tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367207962024-02-27T22:45:08.600-08:00Choose Your MuseChoose Your Muse ... meditations on the creative life, a collection of far-from-daily paintings and poems plus a little music.Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-82458993729493914482020-12-28T17:02:00.000-08:002020-12-28T17:02:51.210-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This Holiday Season is most assuredly a time for reflection. 2020, the year of pandemic and isolation, has nonetheless been a productive year for me: in mid-June, I embarked on a 6-month self-challenge to create a small drawing everyday.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">While not a huge stretch for many artists, I felt a need to refocus, prioritize production and commit to solidifying my artistic voice. These past months have given me much more than I could've anticipated: not only a body of work, several series and numerous springboards for future projects, but a deep sense of confidence and insight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've selected a few pieces from this journey, and look forward to sharing additional selections as this collection grows (279 and counting!).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sending out prayers of love and health to you, and my fervent wish for a creative and healthy 2021.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wI74C4l8ILNwZOhohnVY0YlIBbGJ-2QuGUmXHwEzPf0Xa_50RRbG12QcBh4g9-JqDmbMm-Q2ZfCz1w5qS3M0rEyBlX3nlA5dbHRLr378-lOF6ga_MumH3JVmYsmXRRkwOLYi/s450/Up+From+The+Depths+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="450" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wI74C4l8ILNwZOhohnVY0YlIBbGJ-2QuGUmXHwEzPf0Xa_50RRbG12QcBh4g9-JqDmbMm-Q2ZfCz1w5qS3M0rEyBlX3nlA5dbHRLr378-lOF6ga_MumH3JVmYsmXRRkwOLYi/w320-h199/Up+From+The+Depths+sm.jpg" title=""Up From the Depths"" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Up From the Depths"</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVQgyjXI8maK7Aar9TCfz2trIkqC12ioINRn4ZDrEdOnZ2JBnr4n2QEwZ_2cWuyqkGS2QzPhRIcTZIqPdC2N5Q9D9D4QXq5nw1eoorU_BFh3j73GulzSp5LSfSoblzfssjuzq/s750/Flying+261+sm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVQgyjXI8maK7Aar9TCfz2trIkqC12ioINRn4ZDrEdOnZ2JBnr4n2QEwZ_2cWuyqkGS2QzPhRIcTZIqPdC2N5Q9D9D4QXq5nw1eoorU_BFh3j73GulzSp5LSfSoblzfssjuzq/s320/Flying+261+sm2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Flying"</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirw429L0K7efAOGq9aqeNhASZBuTMAIvxJOndKlKfl1QzVGoljFPQw2O8b1A1IwJd4rGn_IqSf6IXRymnOhyphenhyphenhwiEpVuYm-6jbyrvJmi_MqXlKiHnbM87X4a2okFggdpRK7npSr/s394/Watching+and+Waiting+224+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirw429L0K7efAOGq9aqeNhASZBuTMAIvxJOndKlKfl1QzVGoljFPQw2O8b1A1IwJd4rGn_IqSf6IXRymnOhyphenhyphenhwiEpVuYm-6jbyrvJmi_MqXlKiHnbM87X4a2okFggdpRK7npSr/s320/Watching+and+Waiting+224+sm.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Watching and Waiting"<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqHJO46QqQkodhXWaT0_XZeCYANp5x4j78_VBoP_ardmAasiue6cCMrDqsiDtVIcnWlzzA3xjwPsB3Y2k0JVowIjhxF2_DkX-WQw4JDhBAbl_80aV8Vqlo6B_B79OWduNZ0SV/s491/Tree+Dancer+215+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="375" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqHJO46QqQkodhXWaT0_XZeCYANp5x4j78_VBoP_ardmAasiue6cCMrDqsiDtVIcnWlzzA3xjwPsB3Y2k0JVowIjhxF2_DkX-WQw4JDhBAbl_80aV8Vqlo6B_B79OWduNZ0SV/s320/Tree+Dancer+215+sm.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tree Dancer"<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57U_StMIDdSNHHPwAjvZcDZYlh0GAYe9fXZHNzH3Yvrw707ck4xq1R6VWTntXhr46j2kwNlGln5DAcmG7Si2fI9FBxm5NSM-lrNn2bFifJ6OOCmKAYfRxFDLflh4V0-vNnaMN/s338/Ancesters+229+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="285" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57U_StMIDdSNHHPwAjvZcDZYlh0GAYe9fXZHNzH3Yvrw707ck4xq1R6VWTntXhr46j2kwNlGln5DAcmG7Si2fI9FBxm5NSM-lrNn2bFifJ6OOCmKAYfRxFDLflh4V0-vNnaMN/s320/Ancesters+229+sm.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ancestors"<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuqaEP4Kt75KCZ56Hn1O4yC7zbUsW-XFLVatwmSqCVmMKXgSTCXzvphuYIft1Jr_qPBnZtSKJypQcysgZheoa64T3LJ7EBoR2gyBc6tt399fo3SpZqVp4MW81RqTt1kP6lhZw/s375/United+Fingers+Crossed+208+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuqaEP4Kt75KCZ56Hn1O4yC7zbUsW-XFLVatwmSqCVmMKXgSTCXzvphuYIft1Jr_qPBnZtSKJypQcysgZheoa64T3LJ7EBoR2gyBc6tt399fo3SpZqVp4MW81RqTt1kP6lhZw/s320/United+Fingers+Crossed+208+sm.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"United- Our Fingers Crossed"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>StaceyRasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589789422947359742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-47048482179219828322020-05-01T10:13:00.000-07:002020-05-01T10:13:00.332-07:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; 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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2S-v1pyvN29LpoHhmOv9vfculuzLmkhcsetUE8-9pDiBsJPqPgxkm5V5QqcGfzAAWQuuvnR_DozEcVIreDXrrbQ0GEnRzdinCH6fhIVraX_lzVRwdjZTmaNE07lPiw8IMSiW/s1600/Starfield_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: Arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2S-v1pyvN29LpoHhmOv9vfculuzLmkhcsetUE8-9pDiBsJPqPgxkm5V5QqcGfzAAWQuuvnR_DozEcVIreDXrrbQ0GEnRzdinCH6fhIVraX_lzVRwdjZTmaNE07lPiw8IMSiW/s320/Starfield_crop.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>Starfield</b></span></i></td></tr>
