If a woodpecker comes knocking

For the past week or so we've had a red headed woodpecker come, every day, sit outside our kitchen window clinging to the brick siding and then deliberately fly into the window multiple times. There was no rhyme or reason to it.  We thought it peculiar!  I tried to capture some pictures but this is the only one that turned out.

This past Monday morning I began to take this little guy and the visits a more seriously.  Now the woodpecker went from being peculiar to being mystical.

Lately I  have been doing a lot of reading and thinking about life.  The deeper meaning of life, the guidance we get from our soul,  a synchronicity  that will occur pointing us in certain directions, all of these things and many more.   One of the key elements is to be quiet enough to listen and hear these subtle messages.  I began to wander if the woodpecker was indeed a messenger.

Excitedly I went to the internet to see what I could learn about the meaning of a red-headed woodpecker and came across this.   I earnestly heard these messages.  I am grateful that I listened and followed thru to learn more.

By the way...I haven't seen the woodpecker anymore since Monday.

If Woodpecker has come knocking…

It is time to really pay attention because opportunity has come knocking along with it. It is signaling you that great changes are happening in your life and it is up to you to seize the moment. Whether it is the renewal of an old project, the finishing of a new project or simply a serendipitous meeting with someone in your life.  Whatever way you perceive it know that the door is wide open for you right now and that success is your for the asking.

When I hear the woodpecker knocking, I think of opportunity. You know the old saying "when opportunity knocks, answer the door." That's precisely what I'm driving at here. 

Woodpeckers are extremely opportunistic themselves.  Each tree is a door, revealing tender morsels of food (grubs and ants are their favorites). Other trees will yield against their beak-hammering to provide great mansions for their young.

When the woodpecker comes tapping into our awareness, it's also a signal to use our heads. Just as the woodpecker uses its head (beak) to hammer out solutions (food, shelter), we too can use our intellect in finding solutions to our own barriers.

The symbolic meaning of woodpeckers also point to a need for creative vision. Being opportunistic, woodpeckers can see value everywhere, even in dead trees. Have you ditched an idea or given up on a project? The woodpecker may be trying to tell you to breathe new life into your project, just as they build new homes into dead trees.

Further, the symbolic meaning of woodpecker indicates a return to our roots, or having trust in our basic (gut) feelings. Dr. Carl Jung observed the woodpecker as a symbol of a return to the womb of creativity. In this observation the tree is symbolic of a womb; earthy, grounded, sturdy and secure. The woodpecker's home within the tree is analogous of a fierce determination to return and protect that which is sacred to us. 

When this bird comes pecking, it is a call for us to return to our roots, back to the womb of our ideas and use our intellect and discernment to follow through with our plans.

This analogy is doubly profound in the case of red-headed woodpeckers as the color red is associated with the root chakra. Prime, protective energy. Another clear sign for being aware of our core impulses, and our basic beliefs.

Did you know?

I started hosting a blog in December 2012, titled http://www.imalatebloomer.com.   Regretfully, I have been remiss in the upkeep of this site.  I was temporarily detoured.  This site holds a very special place in my heart.   My intention was/is  to have a place to share stories, to recognize, and celebrate people who creatively bloomed later in life.   I know for certain  there are many creative people out there who have stories to tell that are inspiring and uplifting.   Just like, I know for certain there are people reading these stories who want to step out of their comfort zone(s) and start creating, too. Your story just may be the one to help them take that step.  But... we will never know unless you tell your story.

According to Wikepedia, " a late blooming adult is a person who does not discover their talents and abilities until later than normally expected".  I certainly fit into that category.  Notice the definition doesn't give an age.  Why?   Because your age  isn't the determining factor.   I didn't know that I could paint or draw until I was 58 yrs. old.   With encouragement from others, all I had to do was take that first step out of my comfort zone.  Now there is no stopping me.  I am filled with gratitude for taking those first steps.

 I am re-committing to share these stories.

Let me tell yours and add you to this vase.

It's easy.

Email me at:smileee001@gmail.com

Write an article (approx. 3 paragraphs) tell me:

• Why and when you became a creative Late Bloomer
• What is your passion
• Provide me with links where people can go to learn more about you.
• Send me photos of you and your art or whatever for me to add
• I WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST 

She's off my easel.

Last week Friday I did a extremely quick charcoal sketch before I ended my work day in my studio.

Needless to say she stared at me all weekend while she rested on my easel.

I would occasionally talk to her.

I even waved at her.

I couldn't take her staring at me any longer.

So... this morning I appealed to my creative spirit for her helping hand.

The deal was if she told me what to do, I would do it.

PERIOD!

No questions asked.

It was kinda tough because my ego mind wanted to critique and make changes

 but I held true to our agreement.

After all, a deal is a deal.

Now she's done.

She's happy.

She's off my easel.  Whew!

Now I'm off to go outside and draw.

HaPpY DaNcE

I got an email, yesterday, from the Naperville Fine Art Gallery telling me that my other piece of art hanging in their gallery had been sold.  Wanna know how excited I was?  Crazy excited!  Two pieces sold within 2 weeks.

