Oh the stories...Be brave!!

The original photograph was taken by Anita Boyle, in Ireland.
I played with it- to add text.
Graphic- by Judith Parsons Art 2016

Anita took this photo looking out her back kitchen door. The glorious mountain is a sentinel, the tree to the right of the photograph is aways looking at the mountain, as if they are conversing as long time friends. It is a glorious thing to have a tree with a man’s face in it, looking after your back garden. It is even better when rainbows come to visit and people show up in the clouds.

One of the incredible things about Ireland, is how people let you tell your story. They do not care how far-fetched and insane it is. They attentively listen, and add bits to the story to help it along. One of the things my sweet girl-friend says is; “It is not my story to tell.” She respects the other's story. We all know, each family member, will remember the story form their own perspective. Every single thing in cognitive processing is based upon previous knowledge. THEY get it, in Ireland!  There isn't a family member saying: "That is not how I remember it."

Take that in.

Let it sit upon the surface of your liquid mind. 

It makes me smile. I have a brother, Alex (waving) who loves to tell fabulous incredible fish stories. It is who he is, he really should write a book! I really never appreciated his stories until I fell totally head over heels in love with Ireland. And then, my twin brother Jack, who has a million stories to tell too! I just shake my head at his life and what he has been through!

There is another brother, Paddy, who I start chuckling about as soon as I write his name. While visiting this summer, he told me that if someone asks me a question that I might not know the answer to, then: “I should make it up — and be as convincing as hell!” 

You see, it is in the confidence of the story teller that makes or breaks the story. I am grinning at the memory! Boy-oh-boy, can that man make me smile!! Thank you Paddy for your stories and your incredible LOVE! There is something wildly exciting about people telling their stories, not knowing if there is any truth in the telling. 

Yet,

stop and grasp the whole hawk eyes perspective, 

look at the whole distorted crazy life we all live in.

These days nothing is believable. It isn’t about the stories. It is about the doing.

Because really, when it is all said and done. It is not talking the talk. It is is doing the walk. It is being brave enough to believe in your dreams and accomplishing them.

Back to the photograph. We all know the “Lucky Charms” cereal commercial, and I imagine the Irish cringe at it. However, as a “Yankee” (as your mother puts it Anita) we grew up on that nonsense. And the magically delicious part of Ireland is you, Dear Anita.

You have driven me all over Ireland, showing me artifacts, showing me the history, and finally revealing the magical river behind your house. The gold is in the sun as it reflects of the rocks and ripples of your river. The gold is your heart, which amazes me, and your energy which wraps around me when I need it most.

The three, brothers need to meet! They all really know how to tell a story! I can not wait until that day! Alex and Jack meet Paddy!!

What a fun time that will be! Lets find the gold at the end of Anita’s rainbow!

I am grinning from ear-to-ear at what the future brings!

Build confidence!

Original art created by Judith Parsons Art 2016
When you need the perfect art...

This note is for all of the parents who want their children to be the best in the class.

As a teacher, this weekend I witnessed a horrible event. One student was passed and pushed into a class, where he didn’t belong. He was not on the same level with all of the other children. When I assessed and evaluated his level of performance, HE KNEW he couldn’t do what I was asking, so he broke down and cried. He was embarrassed.

I felt horrible for the boy. He didn’t have a clue— how to do what I was asking him to do.

So this note is for the teachers, DON”T pass a child who isn’t doing the work. 

Parents, let the children learn the work. 

Swim instructors, keep the children at the level —until they build up confidence in that level. 

Swimming is a life transforming ability. Let the child have fun!! Play games!! 

Another thing: Parents, get in the pool with your children!!

End of rant.

Thank you!

Harvest moon tickles...

San Francisco Harvest Moon.
Photograph by Judith Parsons 2016.

What a magical day!

First thing, I awakened and was beside the river with my Love! Oh my, the world is an incredible place with technology taking you to the soothing sounds of nature half-a-world away! 

Then to my favorite pool to have fun and assist in the evolution of humans into fish. Then a moon that wrapped around me and whispered truths that only “She” could tell.

This isn’t a long blog. Life is about getting up and getting out there. What ever you do don’t sit alone. 

Go swimming. Find a pool. Float and let the water seep into your ears, let the muffled sounds sooth you. All day long I was telling my swimmers, “I know, I know- you can't hear anything. I know, it feels funny.”

Sometimes it take a little while to get used to something. That is how life is, new things take a little time.

Today, a little boy came into swim. He was crying when he walked into the building. I told the mom to pull up a stool and let him cry. She could hold him on her lap. I wasn’t going to force anybody to do anything they didn’t want to do. That isn’t my style.

