Lately

I have been working on some larger paintings and drawings lately. I've been a bit distracted because we are working on some house projects and gardening season just kicked off with shoveling 5 yards of compost onto the beds this week. I'm sure this is what everyone deals with...balance. I love my home and garden almost as much as making art, so there is a constant weighing going on in this corner of Maine. I'm pretty sure it's no different where you are.

Nourishment

This is a book that nourishes me. If you've never read it, it's about how we can learn to control our consciousness to be happier. The interesting thing about the flow state is that we are happy when we are deeply engaged in something that completely takes our attention so we can't think about or worry about anything else! That  activity has to be challenging enough to keep us engaged, but not so challenging that we give up. That's my interpretation at the moment anyway. You can listen to Csikszentmihalyi on this TED talk.

Fantasy

via Decor8

via Emma's Designblog

via Tumblr

via thedesignfiles

Just fantasizing about what it would be like to have a great cafe nearby. These are some places I wouldn't mind dropping by a few times a week. Sadly, in Maine the concept of hanging out in cafes isn't as thoroughly embraced as I think it should be. I keep hoping somebody will create the perfect cafe in my town. Perfection to me is: comfortable seating arrangements that allow for privacy or society; character; art; music that is carefully tended; cleanliness; good coffee drinks of course....and that certain vibe that allows you to be a part of the scene without having to be active. What are your cafe requirements and where are they being met?