The memory of a smile

Each of us have a story we could tell how a smile given or received changed the course of events in our lives.

I know I could sit here and tell you many stories.  

Since the early 80's I began to really appreciate the value of a smile regardless of any imperfections my worldly mind has placed in my head.  I have a broad smile, most times my gums are showing, creating multiple smile lines all around my cheeks, and streaks of those same lines extending from my eyes.  When I was a little girl I use to not smile much because the others kids made fun of me and called me gummy.  Imagine that!  Smiles are not just the curvature of ones lips, it's a way to express, from your heart, when words may not be enough.

One morning last year, as I woke up, this idea was in my head.  It's been residing in my heart waiting to come to fruition.  Lately,  I've been feeling little nudges , again, urging me to get this out of my heart and out into the world.   This time I decided to listen and act upon it.  This is my vision so far, it could change,  because I am trying to follow my heart

I am asking that you, YES YOU, join me and these ladies above.

It's really simple.  All you have to do is:

• Send me a hi-res photo of you smiling.  (Note:  you probably already have one on your facebook timeline)  
• Email it to me at smileee001@aol.com and the subject line should say Smiling Project.
• When I get your photo I will do a charcoal drawing of you which will eventually become part of a larger piece of art.

Let me close with this poem that will give you a glimpse into the value of a smile.  Then come join in the fun.

A Smile

Consider for a little while

The power of the human smile.

It may seem such a minor thing,

But it can cause one's heart to sing!

In times of sorrow or despair,

It's silent message is, "I care."

If one is feeling weak and spent,

A smile conveys encouragement.

When anger drives two folks apart,

A smile can mean a brand-new start.

Between two people who have cared,

A smile recalls a moment shared.

When fears have someone all up-tight,

A smile says, "It will be alright."

When separation brings a tear,

A smile says, "I'll be waiting here."

And then, as well, it has the knack

Of saying, warmly "Welcome Back."

A smile's the sunshine after rain,

A smile's the joy that follows pain.

Oh, what a difference it makes!

What little effort smiling takes!

Consider then, for just a while,

The power of the human smile.

A smile is not a minor thing

Its use can cause one's heart to sing.

                                    C.M.P

Tell My Story #1

Today in my studio... listening to ethereal music by Ludovico Einaudi while a candle flickers softly in the distance, and the sweet fragrance of Nag Champa Flower incense fills my studio as my hands steadily prepare prints of my original artwork for our Art & Gift show.  I became more aware how profoundly connected I am to my art.   Each piece tells a story, it would seem to be my story since I created the art yet at the same time it is everyone's story.  I became teary eyed with that realization and a calm, peaceful feeling enveloped me.  It was as if I now know on a deeper level what I have always thought.  Me doing art is much, much more than brush strokes or pencil markings.  My art is about the story.   We are all alike, we all feel the same feelings, from time to time, just in a little different way.  My stories aren't unique.  I am simply expressing them thru my art.  This explains why people resonate with my art.  As I look back I can see that my soul was whispering this to me thru my experience at Fort Vallonia Days a couple weeks ago.  So...today in my studio... while I listened  to ethereal music by Ludovico Einaudi while a candle flickered softly in the distance, and the sweet fragrance of Champa Flower incense filled  my studio... I got it, I truly got it.

Following comes the inspiration from today's nudges.   Tell the story behind each and every piece of art.  Each story is important to share.   Perhaps you will identify with the story plus you will learn more about the artist behind the art... called ME!

This is Tell My Story #1.

June 2011
This was my very first painting.  It was me beginning to work thru the notion that I am "good enough,  just as I am".  As a child I never felt that I fit in.  I always seemed to be an outcast.  That scenario continued into my adolescent years followed by my young adult life.  It would be fair to say that I have spent a good portion of my life not believing I was good enough.  When I answered the calling in 2011 to follow my creative path it stirred many uneasy feelings.  Once again I was in turmoil over the repetitive question.  Am I good enough?  Would I ever be good enough to make it in the art world?  The pivotal difference between then and now is I know that we all face fears often in our lives, that we all feel unworthy from time to time, that we all are sad, lonely, and afraid.   For sure, you will get knocked down often, just get back up.

The answer to the question is -  if you don't fit into one vase (metaphorically speaking) that's OK.  It doesn't mean you aren't good enough.    Bloom where you are planted and improve upon it to the best of your ability.   YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH - JUST AS YOU ARE!

www.teresacash.com

note to younger self

I recently was invited to join a book club with several other women.  The book we are reading and discussing is titled "Tree Spiritied Woman" by Colleen Baldrica.  We read the prologue and the first chapter and afterward there was a prompted discussion.  We were to talk about our relationships with our Grandmother(s) or a Grandmother figure and some of our memories.  It was my turn and I couldn't come up with any positive memories.  My paternal Grandmother died when I was young and I don't remember  a good relationship with my maternal Grandmother.  Yet there was this one Grandmother figure that vividly came to my mind.  It was Grandma King…. she was our pastor's mother yet everyone knew her by Grandma King.  She was an inspiration to me.  I didn't really know it then or even as I was a child but as an adult I often would recall the impact she had on me.  I remember sitting on her lap, she had a soft, cuddly lap, and she would wrap her loving arms around and whisper gently in my ear, "You are special, just the way you are and one day you will know it."  Even talking about her in this manner I can feel her arms around me!  Thank You Grandma King.

Why am I telling you this story?

Well...I felt compelled to dedicate my 2nd  page in my new art journal to Grandma King along with the message she comforted me with.  I drew a picture of me when I was in 3rd grade on a text page from a book and painted it with watercolors (one of my 1st attempts at this).  I believe Grandma King planted this message deep within me, although I wasn't aware, which has sustained me thru challenging times.  

The message is true for us all no matter what age.  

You are special, just the way you are.

P.S. Here is the 1st page in my new Art Journal, I see I never posted it on my blog.  I created it yesterday.  The writing on the art is the premise of the journal.  It is my intention to display all posts from this journal as a means to aid in me expressing myself.

every life has a story

Just wanted to remind you to tune into the Late Bloomer blog on Wednesday morning and meet the newest flower added to the vase.  I sure hope you will continue to follow the blog and see other stories about women who are creatively blooming later in life. Sign up to be a Google Friend you'll be notified of a new post. Easy-Peazy!  Are you a creative Late Bloomer?  Do you know a creative Late Bloomer?  I'd love to share your stories.

I am having such a great time meeting all these wonderful women and sharing their stories.  It's imspiring to me to know these women.
I created these pages in my art journal with them in mind.