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There are things more worthwhile to pursue Painting by Cheryl O Art Someone sold us a plastic apple. It’s not what we think it would be. I refer to the pursuit of happiness. Pursuing happiness is chasing soap bubbles. They always pop. Happiness can be right in front of us, and poof, gone. It is elusive because — life. What to do about this? Choose Your Currency I saw a great image on social media. Someone had made a chart of currency through different ages. A 5-year-old’s currency was Lego blocks, a middle-aged person’s currency was dollar bills, and an older person’s was time. Clever! If we are not living thoughtfully, we tend to chase after what the glossy ads tell us to chase. We are brainwashed to accept that those shiny things are the key to a worthwhile life and happiness. Everyone wants to be happy right? What if we choose something else to chase after? What if we can choose our own currency? Let’s look closer. Speaking as someone in the ‘time’ category, I suggest… and please bear with me if this sounds boring because it isn’t once you start… …I suggest the pursuit of priorities is more worthwhile than the pursuit of happiness. Priorities: The Things That Matter Most to You When you figure out what truly matters to you, and live according to that, happiness will no longer be an unpredictable tyrant — sometimes right with you, sometimes floating away like an out-of-reach dandelion seed. I say tyrant because happiness will come and go no matter your wishes. It does that to everyone. This is inevitable because the things that make you happy are often not under your control at all. If happiness is your goal, you will be disappointed every time something happens to make you unhappy. Golly, no need to add disappointment on top of unhappiness. About priorities — your priorities are your choice. No one else makes that choice for you and it’s uniquely personal. Try pursuing some and see what fits best for you. Life may go from flavorless to inspired once you find the priorities that best fit the puzzle that is you. The Big 3 For Me Here are mine. 1. Family and friends. I want to find ways to treasure and enjoy those closest to me. My father in his late 80’s told me, ‘I’m so sorry, Cheryl. My generation did not know we should be involved with our children.’ His words deeply touched me- regret and love were written in his eyes. 2. Self-care. It took me years to understand that self-care is not necessarily self-centered care. A better understanding is, that self-care recognizes that my body and mind are where I live and therefore I need to care for them. You know — healthy food, physical and spiritual exercise, and time for refreshing relaxation. 3. Creativity. Creativity is a powerful force for healing, self-actualization, and more. It’s also a holiday for your brain — no plane ticket required. In my life, being creative is as essential to well-being as anything mentioned in #2. If I could choose another word for what creativity means to me, it would be ‘freedom’. Creativity is where you get to find and 

Helpful tips for a more joyful creative journey Quote and painting by Cheryl O Art It’s a quandary I have seen many times with painters as they grow their art. I speak to painters, but I would not be surprised if these concepts could be applied to other creative arts. The Beginning Most beginning painters start out aiming for realism in their work. It’s a great way to start. You like your photo reference and try matching the colors and shapes with paint. Sounds easy, but there are a multitude — no exaggeration — of skills that need to be conquered to do that well. There are books and classes to help you with that. No need to rush. The beginning is a captivating process too. Folks mostly understand that learning any skill takes time and practice. They expect a challenge at the first. So what’s the problem? Beyond Basics The painful place happens when a painter has the basic skills and begins moving from a realistic artistic expression toward an expression of their unique voice. To be clear, I have nothing against realism. It can be stunningly beautiful. But what I am speaking about is the most common artist’s journey. The majority of artists do not want to remain realists with their work. They would rather find their unique voice between pure abstract (i.e. no subject) and expressive realism. Putting in the brush time, that individual voice will begin to assert itself, quite naturally. The Painful Place What happens next are paintings in progress. Paintings that are on their way to change; on their way to someplace else that is more uniquely ‘you’. I call them ‘almosts’. This is a hard place to be. For the painter who has labored long hours toward realism, it’s not easy to know when to let go of realism and run with their unique expression, especially when initial attempts don’t yield much to be excited about. If this speaks to you, be comforted, you are not alone. Even accomplished artists who welcome evolution in their work can experience ‘almosts’ and the frustration that goes with them. The Fix The place of ‘almosts’ is when you need to take a deep breath and carry on. You’ve got the basics down, now it’s time to fly by the seat of your palette. Set yourself free to play with colors and shapes. Let intuition take control. Give up on that constraining expectation of making a masterpiece. You don’t have to go there. Instead, dive deep into ‘what happens if’; with no expectations for any particular result. Exploring will allow your brush the freedom to find a style you will love — one that expresses who you are. A voice that could belong to no one else. Go With The Flow Be patient with the messes as you journey toward someplace special with your art. The stirred batter does not look like the cake. If you become too frustrated, return to realism for a while. Creativity gets flowing more easily with what has been practiced. Then leap into the new. You can’t lose by aiming for realism again. Who you are will still become evident as you put in the brush time. Just as your signature is 