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<b><u>This Moment</u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3AM anxieties give way to morning sunshine</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and the plaintive mewing of my feline companions.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Friday has dawned amid</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">challenges,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">frustration, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and fear</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yet,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am suffused by a touch of grace:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">hot soup for breakfast,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">a window sill of sprouting lettuce leaves straining toward the light,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and my love, softly snoring in the next room.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am fueled by<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and filled with</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gratitude.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-small;"><i>-SRasfeld</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-small;"><i>050120</i></span></div>
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StaceyRasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589789422947359742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-20872001985403246192020-04-19T10:25:00.001-07:002020-04-19T10:25:33.612-07:00Artwork for challenging times.....<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Sending out a wish of hope, calm and health to all.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvQdOeZOUBoODsHIv22loghQVucPxGbdWIh9iQtg9Nx05z-fKoUbZ1Kc2YzAhBQ09FhU7x7hF_7o8QtHNbehvW1pBIVRfwh_it5SWNCgBaku911w0pI7D7NeUNzMGVSenPLVp/s1600/SimplePleasures-LifeBeautiful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1417" data-original-width="797" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvQdOeZOUBoODsHIv22loghQVucPxGbdWIh9iQtg9Nx05z-fKoUbZ1Kc2YzAhBQ09FhU7x7hF_7o8QtHNbehvW1pBIVRfwh_it5SWNCgBaku911w0pI7D7NeUNzMGVSenPLVp/s320/SimplePleasures-LifeBeautiful.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Simple Pleasures (collage card) - March 2020</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="517" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37E4ffs47dJRxrlHiDWW3LLcajas-lWReFIGx5g3VgVu4aXyAYv9HsnY3rfmbu2aCwPYS4b4YFJwaDlGLpmrCgfjcbKkfG5SfmO4pHRIw9o_BeZYRPmpR1xZmRaYjbgJ7Y-Tr/s320/WhereInTheWorld.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="103" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Where In The World (acrylic/canvas) - April 2020</i></span></td></tr>
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<br />StaceyRasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589789422947359742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-38059773061314694612016-06-07T15:52:00.000-07:002016-06-07T15:53:07.705-07:00Happy summer! I've been dragging my feet on this, but I have two new coloring books I am prepping. I've included a free coloring page (plus one of my colored versions) for your enjoyment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_k52OF8LBbEBNRIJoJSdbsijcvlF6nz3H_PA-epK0jmDg4PM8uOb6KW7aw849C5W-wEFfzWUpggAB8g3wUPV1HZnf-p4mTAnovJ2fK7Ok6PJeEt6WmJSjMJhIY1aQiIIv-bX/s1600/Interior_Monolog_Mandala-BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_k52OF8LBbEBNRIJoJSdbsijcvlF6nz3H_PA-epK0jmDg4PM8uOb6KW7aw849C5W-wEFfzWUpggAB8g3wUPV1HZnf-p4mTAnovJ2fK7Ok6PJeEt6WmJSjMJhIY1aQiIIv-bX/s320/Interior_Monolog_Mandala-BW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My take on "Interior Monolog":</div>
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Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-79309847374438609232016-05-23T12:20:00.000-07:002016-05-23T12:23:29.276-07:00Monday morning inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NkpC3w%2B6L._SX459_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NkpC3w%2B6L._SX459_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="184" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61rM-glJ8xL._SX385_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61rM-glJ8xL._SX385_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="155" /></a></div>
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51w8Y-wTxzL._SX374_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51w8Y-wTxzL._SX374_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
I've been reading some very inspiring books on painting and creativity. I recommend these three for starters:<br />
<br />
1. ) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Painting-Creative-Productive-Successful/dp/0770435335?ie=UTF8&keywords=carol%20marine%20daily%20painting&qid=1464029799&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1">Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist</a> by Carol Marine<br />
<br />
2.) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Celebrate-Your-Creative-Self-exercises/dp/1581801025/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464029866&sr=8-1&keywords=mary+todd+beam+celebrate+your+creative+self">Celebrate Your Creative Self: More than 25 exercises to unleash the artist within</a> by Mary Todd Beam<br />
<br />
3.) <a href="http://nita%20leland/">The Creative Artist</a> by Nita Leland<br />
