Your Gift to the World

Your Gift To The World by Helen Gordon

You have a dream, an urging to express yourself. Hold on to it for the dream is God's idea eager to be expressed through you. It is God's choice through you the idea should be fulfilled. God gave you the idea with a restlessness to live it and with the tools, passion, and joy to see it through full manifestation. Through this idea, the grace of God is experienced within all who come in contact with it. Sure, you have a dream. We all have a dream, a strong desire of some kind, something that provides deep satisfaction. If you feel this does not apply to you, let's find your dream. If you know what it is, let's enhance it. Now this is not a dream of fantasy. It is a physical activity of sorts in our human experience, which takes place while fully awake. The idea may be in the form of a song, a painting, a sculpture, a garment, a poem, a literary work, an oratory, a community service, a recipe, a garden, or many forms but it is the idea of God that ultimately comes forth in all Its splendor. Perhaps right now we have chosen to deny the dream's existence as if it were our own little secret. Thus, believe we control when, if ever, it will be exposed to the world. Doing so gives a false sense of control. The dream cannot be controlled or contained within us since it does not belong to us. Remaining closed to the dream does not give us control of it nor can we imprison its divineness. Our human being is an incubator for the dream and desires to come through us effortlessly. An idea of God eventually emerges from its incubator for it has a purpose in this human experience. Fulfillment of that purpose unfolds regardless of our conscious participation. We have the opportunity to be the main conduit for the dream to unfold. Simply shoving it deep into our subconscious is an act of denial where insecure thoughts grasp the illusion it knows nothing of the dream. This is a form of fear. We fear clarity of the dream for our knowing dissolves the lies we have created or accepted about ourselves which prevent us from pursuing this desire. Fear, our worst enemy, tries to convince us of the seeming limitations or impossibilities of reaching our dream's goal. Although we fear failure, God cannot fail Itself. Sometimes those insecure thoughts question our worthiness, playing on the self-created shortcomings we have invited into our lives. Questioning our worthiness says we need somehow to make a change. If there were a need to change something to establish our worthiness, that particular dream would not be so urgent to express through us. Questioning our worthiness also says God did not know what He was doing when He chose us for our role in the dream. He must have made a wrong choice. This is absurd and we no longer allow our fears to imply such an insult to ourselves or to God! If necessary, a challenge of human preparation, such as formal training, to strengthen our faith in ourselves, may be in order. Training can help release thoughts of limitations. Releasing the limitations haunting our little self frees the power of our higher Self. Progressively, our faith in ourselves strengthens. God's faith in our ability to fulfill our calling, i.e., our role in the dream, is stronger than ours, unshakable and certain of our success. Regardless of the appearance and seeming influence of the dream, we will be guided and inspired righteously. Others' dreams may appear more significant than ours so we feel there is some queue for us to wait in before pursuing our dream. All dreams are equal in the eyes of God. God's idea is not in waiting; it continuously unfolds. Faith is weakened when concerned with how impossible the dream may seem. There is no impossible dream. God did not create a dream or idea He cannot fulfill. God has no need to fantasize. This dream was deliberately given through us knowing it can be expressed and manifested best with our particular skill. We are perfect for our role. Steps toward perfecting this skill progress easily. This skill unfolds happily in the form of a "natural gift." However, a natural gift is merely a complete inner instruction manual on how to live this dream to its fullest. We have ready access to this inner manual at any instant because it is as much a part of us as the flesh on our body. Inquiries of this inner manual can be made at will. It is ever present to support us in every way. This is Its purpose. But it's too much fun? Desires are meant to be enjoyed; otherwise, they are a chore! Chores are far more difficult to start. God knows that making the dream desirable is an advantage for all. Go forward with the dream with sincere humility. Humility creates that space in the mind for greatness to express through us. As we fully accept this role of grandeur, God has more grand and glorious things awaiting us. Acceptance of our abilities in this role allows us to put truth in visible action. From this action, there is divine reaction, the natural unfoldment of abundant blessings. We discover a special joy as we develop the dream. We cannot help but feel good when engaged in fulfilling the dream because we are fulfilling our calling, God's idea. There is no need to focus on who validates our dream's worth. We are magnificently and wonderfully made for what God has purposed; our existence is not a mistake. Our role is valuable. Our activities inspire many who in some form or time have the opportunity to witness the joy of our work. Within each one's inspiration is a revelation. Perhaps it is the revelation of our own divine dream. One dream reveals another, inspires another, prepares for another, unites with another, and is shared with another to expand this idea of God. This idea was established well before our first breath. We had nothing to do with its inception. It must be made manifest here on earth. Reaching the goal of the dream is not the end. It is the beginning of a new one, usually apparent well before the goal is reached. Eventually it is revealed how that goal was merely a stepping-stone for the expansion of the dream. Commitment to the dream allows us to live in a state of grace for we become aware of the Truth about who we are and our reason for being. Grace becomes obvious to us. The purpose of our dream becomes clear. Our commitment becomes stronger. Life is joyful. Commit to the dream but not for the sake of personal recognition or monetary gain. Commit for the glorification of God, for in our commitment, there is obedience. For this reason, we are rewarded beyond our imagination. This is the Law.