You can become more creative in life and art. Quote by Scott Adams. Painting by Cheryl O Art. 1. The Mucky Mess Embrace the messiness. Life gets messy and if you have a perfectionist mindset, you will make yourself unnecessarily miserable when messiness happens. You are human. Stuff happens. Laugh or learn or hopefully both. Mistakes large and small and hurts minor and major will happen. This shit is fertile soil for growth. In painting, messiness is also frequently a stage in developing a painting. Trying something new in subject or technique can be a lively back and forth — some moments so hopeful and some looking disastrous. Ugly ducklings on the way to someplace beautiful. Have fun with the process! Messiness is the way of growth. 2. Reset Expectations Resist expecting an instant outcome from what you learn. Even when the gray matter has lit up like a spotlight, it can take some time before the application of this insight becomes evident. Be kind to yourself and set smaller goals based on your new understanding. You may have just read an inspiring life-changing book. You will not be able to apply everything you learned the next day. Take baby steps. Artists today have many opportunities to see wonderful and inspiring art from history and contemporary times. You may have several artists who inspire you. These masterpieces can influence your work as it evolves if you can consciously apply those colors or techniques to what you are attempting with paint. Break it down into specific small steps. Discovering your signature expression means putting in the brush time. Be patient and reasonable with your expectations of mastery. If making fabulous paintings was easy, it would not be the satisfying challenge it is. 3. Failure is your friend High-five every failure along the way. Failing, a lot, is the pathway to genius. Edison, about inventing the lightbulb said, “I have not failed — I just found 10,000 ways that don’t work.” The person who never failed never tried anything new. This is fine if you want a sedentary life. Myself, I prefer not to go out with a yawn. To live a creative life, you need to embrace adventure. New adventures in any artistic discipline from painting to music mean failing at first. No one is born with mastery skills. Even the greats were beginners once. This applies to both art skills and life skills. In painting, as you practice to become a more adept communicator with this wonderful language of art, failure should be as familiar as a healthy breakfast and just as good for you. 4. About Talent Talent is simply the ability to learn something faster. The learning and the work are still real and that includes failure. Some people seem to be naturals at navigating the complexity of life. Here’s a secret. We are all the same inside — we are all vulnerable in our own unique ways. Work is required to become the best version of ourselves. Practicing humanity means a deliberate and thoughtful approach to life. As an art instructor to adults for 25 years, I have seen that ‘talent’ is much overrated. Give me a student who wants to practice and learn every time — 

You speak several languages, even if you think you only speak one. Here is why that matters. Quote and photo by Cheryl O Art Humans are meant to speak to each other. Communicating with others is not an entertaining extra, it is a basic need. I can be introverted, but I still need to relate to others. We are social creatures in varying degrees and each of us needs a way to speak. Being fluent with words is not a gift that everyone has. Thankfully, there are other ways to speak just as effectively, and at times, with an even more profound impact. There is the light touch on a friend’s arm that wordlessly says, I am here for you. There is a soft kiss on the cheek that says, you are special and loved. Actions are language without words. Consider the language of facial expressions. Wide open eyes of fear or terror. Combine those with a smiling open mouth and it is the unexpected delight of a happy surprise. These speak more eloquently than words. The language of touch and the language of facial expression. Those are 2 more languages that you use to share thoughts. There are other ways to speak. Art is a language. The more an artist appreciates this, the more proficient with this language they can become. It is true that some creative work never reaches other eyes or ears — and is still refreshing for the one doing that work — so don’t stop! Creativity in itself contains healing. For example, I am not going to share that poem I wrote when I was angry — that one is just for me and it felt good to tear it up. Creativity can be a healthy ‘talking to myself’. There is the song sung alone and the painting tucked away in the closet. Notice your emotional response to the last sentence. Instinctively, the response is sadness. I am not talking about fame here. Whether or not you sell your art also has nothing to do with its worth. Society has warped our values to think that these things are what art is about. Puh-leez! Stop believing this lie. Art’s value is so much more. Your unique creative voice is meant to be shared even if only with a couple of friends. I understand it’s a bit of your heart that you put out there when you share a creative work. Boundaries are okay. You can tell your friends or live-in critics that you are not looking for suggestions for improvement. You just thought it would be fun to share. It’s the difference between a black-and-white life, and one lived in full color. Our existence is meant to be more than waking, going to work, staring at a screen, going to sleep, repeat. Sharing our creative voices makes the world a brighter place. The richness of art in any form is the seasoning that gives life flavor. These are the moments when we are most alive. Quote by Picasso. Watercolor painting by Cheryl O Art. Art forms such as dance, theatre, painting, or music are also languages. The more the artist has studied their art form, the more potentially eloquent the expression. If I could say 