<br />
And, as always, I recommend subscribing to the Weekly Bob Blasts from painter Robert Burridge at his webpage: <a href="http://www.robertburridge.com/">www.robertburridge.com/</a><br />
<br />
Have a great week!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwItZdmXuZ40DKM07EzBAKCFNIpQ7uSChk3B2JR8smlAMTQBp4XTDmHewsnil9guMUxLhcff58olGJN6IO9lQDwI2Q_JOEG0_WoIA2LOfQjy9H-xJ21cfcTHnOQZyaqWeNBHlQ/s1600/061408a_mandala+w+cpyrt+lowrz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwItZdmXuZ40DKM07EzBAKCFNIpQ7uSChk3B2JR8smlAMTQBp4XTDmHewsnil9guMUxLhcff58olGJN6IO9lQDwI2Q_JOEG0_WoIA2LOfQjy9H-xJ21cfcTHnOQZyaqWeNBHlQ/s200/061408a_mandala+w+cpyrt+lowrz.jpg" title="Inner Outer Mandala" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inner Outer Mandala (S. Rasfeld archives)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-19188032780691512592015-05-29T11:15:00.000-07:002015-05-29T11:15:29.898-07:00Catnip for Twinkletoes<div class="p1">
Unverified factoids float through the air,</div>
<div class="p1">
electric breadcrumbs illuminating a chimera of titillation and desire.</div>
<div class="p1">
Voracious need and insatiable curiosity </div>
<div class="p1">
feed on</div>
<div class="p1">
doppelgängers of smoke and mirrors, built</div>
<div class="p1">
a pixel here,</div>
<div class="p1">
a pixel there and </div>
<div class="p1">
breach the threshold of consciousness</div>
<div class="p1">
while infiltrating the world mind.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
see me</div>
<div class="p1">
hear me </div>
<div class="p1">
watch me</div>
<div class="p1">
touch me</div>
<div class="p1">
know me </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
But </div>
<div class="p1">
don't look too hard behind that curtain;</div>
<div class="p1">
don't dig for the gristle, blood and bone.</div>
<div class="p1">
Just come now:</div>
<div class="p1">
gather around, chickadees --</div>
<div class="p1">
I will tell you the BEST stories </div>
<div class="p1">
and all you have to do </div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
is sleep.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLQgq6WgucrqLmurG1r_TUYHIVm3abWanC4jZpAq7RNde69ZnnFG1DaiDo7qdPi_PjbQtP9XahCF9TJwMoYkXiHcQ1WMAXdTxIKe7hFv3SB3BfCVZZXOxC36GTwLBibBpu88W/s1600/Couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLQgq6WgucrqLmurG1r_TUYHIVm3abWanC4jZpAq7RNde69ZnnFG1DaiDo7qdPi_PjbQtP9XahCF9TJwMoYkXiHcQ1WMAXdTxIKe7hFv3SB3BfCVZZXOxC36GTwLBibBpu88W/s320/Couple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-65496876275897158792014-03-06T10:33:00.000-08:002014-03-06T10:33:33.259-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"It may seem that you have no external validation for your art, but you must persist in presenting it to the world. Above all, you must know that it is your job to make the work. As a creative person, you must show up, focus, work, make more work, and present it to the world in order to be truly balanced and whole." </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Laura Cater-Woods, MFA </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Balancing Acts: Walking the Tightrope Between Your Creative Path and Daily Life," from Inspiring Creativity</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.amazon.com/Inspiring-Creativity-Anthology-Practical-Successful/dp/0976737108</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvCd33CDyxWyYuOBs_JNdFv_qgXue8wZJZGZoUHWFesxER-V7f-1SWrq_8J2Oidn5uIOmZx5f05OCTxFoSqsaiYZoUkcDGxCjFg2cB4WNmt96YkZF4Beo8cJ3EaWmjq3oiEft/s1600/IC-cover_webFB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvCd33CDyxWyYuOBs_JNdFv_qgXue8wZJZGZoUHWFesxER-V7f-1SWrq_8J2Oidn5uIOmZx5f05OCTxFoSqsaiYZoUkcDGxCjFg2cB4WNmt96YkZF4Beo8cJ3EaWmjq3oiEft/s1600/IC-cover_webFB.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAN4k5onfLROGotoDjpTr3Ptja_E0H84XSCrAyBwHg6IDlNmqSpjWKsoVCQKHpeGvoms_TSxigCOHKd1S8yJBGCqFSSM2q37OspIGpATY-_TrdwZWDBzgx5ihvNL9s797ZdmX/s1600/Om_Series-4.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAN4k5onfLROGotoDjpTr3Ptja_E0H84XSCrAyBwHg6IDlNmqSpjWKsoVCQKHpeGvoms_TSxigCOHKd1S8yJBGCqFSSM2q37OspIGpATY-_TrdwZWDBzgx5ihvNL9s797ZdmX/s1600/Om_Series-4.tif" height="200" width="193" /></a></span></div>
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Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-46098878967170333562013-07-25T11:59:00.001-07:002013-07-25T11:59:27.379-07:00<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHqYCRCKRpIJfM9FHWaKmwHz4dEK-sJz1oYaExwVEiytsRQo7Fprc-F4m9zKkPEGQu0Vu0fVRCzwX5TGBMJBnMDwdG7-oK4MIYMOpedHvG4EVeqOT5ZJ8l1kgCBiiZbXGRhgc/s1600/ohm-Cutout-gulf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHqYCRCKRpIJfM9FHWaKmwHz4dEK-sJz1oYaExwVEiytsRQo7Fprc-F4m9zKkPEGQu0Vu0fVRCzwX5TGBMJBnMDwdG7-oK4MIYMOpedHvG4EVeqOT5ZJ8l1kgCBiiZbXGRhgc/s400/ohm-Cutout-gulf.jpg" title="Gulf" width="237" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Handwriting - Dakota; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Handwriting - Dakota; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">At Cross-Purposes</span></div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Handwriting - Dakota; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 25.0px;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Handwriting - Dakota; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Brittle bones may splinter and crack in crisis. </div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Handwriting - Dakota; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Some mend with time </div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Handwriting - Dakota; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
