Ocean Dreamer

“I must be a mermaid.  

I have no fear of depths.

...and a great fear of shallow living.”

~Anais Nin

I always think of the surface of the ocean as the mythical veil between worlds. Like the veil between God or Spirit and human awareness.

  If you've ever been snorkeling, you'll understand exactly what I mean.  To look across the vast surface of the ocean, it appears a limitless moving mass without a hint of the teeming life just beneath..  But just bow your head and look beneath the surface and a whole beautiful world comes into focus.  

As above, so below...a wonderful reminder that the unimaginable beauty of the world of spirit can be accessed by simply bowing our heads.

May grace and spirit find you awake.

♥Shelly

Ocean Dreamer - Acrylic - 24x36" ©Shelly Penko 2012

Layers

I'm trying to loosen up and let go.

It's pretty easy in the beginning.  Just making marks, enjoying

the colors and the shapes, how they interact with each other.  Layering

color over color over color.

Each layer adds depth and changes the entire painting in surprising ways.

Why have I never let myself just play with paint, like a child?  I'm amazed

at what I learn by just playing.

Until moths start calling me to fly to the moon.

Now...when do I stop?  I'm not quite sure.  Maybe now?

Maybe not?  Maybe one more layer. 

I'll let you know! :)

May you be forever drawn to the light,

but remember: The darkness defines the light...

and sometimes, the moon is beautiful.   

♥Shelly

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”  

 ― Leonardo De Vinci

Friendship Flowers

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. ~Albert Schweitzer

I love flowers...all of them.  But my favorite flowers are those given to me by people I love.  Today, walking around my little garden...and it's a stretch to call it a garden...I cared for my little container plants, enjoying their new growth and blooms. 



I smiled when I realized the miniature rose my mom gave me had two new purple flowers opening.  Purple roses! As I admired their unique beauty, I remembered how much she loves me and helps me to bloom. 



Brilliant yellow esperanza flowers tickled my eyes.  The flowers have almost a paper-like texture.  They seem like they would be delicate, but esperanza is a tough plant, blooming faithfully throughout the summer here in this harsh Central Texas climate. 

My friend Tori gifted me with that plant.  My friendship with Tori is rather new, but is treasured as if it were old.  There's a special connection there with a kindred soul.  I'm thankful we both feel it and marvel at the miracle of the capacity for human friendship. 

Wishing you beautiful moments today! 
♥Shelly