Hola dear amigos from the internet!
I’m writing to you in a state that I’m not sure I can describe.
A state of love and stillness and perfection. Not because of me or because I mastered zen, no, nothing to do with me, but just as a witness of the miracle of the present moment.
I’m so grateful for moments like this one. It feels like a blessing. A moment full of purity and without a story or individuals.
And how do one experience this? I guess is pure grace. And the willingness to live a life where one surrenders fighting and victimizing and defending the ego. Saying goodbye for good.
But I know nothing, it’s just the clues I’ve been seeing.
And as for hellos, we tried to say hello to spring as the sun was out just for a few days. We are back to cloudy and rainy. But after almost 3 years here, I can say I still love these gray days. It just feels so romantic to me.
But for our past sunny days, we squeezed the rays of sun.
I hiked with a beloved friend and Ophelia in the woods. It was a very magical walk. We could see a snake, tons of white, cute, tiny butterflies, a huge, beautiful slug, a very big mushroom embedded in a tree. Ophelia got to drink fresh water from a creek. We talked about the blessing and privilege of living in such a beautiful place like this one. Unexpectedly but gratefully, we finished the hike with mimosas and strawberries lol. Even Ophelia got strawberries after the long walk!
Inspired by the rays of sun and the sensation of sacredness I kept painting my new piece which is painted over gold leaf and it has been mesmerizing to see the colors and the sparkles depending on the light is gets.
I kept experimenting with different material and techniques and I’m enjoying it a lot.
I feel tempted to add more gold background pieces to this new collection.
What do you think? Do you like the idea?
I also started a new watercolor for this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month Exhibition.
I feel it’s been a long time since I paint a watercolor piece. I usually paint an oil painting and a watercolor at the same time, just to trick my brain, because I guess that became part of my creative process. But I don’t know why I haven’t done it lately…until a few days ago.
Let me show you guys how is it going.
I just started it. It’s the drawing and I’m starting the first layer. I’ll add metallic watercolors and of course, gold leaf.
It won’t be the only piece. But I’m thinking of this pink palette in order to create more paintings.
I have a lot of work though! I can hopefully manage to create more.
And I’ve been more busy, because as I told you I’m creating, with a fellow artist, an art collective, which we decided to call Elysium.
And well, we’ve been going to the Chamber of Commerce of the County and working a lot in the project and well, it is finally here. Elysium, the Art Empowerment Collective is an official LLC.
We are putting our hearts in this project. It’s a dream that has been dreamt in different moments, in different souls, in different times but now is has name, a form, it is becoming a reality.
We are still working in our web page, so you will see it still under construction but you can sneak peek some stuff already, our Instagram and Facebook it’s ready now for you to join us in this dream.
We are working on events and exhibitions for the community and the artists, to all.
So, as you might guess I’m extremely grateful, excited and happy!
It’s such an honor to witness this magic happening, to partner with an amazing good soul, to meet great being in the WCCC and the libraries around the area, I’m so grateful with my eternal team, my husband. I don’t write enough about him, he is such a great support. Unconditional. He believes in me since moment one, even in the moments I hadn’t believe in myself.
So, yes, I’m starting this new project and with it, comes a lot of plans and dreams.
And a great desire for you to be able to make your dreams come true.
I’m starting this but so far I can say, don’t quit your dreams. Don’t. You can take a break, you can cry among the process, you might need to say a few hurtful goodbyes, but don’t quit. You got this.
I hope you guys have a blast of a Monday!
I’m heading to a meeting today, because I’ll be teaching a watercolor class in a beautiful library. I’ll let you know more details in my socials.
Happy Monday, happy week, happy life amigos!!!
And as always,
Love & Sparkles,
Ishani
To eat: Ok, I saw this video on Instagram and I immediately started drooling. I told hubby we should make it, I didn’t say when lol but he came with all the ingredients, so we shared a delicious lunch together. And it taste so so good.
To watch: Wowsies with this series. It’s a four episode mini series. To my eyes, I love story viewed from different perspectives. It happens during the final days of World War II. It’s based on the Anthony Doerr's novel and I think it’s beautiful. I think it’s worth it.
To hear: Inspired by the series I’ve been listening Clair de Lune and also I remembered how obsessed I am with LP’s voice and my favorite song of hers. I’ve been listening to her live performances of the song in YouTube and her voice amazes me.
To read: I’m afraid I haven’t read much more books lately, I’m still reading Mastery and I keep being amazed by all the great people in the book, amazing stories that I truly believe can inspire anyone.