yet hairline fractures remain below the surface.</div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Handwriting - Dakota; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Handwriting - Dakota; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Secrets and lies have eaten through the natural bonds between us and only a thin veneer of civility covers the gulf separating our two hearts.</div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Handwriting - Dakota; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 25.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Handwriting - Dakota; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 25.0px;">
Tightly held by guilt and obligation, I close my eyes--- struggling to hold onto compassion while preserving my own self-respect.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-53875900845849589362013-07-16T11:37:00.000-07:002013-07-16T11:37:34.384-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With simple sweetness and a light touch</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> your smile warms my doubtful heart.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am a restless soul wandering through a maze of my own making</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and yet you hold me tightly against the dark.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can only strive to be a comfort in the night for you in return.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaAXtFhkuH0vAMtSdaHRizYZMhg1XQfzR1vN-3SfIf9FYDrdmU9brc0p_4jE63OV_SPRS8Rh7XT73RZdF4FERF6G8PF4JKJMVVCdY03T1T-332eBG8_UExPYMdVSVAaoXGsAc/s200/Om_Series-24.jpg" title="OM" width="200" /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<a href="http://www.staceyrasfeld.com/">www.staceyrasfeld.com</a><br />
<br />Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-37764386007864590592013-02-28T15:41:00.000-08:002013-02-28T15:41:22.179-08:00<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">022813</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sunlight slips through the hourglass, each grain <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">a moment, a single hope, a half-forgttoen dream, a buried shame, a biting regret.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tiny crystals spin ever downward: white lies <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">told to spare someone’s feelings, invitations delcined, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">phone calls and emails unanswered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Each small transgression dropped upon another,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A slowly built fortess of silence and isolation.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_xG2c3NKhGaPhjPXvTdzvjtPIV2kQt9H-CxHorpeHXe_ngU4tZdP_iE69C8BZKWadMKhLj6zksDmgKgTZ4CSt8mzKlXTdKcBeS4OoskeNdzwGUenrWaA-vDrEUkQteudvWaN/s1600/Brewery+treescapeII_040112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_xG2c3NKhGaPhjPXvTdzvjtPIV2kQt9H-CxHorpeHXe_ngU4tZdP_iE69C8BZKWadMKhLj6zksDmgKgTZ4CSt8mzKlXTdKcBeS4OoskeNdzwGUenrWaA-vDrEUkQteudvWaN/s1600/Brewery+treescapeII_040112.jpg" /></a></div>
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Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-43950266935673563072012-07-11T12:31:00.002-07:002012-07-11T12:34:13.384-07:00<u>A simple joy</u><br />
<br />
<br />
Tea with milk is comforting, like a warm blanket on a chilly night, whereas <br />
a café latte is a slap-shot of energy.<br />
The distilled leaves are light and thirst quenching, while <br />
roasted beans eat like oatmeal or dark chocolate.<br />
Sipping, <br />
eyes closed, <br />
I am transported to slow afternoons in cafes when time was my friend, and <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I fill with gratitude for this tiny pleasure.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHT0SkcaI2Ldo2PxleamYDsMO74-uT83WWnvMmuDuzBbCX8ObojCxLTTnGZEosljIj0_lCvR6Mdvmup9urwmwu3RrH7WloJY2mqODEexTReUnq9P9zMQMIsffrHkCBiIqjikhz/s1600/Rocky_Shore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHT0SkcaI2Ldo2PxleamYDsMO74-uT83WWnvMmuDuzBbCX8ObojCxLTTnGZEosljIj0_lCvR6Mdvmup9urwmwu3RrH7WloJY2mqODEexTReUnq9P9zMQMIsffrHkCBiIqjikhz/s200/Rocky_Shore.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-24362249990362981342012-01-04T16:24:00.000-08:002012-01-04T16:24:26.260-08:00Miss Miso <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuwdO1HQQuMgFNVP1fQiYgKIQH_lMbgfhyphenhyphenHNxkswfcjpp999VWB9R4wcy6x7osKDI0Aw9dlpyK128scYiTY87JF68hjGbKrmIeiqrcYlyEEKepPfgw6OuldqOTLtLFTPz_ghV/s1600/miso_meditating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuwdO1HQQuMgFNVP1fQiYgKIQH_lMbgfhyphenhyphenHNxkswfcjpp999VWB9R4wcy6x7osKDI0Aw9dlpyK128scYiTY87JF68hjGbKrmIeiqrcYlyEEKepPfgw6OuldqOTLtLFTPz_ghV/s200/miso_meditating.