HaPpY DaNcE!!!  HaPpY DaNcE!!! 

This is music to any artists ears!

       

Since I've been traveling this creative path...I have felt more alive.  I NEVER knew that I could paint or draw until I sat down with a piece of paper on the table, a pencil in my hand, and timidly began.
When I write and you read any exciting news it isn't intended to be boastful.  I am just celebrating out loud.  This path I'm on has it's share of dark times when my resilience it tested.  Those times you will rarely hear me talk about.  Why?  Because I don't want to draw to much attention to something I don't want to have hang around.  I sit with it, sometimes feel sorry for myself, I question why am I doing this.   I have always get to the point where I have enough and I am ready to move on.  I learn what I was supposed to learn.  When I regain myself I come back with more drive than I had before.

I can't express enough how valuable your

continued support and encouragement means to me.

Thank You ~ Thank You ~ Thank You

for being there!

Belonging

I answered a call for artist to an upcoming show at a local gallery and my goal is to submit 2 pieces.  The theme is "Belonging".

"Belonging evokes a sense of inherent connectedness...either to a particular family, tribe, community, or the cosmos.  There's a certain deep association...you're a member, you're related, share the same beliefs, same vision...there is a bond."

As I strode into my studio this morning my intention was to begin creating my first piece.  Let me fast forward...............after a long while, I was coming up blank, nothing, nada, and quite frankly getting rather pissed off.  I thought, "their description speaks my language, why can't I come up with any ideas???".   It was then that it dawned on me that my ego had been in charge, not my heart.  I knew it was time for me to walk away.  That is exactly what I did.

When I returned to my studio it was definitely with a new frame of mind.  I invoked my creative spirit for guidance.  The next thing I knew I was gluing book text onto a 9x12 watercolor paper, adding clear gesso to the top, following with a  fumage technique.  I noticed on the left side of the paper, from the fumage, was the beginning of what looked like a ladies hat.  And off me & my creative spirit went, sketching with a graphite pencil. The next thing I knew is that the piece was done, excluding highlights and shadows.  There will be no critiquing or second guessing this piece for perfection.  It simply is what it is.  As far as I know, right now, the only change will be in the flower.  I think I will do that in oil so it pops.  I took the drawing outside and burned the edges.  Next I will be rusting nails and to tack the paper onto wood.

I release attachment of all outcomes knowing the response will be to it's highest intention.  

With quite expectancy, I let it be.  

And so it is.

you just never know when Santa will show up!

WELCOME TO "MY ART from MY HEART"

This past week end I was in the Art on the Prairie art show in Warrenville, IL.  It marked my 2nd outdoor show ever. (excluding the annual shows I have in my yard)  It was such a gratifying experience!  As an artist I spend most of my days in my studio alone, creating art.  I love the time in my studio and I love being alone with myself.  BUT... I'M LOVING even more being out there meeting and talking with people.  What was unveiled, as I paid closer attention, was that each and every person I came in contact with was another soul in human form.  They were more than just people.  Sounds kinda crazy, doesn't it?  I realize that I will not be able to fluently explain what I mean so I won't even try.  Just know that the connections I made were richer than just chatting with someone else with a name.   It's one of the most valued treasures I receive from being an artist.  The catalyst for an unbelievable opportunity to connect. My whole experience this weekend was joyful!

On the fun side... their was music playing most of the day and I couldn't resist tapping my feet and moving to the music.  There was a lady in the tent across from me I noticed was doing the same thing, so I went over, clasped her hand, and we jitter bugged.  Pure entertainment, right there.

The icing on the cake was the delightful way I met Santa Claus.  Bill and Mary Hughes came into my tent because Mary couldn't resist buying this one particular piece of art.  Bill noticed I was from Naperville and he proceeded to tell me he had taught school there but now he was retired.   Me, being the curious sort,  asked him what he was doing now that he has retired.  He told me he worked at a golf course maintaining their landscape.   I sheepishly said, "You look like Santa Claus."


Imagine my surprise when he reached into his pocket and pulled out his business card. I was blown away!!!


Santa and Mrs. Claus was at my tent.  I am so elated that I have been a "Good Girl" this year, so far.

I could not have asked for a better ending to my extraordinary time at the Art on the Prairie.  

Thank You Bill and Mary for the light you shine from your spirits and the broad smile you put on my face that day.  

You can read more about Bill and his Santa adventures here.

Naperville Fine Art Gallery

These two pieces will be hanging in the 

Naperville Fine Art Center & Gallery for the month of September.

This is the 2nd time my art has be represented in this gallery.  I am honored to be amongst some beautiful and awe inspiring pieces of art.

I will admit, tho, that my "little" self or ego's reaction is to feel intimdated.  That's when I remember to center myself and recall my truth of why I am creating art in the first place.  This is just one of the many modes of getting my art out into the world.  So move over "little" self you will not stand in my way.

UPDATE:

I just returned from delivering my artwork to the Naperville Fine Art Center and the above piece titled Goddess Within SOLD before it was even hung up.  I am feeling very grateful!!!