Happy New Year!

I'm so thankful to be welcoming in 2010 tonight! The past year was filled with ups and downs and all arounds. I am taking stock tonight of the past 365 days. There are lots of things I would've done differently and many that I'd never change. I like the sound of 2010 (twenty-ten)....in and of itself the sound is different than the past 9 years. It's still amazing to me that I made it to the 2000's. I can remember in college in the 80's talking about how "OLD" we would be in the year 2000. We chatted about jet-packs...like the Jetsons. Well, that never happened much to my dismay.

Some years I've had the feeling like I wish I could go back. Not this one. I want to move forward...forge ahead...ha!...no pun intended considering the surgery coming up.

Here's a pick of music in honor of the "blue moon".....

I'm finally feeling all of this *#@! fearlessly!

When I started this blog, I imagined images of "fearless creativity". I could see the visual creativity. Well, after all that's my thing. I can also hear creativity...even louder when it's FEARLESS. I can hear it in a conversation...sometimes it's the calmest voice of the group. I didn't grow up with the "fearless" voice being the softest. No, in fact, it was quite the opposite.

My intention here was to offer ideas and incentives to be fearless in your own life. As my own interests grew larger and I had my own studio, I lost that mission along the way. I'm not downgrading my blog in any way...mind that! I think that I have shared some absolutely precious finds! There are things in the bowels of this blog that will scratch on the inside of your skull! I am proud of those and they will remain in the "older posts".

Now, I am looking to share more of my thoughts and personal ....personal...personal... geez. What is it. LIFE...that is quite personal. Ok, so...as of today, I am dealing with a scary thing. It was scary two years ago and then it was not. It was just a thing then. A yearly thing....kinda like a pap smear. Only this was an MRI of my brain. The first two years gave me the feeling like it was smooth sailing all the way to Greece (my dream after watching 'Shirley Valentine' ). Anyway, this year the MRI showed that this little growth had flowered in my brain. After all the tending of that cantaloupe in my garden that yielded nothing, and still my brain had another idea. Well, so here I am with this years growth. I wanted it to be something else...like better okra or more tomatoes or squash that didn't rot from alien bugs that came from the next yard I'm sure.

All that to say, my brain is working over time and my garden is perishing. So, I have a growth that has to be pruned on the most important bulb of my brain. It's going to happen on January 12th. I don't know about fearless "creativity" but I do know that this is fearless living. I am trusting in the kindness of friends and strangers to help me step up to the plate...so to say. In the next two weeks I will go through tests and meetings and a CT scan to prepare...and I will come back here...maybe not to lay it all out so much as to share what little thing or sound or artwork helped in that day at that time. So, if I put up a link that touches me for that day...well, I hope it touches you too!

With tears,
Josie

First Lesson: Life is Real

For those of you who enjoyed "Ayo"...you can look her up on youtube. The video was blocked eventually and I will delete this at some time. However, I heard from so many of you that I thought I might put up this notice. While I was trying to change it up and offer the link...it all disappeared. So sorry!

Just Sayin'

In a minute and a half this man has a lot to say.

Thought for the day:

What's your life theme song?

There are times when I wonder what my life theme song would be. Sometimes I think about it as the song of the day...theme of the day or week or month. And then there's the "life" theme song...the one I strive towards...the one I also fail at and then get to learn more life lessons.
So, this is one of my top three Life theme songs.

Be fearless,
Josie

King Tubby...this is how it is right now.

and the rest of the story....

I just realized how long it's been since I've posted. My computer was down for two weeks and I became quite complacent in the non techno world. Also, in the meantime I've traveled to Kentucky and participated in an art show there. I met some of the most wonderful women in Ky. who treated us like gold. I also met blogging buddies for the first time. We've blogged together on wowowow.com and formed a bond in "wow's" early days. I hope to see them again soon!

On the art front, my website is updated now. http//www.josiesullivan.com It shows more of my current work. I also put all of the work available on facebook; however, the colors are muted there. I'm looking into places I can share photos without losing the color quality. My work is often vibrant and I'd love to be able to share it online as such.
Until then, let me share this with you.... another great find on Youtube....

I'll be back sooner this time around,
Josie

Elizabeth Gilbert - Nurturing Creativity

I wrote a long intro to this woman and just deleted it by choice. If you have read "Eat, Pray, Love", you will enjoy this talk...if you are an artist, I think you will really enjoy this talk....If you are creative in anyway...check it out!
Get a cup of tea and take a short break...
Enjoy!

http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

Dare to be fearless!

Carol Burnett - comedy and improv.....

Street Art....

JT- Shower the People

Compassion!

ENJOY!

One of those weeks... Dear Diary....Blog.

So much happened this week that I can't begin to sort it out. I have had a long ( one year or so) awaited conversation. I feel free in some ways having said what I need to say...at least in part. You know, when a conversation goes on and on in your head and you don't sleep for months.
Yeah, that's what this was.
I finally got a breath in the midst of toxic thoughts. Unfortunately and fortunately freedom comes when we face our demons. You may ask, "what is fortunate about that?" What is fortunate about having to face demons?
Well, demons teach us...at least this one taught me. It taught me about trust.

