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an unbreakable cord

February 6, 2017creative process, questionsgrace, interconnectedness, journaling, MaryOliver, mercy, prayer, upstreamvondadrees

“Do you think there is anything not attached by its unbreakable cord to everything else?” ~Mary Oliver, Upstream

A new online journaling course for Lent has opened for registration – http://www.grunewaldguild.com/upcoming/journaling-upstream. I’m hoping to find some companions wanting to dwell in Mary Oliver’s words, hang out a bit online, and create some art with me.

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2 thoughts on “an unbreakable cord”

susan says:

February 6, 2017 at 7:39 am

Love this! BTW Thank you so much for your Lent art work for LEAD. I’ve shared and copied it off to meditate upon during Lent. With our current upheaval in the US I think Lent will be especially powerful this year.

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1. vondadrees says:
  
  February 6, 2017 at 7:53 am
  
  You’re welcome, Susan… glad to know the resources will be helpful in your Lenten journey this year! Blessings.
  
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My freshest ink's on Instagram:

Who holds this key? Perhaps, as the old song says, the One “who holds my hand.” It could be you. One more time I extend the invitation to join Gena Davis and me journaling our way through Gena’s book, YogaMass: Embodying Christ Consciousness. Info here - https://grunewaldguild.com/events/yogamass-online-journaling-with-gena-davis-vonda-drees/ #vondadreesart

“A blessing is the natural expression of the fiery love and inclusiveness of our inner spirit. It is the manifestation of a soul-fire, and each of us can be its hearth. Each of us, you and I, can be points of reconnection, points of remembrance, points of love. We can be blessings.” —David Spangler, Blessing: The Art and Practice “Grace takes us by surprise, when—for whatever reason—our defenses are relaxed. And there it takes root. Because when we see differently, we value differently.” —Terry Hershey “Remember, light is not so much what you directly see as that by which you see everything else.” —Richard Rohr I am the Light of the world. —John 8:12 #vondadreesart

“What I do know But this: it is heaven itself to take what is given, to see what is plain; what the sun lights up willingly...” —Mary Oliver From time to time small glimpses invite big wonder to emerge from within me. One with many, the familiar with the mysterious... It’s often those sideways-eyes of grace that are sensitive to light’s invitation. Since moving to the Guild I’ve created a library of photos in an Instagram called Grunewald_Graces. I’ve longed to spend more time with the images, and it seems a logical next step to paint them. It’s what I’m about these days, so every other day or so, you’ll see a new painting. It’s funny... what I’m finding is that an exact painting of what I see does not seem to be what I’m being called to in this work. I am so grateful that alongside studying the photo with great attention comes something more that the paint offers, perhaps even requires. “Go not to the object; let it come to you.... What I need is not to look at all, but a true sauntering of the eye.” —Henry David Thoreau “But nothing you ever understand will be sweeter, or more binding, than this deepest affinity between your eyes and the world.” —Mary Oliver Hat tip to The Religious Imagineer, Jim Friedrich’s blog, for these wonderful quotes... and so much more. #vondadreesart

For sixty years, I have been forgetful every moment, But not for a second has this flowing toward me stopped or slowed. Today, I recognize that I am the guest, The one the mystics talk about. I play this living music for my Host. —Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks Opening to the Yes that sings my soul and letting it play on. #vondadreesart

Pondering how every flower’s work is to “kindle love again to living flame.” St Valentine —by Malcolm Guite Why should this martyr be the saint of love? A quiet man of unexpected courage, A celibate who celebrated marriage, An ageing priest with nothing left to prove, He loved the young and made their plight his cause. He called for fruitfulness, not waste in wars, He found a sure foundation, stood his ground, And gave his life to guard the love he’d found. Why should this martyr be our Valentine? Perhaps because he kept his covenant, Perhaps because, with prayer still resonant, He pledged the Bridegroom’s love in holy wine, Perhaps because the echo of his name Can kindle love again to living flame. #vondadreesart

“Slow my pace, Spirit of Love, Breathe into my being, Word.” —Monsignor Bernard Powers #vondadreesart

As I was tip-toeing (tip-fingering?) through writings inspired by the pine cone, two came to my attention. “Dear pine cone, let me hold you as you open.” —Mary Oliver ... I wonder if Mary would mind that i edit this line from her poem “It Was Early” to read like this: Dear pine cone, let me hold you as I open. The second is from a childhood story told by Pablo Neruda. In it there is an exchange of gifts that profoundly shapes Neruda’s understanding of the creative process, of art and life. He writes, “To feel the affection that comes from those whom we do not know ... widens out the boundaries of our being, and unites all living things.” Friends and Friends of Friends, I hope you sense the love through my pine cone painting. #vondadreesart

This image had its beginnings during a retreat’s journaling session with the women of Grace Lutheran in Wenatchee. They were about to listen to the story of Rahab and then walk the Guild’s snowy labyrinth by firelight. #vondadreesart

Grateful for this last Provence-inspired subject matter from Dreama’s online course, I’m about to cast my net into the deep waters of this place called the Grunewald Guild. Don’t be surprised if, like Peter, I call on you to come cast your creative nets too.

This morning the music of Transparent Water crossed my path... and I’m a fan already. Paul Neeley describes them like this: “Transparent Water is the latest example of Omar Sosa’s transcendent determination to seek new musical combinations, a manifestation of improvisatory freedom and the joy of shared artistic expression.” ...And i am reminded of the vision of the Grunewald Guild’s founders, Rich and Liz Caemmerer. #vondadreesart

When I am open, in rushes the whole lit point. I am free again. #vondadreesart

I’ve been pondering Genesis 1:26 — Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.’ — in relation to art-making. There is a lot about this painting that is not ‘like’ the photo that inspired it, yet the image, the essence that brings it to life, is present to the eyes of my heart. Art makes way for Imago Dei. #vondadreesart

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