28.2.12

Guatemala: Tortillas

I am writing from beautiful Guatemala.  We have been here for almost two weeks and I wanted to share some of our culinary adventures.  This dish below is a typical Guatemalan dish.  It is a mix between a soup and a stew and traditionally served with rice and tortillas.  Fresh homemade tortillas are a staple here and are served with every meal.  Traditionally the largest meal of the day is served at the noon hour.

We had the opportunity to make tortillas with our host family.
The mixture is one part flour, one part corn meal and it is mixed with water to make a dough

We rolled it into balls and then using plastic and a plate we flattened them.

I have seen them cooked on large flat stones as well as on metal frying pans without sides- I think a regular uncrowded pan will work fine. 
Yum- Fresh tortillas
Do you enjoy tortillas?


24.2.12

Artist: Wess Dahl-Berg


Wess Dahl-Berg is currently showing ‘The Nocturnal Landscapes’ at The Amanda Harris Gallery of Contemporary Art.  These works are a series of layered desert landscapes that evolve from day into night.  To see a progression of this unique process click here. Also on display are 'Existential Paint' a collection of painting that explore the nature of the medium of paint in both its original liquid form and the more permanent structure of paint as a solid.  Mr. Dahl-Berg creates layered works of art which suggest that the pieces are as much about what the viewer sees as what is underneath.  To view a progressive of his 'Existential Paint' click here.  










To view Wess Dahl-Berg's website and other work click here.

22.2.12

Photography: Martin Klimas

I love this concept! In this project titled 'Porcelain Figurines', photographer Martin Klimas dropped figurines and captured their demise.  Using a camera rigged to click at the moment of impact resulted in amazing images of exploding figurings.  






Whenever something breaks in our house I always get that feeling that it is happening in slow motion. 
I wish I had cameras set up in my kitchen to capture our accidents. 


Do you ever cry over spilt milk? 

20.2.12

All Natural Bird Feeder


Please welcome my 'friend in real life' and blog buddy Dani from I'm Just That Way And That's Just Me
She's blogging here at Lady Of The Arts and showing us how to make an all natural creative project that she recently made with her daughter. 
In the words of Dani G:
I've always called my daughter Little Bird and I decorate our home with birds all around, but nothing beats having the real thing right outside our windows. So, I decided we'd make our own bird feeder and wait patiently for them to appear. 

All you need is:
An orange
Peanut Butter
Birdseed
String

That's it. Really! 
We sliced an orange in half and then removed the pulp, setting it aside. 


Next, we mixed up the pulp with some peanut butter.
Added in some delicious birdseed. 
I'm just guessing it's delicious- I did not taste it


I poked about four holes in the rind of the orange and fed a string through the holes. 

Then, put it all together!


Thanks Dani! 
These are great action shots of the birds enjoying their yummy treat.
Thank so much for sharing this great project with us.

What kind of crafts have you been up to lately?
Do you have a bird feeder in your outdoor space? 

16.2.12

The Art of Being



Art. Observation. Meditation. Joy. Discovery. Insight. Expression. Learning. Growth.

A lot of things come to mind when I think about art. For some people, art is associated with going to a museum, learning about artists, exploring an artist’s thoughts and ideas, and getting to ‘know’ him or her.

For others, art may mean being creative and making something, because they find it fun and relaxing.

Art can also be found in literature by indulging in poems and inspiring writings, stories of the past and visions of the future.

Some find art in nature. As a traveler and outdoor person, I carry amazing memories in my heart as inner pictures, taken in a precious moment by my embodied camera: moments of beauty and joy spent in nature. I embrace the amazing colors, forms, shapes and diversity of landscapes and animals. The art of nature gives me peace and energy. I feel ‘home’ being in nature.

For me, art also has a connection to inner balance. Living a balanced life means mastering the art of life. Finding inner peace. Taking good care of myself. Letting go of what needs to go and embracing what wants to happen. There is even art in chaos, with all the confusion and growing pains opening the door to new, healthier structures and personal growth.

Art is directly connected with the soul. By feeding my soul with beauty and inspiration, I feel positive and uplifted. Art makes me pause and allows me to look closely, explore, trying to understand, and eager to learn.