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meditating on catnip</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx-3k45-zwfaCHjdGHDRvCkpeIlIsxhNXi_zZTyvw0qWnI0ncPdtIPPelEe5ILdqQLW9ba4K2YSwwWXmQy9e55RC5vKE33mTrUBc4oLfSly7DHYi5_7zBS_Se8FkaRGUfd2m8/s1600/miso_standing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx-3k45-zwfaCHjdGHDRvCkpeIlIsxhNXi_zZTyvw0qWnI0ncPdtIPPelEe5ILdqQLW9ba4K2YSwwWXmQy9e55RC5vKE33mTrUBc4oLfSly7DHYi5_7zBS_Se8FkaRGUfd2m8/s200/miso_standing.jpg" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regarding tonight's menu</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuD7unfvrD9NQlFbdnrJwyZBBpe0dcVKzD0pnVLFBWGaa3LPeqH0ebdaCZTAR5pv68ddoxO_3t33tWxq_zztNNu2bkYiDTLQmHnOOVpezABvC7_bduFj3LAnjeG9u6hpSIy-E/s1600/miso_sleeping_cute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuD7unfvrD9NQlFbdnrJwyZBBpe0dcVKzD0pnVLFBWGaa3LPeqH0ebdaCZTAR5pv68ddoxO_3t33tWxq_zztNNu2bkYiDTLQmHnOOVpezABvC7_bduFj3LAnjeG9u6hpSIy-E/s200/miso_sleeping_cute.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleep, perchance to dream...</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Miso shared our lives for 19-1/2 years. Her health had begun failing for the past year, and she died in September. One minute, I held her in my arms, the next, she wasn't with us. Everything should stop for just that one moment but Life simply goes on. The frantic drivers blare their horns, crowds sun and run and giggle on the beach, hordes of movie-goers pack theaters and Holiday revelers shoot off fireworks to a New Year: all are oblivious that this small light is gone from our world. The house is terribly quiet and empty now. Sometimes, she saunters into my dreams. Occasionally, I think I see her out of a corner of my eye, padding into the kitchen or curled up in the corner by the heat register. She was a cuddly lap kitty, and filled our home with a special warmth. </div>Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-41344169071491956312010-08-01T12:38:00.000-07:002010-08-01T12:38:29.472-07:00... digital day dreamingDuring my recent period of enforced idelness, I've spent a bit of time going through my computer files and paintings. I rediscovered a few pieces I'd forgotten about.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQURt4O67Kb9Dr-RLAKrB53rRIAProSq-1hIdABT5TcLMQWr5x7hsjsBDtJox01x5NsWvmphAKyKzVLZoE3pCPBJO3_ORdMBMjqGyQ85bzhN92rUv9Ctrn23FqZpHlBppbM-Z4/s1600/ohm-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQURt4O67Kb9Dr-RLAKrB53rRIAProSq-1hIdABT5TcLMQWr5x7hsjsBDtJox01x5NsWvmphAKyKzVLZoE3pCPBJO3_ORdMBMjqGyQ85bzhN92rUv9Ctrn23FqZpHlBppbM-Z4/s200/ohm-small.jpg" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"OM" acrylic/canvas</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>"Om" came through in a bout of anger and frustration, yet, is now a focal point of relaxation and calm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxsOf_CG2SNAlhUL45H7rG_53QDniwbhz5lhyphenhyphenICaMZdWEvULoIU4Emi1O7wg35Ct8FGC0N3kF6G-dzIRfw-hyuMdV83Taui3bJNw4Y1SiTq9TnbycTrh90LbCzo57INSr3wPs/s1600/Ornithology-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxsOf_CG2SNAlhUL45H7rG_53QDniwbhz5lhyphenhyphenICaMZdWEvULoIU4Emi1O7wg35Ct8FGC0N3kF6G-dzIRfw-hyuMdV83Taui3bJNw4Y1SiTq9TnbycTrh90LbCzo57INSr3wPs/s200/Ornithology-small.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ornithology" acrylic/canvas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I labored over the piece, "Ornithology," for months in early 2006. I am fascinated with the process of glazing to achieve shading and depth, and how a painting is revealed with each thin, nearly transparent layer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJRxcqNdgLix2hx4A5EeFPWmZwzGHkPIEPQB_DRuRHUx7oex-y6ax-Cxv5mlQEyvbtGzKfaYu8HCCMFAbxkK1no_tjOqSG0IWNmflFRJni9dc97Af0uXEiehQiIxVtVecp9_L/s1600/Mandala-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJRxcqNdgLix2hx4A5EeFPWmZwzGHkPIEPQB_DRuRHUx7oex-y6ax-Cxv5mlQEyvbtGzKfaYu8HCCMFAbxkK1no_tjOqSG0IWNmflFRJni9dc97Af0uXEiehQiIxVtVecp9_L/s200/Mandala-small.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Blue Mandala" acrylic/canvas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Circles and circular movement are recurring themes in my work. <a href="http://www.mandalaproject.org/What/Index.html">"Mandala"</a> loosely translated from Sanskrit means "circle" and in some spiritual thought, represents the center and beginning of all creation.Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-86660671625750205832010-07-31T10:55:00.000-07:002010-07-31T12:31:49.175-07:00Notes on painting and art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHt5MmM_rDcxNcbxqFt1ms3D8Iah9nKg5u97OwtLq0qisgSidLCK-Hn17W1pV3nPLTyAEhsF00AA6SL-I9N3VvNSKUv05B80KF4a3WzA23hWSJNP4Ah_iPLd65nxKaCVUS9Qen/s1600/touch_wood-detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHt5MmM_rDcxNcbxqFt1ms3D8Iah9nKg5u97OwtLq0qisgSidLCK-Hn17W1pV3nPLTyAEhsF00AA6SL-I9N3VvNSKUv05B80KF4a3WzA23hWSJNP4Ah_iPLd65nxKaCVUS9Qen/s320/touch_wood-detail.jpg" /></a></div>...on process and painting "Touch Wood":<br />
<br />
This will always be an action painting to me. Not in the art history sense, but in the sense of something alive, something that evolved into its current state.<br />
<br />
I worked on this piece intermittently for an entire day-- this little 8x10 that was supposed to be an easy exercise. I watched it grow and change as the day advanced; at one point, it seemed near completion. The colors were beautiful, all soft-focus and placid-- a very different work. <br />
<br />
Then, with one stroke, I destroyed that feeling. I panicked and almost threw the painting in the trash.<br />
<br />
But, this tree would not allow me to do so. I had to keep going, to find a new answer. I had to give up my own plans and let the piece dictate each brush stroke.<br />
