small rituals
Oh today is already perfect and it has barely begun. The sun is shining ever so beautifully, birds are conducting choirs outside my window (in the blossoming apple trees no less) and i have an entire morning to play in my studio with a fountain of inspiration to motivate me. (feeling slightly less than earthbound) Yesterday I was so honored to answer some wonderful and provocative questions in a podcast interview for the lovely Jamie Ridler which has me thinking today about creative rituals. My ritual today included a cup of jasmine green tea, a bowl of Irish porridge and a beet, carrot and ginger smoothie. I also went for an early morning walk, read some poetry (naomi shihab nye) and visited this site which moved me to tears.
Shortly I will go through my final selection of polaroids for the ‘instant magic’ exhibit I am participating in next Friday and clean up my studio which always makes me feel happy ~ somehow creating literal space invites more room for fresh ideas and imaginings.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand….because I seem to have food on the brain today, I think I will poke through my favorite cookbook and create a new dish after yoga this afternoon. A nourishing dish that makes your taste buds dance is completely soothing for the soul and a whole realm of art in it’s own right in my humble opinion.
Speaking of creative rituals, I would love to hear some of yours ~ listening to Jamie’s podcasts, I am always most curious how artist’s move their inner muse into action.
It’s the weekend! What’s not to love? 
Oh! and you must see ~ Olga photographs such fabulous creative spaces….
category: Uncategorized | | 7 comments »
April 9th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Thanks for posting the link to the photo journal–It’s beautiful.
April 9th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
i think part of why i haven’t heard the muse lately is that i have no rituals to follow – this invites chaos into my life and drowns out the muse. i like seeing yours and thinking of how i could change my routine.
April 11th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
What spunk you have with your writing! And your photos evoke a gorgeous mood. Thank you for sharing.
I’m having a fine art giveaway of one of my photographs at the end of the month and would love you to drop by my blog to enter, if you’d like
April 11th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
I am intrigued by that smoothie, though I cannot decide if I am intrigued enough to try it. I imagine it is sweet?
You know, I don’t know if I have any creative rituals! That being said, I have been having a giant mug of chai latte in the mornings these days. I wouldn’t mind turning that into a ritual. There is something to the warm sweetness.
April 11th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
what a beautiful close to my day, discovering this days treasure here on your blog post. the photo-journal of the man and his father was tender and truly a gift to me to have experienced, i feel grateful. i had time with my mother before she died, but only a few months not years. there wasn’t enough laughing, physical pain was the permeating force for her during that time, and i was her unwavering advocate to get her pain meds when she suffered. i loved how they shared laughing … is there anything better?
creative rituals. well, one is as i open the shades to each window i do it mindfully (at least most of the time), and welcome the new day, new moment, impermanence, again. recognizing that aspect of life stimulates me to make the most of my day, do what is important – creating is always near the top. during the warm weather, i take a walk by the river when the morning is new and the birds are just starting to sing, it stimulates the positive, beauty, and gratitude inside me, a strong force for creating.
and i do love my big warm mug of coffee
it was so nice meeting you at the blessingway, your artwork is so evocative and true.
April 12th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Congrats on the interview. I’ll have to take a listen!
April 13th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
These are such good links, Maddie. The photo essay was very moving and touching and humorous, too. What wonderful portraits of a father! And thank you for the link to the photostream. It’s always a treat seeing into someone else’s creative space. In a moment I’m going to visit Jamie Ridler’s website. Hope you are having a great week, Maddie.