Then 5 minutes before class was over, I gave the little dude a hive-five and told him I would see him next week. I looked him in the eye and nodded my head, and said as happily as I could: “ I will see you next week.” He then decided to sit down and join into the last 5 minutes of the class.

You have to smile. Life is like that. Just when you think- “Na-w-w-w-w-wh” It surprises you.

Go sit by the water, a lake, a river, and or the beach. and let the ripples and waves talk to you. Maybe, if you are lucky, and it is a warm climate, you might even immerse yourself into the water. Let it tickle you…(sighing)

It tickled me!

Oh- the photo is from my window. A glorious harvest moon for new beginnings. Added text in photoshop. Hope you like.

Expect miracles!

Original one-of-a-kind images
by Judith Parsons Art 2016

Vision

Seeing

Being extremely aware of signs

Porcelain by Moby • Driving in the car, singing with Margaret • Jedi abilities • Looking in the directors eyes and “knowing” • In the studio with Sarah, Michael and Samira • Finally we gel • Learning about a dad who builds a bucket list item • Wanting vision for a Queen • Praying as the sun rises for VISION!!!

If I took all those bulleted words and threw them at you, it would be a shot gun explosion of energy. So I will leave all the energy sitting in its paragraph box.

The energy is gathering Dear Loves!! The miracles are rising to the surface!

The golden light matches our dreams, as it catches the edges of the wonderful wings of the geese. You can hear them in your minds eye, you can see them in formation, calling to the wildness of your heart.

The photo you see is a photo from Anita’s river. There is clearly a wolf in the water. She used the wolf as her photograph for ages upon facebook. Truth be told, I fell in love with that wild wolf. It did not matter what her physical appearance was, it was her energy, her wildness, her enthusiasm for life and her wonderful craic that pulled me to her river.

GO to the water, find some water to sit beside. A river, a lake or a beach. Listen to the sounds. Close your eyes and breathe in YOU. Sara video taped the sound of the water and waves. There is much magic in the release of all those energy bubbles. 

Today we see again. 

As an artist, learning TO SEE, is the most magnificent ability!! It sounds strange, however, there is a level of seeing that transports one higher. Once you see, you can not go back to not seeing.

The morning sun takes on a whole other light as it gently flows over the bed. The godliness of the golden illumination tells me more than I could ever convey with words. You will have to trust me, today is going to be a day for miracles!!

Wooohooooooo!!! I believe!

Pulling you into my arms for a huge hug. I am so happy for you. You can see.

Please Time

This image created especially for this blog
by ONE-of-a-kind ...Judith Parsons Art 2016

TIME!
If you embrace him, then you will benefit greatly from HIS experience on the subject. He and I have had great conversations about HIM and we have agreed on very important facts.

First you must be open minded. Unzip you mind, and see yourself like my friend Sarah with her sculptures. Just open yourself to time where you can sit with Mr. Time, and contemplate life. He has agreed to join you, like he does me. He told me to tell you not to worry, he has much time to give, and is happy to do so.

Then you let the pressing issues, the things you know you must do, rise to the surface. Let the bubble of time go. The balloons will rise, that need to rise. Sit and watch the situations bubble. Just watch from a distance. Chances are, if they REALLY are BIG horrible issues…they will raise a wee bit and float..hovering…waiting for attention.

You and Mr. Time can look at these “issues” objectively. Like looking at a caged lion. You and Mr. Time have all the time in the world to access and evaluate what needs time and what does not need time.

Mr. Time is nodding at me and wants me to tell you about “gathering”.  Gathering time is something you can not force. You can try and gather it, like scooping beach sand upon your lap. But, alas, by the time you make it a few feet, most of the sand, or time, has slipped through your hands and lap. Don’t even go there. He says: “Leave it to the professionals.” 

Mr. Time leans over to me and says;”We know when you are ready for the event to happen.” 

I raise my eyebrows and ask;”You mean when we are kids, and we are waiting and begging for Christmas? Then we become adults and we abhor how fast Christmas seems to come?”

Mr. Time grins, I swear I could slap him. He chuckles and says; “Yep!”

Okay…let me step in here and scream….Because we have all felt this a ka-zillion times…Don’t you just want to shake the life out of him?

Back to the conversation… Mr. Time is rocking in his porch rocker with a beer in his hand. 

“I see, you’ve made yourself comfortable. You have found the refrigerator and bottle opener?”

He smiles, takes a gulp and say replies; “I even found the lime on the counter and put a slice in my Corona.”

I smile and sigh and ask about this gathering of time phenomenon. He explains that as we mature, we step further away from the source of energy, unless you are like me…where I bug the man Mr. Time to death. Then, he laughs, saying he can not be killed.