Projects on the Shelf- My Coloring Book

Seems there just aren't ever enough hours in the day. I spend most days now at the pottery studio since I have gotten totally hooked. The good news is that I have been selling so many paintings lately, that its time for me to refresh my inventory. don't know if more cow paintings will be in the offing, I have painted more than 100 and I think I may need a new muse. I would like to get back to painting more personal images and maybe some more serious subject matter. In the meantime, I have left another project on the back burner for more than a year. That is a coloring book that I started featuring several of my existing paintings which I turned into black and white line drawings with the aide of photoshop. For all intents and purposes it may be finished. I have about 10 images done which is plenty for a coloring book but I have as yet to determine a printing method to keep the cost low. Any suggestions are always welcome as well as an motivational thoughts to help me get this one done....:0)

Birthday Giveaway!!!

It's my Birthday, It's my Birthday! All cards and gifts can be left on the back porch... Hahahahahah. Actually, to celebrate my birthday this month I am giving a gift to each of you with a chance to win one of 5 signed copies of "Millicent and the Faraway Moon" Here's how it works:

Anytime between when you get my newsletter and 12 noon next Friday (Feb.17, the day I came into the world)

"Like" my page RisingStarArt on Facebook and leave the comment "wonderfully made"

For two extra chances to win: Follow this blog and leave a comment explaining what it means to be "wonderfully made"

For yet another chance: Follow me on twitter (Cowgirl1959) and leave the hashtag #wonderfully made.

Thats 4 chances to win if you do them all! Or you can always just do one or two. Its up to you!

I will then take all the names and put them into a cereal bowl and have my husband pick 5 winners and post them to my Blog, FB page and Twitter account by 3 or 4 pm on Friday.

Children's Book 35% off for International Book Giving Day

February 14 is not only Valentines Day but International Book Giving Day. The mission of International Book Giving Day is to get new, used, or borrowed books in the hands of as many kids as possible. Click on the link to be taken to a blog post with more information and ideas for giving books to kids at home and abroad.

In an effort to support this project, I will be discounting "Millicent and the Faraway Moon" by 35% ! in my etsy shop on Feb. 14 only. Use the code "giveabook" at the checkout for your discount. I will sign it and if you want it sent to someone other than yourself make a note on your order. Even if you don't have kids, think about one for your church library, a doctors office, daycare center etc. Leave it anonymously! Committing a random act of kindness leaves you with the warm fuzzies inside! Even if you don't get one of my books I hope you will participate by giving another new or used book :0)We need to keep our kids reading!

My Pottery Now on Etsy!

I was timid about selling pottery online due to concerns about shipping, but who am I to deprive others of the fruits of my new found passion? If you look on the blog archives, you will see what a solid progression I have made as a clay artist over the last year and wow-how that flew by! I started with little bowls and now have made 12" Raku vases, stoneware casseroles, mugs and all sorts of nice things which has now given me more confidence about offering it to the public. My new etsy shop is RisingStarPottery1 and I have populated it with the 13 items that I have left from my holiday sales. There is plenty more to come including pieces that I didn't have time to finish before the studio closed for the winter break. When it reopens next week, I plan to get right to work creating gift items for Valentine's day and spring items maybe like hanging pots and wind chimes. I am still a painter and maintaining my other etsy shop as well where I sell my original painintgs, prints, my kids book, notecards, anything related to my painting. That shop name is "grampa1" though beginning tomorrow it will be changed to "RisingStarArt". Look at me, going for consistency! Go figure :0) You'll know its me when you get there! Well, hope you'll have a look at my new pottery shop and show me some love by either purchasing, liking it on FB or tweeting or pinning or doing whatever on which ever social network you're on! Thanks as always for your support of my creative life!

