Friday, December 14, 2012

A Happy Farewell for Now

Life is for learning and changing. Seeing opportunities, reading the wind, searching one's own soul for the rightness of a thing. This is the process for growing in wisdom, discretion, renewed hope. I've been doing this for some time now (the recent use of my painting, and the acknowledgement that my images are used as screen savers without compensation or any shame by some, has been the nudge I needed), and am now ready for a change.

Blogging has been incredibly instructive to me, but meeting so many kind souls in the last four years has been more than affirming. It has been a deep pleasure. It has saved my art life in so many ways.

May I offer the same love and admiration to those who honorably work through their own processes.

I'll be around to visit and comment at your blogs. This is not the end, but the beginning of a new path.

And, of course, I'm wishing each of my online buddies every success!

Smiling at the trailhead...




12 comments:

cohen labelle said...

Melinda your work is incredibly beautiful, downright out of this world awesome!!!!
and while it's true that blogging is instructive and invaluable in many ways which you allude to it can also be incredibly time consuming so I can understand you wanting to take a sabbatical from it, from the pressures of blog work - to pursue and explore other paths - but they say that all paths lead to Rome or is it that there is no royal road to Rome - – no shortage of paths or sayings as they say – altogether byzantine in complexity at times but in a good way.
I myself am in the process of being a lapsed blogger. One of my paths recently has been to learn to read biblical Hebrew of all things. I like the ancient script. Am also fascinated by words and meanings.
I also agree that it’s not salubrious to rush the creative process – you can compromise your ideas if you feel fractured or tired – so you, we have to take care of ourselves – tlc – nurturing tender loving care!
I do so love your blog and your support and you!

xo, hugs to you and your family in Tuscon
Marcia

Melinda said...

Thank you so much, Marcia. Another thing that can sneak up on a blogger is, in subtle ways, that the posts become audience-centered in a way that may not have been apparent in the beginning. When that impedes growth and transparency, it does become something else. Just in writing this post, I felt a release and a freedom to be here, in this beautiful studio, present with the work, without any pressure (lovely or otherwise) to be anywhere else. I've learned so much by blogging.

I dearly love biblical language and have heard that some of the world's greatest actors perfected their skills by studying the Bible and, of course, Shakespeare. To hold words in your hands, holy words, elegant words, inspired in the slowness of the moment and the skill of calligraphic excellence, must be so thrilling, contemplative and grounding.

I hope to stay in touch with you. Your talent is deep and strong, and important. The world needs to hear from you, too.

Warm hugs from the desert. xo

Micros said...

Melinda

You have weaved your tapestry well my dear for you are a kind and generous spirit whose work not only comes from painting nor teaching others too, but in listening close to the beating of ones own passion.

As with your blog. . .you will achieve whatever you set your mind to, and compose wondrous acts of beauty.

I wish you peace.

Micros

Melinda said...

Dear Micros,

Thank you for your kindness and understanding. I will re-read your words when I despair artistically. They fill me with gratitude and commitment.

Knowing when the last few weft threads are spun in an endeavor is what I am trying to be more sensitive to as I age.

I hope you'll continue to work and share your thoughts--and, never give up.

Peace to you, too.

Edgar said...

Melinda,
I know as well as anyone how much you have labored to create art authentically, and at the same time always provide a compelling, touching and aesthetically superb blog. You have delivered on that effort--for years without fail--all of that, and more. We are in your debt for your generosity.

We shall look for you in other beautiful places, and maybe--sometime--here again. Your way is forward. Look back only in fondness.

Love and good wishes,
Artyfice

Melinda said...

Thank you, Artyfice. I am grateful for all the support you've offered over the years.

Maybe the new path will give me even greater opportunities to be generous. That's what I'm hoping.

Don't forget to think about art in your own life.

Linny D. Vine said...

Magical Melinda,

Your loving spirit and these beautiful posts of your art, words, music and ideas will be missed! Happy for you that you are off on a new path!
Please do stay in touch and always know that you have made the Land of Blog and the (other)world, too, a far better place!
Happy Winter Solstice to you and yours!

PS Yes, Edgar, "generous" is the word!

Melinda said...

Lovely Linny!

Thank you for your beautiful spirit. I've stayed online because of you and a few others. It's been an incredible experience.

I am grateful for your presence, and your work.

Yes, I'll definitely be around to comment on your work and will probably post once in awhile.

Yes, life is worth living when we make it a bit better for others!

Major hugs!

Jeffrey J. Boron said...

Thank you for sharing a small part of your life with us Melinda. Different perspectives helps us all to not lose site of our goals and dreams. Our journeys often share so many things with others we may never know but knowing makes things a little gentler somehow...

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.”
― Henry David Thoreau

Sincerely,
Jeffrey

Melinda said...

Oh, dear Jeffrey,

You and Linny are so special to me. I have counted on your kindnesses many a day in the studio, and out.

You are always so eloquent and thoughtful in your comments. Yes, the world is a gentler place because of you and your art.

While it is sometimes impossible to reach the goal ("Living the life you've imagined"), I endeavor to do so always. You have inspired me to be more confident on the path.

I am wishing you and yours all the best in 2013. May you find each day better than the one before.

I'll be around to comment, and look forward to more of your lovely paintings.

Warm hugs (even if it is cold and rainy here today!)

Donald Diddams said...

And now I can leave my comment and just say thank you. Thank you for your work and for telling us about it.
Onward!

Melinda said...

Dear Donald,

Onward I go! Wishing you every success as you, too, go forward.