Matters of the Heart and Mind Dictate most of our Priorities

“An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. When life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming.” Tecla Barber, Park Ridge, New Jersey in May 2016 Guideposts

I loved this quote from Guideposts. After I read it, I knew I must plug it into my art blog. Because of health constraints recently, I haven’t been able to dedicate myself to either writing or artwork. I’m hoping that means once my life is on an even track, I’ll be launching into something at least better.

Robert Browning’s poem will forever reverberate in my brain: “Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?” Indeed.

I’m flying out to see my two daughters who live in Texas. I’ll be taking a break from blogging while I’m gone so don’t be alarmed that I’ve dropped out of sight. It’s only temporary.

Daughter Holly with her two children when they were "just beginning."

My daughter Holly is a voice teacher and a performer. She has one audition while I’m out there. The other daughter, Paula, is an art teacher and an artist. She is having a show for her students and for herself at her school while we’re out there.

Paula with her three boys and husband and father, James. An Army Family.

Paula joined the Army to earn enough money for college. She toughed it out through Basic Training and finished her 2.5 years. She did what she had promised herself: she got her art degree at Mary Hardin-Baylor University in addition to marrying and having three boys.

Holly completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Chico State in CA and her music degree from Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins where she taught until she had children. She now teaches voice and piano at home in addition to home schooling her children. Major accomplishment for both of my girls!

One of Paula's paintings

Some of her student's work:

 

While I’m gone, I invite you to check out my other blogs:

Carol Anfinsen – The Art of Living; Musings from my Dancing Heart @ 

https://anfinsenart.co/   

A Christian blog titled: “Witness Spoken Here” @
http://www.witness-spokenhere.com

My Etsy Shop Anfinsen Art @ 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnfinsenArt?ref=hdr_shop_menu

My Art Website @ http://carol-allen-anfinsen.pixels.com/

Straddling the Line between Traditional and Innovative

(I decided to add jewels and pizzaz to my baby elephant) It will soon be on sale in my Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnfinsenArt?ref=hdr_shop_menu
The canvas is a woody palm frond from Florida.

When my youngest two were teenagers, I took them to a movie they were eager to see. I was prepared to be bored; but as it turned out, I was anything but. Although the humor was warped and risqué for its time, I laughed aloud in spite of myself. “Wayne’s World” was another daring leap by Mike Myers, a Saturday Night Live comedian and innovator who brought the word “bodacious” into common usage.

Myers illustrates that In order to succeed, you must take risks. You either expose your “soft under belly” leaving yourself open to criticism, or you conform to accepted norms and techniques never allowing your vision to see the light of day. 

I received an email from a friend that said “Some days you’re the top dog, and some days you’re the hydrant.” Watching the Republican CNBC debate on Wednesday night brought this saying to mind. 

“Talking Heads” were ready with their fiery darts and jabs to take down the candidates, but the tables were turned as the candidates fired back. The media ended up with mud on their faces for asking “gotcha” questions, and the candidates were cheered for answering the questions that should have been asked.

Sometimes you have to go beyond the comfort of “fitting in” by daring to do something different and innovative. Entrepreneurs must follow their gut instincts to stand out. They go above and beyond expectations. I came across a great web site designed to motivate and inspire entrepreneurial thinking.

The 12 Greatest Innovators of all time

These innovators were at first ignored then criticized, but they were not deterred. There is a learning curve to greatness. You have to be willing to make mistakes and let others witness them in order to get the experience and the skill necessary to overcome them.

 

(The two canvases here are a sample of how different editing and photo programs change the color of paint. The canvas on the right is the true color and the one below has been given a purplish hue. This is a work-in-progress and an attempt to recycle a canvas.)

For your enjoyment: 

Mike Myers went on to do the Austin Powers series and to continue to make people laugh. I don't know what he's into these days, if you have a current update, please share them here. 

Below is the trailer for "Wayne's World" and another clip of well-known quotes from the movie that will be remembered for a very long time.

You ain’t seen nothing ‘til you’ve seen murrine

A glass dish using the murrine technique.

Glass Artwork has been around for centuries. But murrine is a 4000-year-old glass technique that dates back to the ancient Middle East. 

According to Visual News: “Using long rods of glass cane, intricate patterns can be built into a loaf like form, only revealing the hidden details when a slice is cut off. While you’ve probably seen the technique used in patterned glass work at your local art gallery, you’ve never seen the astounding level of detail achieved in these reinterpreted paintings from Loren Stump."

I was so impressed with his work; I decided to feature him in my blog. Amazing was my first reaction. When I finally saw the incredible detail in each piece, I could only say “Wow!” Stump’s work truly has that wow factor.

Read more on the Visual News site:  http://www.visualnews.com/2014/06/10/slice-incredible-glass-artworks/#QozWlcJfC8DtTPWe.99

As a native of Sacramento, California, Loren Stump’s career began over 41 years ago as a stained glass artist. In 1993 Loren discovered his natural talents with glass in molten form. Self-taught, he quickly mastered advanced shaded murrine, intricate sculpture, and paperweight encasement. One innovative technique Loren is known for is the manipulation of a two dimensional murrine sliced into a three dimensional form.

Mr. Stump is also showcased for his large scale lamp work, sculptures made of soft glass, and masks. Loren’s progressive methods and expertise, along with the use of his own inventive tools, keep him in demand as a remarkable glass artist and instructor. Traveling throughout the United States and abroad, Loren is known for sharing his wisdom openly as an entertaining, patient, and tireless instructor and demonstrator.

Loren’s incredible artwork has been displayed or is currently on display at the Corning Museum of Glass, The Ertz Israel Museum, and the Kyokei Fujita Glass Museum.

Link to view Loren Stump’s incredible glass artwork:

Loren Stump

Another master glass blower Davide Salvadore can be seen at work here:

The Corning Glass Museum has a series of videos not only on murrine, but on glass blowing in general that are both interesting and educational. Here is their link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=iG1LnlccCmM&list=PL05E3768228E2B5C4&feature=share&index=36