. Am grateful I live in a part of the world where I can jump with spring, be out in the oneness of everything during summer, dive into my creativity when autumn comes and rest during winter…..ready to jump again. Of course I don´t do only one thing at a time. (Sometimes I also jump in winter!) But nature does. And I am grateful for those reminders that we are all part of something so much bigger. The cycle inspire me. And right now, I am grateful for the nurturing ability of spring for my soul, oh, so needed!
Our house!
Yes, it is happening! After almost 4 years of living in a caravan-home (but a great one), our house is now being built right there in the garden where we live. It feels great to see it grow in front of our eyes. I had such a hard time visualizing how it would actually be (I know, an artist having a hard time visualizing!!?). And it is like a healing to see it there. Everybody needs a nest. I need a nest with windows!
af Lise Meijer | mar 19, 2012 | From my life, small joys, Soul speed, Uncategorized
Sometimes we need a first aid kit. Something to rescue situations gone wrong. Lift energy levels dropped way below normal. Or to alleviate the pressure it can be to live in a world as wild, big, and incomprehensible as ours.
I have several things in my “kit”, here´s a few you might like too:
I use this book above written by Sarah Ban Breathnach to settle my soul at night before going to sleep. After reading her little beautyfully written piece for the day, it all makes sense.
And films. When I know I need to watch something truly soothing to my soul, I tend to watch the same couple of films over and over. To me, the movies Dan in real life and The holiday qualifies for that. Watched both several times. Both describe situations between people in life that is seemingly messy and not falling into place. Until everyone starts being who they really are, and it all begins to fit, everyone is reliefed and it all makes sense. That´s the world I like to remind myself about when I need to be soothed from the ruffle of life that we all experience from time to time.
And some soothing music:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BKUjnyf8uY&w=560&h=315]
To me, theese two young swedish sisters have found a perfect name for their band, It soothes my soul to hear so pure and charming music. Did you hear them yet? Also love this one by them.
If nothing of this works, I call a friend who know me well. Someone who can remind me of who I really am, when I have forgotten. We all forget who we are and what strength we hold from time to time. And we all need the comfort from other human beings. Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves that everyone else feel the same way: that we need each other, and how natural and human and utterly important that is.
af Lise Meijer | mar 16, 2012 | Exhibitions, Paintings, small joys, Soul speed, Uncategorized
(Recently finished painting: “Walking with care”)
The danish author, singer and songwriter Majbritte Ulrikkeholm recently posted a beautyful, soulwarming story about the butterfly and the creative process. Her writing has inspired me so much over the years, this was no exeption. I actually had tears in my eyes when reading it, because, well, she totally gets the fragile moment in any artists life, AND, she can explain it so poetic. She agreed I could share part of it with you here. Read it, it holds a good surprise:
“The creative process can be compared with the butterfly process from egg to caterpillar to full grown butterfly. And we can really learn from the butterfly….
…The butterfly starts as a tiny egg that later develops into a caterpillar, whose primary task is to munch as much food as it possibly can. When the caterpillar is filled up, it spins its cocoon from its own silk threads, and inside that cocoon it develops into a butterfly. At the time when the butterfly is ready, it breaks through its cocoon.
BUT what many don´t know – because this in itself is already such a pretty picture – is that the butterfly actually can´t fly when it emerges from the cocoon. As beautiful as it is, as grown and expanded as it is, there exists a moment in the butterfly´s life when it is fully grown, bursted through its cocoon, but it still cannot fly. Beautiful and fragile it lies on the ground and pumps body fluid into its wings. And this is the most vulnerable moment in the butterfly’s life, and here it is an easy prey for larger animals that can attack the defenseless beautiful insect in many colors, which calls for attention.
But if the butterfly survives this moment, it becomes a flyer. It rises high above it´s attackers and brings joy to people’s lives. For there is probably no human who doesn´t rejoice and feel an opening in the heart at the sight of theese light beings that remind us that everything one day will rise above limitations and fears -transformed from sheltered caterpillar to beautiful mature butterfly.”
(Majbritte Ulrikkeholm)
You can find her full Butterfly story here (english speaking? Throw it in google translate, it´s worth it!)
EXHIBITION COMING SATURDAY….
Oh, and if you live nearby here in Denmark, I am represented with around 10 paintings in an exhibition starting saturday 17th march in Galleri Warrer in Møn, read more here. Perhaps I´ll see you there saturday, I would really love that!
af Lise Meijer | mar 12, 2012 | From my life, small joys, Soul speed, Uncategorized
(Cropped version of the painting: Give time – see the key?)
Right now I feel like the earth just before spring. So many ideas and dreams in my head I wish to act on. Truth: I am down with a flu, and all I can do is rest. And be patient. Trusting in nature doing what it does best: Creating spring from all the juices, hidden in the earth during bare winter. Or healing hearts and body´s. With time.
(Flowers Celeste, my daughter picked to me)
Often we feel like noting is happening during times that requires patience. Then spring (or our healed hearts or body´s) comes bursting, and no doubt has someone been utterly busy deep down under the surface, preparing a colorparty for everyone to enjoy!