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Despite my flawed technique, this work now speaks to a deep place within me.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Concerning-Spiritual-Art-Wassily-Kandinsky/dp/1153596865?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwchooseyo0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Concerning the Spiritual in Art </a><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=wwwchooseyo0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1153596865" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-34411923343248111022010-07-30T18:36:00.000-07:002010-07-30T18:40:46.778-07:00Touch Wood<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWW-zt3mNT3TfQ7H4VVKR4l3qnhYTQWyUcqATdptFdPjsvrEFEGUpPHzhN6Mtx8xVDUdIvQSgSA-PwrYTZtgEdoE8qOf6djRwMytj5DpxHELW7E_eq7v38ATcagycB2UULPII/s1600/touch_wood-73010b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWW-zt3mNT3TfQ7H4VVKR4l3qnhYTQWyUcqATdptFdPjsvrEFEGUpPHzhN6Mtx8xVDUdIvQSgSA-PwrYTZtgEdoE8qOf6djRwMytj5DpxHELW7E_eq7v38ATcagycB2UULPII/s200/touch_wood-73010b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499879126194273474" border="0" /></a><br />Touch wood:<br /><br />I seek safety -- to be whole, and to heal<br /><br />Slowly my haven emerges<br />bright & strong<br />for one moment of perfect clarity<br />then<br />clouds waft in,<br />staining my inner landscape with fear and doubt<br /><br />the tree stands<br />but the horizon grows dark & heavy<br /><br />the air<br />a humid blanket of damp foliage<br />sits atop a still lake reflecting dull silver<br /><br />one slow breath<br /><br />the tree stands<br /><br />i hold onStacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-9779022759359947562010-07-18T17:10:00.000-07:002010-07-31T12:26:50.603-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpkL6dNFzENSvqAlhrM37-dCFFcEiWFrockfqm_FcNwZ08KaqvU3sze9Mx2gcx_dlwAzaS4kL-zlEcUW06_Sf1Pk1yAd2-HT90zfA7MUg6DiAF_2-L3hpCleJP4CWcV1AH3C4/s1600/Ojai_Flowers-abstract.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495404905763955106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpkL6dNFzENSvqAlhrM37-dCFFcEiWFrockfqm_FcNwZ08KaqvU3sze9Mx2gcx_dlwAzaS4kL-zlEcUW06_Sf1Pk1yAd2-HT90zfA7MUg6DiAF_2-L3hpCleJP4CWcV1AH3C4/s200/Ojai_Flowers-abstract.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 134px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
071110<br />
<br />
I feel the echo of you, once solid<br />
now<br />
We move in different dimensions,<br />
circling new priorities<br />
<br />
You have joined the ghosts of my past.<br />
I have retreated into a sepia-toned shadow on your hard drive.<br />
<br />
Who are we now to each other?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Necessary-Losses-Dependencies-Impossible-Expectations/dp/0684844958?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwchooseyo0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Necessary Losses: The Loves, Illusions, Dependencies, and Impossible Expectations That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Grow</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=wwwchooseyo0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0684844958" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-27906985270088607842010-02-13T14:59:00.000-08:002010-07-31T11:12:22.499-07:00KleioMy computer screen hums.<br />
I scan the electric landscape, and out of the corner of my eye I catch a thread,<br />
a shadow of the ghost of my father.<br />
He is shrouded behind the curtain of my mother's heartbreak.<br />
He is there but not there--a name I carry in my heart but elusive.<br />
<br />
My father's family--silent, invisible--have never known me nor I them.<br />
Whether by intention or ignorance, it's the same effect: <br />
we are strangers sharing bits of genetic code and DNA.<br />
<br />
I try, but have not broken my mother's injunction of secrecy,<br />
frightened by unnamed dark things buried under rocky silence decades old.<br />
I try, but have not escaped the necessary lies she hides behind.<br />
What monstrous truth could still be sharp enough,<br />
still reach deeply enough through the years to shred our current peace?<br />
Can her past really hurt me now?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inspiring-Creativity-Anthology-Practical-Successful/dp/0976737108?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwchooseyo0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Inspiring Creativity: An Anthology of Powerful Insights and Practical Ideas to Guide You to Successful Creating</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=wwwchooseyo0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0976737108" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-30614433150668709532010-02-13T14:48:00.000-08:002010-07-31T11:13:16.778-07:00Calliopeeldest daughter and wife of war<br />sing to me<br />blind me with lust<br />fire my spirit<br /><br />golden throated goddess<br />whisper to me<br />free my voice<br />and open my heartStacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-86036131167191255932010-01-11T15:59:00.000-08:002010-01-11T16:09:51.136-08:00Over The Top<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" ></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Over, under, through<br />The setting sun chases violet clouds across the twilight sky<br />Spreading out a blanket of stars<br />As the Earth prepares for sleep with a sigh<br /><br />Over, under, through<br />We roll along canyons of concrete<br />Encased in our metal and glass carapaces...