Art in any form, individually defined by our own perceptions and integrated into our daily lives, increases our joy and inner balance. 
Why, then, are many of us so quick to view art as an indulgence rather than a necessity? 
In a fast paced and very technical world, where we seem to lose the deep connection to ourselves, to others, and to the Universe/ Spirit or God, many of us struggle to live a balanced life. How often are we rushing to get things done and don’t take the time to pause, breathe and enjoy?
How often are we exhausted at the end of the day, and ask ourselves where the joy and energy has gone? We miss being inspired and motivated.

I invite you to look for the art in your everyday life--not in the conventional meaning found in the museums or represented in crafts, but the art in the clouded sky, the wilted flower, the unmade bed of your child, or the drawing your little one gives you. 
Seek out art in the areas of your life that you find challenging. Where or what is the art in your ‘chaos’? What is the gift of the challenge? What is the opportunity? Think outside the box and explore ways to integrate creativity in your daily life. Maybe it is writing a thought every day that empowers and inspires you. Maybe it is the meditation or prayer at the end of the day. Maybe it is a flower arrangement you buy for yourself every week. Maybe it is simply the art of stillness and pausing and listening to your favorite song, or the art of connecting with yourself at the end of the day.

Find your personal art—a way of living that increases joy and beauty in your daily life and recharges your batteries.

For me, it is the daily walk with my dogs – out in nature, I notice the branches covered with snow, the sunlight beaming through the woods, the strong roots of the trees, the rain and its smell, and my playing and always happy dogs--moments I often want to capture.
It is also watching my boys cast out their fishing poles or cuddle with the dogs – falling asleep with them in a moment of total trust and peace.
It is watching a movie that inspires me – such as AVATAR, with its artsy scenes filled with colors and inspiration, carrying a powerful message and vision.
The power of art can be found in unexpected places. Look for it. It is around you. It is within you. It waits to be discovered and nurtured so that it can help you find inner balance.

What does art mean to you? 
Where do you find art in your daily life? 
How does art make you feel? 

Please share your thoughts.
Your Joyful Growth Coach Sandra Seibert
I am honored to be a guest writer on Ren’s Art Blog.

If you find this post helpful and inspiring, I invite you to visit my website www.joyfulgrowthcoach.com and blog www.joyfulgrowthcoach.com/blog-2 or follow me on facebook www.facebook.com/joyfulgrowthcoach .

14.2.12

My Heart Pumps Water And Wine



Happy Valentines Day! 
I do love these cool carafes designed to resemble a heart.

Made by Italian born artist Liviana Osti she write of her hearts:

Two glass carafes shaping a human heart when joined together. The heart is a reminder for the generally underestimated but essential role health plays in our lives.
In order to prevent cardiovascular and blood pressure diseases we have to start with the root of the problem, our daily consume of food and beverage.
A wine decanter is built together with a water carafe. A half half coloured mix of red and white. Red wine stands for low pressure, water stands for high pressure.
The organic heart shape has been developed into two different, stand-alone objects according to the natural division of ventricles.
To check out her website and see more of here work click HERE

8.2.12

Film: Submarine


I forgot I saw this movie and how much I enjoyed it until I recently saw a preview for it.
Submarine is film based on the novel by the same name, by Joe Dunthorne.  Mr. Dunthorne wrote his novel in 2002 while he was finishing up his undergraduate studies. 
This coming of age, teenage angst story features the life of Oliver; a 15 year old school boy who is as intent on losing his virginity as he is in stopping his sexually charged neighbor from having any sort of relationship with his mother.  As is often the case in these types of stories, Oliver finds an equally confused lady, Jordana Bevan, and together they discover first love. 
The film first debuted at the Toronto Film Festival in 2010 and is produced by Ben Stiller. 
The cinematography in the film is done by Erik Alexander Wilson and is quite amazing. 
The constantly changing setting, whether in a forest, abandoned fair ground, bon fire side or along water overlooking an industrial town, emphasize artistic features that only a genius with an impeccable eye could capture and execute. 
I plan to read the book. 


Have you seen Submarine?
What is your favorite coming of age novel or film? 

5.2.12

January: Moments

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I used to be really good about posting a Friday:  This Moment .  
Since the advent of Instagram, I find myself posting several 'moment' that I want to cherish and remember.  For those of you who Instagram I am under ladyofthearts.  
I've decided to start a monthly series here at Lady Of The Arts featuring monthly moments.
These are our January Moments

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