In a resolution, of sorts, I have begun watercolor painting again. I first tried my hand at it in college, before meeting Greg (a very long time ago!), and mostly enjoyed it, but never got into the habit.
This happened again and again, buying supplies, doing a few paintings here and there, but never really establishing a practice. After making what I hope to be a final peace with my retirement status and a serious lack of reading material I care to actually finish, I needed a way out of my chitty-chattery head.
As I had a drawer full of brushes, a little paper, and plenty of paint, I gave it an initial whirl with the apple. Contented, I landed on making a few small paintings each week, bought more paper and some brushes for small, fine details, as I am not interested in large creations. I am truly happy to report my brain is delighted with the escape from overthinking!
This is nearly everything I’ve made, minus one painting for my cousin, as a housewarming gift, which she seemed to like, and pleased my ego. How about that?!
I am mostly satisfied, and will likely give the majority away, the mushroom already promised to someone who loves them. The church (Santo Tomas in Abiquiu) is part of a series I took pictures for last March in New Mexico, of places my Native and Mexican ancestors were baptised, as far back as the 1700s. I hope to frame and hang them in the living room. I am kind of excited and, fingers crossed, they turn out as I see them in my head. This one needs some more background, and I forgot some exterior lights, so I will keep at it.
Cheers!
Shiva’s Yoga Wave (thanks for this one, Mom!) is an audio only collection, though there is a booklet with photos, so I would definitely only recommend it to those practicing for a while. It contains a Solar and Lunar CD, and with the help of an i-pod or similar device can be mixed up in a myriad of fashions. Each CD has progressively more difficult waves of similar postures, building upon each other and kicking your behind. The solar wave CD is like doing seventy-five minutes of sun salutations, which is great for heating you up and developing your legs. The first time is a killer! The lunar wave is mostly spent on the floor opening hips, back bending, and twisting. This one is in a pretty regular rotation for the hubster, as it’s really great to counter the repetitive movements of bike riding.
Now for something completely different. Completely! My massage therapist, who has a beautiful and strong body, is as big of a devotee to Kundalini, Ravi Singh and Ana Brett as I am to Shiva Rea. After hearing her raves, I decided to give it a try. It is a real departure from the yoga I am used to practicing. I think, and this is by no means a slight, because I really like it, it is like yoga that was created by a child. Let’s grind our hips around while sitting on the floor, and then we’ll flap our arms, sit like frogs, dance, lie on our bellies and bounce, walk like we’re marching in a parade, and pant like dogs. Oh, and one more thing, it’s gonna be fun! And it is. I can’t help but smile during and well after. It must be all that good Kundalini energy! For those who already find yoga a bit out there, this will probably be too woo-woo for you. That being said, both of the videos are fun and challenging, especially all the arm flapping Gurmukh does. Seriously, I could not do it all, and I’m in pretty good shape. Sat nam!