<br />Seeking comfort and warmth as darkness blankets the landscape<br /><br />Sleepwalking and blind,<br />Oblivious to the hum of night,<br />We eat<br />We drink<br />We sit in digital dreams,<br />Overcome and under a spell of our own making, through the nocturnal mist.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-69348403520727683372009-04-26T18:34:00.000-07:002010-07-31T12:29:14.531-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioovbIyuZ18EaGEs6u4sp4JXMFrpBO_eN4H5seqGdICYxPo9Kn1VqTO7KYvPhXjfsDdnEojsObQVuhF59yoXsuxjertf5Il8_pOOpf36hJV6SZ9T4FSJ_XuxdVEsJWMSOXo99E/s1600-h/Sunset.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329178740037233394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioovbIyuZ18EaGEs6u4sp4JXMFrpBO_eN4H5seqGdICYxPo9Kn1VqTO7KYvPhXjfsDdnEojsObQVuhF59yoXsuxjertf5Il8_pOOpf36hJV6SZ9T4FSJ_XuxdVEsJWMSOXo99E/s200/Sunset.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 136px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a>042509<br />
BON VOYAGE<br />
<br />
Off you go into the East--<br />
Peace Corps-two-year-stint. Cheers--<br />
toasts and travel-friendly presents at the pub.<br />
we'll keep pictures of smiling faces and beer.<br />
our hopes and dreams and<br />
the-selves-we've-never-been go with you:<br />
off into the East<br />
to teach<br />
to help and<br />
to learn the ways of a wider world.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Way-Stories-Survival-Adventure/dp/0743249410?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwchooseyo0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Hard Way: Stories of Danger, Survival, and the Soul of Adventure</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=wwwchooseyo0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0743249410" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-78691648051998776232009-04-26T18:19:00.000-07:002009-04-26T18:28:03.801-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9OcDRhy88XtQzQpHe7Q1u2OOk1zDETZ3ggdcFtNlrBZiUgqi1SnvKQgPvHmqboQqT32bhvn3pMH30Bfu24fqz9dPdbwMJ4fa7ggxxRQGDQUl80V-JN1ZISbE2ADDgPNz7OoN/s1600-h/Journal_tree-32508.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9OcDRhy88XtQzQpHe7Q1u2OOk1zDETZ3ggdcFtNlrBZiUgqi1SnvKQgPvHmqboQqT32bhvn3pMH30Bfu24fqz9dPdbwMJ4fa7ggxxRQGDQUl80V-JN1ZISbE2ADDgPNz7OoN/s200/Journal_tree-32508.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329176818212910226" /></a><br />042209<br />WORK OUT<br /><br />Morning!<br />Time to feed the cat,<br />nuke a cup of tea and <br />pull on shoes and sweats.<br /><br />I set the timer<br />add a little incline and start walking the walk.<br /><br />Yes,<br />it's beautiful outside<br />but in here my rubber concourse keeps me<br />on track.<br /><br />Step by step<br />I wake.<br /><br /><br />042309<br />TOO MUCH INFORMATION<br /><br />Why did I tell you?<br />Apparently,<br />honesty's price is pain.<br /><br />Confession is good for the soul<br />unburdened, but<br />what of the soul of the confessor? I <br />was unsettled, defensive. You were <br />stricken, betrayed.<br /><br />Love you <br />I did, but <br />love was not enough to extinguish the burning<br />restlessness inside me. I <br />always wanted more. To be<br />more.<br />To do<br />more. To<br />feel more.<br /><br />I was not the woman<br />we both wanted me to be. You<br />were not the man I needed. Our love <br />broke--<br />stretched <br />far beyond romantic nostalgia.<br /><br /><br />042409<br />PCH<br /><br />the highway beckons. <br />wind whispers, now roars and<br />the road ahead sings with speed. I'm giddy <br />with the promise of forward motion, drunk <br />with anticipation of mysteries around the next bend.<br />asphalt <br />calls to a deep restlessness inside of me, a siren song<br />luring me <br />onward,<br />outward.<br />and off-course.Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-48243025116850670462009-04-26T18:13:00.000-07:002009-04-26T18:19:24.642-07:00more April09 poetry-each-days.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmplM4Nt-EAGwI5HmYfGkS_B512J4zNPxFI9lFtCsJdlRiA8S525R4oM5A_TBg5ec0TdaTIAwjFzke0584aA7v1jkX5-wuCuQfowkT7nhZr4NDs9BpN0dUx9aLYCHn35YOAwyI/s1600-h/Journal_tree-1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 114px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmplM4Nt-EAGwI5HmYfGkS_B512J4zNPxFI9lFtCsJdlRiA8S525R4oM5A_TBg5ec0TdaTIAwjFzke0584aA7v1jkX5-wuCuQfowkT7nhZr4NDs9BpN0dUx9aLYCHn35YOAwyI/s200/Journal_tree-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329174533549184930" /></a><br />041809<br />GATHERING<br /><br />visiting the family, I<br />sit quiet amidst<br />the cacophony of excited voices. The<br />clashing threads of conversation run <br />around one another<br />-- a rising tide <br />of sound rolling in and out like a wave. Sibling <br />rivalries seep out from under adult veneers as<br />I remember<br />childhood dinner tables--a race<br />to the last breadstick.<br /><br />041909<br />IMPLOSION<br /><br />hot flash<br />teeth gnash<br />I suddenly cannot breathe<br />every muscle clenched<br />clamped down to contain<br /><br />you just don't think<br />don't consider others<br />don't see your impact<br />yet deny<br />this is so<br /><br />and so<br />there is no recourse<br />no words to clarify<br />to rectify<br />to purify the damage<br /><br />and so<br />there is no place for this fire<br />except down<br />inside<br /><br />042009<br />THIS MOMENT<br /><br />Every morning you<br />wake up breathing<br />you're ahead of the game.