Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Sea and Studio

“The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea.” --Isak Dinesen


I hope you've had a chance to get somewhere beautiful this summer, somewhere outside. Even better, the ocean. Grind your feet into the sand, stare at the sun reflecting in the water until the after image turns purple and neon, feel that ebb and flow resetting your body's rhythm ... and perhaps splash your unsuspecting spouse ;)





Jace is on holiday this week and wanted most to stay home and write music. We've got a system now where we both create at the same time for more focus and less interruptions. As our projects gain momentum, we get more excited, share progress reports, and discuss each other's work. Sometimes we collaborate a bit. I played the flute on the song he's working on now. "The Lake" is his last published song.



 





   
 
Creatively, I'm at an awkward phase for showing artwork. I have 15 paintings in various stages of not done crammed into my chaotic 10x10' studio. It seems like a long time without a finished piece as each layer goes on but it will be energizing when they all start to finish at once.
 
The photoshop grid I was making of the entire mini canvas series turned out lame. The lines are crooked and I will need to figure out how to fix that before posting. Now I'm going to get in some reading before bed time. Are you reading anything good right now?

14 comments:

DJ said...

"I have 15 paintings in various stages of not done..."

I like your phrasing. :-)


But WIPs are good.
We like WIPs.
You can post WIPs.
:-)

Tracy said...

LOVE your flute playing on Jace's beautiful song... You two make such a great creative partnership! And I admire how you take time to both work creatively and share the progress, etc. My hubby & I are a lot like that too. I don't think I could ever have been with someone who did not understand the vital energy of creativity. 15 canvases on the go... HUGELY impressive, Shayla! But until we get a glimpse I love seeing these sea views...*sigh*... You can really feel the grit of sand in that first shop. And photo of you! I like your short hair--great for summer. At the moment I'm reading Kate Jacob's entertaining "The Friday Night Knitting Club", fun "lighter" reading for summer. I have Kazuo Ishiguro's "Noctures" on my bedside table waiting next. :o) Wishing you very happy, creative days, my friend ((HUGS))

Gwen Buchanan said...

a creative holiday... the very best...have fun being in the Zone!!

love your picture and the music!!

Jeane Myers said...

a partner to share you creative life with - ideal! love the photo of you - your zest for life just oozes xxo

Shayla said...

Hi DJ, there's a few wips I may post :o)

Tracy, how are you liking your book? It reminded me of Steel Magnolias and thought it would do well on the big screen. I like to take frequent breaks with some chick-lit too. I think we do have a lot in common. If you and TJ lived closer, I know we'd love to have you over for some great chats and meals. Btw, 15 canvases doesn't necessarily mean 15 great paintings, lol. There will likely be scrap.

Gwen, it's going by so quick! I was over earlier to see your renno project. Wow! You weren't kidding about labour intensive.

Jeane- thanks. It's great to be feeling better and to have my zest back :D

mansuetude said...

Your photo is so fresh and open. A beautiful capture.

Am reading Ann Carson's The Beauty of the Husband. It's a strange mix of snarky bitterness revenge but tied by brilliant allusions to --Keats. And Richard Wilber's silly poems about opposites which are smart and invoke summer play. Waiting for the heat to drop to return to the waves.

Like your song and the simplicity of the video. Keep wanting to play with our recording equiptment. Maybe this winter.

rivergardenstudio said...

The sea and sand, unfinished paintings and a beautiful song. thank you, roxanne

MiKa Art said...

Those are beautiful photos! (you took them?)

I've listened to the audio book of "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie".
I just loved Flavia(protagonist). She is smart and has no self-pity. Very impressive character!

Terry Jarrard-Dimond said...

But they are in stages....exciting!

I'm reading The China Study. Very interesting. It's basically about how we are eating food that makes us sick and how that could be reversed.

Betty Jo said...

Hi Shayla, Tracy told me about you in an email when I mentioned to her that I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS)and am looking for non-toxic paint mediums that I can use on a regular basis. Love your blog and can't wait to explore it further. I'm up to my eyeballs in packing boxes at the moment, and sadly didn't get to the beach this year at all, or last year either for that matter. I'll be moving within three hours of the coast soon though, and will then make up for lost time! ♥

Seth said...

Haven't been to the beach this summer at all, so thanks for bringing it to me.

betty Jo said...

Shayla thank you so much for your visit and comment on my blog. I just today opened a photography blog. My life has been so out of whack lately and creativity has taken a back seat. Due to inspiration from Tracy I decided today to stop in the middle of the craziness and create a photo blog to feed my soul! ♥

ELFI said...

bon été!

Shayla said...

Mansuetude, after reading your recommendation I put it on hold at the library. Thanks!

Roxanne, it's good to have an ocean fix, isn't it.

Mika, that sounds like an exciting read. It's getting a lot of favorable reviews. Thanks for the recommendation :D

Terry, that's an important topic- redefining nutrition and one I'm enthusiastic about. It's funny how when an animal gets sick the first thing the vet or farmer wants to know is what it ate yet that is rarely the focus with human health. Sounds like a passionate read.

Betty Jo, thanks for getting in touch. I tried finding your email address and didn't have any success, so I'm going to give you some info in my next post. Feel free to email me as well. My address is on my profile.

Seth, sounds like you're having an exciting and rewarding summer just the same :)

Betty Jo, photos are great for creativity and a great outlet when sensitivities limit your supplies. Good for you :)

Elfi, merci, à vous aussi!