I wanted to share something I love. I have been a regular exerciser for years. When the doctor points a finger in your face and says 'heart attack waiting to happen', you pay attention. In the past few years this workout has consisted of 'vigorous walking', weights and all that nasty 'ab' business. I also have indoor workout tapes I use, but the main thing is, I do it. In the past year I've noticed my body becoming a bit creaky. Like many of us at this age, I have things that don't work quite like they used to. I have a bad knee which acts up, my right arm and hand tend to be achy if I've worked too long and just that kind of stuff. So, as I was paging through a women's magazine last month, I came across a little section titled, 'Stretch your way out of stress' - hmmmm - I read through it and thought, I'm going to try this. Not so much about the stress thingy, more about the stretching - I like to stretch, but I'm always in such a hurry to finish, that I gloss over this part of my workout - I ripped the pages out of the magazine and started the next day - Yin Yoga - 6 poses - objective?, hold them for 2 to 5 minutes each - WOW! May I say, I LOVE THIS! When I started, I could do most of them for about 30 to 45 seconds - now I'm up to 2 and 3 minutes on all of them. Benefits? I had to slow down, very good - way less achy - much calmer - has suppressed my appetite somewhat - and I have to think this is doing stuff I don't even know about - I do it at least three times a week and would like to do it more often - I'm just saying........
AND just a few pics of my December challenge pieces - this is another thing I'm LOVING - boy, working like this has made me realize that I needed to loosen up even more - this concentrated focus has surprised me in ways I least expected - now I'm messing around with the paintings, juxtaposing them with each other and I'm very excited about ways to start using them - I still have a couple of weeks left and will work when I can - you can check my progress on my sidebar by clicking on the December Challenge pic - it will take you to my flickr page - tis the season and I hope you are all finding ways to enjoy it!
The following are some of the pieces arranged together - I'm making puzzle pieces!
This was a 40 minute painting I did a couple of days ago.
This was a 40 minute painting I did a couple of days ago.
29 comments:
amazing you can paint so fast. i just bought a bk on abstract painting. i think it's very hard to do but maybe the book will help me.
I love these paintings Jeane! The composition is just perfect, as are the colours and textures. What materials are you using to get the grainy effect? Your work reminds me somewhat of my tutor at college. She teaches us exploratory media, and is a fantastic artist. Here's a link to a particular painting which reminds me of you: Patricia Macintyre
As for yoga stretches, they are amazing. Funnily enough, the last time I did yoga, I broke my foot!
Stretching is great - I love it!! These paintings I love too, especially the one that has the rubbed suggestion of script in the greys and this final one, which seems to contain some stretching of it's own....
I am nutty about your work, Jeane. You have such a fabulous style. Kudos on the Northwinds Gallery!
Work as ever beautiful. But I want to comment on workouts and so on. Why is it that I click onto a blog I love at just the right moment, when I am thinking the same thoughts as a blogging acquaintance? I used to ache from heaving stones and buckets of mortar to rebuild the barn (two years ago); then the pain in my chest that I thought was a heart-attack was no more than a pulled muscle! We want our bodies to live on ... so we creak and ache and - wonder of wonders - we can communicate all around the world in the blinking of an eye, and realise that we are not alone.
Ooh, love that last painting most of all. Great story about the exercise routine. I sometimes skimp on stretching too but you're inspiring me... perhaps I'll do some of the same and see where it leads me!
Did you change your header twice today? I loved it this morning while I peeked in from work, and now I love this one. I also really think these small works are very rich, rich, rich. Its fabulous to see what you are doing with them as a group. When I do my stretches I feel better. I walked today - twice. That's something! It felt great, umbrella and all.
It is good to stretch...thanks for the reminder.
I'm notorious at forgetting to stretch...are there any brain stretching exercise, you know of Jeane?
Because I need some of those too! I have been so "airy fairy" lately (more than usual)
Love these paintings puzzled together! I can see a huge mural size in them!!!
xxoo
Hi Jeane,
I'm glad you're finding time to be creative and for relaxation too. Where have you been hiding the extra minutes?! I admire your application. I tend to sit and ponder!
Got our first snow today!
These pieces are making my eyes dance, especially the last 2 images.
Jeane, I'm a firm believer in stretching exercises. In fact its the best way to keep my neck out of a knot. Before I discovered neck stretches I was living on pain killers. Now if I have a pain killer every few months it's a lot.
good morning Suki - for me?, this is a way of painting my emotions without restrictions - and I have always loved making lines - lines, lines, lines - I've made lines since I was little - good luck with your book :)
thank you Heather - well, these are mixed media with just about anything that is laying on my work table - ink, oil, oil pastel, colored pencil - I really enjoyed the link, thanks :)
isn't stretching the best Annie!? - I've always loved it, but have never taken it this far - oh, I think you are right - there is definitely stretching in the last piece - hmmmmmm - interesting :)
Hi Willow and thank you :)
Hello Ann - oh, yes, the aches from the effort of good hard work - ouch - our parts have worked hard for us over the years and nothing lasts forever, that's for sure and I agree, connections across the world - an amazing place this blogland :)
Oh Brenda, I highly recommend it! especially someone as high energy as you - it's like a little oasis in the middle of the white tornado day :)
Hi Leslie and yes!, I changed it about four times yesterday - for various reasons, Ha! - have received huge unexpected benefits from working like this that I will be able to apply to my more expanded work when I have more time next month - ah, yes, a good stretch - wonderful :)
brain stretching exercises! LOL! Jo, I guess our art is that very thing - the work I'm doing this month really has done my tired old brain much good - I have to think 'airy fairy' has to be a good thing - not to touch down for awhile can't be all bad - xxo
Snow! Derrick! definitely in time for the season - a pain in the ass for getting around, but wonderful if you can tuck in with a nice hot beverage - hope you have had bunches of happy shoppers :)
good morning Robyn and thank you - wow, to think something as simple as a stretch can keep pain pills in their bottle for long periods - that's a wonderful testament - xx0
Fabulous AND I am in love with the header painting ... in love
Send me those exercise... er.. stretches please
Your beautiful painting is always a pleasure, Jeane!