Get past writer’s block or fear of the white canvas with these. Painting by Cheryl O Art The creative fires that bring out the best in writing and painting require constant feeding. Typical Inspiration Photos from travels near and far can inspire your writing or painting. This type of inspiration can work admirably for both writers and painters. For example, the above painting was inspired by walks in nearby woods. However… What about dry spells, when the travel seems like old news? Here are some other ways to find creative inspiration. 1. Find Practical Inspiration in Other Artists’ Work This one has been effective over centuries. Be inspired by other writers and artists. It’s good to have faves in your area of expertise. Enjoying work that delights you and makes your heart beat faster is time well spent. This is especially true if you ask questions such as: what is so attractive to me about this style? Try thoughtfully writing a list of specific aspects of the work that you love. The more specific the better. Don’t say, “I like that author’s way of handling conversations.” You can be more specific. For example, “I like the short punchy statements from some of the characters in this book.” Then see if you can pull that technique into your writing. With paintings, don’t say, “I like the colours.”, be specific. “I like the light grays and browns in this painting. These allow the small areas of brilliant blues to shine.” Then see if you can make that technique happen in your painting. This type of thoughtful analysis can greatly impact your work. 2. A Different Point of View Set your imagination free by asking, “How can I take a completely different view on this idea?” This concept translates equally well in writing and painting. What would you write or paint if you were a small creature looking up at your ideas? What if you were flying above looking down? Consider looking through a microscope or telescope. Changing your vantage point can give you a fresh take. 3. Engage the Senses Including sensations such as taste, touch, and smell, helps pull the reader into the story. These add excitement and make your writing more memorable. Texture in a painting can have a similar effect. This can be visual texture, an illusion caused by how paint is handled, or physical texture achieved by thick paint, layering, or collage. This may give your painting a special appeal and make your process more creative and fun. Painting by Cheryl O Art Keeping Track My problem can be, keeping track of all those creative ideas! I have a list on my phone called Painting Ideas. You may also have an idea list. In addition, I keep little sticky notepads and pens anywhere I tend to sit — the living room, by my computer, and even beside my bed. Sometimes at 2 a.m. I wake up with an idea. Not sure what time zone my gray matter thinks I live in. No matter. Old-fashioned paper and pen still work. Find a way of capturing your fleeting creative thoughts that works for you— because as the right brain gets into gear, the ideas can rapidly multiply. Ideas are like 

Check-in on your inner dialogue for a happier life Quote by Joan Didion; Painting by Cheryl O Art Not everyone has a voice inside their head — a built-in narrator — but many do. Those with this voice, have a hard time imagining that some people don’t. Those who don’t, can’t seem to imagine what it is like to have one. Not a right or a wrong either way, but an inner dialogue is a common experience. Many folks use this private conversation as a way to problem solve. You only have to worry if you think you are talking to someone who isn’t there. If you hear me talking to myself remember, I am a sole proprietor and it’s likely a meeting.– Author Unknown The way I talk to myself has radically changed. These days it is a much quieter voice than it used to be. Before, my inner voice was often loudly pointing out mistakes both past and present and even name calling- ‘dumb bum’ — and worse. Seeking long overdue calm after too many storms, I finally made the connection. I would never speak in that abusive way to anyone else, so why was I allowing that inner abuse to me? Change happened surprisingly quickly. I was relieved to find out that it is possible to change the attitude of that inner voice. Grateful thoughts founded in hope have taken over the current narrative. Grace, all grace. If our minds have doors, the “Be Kind” door has effectively shut out those frequently too-critical thoughts. I have always tried to be kind to others. I just needed the awareness that I should also be kind to myself. It is worth checking in on your inner narrator. Because… Wherever you go, there you are.– Confucius Curious — do you have a voice in your mind too? I hope it’s a kind one if you do. If your inner dialogue is inappropriately harsh, here is the hope that it can be changed, perhaps more easily than you think. Or is that, as easily as you think? Be kind — to yourself too. It’s a happier way of living. Not everything I write is published on this website blog. If you want to read all my writings, you could connect with me on Medium. This platform allows 3 free articles per month for non-members to read. Members pay $5 US per month and in return have access to unlimited articles on almost every topic imaginable.  Here is a link to my profile which also shows other articles I have published on Medium. Cheryl O Art writes on Medium 