The best we can do is learn how to rise with Mr. Time, we can grab him as he flies by, or we can slow it down a bit and breathe. I like sitting upon the front porch of my minds eyes and enjoying his sense of humor. He winks at me as I write this.

“What else you got?” I ask Mr. Time.

“Energy is a flow. We can build it up by eating right and sleeping more. When a big emotional event hits us, the energy is like a tire with a slow leak. We need to patch it and build up the energy again. It takes time.”

We cheers our beer bottles together, making eye contact like Sara taught us. We both laugh. We like her in our lives. She seems to understand Mr. Time too. (waving and smiling)

Mr. Time stand up and hugs me. He wants to walk on the beach alone. I understand. Sometimes we all need a little TIME.

Hope is our Holy.

"Hope is our Holy" words from a poem by Amrita Valan.
Art created especially for this blog by
Judith Parsons Art 2016

We are all more woven together than we know.

Todays art was inspired by a friend who I have only met through a poetry group. Amrita Valan, is her name and those four words, inspired today’s art.

There is something very special about trusting others enough to tell them your dreams. Poets dream, they are continually putting themselves “out there.” Always speaking (writing) their highest truth. To write your sensitive feelings for the whole world to see is an incredible ability.

Personally I write to help download all the ideas and thoughts banging against the inside of my mind. If I didn’t write or blog, I would probably be locked away in a white rubber room. As I age, I know these things about myself. 

The poetry group has become a family. It is a new sort of relationship this Facebook family, familybook would be a fabulous name for how we have all become closer because of our words. The words carry energy and uplift and buoy us along our river of wonderful teary eyed words.

We have had deaths in the group. One member and then relatives of the members have passed. We build rafts of words and help carry one another when the world becomes too heavy. When we become concrete and sink and drown under the weight of death.

THIS is a new love…

Thank you Facebook for teaching me about new love. Thank you Facebook for allowing all these magnificent people into my life. This social river is ALIVE and well. I am thoroughly enjoying knowing my friends better because of this familybook.

“Hope is our Holy” thank you Amrita for writing your beautiful soul!

Throw it away!

Original art created for this blog.
You know the saying: "let it go...if it comes back it was
meant to be...if it doesn't come back, it wasn't meant to be."
Okay...You know what I mean.
Art by Judith Parsons Art 2016

It is true that one must clear their surroundings to make room for new energy.

We need to release the old, give it to someone who needs it, or just plain ‘ole trash it. 

This weekend I am clearing out a bunch of old molds and old art. SO I can make room for my final year of art.

There are a few pieces that I can not throw away. They mean too much. However, I realized as I was organizing my tools, that I have learned a great deal upon this “Masters Quest” while in art college.

I can weld metal, I can sculpt clay and I can make incredible acrylic three dimensional art out of a flat material, albeit acrylic or leather.

I can weld metal and fabricate anything on the fly. Robert, my side kick in art, has assisted me every step of the way during my art quest. HE is a wonderful example of what unconditional love is. (Waving) We will have a LED light project to make this year. And I look forward to working side-by-side with him again.

I have a dragon skeleton I am sculpting now, and I am so jazzed about it I can hardly contain myself. I will be making a skin/crown for it in leather. I am pleased to OWN the new engineer in me!! I am thrilled to know how to fix and make things. Anything can be done.

The last piece will be another waist-coat/vest. I have learned the terminology between the UK and America is very different. It will be made using acrylic. That about sums up my next year.

I threw away a bunch of crappy art, art that was not perfect enough to receive an A grade. Admittedly, I feel a million time lighter without that art on my studio walls. CLEAR out the old, just throw it away. Make room for the new energy!

Thank you for reading. I swear this blog has saved my mind, in this lonely town. You guys reading it has made life better. I really appreciate your support.

Are you sure?

When we start deciding what we want, the universe really asks us “Are you sure?”

Then the universe, God, the source —or whatever you name it tends to throw a million ideas and opportunities at us, especially when we are unsure. 

Maybe I need a shrink to be discussing this huge place…

Generally speaking many of us know what we do not like. It is easier to cross things off a list than it is to make the list. 

Ursula (waving) asked me, “What would you be doing if you had all the money in the world, and you didn’t have to be making money?” 

THAT is a great place to start. Being a graduate student now, creating full time and teaching swimming on the side is really a great life. I can’t think of anything else I would rather be doing. Truthfully, when the academic quest ends, it will be a sad day. As I really love working with other artists and creating all day.

So, there. I have sort of said it. Creating with students, sparking them onward. Creating a program where students can prepare their portfolio knowing when they apply to art colleges they WILL be ready to enter through those academic doors ready to SOAR.

Yep, that sounds right…I think. I will keep fine turning the asking of the universe. 

Playing the music, dancing and creating art. 

