Renewal at Springtime

What a beautiful time of year it is right now!

Everywhere you look there is beauty all around.

We are witnessing new growth, new blossoms

and what was dormant is waking up.

Life is such a gift

each and every day

So many times we simply take it for granted.

This spring is so amazing

that it got me to thinking 

(You know I do that a lot!)

I am soaking in this idea of Renewal

What a perfect time of the year it is

to let go of what has been bogging us down,

renew our hearts and our spirits,

thinking of only things that make us happy

and to practice gratefulness

for not only what WAS, but what is!

We are given the gift of spring each and every year.

I think this year was a little slow in getting started

but it came around,

bringing along with it the promise of

new things to come,

color, new life, happiness,

and the shedding of what was.

My favorite time of day is early morning.

It is when I choose to write and create

each day.

I am blessed to have birds return to our backyard

(my private sanctuary)

each year.

Just hearing the familiar sound

of birds singing their songs

I ask you . . . how can anyone be grumpy?

Don't let spring just pass you by,

take the time to renew your mind, fill your spirit

with only good and amazing things.

Each and every morning we wake

is a chance to say to ourselves

"What will I do with my amazing and wonderful

life today?"

Don't take a moment for granted!

Look around you

Soak in the colors, the textures,

the sounds of this season.

There is so much beauty

all around YOU!

Reach out and touch this life.

Seek out moments to be happy,

to be creative,

to be alone with your thoughts,

to write something 

(even if you never have before!)

Try something new.

Don't be bored and unhappy

Spring is here!

When I look at the beauty of flowers,

which come the same time each year,

I can't believe the intricacy of each and every petal,

the colors that God has created

and the variety of flowers.

It is so amazing to me!

This is my favorite . . . Primrose

I know there is certainly a watercolor painting

in there somewhere!

Renewal in Springtime

a chance to be reminded that there are

opportunities for growth,

happiness, and stepping forward.

I plan to take the time

to stay refreshed,

slow myself down this season,

write some beautiful words,

read some incredible poetry and books,

paint some watercolors

Just taking the time

to renew my spirit,

my heart and my home.

Join me won't you?

A Poetry Moment

Imagine when . . .

Imagine when life doesn't have to hurt anymore

   and suffering doesn't have to exist

Imagine when there are no longer fears

   and we are free to walk this life no longer afraid

Imagine when there is a cure for Cancer

   and those who suffered before helped toward the cure

Imagine when evil goes far far away

   and little boys and girls can just be little children at play

Imagine when countries could all get along

   for there will no longer be a need for guns and heavy artillery

Imagine when there are no longer social injustices

   where we can look at others as just our fellow man and brother

Imagine when the world is at peace

   and you wake up each day celebrating the gift of your life

Imagine when your hidden dreams can all come true

   for our dreams are what carry us along our life's beautiful way

Imagine when . . .

Why I love Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

I can't remember the first Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

that I attended

I only know that it was at least 25 years ago!

This year the festival celebrated

it's 40th Anniversary

and it didn't disappoint!

It is so worth the travel time to get there.

It is located in West Friendship, MD

about 5 hours from my home

in Virginia Beach.

This year I was able to attend with

my best friend in life . . . Minna!

This was her second year attending

and I love experiencing this festival

with new eyes!

There are so many wonderful barns

full of yarn vendors,

knitting and spinning supplies,

demonstrations and artwork,

and stunning hand crafted items.

Thousands of people pass through the fairground

during this traditional

"First Weekend in May"

My favorite part of all is the

time I spend with the sheep.

Barn after barn with

hundreds of sheep breeds on display.

Here I watercolor sketch them,

take pics of them 

and of course

love on them.
You can view my entire
photo collection on my
flicker site here . . . 

I bought some wonderful fibers

I loved on the sheep

Got to see weaving again on a loom

Yes and I ate a Lamb Taco!

