Abandoned the Blog

I feel like I’ve abandoned this blog. It’s not been my intention. However, I’m not always sure what to write about since I’m not “issue” driven or for that matter, driven to make this known blog. For the most part, my life is much less about all of that and more about finding the spaces of quiet between the chaotic world.

For a lot of my friends, finding spaces of quiet happens through meditation. However, it doesn’t happen in meditation for me. Sure, I receive a lot of benefit when I do meditate in keeping me calm and connected. It’s just that I don’t particularly find the crevice of my expression during meditation. Instead, small openings to the deep place of stillness births from painting and writing poetry. That’s where and when I express the rhythmic connections that dance inside me.

Lately, the dance inside has become like a beautiful waltz. Working a farmer’s market has brought something different than showcasing and selling my art online. It’s a richer connection with people. It’s personal and delicious. There’s nothing quite like looking into the eyes of people who love and purchase my work. It brings a deeper confidence as an artist when I see their enthursiasm and feel their heart in the present moment. I find myself gazing back at them, wanting to know them and their talents. It’s joyful when I talk to them about who they are and what they love.

Perhaps I can re-establish a connection to this blog, treating it more like a friend than a marketing tool that everywhere I read tells me it’s supposed to be. I don’t know about you, but I personally am tired of “marketing machines” and “driving traffic”. There’s nothing worst than being stuck in a traffic jam or in heavy traffic that doesn’t seem to be moving.

–genece hamby

A Shift in Direction

It was my hope that I would be able to make my daily blog of writing, thoughts and images — of whatever inspires me for the day. However, it may take some discipline and work on my part to make this happen.

Between being my mother’s main caregiver, selling my art at a local farmer’s market, managing my art portfolios of online galleries that sell my art of digital paintings, paint daily, chores, and other online activities, life is pretty busy. The good thing is that I’ve set new priorities to help me take my work and life to a heightened level of joy and prosperity.

I’ve dropped out of a couple of groups I had belonged that were simply for fun. Instead, I’ve found groups and communities that help promote the works of artists and writers. I think with so many great places online to join, you have to get selective. To help me make the decision of what to cut and what to add, I looked at the amount of energy spent with the group and how productive or expansive it was moving me forward. I had to admit to myself that a few of the online groups/communities were like safe havens. Then, I realized that safe havens weren’t challenging me enough, they weren’t helping me grow in a way that I need.

I hope to settle in to an evolved way of being as an artist and poet. Hopefully, more time spent bringing richness to my blogs.

Hope you’ve had a lovely Wednesday!

–genece hamby

Final Book Cover Design

For individuals who participated in providing me feedback for the book cover design — thank you. Your feedback was very helpful and I took everyone’s suggestions to heart.

This is the final book cover design that I’m going with — I’m working on the fine-tuning now. Next, I start working on the back cover text which is critical to the book’s success appeal

–genece hamby

Hanging On

wings wide and opened
hanging on the branch
a muse of color

inhales, exhales
soft sounds
breathe

nature’s fragile birth
seeks a safe place to open
the creative realm

Working on the book, Food for Thought, I’ve broken it down to three sections. The first are images and poetry of stillness, the second are of beauty and the third are symbolic of grace. It aligns with both my art and writing.

Facing the work, writing the book, painting from my soul, shaping words into poems expressive of the art deepens me. It nourishes and fulfills something, perhaps the life long yearning. The yearning to express, to create, to feel, to explore, to awaken, to listen from the heart, to touch through inspiration–all things that make me want to be here. Here with all the complexity and varying degrees of texture, color, sound and image expressing through me.

–genece hamby

2008 Inspirational Calendar

May this time be one of deep gratitude for you and your family. May you know the stillness, beauty and grace of being on this planet!

I no sooner uploaded to the site and orders were placed. Talk about timing! Enjoy 12 months of inspirational art and haiku poetry. I tried to match each painting with the month which wasn’t easy as I thought it would be.