Romeo and Juliet

I went out on my daily walk this morning and set my music to discover something new. After two rejects I was blown away by this love song. Mark Knopfler puts his heart and soul into this live performance and his song captured my heart. I played it over and over, imaging myself being there. I welcome a moment of euphoria like this and let it run through my blood for as long as this high can last. It’s magical!

My earbuds were the closest thing for the feeling of live music... moments when I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude, love, and appreciation for musicians. They are connected to an unspoken language and magic I can’t describe but they touch my heart and soul with their music like nothing else. I consider their gift to the rest of us who don’t play music or sing simply priceless.

Here are a few lyrics to entice you to listen. If not this song, then find and welcome a song that can do it for you and take it all in. ~Maria
“A lovestruck Romeo sang the streets a serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Finds a streetlight, steps out of the shade
Says something like, "You and me, babe, how about it?"

“…Juliet, the dice was loaded from the start
And I bet, and you exploded into my heart”

“…I can't do everything but I'll do anything for you
I can't do anything except be in love with you”

Do it Every Day

“Everyone should learn to write in public. Get a blog. Use an alias if you like. Turn off comments, certainly—you don’t need more criticism; you need more writing.” ~Seth Godin

I am not at all consistent when it comes to writing on my blog so when I read this by Seth Godin, it made me think about what it is that I do with my time…consistently. That is another post for me to write.

“Do it every day. Every single day. Clear, crisp, honest writing about what you see in the world. Or want to see. Or teach (in writing). Tell us how to do something. If you know you have to write something every single day, even a paragraph, you will improve your writing. Write like you talk. Often.” Seth Godin, The Icarus Deception

In addition to the things I do consistently, I am adding writing on my blog daily, keeping it short and doable.

In My Own Words

I love quotes! I collect them, I read them, I post them on social media as well as physically on my inspiration board above my desk. Throughout the years I have written words and thoughts of my own in my notebooks. This is just one of the 52 in my book/workbook, Project 52. Today I was encouraged to begin sharing these with my audience. Let me know what you think?

Tell Me...

One of my favorite groups on FaceBook is Cynthia Berg’s page, “Of Ink + Insight”. Tell Me Tuesday is a weekly writing prompt she shares from the deck of cards she created, Tell Me Insight Cards. I always look forward to reading and participating with the group…Cynthia has a special, magical way about her and how she leads this group.

This one really spoke to me as I’ve been thinking that I do need a better plan, and maybe a little bit of a change in what I’m doing with my art, workshops, books, etc. It’s time to write out some specifics in my notebook and take some daily actions. Thank you Cynthia Berg! ~Maria

Photo by Cynthia Berg, Of Ink + Insight

Travel Inspiration

I recently visited San Francisco for just a couple of days. My favorite way to explore a new area is to walk it and along the way, photograph things that inspire me as art. I may want to paint these street scenes or simply sketch them in my notebook. I am amazed at how much we can do with our phones and an editing app in just a few minutes. ~Maria

My Personal Manifesto

my personal manifesto

Hello Creatives, I get ideas from many other creatives I follow. I was inspired to write my list for my personal manifesto by Todd Henry, The Accidental Creative. I had fun creating it like this and look forward to sharing this project with my creative circle. Have you written your personal manifesto?

Weekend Inspiration

Hello Creatives,

I watched The Book Club last night and found quite a few moments of inspiration. Maybe not for creating art directly but certainly indirectly. Here’s one thing — Something that Don Johnson said about listening to an album on vinyl from start to finish…both sides, made me think about how much I used to enjoy that. We have albums and a turntable so today is vinyl day!

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”

— Plato

I like writing these little things down while I’m watching a movie…to remind me. Tell me, what are some of your methods for finding inspiration and doing it?

Have a relaxing weekend! ~Maria