Life Goes On

If you would like to listen to me read this poem, please click below.

Tuesday was Election Day in the United States, and the country has been in high pitched drama and turmoil for the last 2 years because of the last election and fears being stoked about what this election might mean. Although all the results are not in yet, it appears that neither party will have full control and the good news is that our democracy is still strong. Millions more people took their responsibility to vote seriously, came out to vote their choices, and that is what democracy is all about.
I can accept the results and be disappointed that my preferred candidates didn’t win without accusing the other side of cheating. We need to continue to work to keep this as the rule rather than the exception.
Democracy is fragile and we need to be vigilant about protecting it.

Enough about politics. But as the title of this blog states, life goes on and that is an awesome thing.

As many of you know my life has been in turmoil for what seems like years now. It still is, eventually I will have to move from the home I am in. Long story, lot’s of drama, not a good story to bother you with. However, I am still here in Ridgecrest and I am beginning to build a new life as best I can here in this place. I have begun searching out places to show and sell my art, my cards and my talents beyond the internet in both near and far places, and I am open to possibilities. Let me know if you have any ideas.

What has been the spark that reignited my flame? There have been many actually, and the thing that really put it all together for me was a blog series I have been reading by a creative writer, Steven Pressfield called Writing Wednesdays. This series of his blog is about our “Sojourn in the Wilderness” and his premise is that “some form of “sojourn in the wilderness” seems to be necessary for the evolution of the soul.” And since art comes from the soul, I could totally identify with this. Being without my muse has made me feel cut off from my joy, cut off from my purpose, and the work that I know I am supposed to be doing. I have just been rattling along for years, practicing my skills, trying to find a new way to live, but not being happy or fulfilled.
Sharing these surrealistic paintings and poetry is my calling. Somehow I will find a way to get them out there and afford to live and do what I am meant to do. It’s all coming together.

This pencil painting, “Life Goes On” was done in 2015, which is about mid-point to this sojourn I have been on, and is part of the “Left Hanging in Space” Series.

The poem I wrote yesterday captures the sentiment and repeats that spark of hope. I am coming through it and moving into a new phase of life and creativity which is currently based here in the desert. For how long, I don’t know, my focus has to be on today, for that is all I know for sure. Coming to terms with being a surrealist and finding ways for my art to make sense is what is important to me. Some artists don’t care if the art they make connects, but I do. It gives me great joy to know that it is adding something to your life to see, to read, and to understand or even question these images and poems. For each of you there may be a different meaning, and I love that! Each of these paintings is open to interpretation, often the interpretation changes for me over time as well. That is the exciting part of working with a muse. It’s not all about me, at least the ‘me’ I am conscious of, sometimes it is about the ‘me’ I want to become, if that makes any sense!

The world and our own existence is a work in progress. Upheaval and renewal are tied to each other. Destruction of old ideas must occur to make way for the new. This is a concept that runs through almost if not all philosophies. So take this to heart. If you are on a sojourn in the wilderness, you are not alone, and you will come through this too. Read Steven Pressfield, even if you aren’t a writer, it just might help you through.

Have a Happy Day,
Cheryl