Studio Sale Sneak Peak

I have been jamming for weeks now in preparation for my once a year big Studio Show and Sale. I like to show these before pictures so folks can see that I do in fact work in my little 12 x 20 foot studio. It took me 3 days just to clean, but it look so nice when I am finished that it is worth the effort.

It is so nice having my awesome daughter Kayla at home from college helping me. She is seen here painting my road signs, making them much more beautiful than I would have and her help is invaluable to me. This is my once a year Studio blow out meant to clear space for new creations in the coming year. That's why all of my paintings are 30% off. That even includes my very newest painting pictured below which is still in progress but will be finished for your viewing pleasure at the sale. Also new this year will be one of a kind pottery pieces (there is plenty more than is pictured here) and gift certificates. If you go to my website and sign up for my newsletter you can also get in on special savings on prints for newsletter subscribers only. I think this years sale is going to be lots of fun and I expect to see a lot of familiar faces. It is free and open to the public and everyone is welcome to just come and browse and have a glass of cheer and a nibble. I also have a free gift just for stopping by. With that, I bid you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and wish to say that I am very grateful for everyone who has supported my life as an artist especially my darling husband and daughter.

Down 'n Dirty with Clay

A friend reminded me today of where my head was at around last September. It wasn't a good place. I had had a very bad time with doing outdoor festivals. Much of it attributable to painful problems with my right foot. But also a general burnout of the show scene, coupled with a slow economy and a feeling that I was stuck in a rut with my work. While complaining to said friend, I mentioned that I felt that I had to change things up, that I was bored, that I felt pigeon holed into what I was doing. (My cow paintings) CREATIVE CRISIS had struck! Thank goodness I had a Christmas commission for a couch painting which allowed me some leeway and a break from painting cows. Don't get me wrong, I love my wild cowies, but I just wasn't feelin' it.

Come around December when my daughter began painting lessons with a friend of mine, I wandered into the clay studio to kill some time and fool around with throwing on the wheel, something I had never done. I think I got hooked the first time I got my hands and pants all dirty trying to center the clay on the wheel and do my first pulls. I had found that new challenge, that new outlet that I was yearning for. I had forgotten about my angry rants in September. I was telling my friend how I seem to run to the clay studio every free chance I get now and that's when she reminded me of the dreadful headspace i was in just a short time ago. Now, I am having so much fun learning so many new techniques and ways of making things. The coolest thing about clay is that it teaches a control freak like me to let go. Being a newbie, when I throw the clay on the wheel it often dictates to me what it will be. Sometimes it will bend to my will but often not. It teaches me to go with the flow. When I apply glazes, I can put colors together with my painters eye, but again have to accept what the clay and the glaze and the heat determine as the outcome, not me. So every Thursday, when the kiln gets opened, it's like Christmas or giving birth to something. Complete surprise. If you look through my archives, you will see the progression of where I started and where I am today. So much fun! In a few weeks, I will be having my Annual Holiday Open Studio. I have somehow managed to make pieces in the short time that I have been making pottery, that other people might like to own. (I know because I have sold a few already) Above is a sampling of some of my recent pieces that will be for sale at my Open Studio. Unfortunately, I haven't offered them for sale online due to shipping concerns. I can honestly say that each piece is one of a kind because I am just learning and wouldn't be able to replicate a piece if I tried. If you are in the area, I hope you will stop by my sale to see my awesome new pottery and my paintings and everything else I have to offer (including some great wine and snacks). I am sure I will continue painting. I rejoice in the knowledge that as a creative person, my life doesn't have to be just one thing. An artists life is a ongoing work of art, a creative process in itself which knows no boundaries. If you are thinking about trying something new yourself, I highly recommend it. Even if you don't think you are a creative person, spread your wings, try on something different and see what shakes out.