I love these December paintings so much! And, your stretching exercises are intriguing. I'm gonna try them. Thank you!
i REALLY appreciate the idea of stretching, holding the poses....in august, i gave up my gym membership after 8 years. just tired of the place and the energy there. i've been doing more walking, but not enough. i will check out this yoga you mentioned on google.
btw, great new header! and works!
Hello Jeane - finally catching up with my favorite blogs while I am staying with Grrl+dog (she is just like her blog - lovely!!) would like to know more about the Yin Yoga sounds right up my street! Aches and pains I have experienced on my travels carting my rucksack about - did some Yoga in Thailand so must keep it up - lovely rich images too - Happy Christmas from down under!
good morning Daryl - thanks and will send the info on the stretches this afternoon - just ordered my NY in Ten Seconds this morning - Merry Christmas to me! xxo
hello B&W - thank you so much :)
Hi Melinda - well, I'm not doing the Grand Canyon, but these little paintings have really got me going in new directions - oh, the stretches are a wonderful addition to my life right now xxo
Hi Neva - well, I think change is always a good thing, don't you? these little paintings are a change, stretching is a change and I'm feeling refueled - thanks for coming by :)
Hey Rosie - what a wonderful surprise to see you here this morning - staying with Grrl has to be a highlight of your travels - enjoy the sun and happy holidays :)
Glad you liked the link!
Your paintings really are amazing! I'm trying to experiment with adding sandpaper and such just now, which seems to give great textures, but I'd love to learn new techniques. I'm hungry for more and more, especially where mixed media is concerned, hence the reason I asked. I created a painting last night, which was hugely influenced by you :)
Creative Composition
Love to exercise..thanks for reminding me that I do! Your routine has such variety..Winter provides too many excuses for me..like not going to the gym..I will reform!
Really like the art you're doing now..
good morning Heather - boy I know what it feels like to be hungry for 'art' - when I first stepped into the ring, I read every book, went to every show, and talked to every artist I could - I don't do well in a classroom situation - I've never been able to learn that way, but I did find a woman who I studied with off and on for about 5 years - she critiqued my work, but never instructed me - I was lucky and in fact she just bought the best painting I did last year which was a very cool thing - I very much admire the painting you did - it's rich and has very good color sense - keep working - it's cumulative and you will be amazed what your inner sense is learning :)
Hey Lyn - well, I can't say I love to exercise, but I do it and feel better for doing it! so glad you stopped by - hope all is well in your world xxo
Interesting work and I love the December challenge, it is always good to set yourself a challenge.
I like the idea of stretching and how it can inform your work in strange and interesting ways.
Amelia.x
Morning/afternoon Jeane, although it's very late here! Thank you for your comments on my painting. I really enjoyed this one at a lot and it's also one of my favourites so far. I hear what you say about not doing well in a classroom environment. I must admit that I can't really work in the classroom, and much prefer to work at home as I have time to think about what I want to do. Thankfully, our teachers don't teach as such but rather guide and encourage us, only stepping in to teach when it is required i.e. when asked for help, so we're pretty much left to get on with it. It's great that your 'instructor' bought your painting. That must have been such a boost to your confidence, and is clearly testament to your hard work and talent. Long may it continue as your work is truly exceptional. x
Jeane, you always inspire me. The puzzle pieces idea is a fascinating one--we do it with collage papers, why not whole paintings?
Oh, and keeping or getting into shape, physically ~ I get so wrapped up in the artwork I don't take care of myself that way. I looked up the yin yoga thing: here's a link to some of the exerises.
http://www.yinyoga.com/ys2_2.0_yinyoga_asanas.php
The book, Yinsights, looks fascinating as well.
Thanks!
hello Amelia and welcome - thank you :) come back anytime .....
Hi Heather - sounds like you are on a good art path - keep walking it, it will reward you in many ways :)
hello Carol - I know, puzzle pieces, right? sometimes we get so busy, we forget about our most important tool, ourselves! the stretching is highly recommended xxo
Ah Jeane, this challenge is magic for you! I've been to your Flickr and viewed them all, and they are fabulous! I think # 8 is my favorite.
Some of these seem to echo the stretches themselves.
Excellent, excellent work!
damn, jeane! these are fabulous! 40 minutes?!! you're always an inspiration... uh huh...
love to you on this solstice...
xo
good morning Babs, thank you! it's one of the best things I've done for myself in 09' - and I really like #8 also - one of the strongest :)
Happy Solstice Lynne! yes, 40 minutes and less on a couple - it really has made me work in a very different way which has opened up a new way of thinking about my work - so glad I'm doing it :)
I'm loving the work and so love the idea of working with the time and space you have each day...wonderful outcome. This combining business really works with your images. Crazy about the scratching of this last image. Bravo!
I like where this December challenge is taking you and I agree with what you say about stretching. It brought dramatic changes to my life. Who would have thought? Seems too simple.
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