An Artist and a Writer

Words Come - Melanie Entry

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:52:18 -0600

Creative energy is valuable and rare. When I am in a writing mind-set, I consider life in a new way: I am an observer, an explorer - I study the tiniest, most unspectacular moment in a curious way...

Perhaps the writing mode is about taking in the miraculous through the mundane. Then allowing my observations to crystallize, move me, come.

Today I am writing--waiting for the words: coffee shop, screaming kids, dreary dark day, excitement about possibilities, wish there was more time, Nancy near. Where are my words? I guess maybe these are the words. Here, now.

Missing the Smell of Dirt - Nancy Entry

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:51:25 -0600

Within the heart of winter, I long for surrounding nature to awaken from hibernation. Imaging the sound of icicles dripping from the roofs edge, birds chirping as they fly to wiry branches, while the earth begins its thaw and releases the sweet scent of the underlying dirt. I long for the time when colors emerge and the atmosphere lightens. It won’t be much longer till all these sights, sounds and smells flood my senses. I can’t wait.

A Single Moment - Nancy Entry

Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:30:12 -0600

IN A SINGLE MOMENT...the landscape illustrates the depth and brilliance of possibilities that lie ahead for me. When photographing the world around me, I am seeking to capture a silent beauty—moments in time. Why is it so hard to stay present when it only proves time and time again that presence is better than in absence? Deciding to live through conscious awareness in presence IS the ultimate way to experience now. And, how we choose to experience our moments can make all the difference in the world. When we flow with the rhythm of the steps on our path, we are sure to have an experience that is custom-made for our life.

In creativity, I notice that in moments when I am least in flow, my essence is clouded by my control. I am learning to consciously step into creativity with awareness that the moments are not always ready for me—in my time.

Crossing Over - Melanie Entry

Fri, 1 Jan 2010 11:26:20 -0600

This is me. Crossing the road. Slow. Hesitant. Doubtful. But crossing. I have started many new years: thirty five, and every year I look back mostly with thankfulness. In the last year my work was published in three literary journals; I was contacted by an agent; I grew into my job and created a four day work week to help me spend more time on writing. I went to South Africa. Nancy and I launched “An Artist and a Writer” as a way to collaborate more officially and share our work with the world. Our launch created momentum that produced several customize orders, got our work in a local gallery, and recently we’ve been contacted by a “buyer” for the Minnesota Historical Society.

Even as I consider what manifested in 09, I can’t help but look at what was left behind...the missed opportunities born from my inability to be diligent about committing to what feeds my soul and makes me happy. No regrets, though. Only opportunity to move forward with awareness.

Nancy and I have been talking about flow - not fighting the current but moving with the momentum of what is right. In Jackson Hole we stayed at a place called the “Tree House” several years ago. The Tree House was built into the side of a steep hill, and was whimsical, twisted, wooden, magical, and beautiful. Ninety-nine wooden steps brought you to the door. At the Tree House our kind hosts, experienced wilderness people, recounted a story where they had fallen out of a raft while on a white water rafting adventure. The wild water sucked them to the bottom of the river; they thrashed about (as one would) to get back to the surface. It was not, they said, until they stopped fighting the current that they miraculously popped to the surface.

The story of the river has stayed with me as a reminder that it may not be until I stop fighting the current that I can move with the flow of my being, and manifest what is right.

In 2010 I will commit to a few simple neglected aspects of my life: progress on my book and exercise. I have been reminded, over the last few days as I’ve headed to the Y, how getting in shape actually activates momentum in the rest of my life. If I can care for and overcome the challenge of getting in shape, that power naturally helps me believe that other challenges, like committing to writing and art and the flow.

And today, Nancy and I have a day to create, to play, to “be”...and I think the theme we may explore is flow and manifestation.

Here we go...