Reconnected with the sheep

Purchased wool for spinning and felting

Took unusual photos (A shepherds brush)

Watched shearing

... and a sheep to shawl event

I came home renewed, restored

and totally in love with the idea of

why I became a fiber artist

so many years ago!

Maryland Sheep and Wool

instills such an appreciation of hard work,

 shepherding and the fiber arts.

(Amazing work is being done out there!)

From seeing the sheep on display, 

to watching the sheep dog trials, 

to the spinning and knitting, 

to hearing folk music being played 

all over the fairgrounds

I will never forget this weekend.

I certainly bought plenty of

one of a kind fibers

to get me through till the

next first weekend in May!

I can hardly wait to get there again!

Creating Zendalas

Using metallic watercolors

Zendala

I have been creating with doodling and Zentangle
for quite some time now,

I am just fascinated with how it all unfolds.

Zentangle is a process of meditative drawing,
usually starting with a small dot in the center
and working outward, one step at a time.
It creates a calmness, a certain patience
and it teaches you to slow down,
be alone with your thoughts
and just let the process unfold.

I was first introduced to creating Zendalas
(a mixture of Zentangle and Mandala art)
from Dion Dior
an incredibly talented artist
who I took a workshop through with 21 Secrets in 2012.
It was called Wisdom Circles.
She is now offering it as a small eCourse
through her website.

Here is a sampling of some of my work through
her guidance and instruction:

A recent work still in progress

 Watercoloring each section!

 Using a metallic watercolor background
then drawing on top of it

 More watercolors then drawn

Circular watercolor background

The example below is completed
on an official Zendala tile,
it was so much fun to create.
I love trying new techniques with Zentangle drawing.

Mr. Owlie!

There are so many different

interpretations of this art form today

(for that is what truly makes it all so unique).
No Zentangle is exactly alike,
 for each of us have our own handwriting style,
drawing techniques and personality.

Just look at Pinterest and you will see that

Zendalas have become quite popular. 

You can check out my personal board here . . . 
there are so many beautiful examples there.

I have fallen in love with this art form

and I encourage you to give it a try.
I will be teaching a class in this technique
 at my next Artful Spirit Workshop
in July!

I look forward to sitting with my pens,

watercolors and blank paper.
I find myself making time for this each day.

Time passes so quickly when I am sitting still

creating my zendalas.

It is a relatively inexpensive art form,

a set of watercolors, some good Micron Pens,

pencils, a compass and ruler,

 good paper, and your intuition . . .  that's it!

It is portable too!

I always carry a little Zendala kit with me,
for I never know when an opportunity to draw
will pop up for me!

I wish you peace, well being and lots of creativity!

May Zentangle find it's way onto your

Art wanna do list!!!

Donna Lee

Poem in Your Pocket

Yesterday was National Poem in Your Pocket Day

and I took this day to heart!

I chose to share my poem with as many

that would listen to me.

I chose to carry along with me 

"The Road Not Taken"

by

Robert Frost

This poem has always meant a lot to me

and the last few lines

I have read over and over again in my life

" ... Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

and that has made all the difference."

I help lead a Creative Writing Group

with the Senior Adults 

at 

First Colonial Inn

every Thursday night

It is a group of about 20-25 seniors each week

We share Poetry together,

things we have written during the week,

We are given a writing prompt

every week

where we write to soft classical music,

we then share our writing together.

We have our own open mic each week!

The stories and poems and the

rich history these seniors share with us

is heartwarming and I am in awe of 

their life experiences.

This week also happened to be our

leader Judith's birthday

(my life mentor in so many ways)

How she loves our Senior Adults

and loves the written word.

She is an inspiration to all who know her!

So we shared

poetry readings

birthday cake,

giggles

and

Poems in our pockets

together 

last night

What a wonderful way to

spend a Thursday evening.

How blessed I am to be a part

of such a rich and diverse group.

I thought I was going to be teaching them,

in fact it has been the other way around!

