the distance traveled

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"Sometimes things should be judged by distance traveled rather than by current position" - quote from the book "the gargoyle" (author: Andrew Davidson) -
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(C) Photographs, MJ Calitz, 2010

fairy moth tree

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when a beautiful piece of driftwood, some yarn, some flowers, ivy, a string of fairy lights and a jeweled moth marries, what do you get?

a fairy moth tree

i am delighted with my newest creation. it makes me want to glue all kinds of things to sticks. now, if i can only find more driftwood...

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(C) Art, MJ Calitz, 2011

treasure, unexpected

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sometimes the generosity of friends blow me away. how they listen, what they forgive, when they reach out to you. this week a friend send me 4 boxes packed with books, art supplies and awesomeness in the form of antique lace, dolls, ribbons, etc. i practically drooled unwrapping each brown paper bag and each box within a box. i am SO blessed. thank you walt (& alice).
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(C) MJ Calitz, 2011

flower power

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when you blot your paint brush on the fabric of your life and it's all just a big mess, draw some steps, then add flowers.
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(C) Art, MJ Calitz, 2011
ps. thanks Heather & Jeanine for the puff paint

cats and other cages

the secret of happiness: if you get a cat, stop wishing for it to be a dog
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resentment, expectations & judgments kill happiness. find compassion & acceptance within. and realize that both you and the cat are exactly where you are supposed to be and that you are only trapped if you keep drawing a cage around yourself. just be you, where you are, and let others be them, where they are.

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(C) MJ Calitz, 2011

tea, paint & yoga

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favorite things right now

• i found this birdhouse and this miniature tea cup at an antique store. it begged to be married with a big yellow flower and a bunny as witnesses and hang joyously in the sun. it's a reminder to breathe, smile, drink a cup of tea and smell the flowers. often.
• exercise dvd called "yoga for stress relief & flexibility" by element. (instructor: ashley turner) this dvd has two 30 minute programs that are sure to relax you and stretch you out. i love it.
  
• chai tea by lipton. this tea is great for cold winter days. it's spicy and smooth. i drink it with honey and milk.
  
• and a book called "life, paint and passion" by michele cassou and stewart cubley. the book is about painting for process rather than product.
  

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here are 2 more things:
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(1) sometimes you have to crawl to the edge of the abyss and peek over to realize how sacred life is and to appreciate what you have
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and (2) if all you want to paint for days on end, is grid, or whatever it is that's pushing from deep within to be painted, then paint it. even if it's ugly or you don't understand why, this process is therapeutic. this is your soul healing itself and you don't have to understand it to benefit from it.

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(C) Art, MJ Calitz, 2011