What else happened this week? I began to move my studio from Orr Street Studios to my wet basement. This is a challenging place for me. What I know is that in a challenge like this, I am not alone.... tonight a friend of mine offered to transport my easel which is oddly tall. I am thinking about hiring another friend who is beautifully gifted in organization to help me set up my next awesome space. I believe that I can and will create a working studio under my house.

With this ending at Orr Street , I am taking this as a challenge from life. I want to spread my art out beyond the Columbia borders...beyond the Missouri borders...beyond this side of the Mason Dixon line....beyond...dare I say, our country's borders.

Lately I have been spending a lot of time in the garden. I'm trying my hand at growing my own food. I've never done this at the level I'm attempting. Ok, so I've made a hit every year at "sweet one hundreds" ...little tiny tomatoes that are better than popcorn.
So, this year I have stretched to the limits. I planted three yellow squash plants (in hopes to finally learn how to make yummy yellow squash casserole), eight dill, one cucumber , one cantaloupe, many Rutgers tomatoes( to the point that it may be "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes", and two Okra plants. I have no idea what these plants want or need but I suspect I will soon.

I think that the loss of the studio has given me another look at life. My joker side says yeah... can we say poverty? And then, that little kid inside of me says...don't give up....there are people just around the corner who need and want art....and who need and want to explore their own art.

I am choosing to listen to her. The one that sold art on the streets of Chicago at the age of 5,6,7. That's the spirit of a child. So willing...So eager....
So creative..... I hope I never lose her/ME!

Gratefully,
Josie
P.S. I want to put a visual up with this blog post because I always do....and.... I haven't found one yet that really fits.

In honor of Earth Day which should be everyday.

I'm working on a blog post that will catch some of you up on whats happening right now in my life. Until then, I leave you with one of my all time favorites:

An inspiration

Here is a little gem that a blogging friend of mine sent to me. I was touched by this incredible woman. So much so, that I had to share her with those of you checking in on fearless creativity. I admire her commitment in the face of negativity.
THIS IS FEARLESS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

check it out.

For another day,
Josie

Women in Art- a gifted transition

In honor of Women's History month, I offer this piece that I found on Youtube.
What a visual dance in the world of artists loving women. It's such a delight!

Enjoy!

Start all over...Tracy Chapman

Ray Charles: Let It Be!

The Creativity of Children

There's nothing like spending the day with a group of children to remind me of how much creativity is born in us. I think from day one, we are born with a wonderful curiosity for life. If we're lucky, we don't lose that zest for life. Unfortunately, most adults spend so much time worrying that they forget to release the tightness of their brow to let in a little daylight.

I had the good fortune to spend the day last Friday with four creative children. They had a teacher conference day so the parents brought their kids to the Columbia Art League, where I got to teach them art from 9-5. It was a day of questions and quick thinking. I was reminded of the old show "Kids Say the Darndest Things". I was also reminded of the gentle grip they have on life. Kids aren't bogged down by all of the details. Instead, they are more about possibilities. The one little girl in Kindergarten was much less concerned about how her drawing was "supposed" to look, as the Third grader who mentioned that she "couldn't draw something right". Anyhow, I noticed my own "supposed to" thoughts as I was helping these kids make artwork. When I let go of those insidious messages, that's when the real creativity can begin.

Here's to a creative beginning....which is always today!
Josie

Have a garbage free day!

A dear friend of mine sent this story to me. It couldn't have arrived at a better time. I like the philosophy behind it so I wanted to share this with those who read my blog. Enjoy...or I might say In Joy...live in joy....spread your goodness today to others. And of course, have a fearless day!

*******************

One day I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!

The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really
friendly.

So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks: They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it, and sometimes they'll dump it on you.

“Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets,” the cabbie said.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...

Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Have a happy, garbage-free day!

Eddi Reader: Moonriver

I think it depends on how old you are when you listen to this song if it means anything to you or not. If you're young, you may think, "that's an old lady song". I'm 45 and this song reminds me of my mother. She used to sing it in the car on long trips from Nashville, Tn. to Hardy, Ark. So, this song reminds me of my youth and brings up only positive images and memories. I found it while looking through some of Eddi Reader's music clips. I love her and her version of this golden oldie.

Enjoy,
Josie

"You've Got a Friend in Me"...Lyle Lovett, Randy Newman

Here's a song that reminds me of all of my friends and the way that I love each and every one. As I grow older, I appreciate my true friends more and more. I guess with age, we realize who those people are and cherish them with a deeper reverence. I'm offering this song to all of those people.

Great News!

Today I had a miracle happen! I went in to get a biopsy of a growth that the hospital found on my thyroid. I was so scared of having a needle put in my neck. So, there I was lying on the cot and they put the jelly all over my neck to do the ultrasound so that they could guide the needle in to the growth. I could feel my throat closing from being so nervous. The Doctor looked and looked but couldn't find anything. She left and called my primary doctor. Then, she came back and checked again. Unbelievably, the growth is gone! I asked if she was absolutely sure and she said YES!
YAY!!!!! I skipped through the parking lot back to my car. I still can't believe it. It's got to be due to prayer. I asked her if that was normal for growths to go away and she said no. Wow! I think I'll do art about this.

Smiling the BIG smile,
Josie

Ab Fab- Bubbles and the New Year

Here's 57 seconds of silliness from Ab Fab. It's part of my Happy New Year wishes to all those that I love.
Fresh new beginning hugs,
Josie