The pieces can fit together with time. Abstract Still Life by Cheryl O Art Life doesn’t make sense. So much is a mystery. If you live a thoughtful life, which seems the only way to be truly alive, there can be a growing understanding of what is important to you, and how it fits together in your life. While painting, I pondered these things, when the poetry muse came and sat on my shoulder. She quite insisted. I had to put the brush into water and jot down this poem. Jigsaw Puzzle — by Cheryl O Art Jigsaw piecesAll in a jumble.Laughter spilling overBits of life’s tumbles.Wasting, but no! It’s treasured time.Shredded bits of sadness allLeft behind. Puzzle piecesFalling in placeThe more that fits inThe more holy this space.Loving the lifescape. In love with the colours.Finding friends who puzzle too!Loving others. I was sureThat blue went there.Wrong preconceptionsAll hot air.We lost the lid. We did not knowThe heart-rending beauty that lifeCould grow. Jigsaw puzzleMaking sense nowBeauty flows togetherDespite not knowing how.Failings all forgotten, the jigsaw almost done.When the picture is finishedI must run. Not everything I write is published on this website blog. If you want to read all my writings, you could connect with me on Medium. This platform allows 3 free articles per month for non-members to read. Members pay $5 US per month and in return have access to unlimited articles on almost every topic imaginable.  Here is a link to my profile which also shows other articles I have published on Medium. Cheryl O Art writes on Medium 

Suggestions for dealing with a sour event in life, because life is not one fix-fits-all. Oil painting by Cheryl O Art I’m thinking of those minor to moderate irritations in life. Some call them lemons. These can be random events or caused by yourself or other people. Whatever you call it, stuff happens. It’s what you do with it that matters. Setting aside the obvious concerning other people: do you need to talk to someone? Do you need to do something? I will focus on the person you live with, yourself. Ha! You were hoping I was about to say your partner, but they are off the hook this time. This is about you. There are the usual recommendations that you will have heard: take time in nature, eat chocolate, cuddle the dog, or take a holiday. These are fine ideas and could shake off that sour taste. However, I don’t have a dog and in my vast experience even eating chocolate has limits. Holidays are not always possible and can be expensive. Helloooo nature. Extracting my tongue from my cheek, as a fellow human and not a psychologist, I present some alternative approaches that don’t cost money and that have been helpful for me. 1. See if there is some humour in what happened. Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall be endlessly amused.– Anonymous Being able to laugh can magically lift a weight and help gain a happier perspective. It’s like throwing a lot of sugar on top of those lemons. 2. Look for something to learn. I get it — that seems like more lemon juice, but it could be a sour-tasting preventative medicine, and in that context worth swallowing. 3. Make a conscious decision that you don’t want to play judge. Not judge of yourself, not judge of anyone else, not even judge of random events. Not your curly wig to wear. Throw off that cumbersome robe and carry on living. 4. Talk to a friend who knows how to listen. Keep the drama within normal decibels and remind yourself to be there to listen next time your friend is juggling lemons. Another terrific option, if you are open to it, is to talk to your Creator. In my limited experience, they are a great listener. Every evening I turn over my troubles to God. He’s going to be up all night anyway.– Mary C. Crawley 5. Here’s a favourite of mine: plan to go somewhere to be active and occupied, change your mind at the last minute, and curl up with a good book instead. I find this more effective than just going straight for the book — heheh. 6. If you find yourself arguing with someone in your head, and it’s often the same someone, you may need to walk away from that relationship. The in-the-head arguments are a big clue right there, between your ears. It is not advisable to allow these to become regular conference calls. 7. Music can help. I find it most effective to lie on the floor on my back, arms flung out (there is a rug), and close my eyes. Dancing is worth a try too, curtains open or closed, your call. 8. Write 