The very first poem of mine that I ever read out loud

was to this group!

These precious senior writers have truly stolen my heart.

Next week our group travels to

The Poetry Society of Virginia

Open Mic Night

where we will all share our writing

with an even larger group!

Give of your time and talents

to those who need you,

you won't be disappointed.

WE all have gifts to offer someone,

don't keep them to yourself!

Donna Lee

Needed Time Away

My Morning View

I have just returned from a long weekend away

to the Outer Banks with my sister.

Somehow I always find myself

retreating there when I need time

for reflection, rest and quiet time.

I packed so much to bring with me

(I always say I am going to bring less the next time!!)

We were going to have a creative weekend together

Knitting, writing journal, Zentangle and watercolors . . . 

yet I hardly accomplished anything!

I realized that was exactly what I needed

time to slow my body rhythm down

catch up on rest, reconnect with friends,

absorb the beauty of the ocean

and have much needed time with my sis.

Happy lights at night

Our lives are spinning so fast these days

and taking the time to get away

to rest and restore

is hardly ever on the our list . . .

but I believe it really should be!

For me there is nothing more magical

than the sun rising over the ocean,

feeling the cold sand between my toes,

walking along the seashore,

being alone with my thoughts and prayers!

So I begin another work week today

where stresses are great

and time is again no longer mine.

I am determined to keep this sense of renewal,

knowing it will fade and I will again return to the ocean!

Always finding a self portrait

Take the time to get away

whatever that is for you in your life

don't get caught up in the busyness of life

feeling stressed and overwhelmed

we all need a fresh perspective!

Remember April is National Poetry Month

what a special time to focus on something different,

try your hand at writing a poem,

discover a new poet,

 attend a poetry reading!

My Favorite Place

How far I have come!

Photography has opened up a whole new world for me

How I love looking at my life

through my camera lens

I feel safe and connected there.

My photo prompt for 

52 Photos Project

this week

was "My Favorite Place"

I had to really think on this one!

I thought of my art studio

where of course I love to be

I thought of my back yard

which is my little corner of heaven

I thought of the ocean shore

in the Outer Banks

where I seek refuge

over and over again

I thought of my Poetry Books

where I retreat to

for nourishment

I even thought of my weaving loom

who has been with me for so long

None of these places were

exactly my favorite,

then I realized that it had to be

behind my camera lens

for that truly is my favorite place!

My camera is my constant companion

there is always something new that I

see and observe

and that I want to capture!

I am having so much fun with

my iPhone too

for I am an Instagram addict!

I love capturing snippets of my daily life

and seeing what others are doing too!

It is a way to keep us all connected.

I can always find inspiration there.

So yes to my favorite place

MY CAMERA

She is my friend, companion and teacher.

 She has taught me to look at life

so differently now!

I have learned so much along the way.

I can't wait to see what comes next!

Donna Lee

Now I become myself ...

poetry journal page

(created my flowers myself!)

"Now I become myself.  It's taken time, many years

and many places."

May Sarton

April is National Poetry Month

Today is the fourth of April

and I am celebrating

Poetry Month.

I am trying to write a new poem

for each day in April

in a painted journal

that I created from

an e-course I recently took with

Roben-Marie Smith!

I feel like it will be quite a treasure

when the month is over!

"She lives her poetry out loud each and every day"

I encourage you,

read a poem or two,

try writing a poem,

attend a poetry reading,

experience the beauty of poetry

this month.

I promise you this ...

It will open your heart

and

touch your senses!

April 18th will be

"Poem in your Pocket Day"

I am still trying to decide

just which one I will be carrying

with me all day long!

I am sure I will be sharing it

with you!

How exciting it is that a whole month

is devoted nationwide

to the importance of Poetry

in our daily lives.

Come and join us

won't you??????

Poetry for me is a way of life,
expressing how I feel
writing about those things
that matter most to me.
Poetry has changed
my writing life
and I am so very grateful!

Donna Lee