Daily Thanks

Today I am thankful for quiet mornings, drinking tea and reading, with warm puppies underfoot. More after the jump >>

On being an artist: Your Artist Workout

From http://clicks.robertgenn.com/personal-trainer.php

Advice to artists from a personal trainer, taking skills from workout training and applying them to being an artist:

* Find a sanctuary where you can comfortably work.
* Dedicate at least two hours a day to your art.
* Have more than enough equipment and supplies.
* Set short- and long-term goals and keep track of progress.
* Think of your work as exercise, not championship play.
* Explore series development and exhaust personal themes.
* Work alone with the benefit of books and perhaps tapes.
* Replace passive consumption with creative production.
* Use your own intuition and master your technology.
* Feel the joy of personal, self-generated sweat.
* Fall in love with your own working processes.
* Be forever on the lookout for the advent of style.
* Try to be your own person and claim your rights.
* Don't bother setting yourself up for rejection.
* Don't swing too wildly and damage the well-being of others.
* Don't jump into the ring until you're feeling fit. More after the jump >>

Daily Thanks

Today I am grateful for things we largely take for granted, like running water, electricity, food and warm shelter. It is ridiculously easy to forget what a large population of our world does not enjoy these luxuries, and I am grateful to live as I do with my most basic needs met. More after the jump >>

Daily Thanks

Today I am thankful for the smell of incense and candles in my house. I feel restful when those sights and smells intermingle. Even better when I come home from teaching, and Chris has pre-lit both in the living room to welcome me home, and cracked the front door a little so I can smell it when I come up the walk. More after the jump >>

Daily Thanks

Today I am thankful for my physical therapists, who care about me, encourage me, and leave me sore in all the right places on my road to improving my body's health and awareness. More after the jump >>