In art and life, don’t expect to produce masterpieces every day. We are so hard on ourselves. The times we live in don’t help at all. Quote by Kathryn Carpenter. Acrylic collage by Cheryl O Art. Produce and Produce More There is enormous pressure to produce. If we buy into the myth that we must constantly be productive, we rob ourselves of the pleasure of slowing down and enjoying the pleasures of everyday life. We also take away the satisfaction that can be found in learning. The first step in breaking free from this pressure is to recognize the brainwashing that we live with. Advertising has the job of making us discontent with what we have. Advertisements would convince us that life is worthwhile only if we earn more and therefore can buy more. Hogwash. We are not machines made to produce endlessly without rest. Too many folks buy into the myth that we are. There is so much fussing about being more productive. This makes life about as fun as walking on little plastic blocks. And we wonder why there is so much depression. Instead, think about the things that are truly treasures in life. A smile from a child. A hug from a friend. A peaceful moment by the side of a lake. These have nothing to do with achievements, and everything to do with enjoying life. These are not about to earn you money; one byproduct is peace. Advertising does not profit when we focus on these. To prioritize peace is a radical life-affirming rebellion against the world we live in. Monetize It’s sad when a student new to art asks me how long it will be until they can sell their art. They have absorbed the myth that their art is not worthwhile unless they make money from it. Making art is so much more valuable than dollars! Creative flow has the potential to heal and lift the spirit; to bring us joy. The older I get, the more I understand; that you can’t put a price tag on that. Taking time off from earning should not be a luxury, it is the way to be fully alive. As important as it is to pay the rent and buy the groceries, I hope your world encompasses the understanding that there is more to life than that. And my heart goes out to those who have jobs with long hours leaving little time or energy for anything else. This is hard on so many levels. Study and Learning To study is profoundly underrated. With so much emphasis on quickly producing an end product, we have been taught to undervalue the time spent on study. This has potentially horrific results. There is a downgrading in the products produced without adequate study and even more significant, is the emotional toll on those forced to live this way. When art students are told to stop expecting every painting they do to be a masterpiece, a visible profound relief settles in. It is like taking the proverbial elephant in the room off their shoulders. It sets them free to do studies to learn from. They are freed to get into creative mode, which is most naturally play mode. The joy begins 

Developing a love affair with life Quote and painting by Cheryl O Art What Lovers Do What is the first characteristic of lovers? What is the primary aspect of how they relate? No, it’s not just the physical chemistry. That can be part of it but far from the whole picture. For example, a one-night stand is not a love affair. The first characteristic of lovers is constant and always there. It is the way that they notice each other. Every word, every movement of the loved one is absorbed with intense interest. Every smile, every touch, every glance. With eyes wide open, they soak in every nuance of what makes the other unique. The intensity of noticing can fade with time. However, if love remains, the interest and attention will stay too. Mature love has learned to understand the concerns and delights of their beloved. This is love between individuals. I started thinking; what does it look like to have a love affair with life? What Lovers of Life Do Attentiveness. Noticing. Eyes wide open and taking it in. On cold misty mornings, I have watched the changing shapes of the distant trees through the fog. Lovely. The gentle softening of edges. The muting of colors to a silver gray. This noticing also contains love, even if it feels a bit one-sided, somehow, that doesn’t matter. It feels natural to love the world. I’ve never had much success with deliberate meditation techniques, but if they work for you, awesome! Great ways of being here. I have more success with stillness in prayer. This settles my restless overactive mind and makes me more open to the present moment. As an artist, I should paint that misty morning. Perhaps I will. My difficulty is that I want to paint the whole world. I also need some ‘guilt-free’ time. Time set aside to notice and be wide-eyed in love with this amazing world. Everyone is different. It’s worth getting to know yourself. What things, what places, encourage you to be unequivocally here? However you approach it, here’s the rub: our world is so very preoccupied with texts, emails, social media, and taking constant pictures with our phones — to pay attention to life around us takes deliberate effort. To feel the breeze and notice the changing patterns in the clouds. Loving Others Attentiveness is not limited to nature, but it’s a great place to start the practice. Hopefully, our attentiveness will also extend to the rest of our world, including the people in it. How is it even possible to love anyone, family member or friend, if you are not paying attention to them? It’s not. Attentiveness can profoundly affect you and those you care about. It can help make the world a better place. Loving Creativity You don’t have to be able to paint it, sing it, or write poetry about it. Wonderful if you can! However, the joy of noticing is not restricted to those who can turn it into an art form. That joy is available to everyone, there for the taking. Still, the art connection is valid too. Being in a creative flow is a wonderful way to be in the moment. It’s a go-to for me, as