111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression
Day 58: Film premiere adventure
Today’s entry is brief due to an unexpected entertainment adventure tonight.
While visiting the Hollywood & Highland shopping area, I discovered that the LA premiere of The Hobbit was set to take place later in the day. Lots of standing and picture-taking later and I’m exhausted.
I’ll post more tomorrow!!!
**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. Throughout the next 53 days, I’ll delve into how all of the above strengthens my spirit and has saved my life on more than one occasion.**
111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression
Day 57: Fact and Fiction
Fiction Reflecting Fact
Investing in stories and characters
Rooting for or against
Draws you in and holds your attention
Page after page, scene after scene, and episode to episode
You know it’s not real
I’m frequently told
And the fact is irrelevant
If fictional stories weren’t intended to evoke reaction
Than why should writers spend our time creating them
You gasp in awe, cry in shared sadness,
And cheer in solidarity
The fact remains: fiction matters to those who create it and the ones who enjoy it
**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. Throughout the next 54 days, I’ll delve into how all of the above strengthens my spirit and has saved my life on more than one occasion.**
111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression
Day 56: Seanna’s Waves
Manhattan Beach, CA
The memory of the damp, dreary dungeon faded with each kiss of the breeze across her cheek. She imagined this day so many times. The vision seared into her brain from the books her mother showed her every night before bed.
Two years closed within a chamber intended to deprive her of strength, confidence, and sanity meant Seanna must rely on her imagination to survive. She refused to relent. If anything, she became stronger, more confident, and found ways to calm her fears in the midst of loneliness and manipulation.
The memory stung only briefly for she would not allow it power over her. She’d won her freedom, but the cost will very soon reveal its worth.
**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. Throughout the next 55 days, I’ll delve into how all of the above strengthens my spirit and has saved my life on more than one occasion.**
111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression
Day 55: Creativity Prompt #8 (Crossing the Halfway Mark)
With the posting of today’s entry, I have officially reached the halfway mark of the 111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge! So, check out this week’s Creativity Prompt:
Step after step
You just passed the halfway mark of the marathon for which you have trained for months. You are tired, thirsty, and your body hurts in ways you didn’t know it could. What do you do next?
I’ll post mine on Monday. Please stop back and tell me about your experience. Happy creating!
**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. Throughout the next 56 days, I’ll delve into how all of the above strengthens my spirit and has saved my life on more than one occasion.**
111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression
Day 54: An Artistic Spirit on Tour
“You want to be one of those people walking around the back lot, don’t you?”
Ah, my sister knows me so well. She could easily see the broad grin across my face as I recounted the Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour experience.
As the tour cart, under the skilled care of our personable guide, took us past sets used in beloved films and television programs, I imagined myself working there. I thought about the hard work, dedication, and passion that goes into every single aspect of this industry: from the prop masters to the set designers, the skilled labor specialists to the production assistants, and the directors and acting ensembles.
The Warner Bros. (WB) studio back lot remains unobtrusive and hidden far from the glitz and glamour that the Hollywood name implies. The slew of sound stages resembled storage units with their rectangular shapes and numbers plastered as identifiers. I absorbed it all as our cart maneuvered through the maze of buildings. So many people walked by, none of whose face I recognized, and I wondered what their job entailed. Were they writers, assistants, production coordinators, or a member of the skilled labor force?
Though the wind blew cold, my spirit warmed while I imagined what it’d be like to be a studio employee. Learning about the behind-the-scenes details of the film and television industry interests me on a level that matches the bejeweled and bedazzled world projected on screen.
As enthralled as I was for the two-hour tour, my joy grew as I watched my nine-year-old nephew take in all he saw. He listened intently, looked but didn’t touch, and seemed genuinely interested. I enjoyed every moment, thrilled to share this experience with someone I love so dearly.
Standing outside what was “Luke’s” diner from the TV drama “Gilmore Girls”.
**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. Throughout the next 57 days, I’ll delve into how all of the above strengthens my spirit and has saved my life on more than one occasion.**
111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression
Day 53: Back to the Drawing Board
My 9-year-old nephew didn’t believe me when I told him that I can’t draw. So, we sat down with his sketch pad and pencils, and we all drew a unicorn. Here’s his:
And here’s mine:
After the laughter subsided, we decided to focus on art while I’m here. The pastels didn’t work very well, so we’ll try a different method for coloring in our sketches. Last night, we searched the internet for “How to draw an elephant” and sketched version number one. The artistic exploration will continue today and tomorrow as we practice time and again until we are all pleased with the final result.
I’ll post the final artwork in a few days!
**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. Throughout the next 58 days, I’ll delve into how all of the above strengthens my spirit and has saved my life on more than one occasion.**
111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression
Welcome to LA!
Day 52: California Rainin’
The pouring rain welcomes me to Los Angeles
A steady waterfall of cold and wet
It cools and refreshes
Renewing my spirit with enthusiasm
I’m here. I’ve arrived
Though the trip will be brief
The goals are long-term
Dreams meet reality
Surrounded by family, entertainment, and artistic inspiration
**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. Throughout the next 59 days, I’ll delve into how all of the above strengthens my spirit and has saved my life on more than one occasion.**
111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression
Day 51: Body Versus Spirit – Taking Flight
Seats are more cramped. Pillows, blankets, and pretzels require a credit card. Crowded overhead compartments equate to hassle and delay. Yet, despite the headache airlines create among travelers, I remain fascinated by flying. I’d just rather have my own set of wings instead of being enclosed in a massive, money-vacuum.
I’ve had this fascination with wings for many, many years though only began examining its significance in my life within the last decade. Angels, Pegasus, faeries, eagles and hawks are just some examples of the types of inspiring images that spring to mind when I’m feeling stuck. I suddenly gain motivation, feel refreshed and invigorated, and believe that anything is possible.
The “soundtrack to my life” playlist contains many songs that emphasize flying, taking flight, or soaring. I get a chuckle in listening to them now when I realize my subconscious must really have been trying to tell me something! I’ve remained grounded most of my life even though the need to “spread my wings”, “reach for the sky”, and “soar towards my dreams” defined my every thought and desire.
As my spirit yearns to float upwards and my body stays connected to the ground, I realize that if I want to take flight, I must make the wings myself!
**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. Throughout the next 60 days, I’ll delve into how all of the above strengthens my spirit and has saved my life on more than one occasion.**
111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression
Day 49: Strumming Along
A Thanksgiving Treat
She holds the guitar in her toddler hands and strums as she sings. We taught her how to cradle the instrument, yet we haven’t mastered anything more advanced. The notes she plays are random as the frets remain untouched by tiny fingers.
She’s loved music since infancy – would stare at me with those gorgeous, attentive eyes while my voice filled the air with melodies. Her cries would cease as she listened to my songs and as she aged, her focus shifted to watching the muscles in my neck. Her hands touched, ever so gently, as the air moved through my windpipe and my instrument made music.
Now, she dances and sings at the top of her lungs, a love of art emanating from the soul within and the spirit that surrounds.
**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. Throughout the next 62 days, I’ll delve into how all of the above strengthens my spirit and has saved my life on more than one occasion.**
Kelly Deeny 