LIFE is amazing…love soaring beside you!

Storms

An original illustration created JUST for this blog...by the
writer/artist Judith Parsons Art (Jp Parsons) 2016

Many of my friends experienced a hurricane on the east coast. I have checked that horrendous box, lived through the devastating New Orleans Katrina and was changed forever by that storm.

We moved, and moved and we tried to rebuild a home, that never seemed to get finished. Then I moved on. I was looking for myself in all the wrong places. Other people and other loves. I decided to go back to college and find the “real” me. 

Storms happen for a reason. To knock the big old dead oak branches out of the tree that no longer grow. To knock some sense into our heads. What ever was happening, just wasn't working anymore. We grow, we change, we evolve. 

May you see the storm objectively. 

Congratulations on surviving the storm. I hope it was just a plain ‘ole thundering sort of rain. I hope you are better for it.

We keep flowing, we keep growing…we just do.

Play some music today. We all have things that need completing. Time to get the job done!

Might as well dance about while doing it!

Love you!

Coffee elixer of the God's!!

Playing in Adobe Illustrator...You know how it is, when you
have REAL homework to draw, and well, you play.
Original art created by Judith Parsons 2016
Just for this special blog.

I was pondering the difference between having coffee in Ireland and San Francisco. 

First off, it is really true love, when someone awakens earlier than you to put the water on to boil and grind the coffee beans to make coffee. THAT is really the first thing I miss, thank you Anita for making coffee almost every morning for me.

The sun is golden this time of year. Coffee and golden light! What incredible things to rejoice about! While standing at the kitchen window, slurping my coffee in Ireland I was very aware of the color of the light. Everything changes when the light changes.

I will restrain from going off the deep end about the color of the light. But it changes how you see everything. 

Earlier in the summer, the light was a crystal clear light. Think of the water running through a river, the mud makes it hard to see the rocks upon the bottom. Then after a few days of no rain, (YES, that actually happened) the water runs crystal clear. The rocks are plainly visible. The light seemed brighter in July, it matches my melancholy with fall approaching and the cooler months upon us. The light is not as white now.

Here in San Francisco, I have no view from the kitchen and immediately I think of a book by that title. Lucy and George are the main characters, but I am trailing away from the main theme. I stand at the kitchen sink, stirring my coffee into my french press container and wistfully see Anita’s back garden in my minds eye.  I turn and walk back to my one small bedroom, which is where I do everything. Eat, sleep and tons of illustrating upon my laptop. The golden light lays upon my bed, a strip from the sunrise runs up Sacramento Street.

In Ireland, I would walk to the dining table and sit looking out the window at the roses in the front garden. The roses would sway in the morning breeze and all was well with the world. I would open the window and inhale the fresh air and slurp my coffee. Anita’s mom would walk in and there would be the customary good morning greetings. God knows, I miss that woman!

Ask her if she slept well and her answer will be: "I always sleep well." (grinning) I started asking it, just to see if she would waver from those four words. Nope. She always answered the same.

Smiling and sighing.

There is much to be said for companions along your quest. Someone to smile at, someone to hug, someone that makes coffee for you. 

Oh, I must mention, Fannie Graham. She was a magnificent woman!! An incredible story teller!! I remember sitting at her feet as a child. Her stories and the way she moved her hands when she spoke was enthralling! I accidentally hit a key that ejected the CD that Gena Varn sent me...so apparently Fannie wanted me to mention her. We are ALL more connected than we will know! (hugging you tight) Thank you Love!

Enjoy the golden light sweet Luvs! It really is a magical phenomenon.

Tomorrow the golden light from a fire.

Woooohooooooo!!!

Image created by Judith Parsons Art. 2016
Golden wheat field photo by Anita Boyle!!
That is me, waving!! 

It is my sister’s birthday! 

Happy Birthday Lynn!! 

(hugging you tight) I hope your secret birthday candle wishes come true! 

and

It is the First Day of School!

Lots happening today!!

I was up early working on my on-line class! I am soooooo excited! I wish everyone would go to art college. No, it doesn’t have to be this one, but, Lordy Mercy—it is a fabulous school!!

You newbies, hit the ground running. The biggest tip I can give you is simple, start early on your project!!! The first model is to learn on, the second model is to perfect the messy parts and the third model will make your professor HAPPY!!

Now get out there and conquer your art projects!!

(Grinning)

The red logo is what this year will be about for me!! I am going to eat, drink and sleep my final thesis!! 

I expect big things this year!! Dream big!! Create big!! Create exquisite art!!

I need to run to school…skipping down the street!!

Love you sweet friends!! Thanks for reading!! (hugging you tight)

P.S.: In June I will be available for employment. If you want an incredible artist— lets connect!