<br />in dreams you fly,<br />inhale and lean into the breath at the perfect angle<br />and you catch an updraft.<br />is this what geese await as they prepare for migration?<br />breathe<br />and in the space between in and<br />out--<br />live.<br />just breathe<br />and grasp a new beginning.<br /><br />042109<br />SEASIDE<br /><br />fog rolls in damp, cold<br />sits heavily on the sand<br />hungry gulls circle<br /><br /><br />ABOUT HAIKU<br />a single image<br />distilled <br />fashioned by form<br />a verbal elegance<br />a mystery <br />a snapshot of this momentStacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-49680212933865884892009-04-18T01:03:00.000-07:002009-04-18T01:12:31.850-07:00.... poetry snippets, snatches, and notions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdAdEQD5RtdUNnHAU_qdwydxJSz661-9Lq2N0BvU6C6BoBsieiK3RRA9iPBGg0hjyhBW1HECM0xQOvhBruHftytCh7CLuO0teltmyIRM98LCJgmbnIRXJtDquAu9rQGusrF5J/s1600-h/Photo-Lake_George_tree2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdAdEQD5RtdUNnHAU_qdwydxJSz661-9Lq2N0BvU6C6BoBsieiK3RRA9iPBGg0hjyhBW1HECM0xQOvhBruHftytCh7CLuO0teltmyIRM98LCJgmbnIRXJtDquAu9rQGusrF5J/s200/Photo-Lake_George_tree2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325941226346486322" border="0" /></a><br />4-17-09<br />ALL I WANT IS MY VIOLET KIMONO<br /><br />Wrap me in a violet silk kimono backed with<br />my deep blood-orange-red creativity chop coiling<br />‘round my spine, feeding me<br />steady energetic streams of light. Today<br />I am a warrior.<br /><br /><br />ALL I WANT IS THE BLUE HOUSE<br /><br />A breath catches in my throat<br />when I see you are available--your blue<br />shingles, white trim and open windows beckon me, call<br />to my soul to fill you with<br />people<br />and<br />art<br />and creative energy. Be<br />Mine! Be real in my life, manifest<br />materially in my life now. I<br />see the paintings on your walls, feel<br />the candle light warmth and hear<br />laughter spilling from your open door on a summer night. I gaze out the attic window to the ocean on a blustery<br />winter's morning--<br />happily planning our next celebration.<br /><br />4-16-09<br />PURPLE<br /><br />purple passion<br />keep me sane in a black and white world<br />a flash of luxury amid mundane chores<br /><br />jacaranda trees drop your lilac petals<br />trickle down and fill my heart<br />keep me awash in art<br /><br />violet night enfold me in warm darkness<br />keep me cloaked in deepest velvet<br /><br />As we sleepwalk through the charcoal landscape<br />keep one eye open on the bruised horizonStacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-64604395387566984032009-04-15T23:14:00.001-07:002009-04-15T23:19:25.666-07:00Words tumble out of my brain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvv_SjsHsMTsJ2NgnIzYEvAXTor8uHkeDdROaz4ksFbB8DTyDFe6jdJmAIOTgIVTfqUukdhrd9vw0hHR9iZcKxhtwoOA3k-k2RtlNu9s8ML1Loymb8-Pqg-eVidIcjq-PatMux/s1600-h/Bright_Bird_Cutout.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvv_SjsHsMTsJ2NgnIzYEvAXTor8uHkeDdROaz4ksFbB8DTyDFe6jdJmAIOTgIVTfqUukdhrd9vw0hHR9iZcKxhtwoOA3k-k2RtlNu9s8ML1Loymb8-Pqg-eVidIcjq-PatMux/s200/Bright_Bird_Cutout.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325169922548037250" border="0" /></a><br />041409<br />LOVE<br /><br />my love is kind, holding<br />me close against the darkness<br /><br />my love is patient, listening<br />sympathetic as I rant and tear and sputter<br /><br />my love is silly, teasing<br />me shyly as if we are on our first date<br /><br />my love is brave, exploring<br />with me rueful and surprised at our life's aging<br /><br />my love<br />let the last thing you hear me say to be<br />I love you<br />my smart, sweet, sexy, crazy, musical love<br /><br />ANTI LOVE<br />a bitter taste you left --<br />if I see you on the street, I'll<br />cross to the other side. You<br />are my stupid ex,<br />Liar!<br />a cheater, yet<br />did we simply back away from the truth<br />stumbling blindly apart together?<br /><br /><br />041509<br />MEDICATIONS IN AN EMERGENCY<br /><br />Quick, pour me a shot of<br />something strong and keep it coming again and again and<br />it's tequila I think that does it best, the<br />blotto black-out numbness. I don't want to feel<br />anymore<br />if it takes an extra-large pepperoni<br />pizza to stuff this rage back down into<br />the abyss, then so<br />be it.<br />No, maybe a fast, just drink black<br />coffee, grainy and bitter. Today I<br />wish I smoked<br />-- long cool menthol sticks of fire between my fingers, exhaled frigid wisps trailing in front<br />of my glassy eyes --<br />it would give me something to do with my hands<br />besides<br />biting my nails.<br /><br />(Original title "Meditations in an Emergency" by Frank O'Hara)Stacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36720796.post-85993311695137694632009-04-11T00:40:00.000-07:002009-04-11T00:43:46.574-07:00PAD Apr09 #10-- FRIDAY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAwIuFqxK6BN71esWF-uA3UrMvNydvw8oTO9pvZBXgLO9a_P9_-NtpSkdBtR-P5ZNIF1OwPLMxkxuHlqLOvPTjSzvqCih_LwYBcS5CW-Tfa8uxUGJWwt1KS3-tQlA5XP6zwsD/s1600-h/FavCollage-SnE_Daub_lowres.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAwIuFqxK6BN71esWF-uA3UrMvNydvw8oTO9pvZBXgLO9a_P9_-NtpSkdBtR-P5ZNIF1OwPLMxkxuHlqLOvPTjSzvqCih_LwYBcS5CW-Tfa8uxUGJWwt1KS3-tQlA5XP6zwsD/s200/FavCollage-SnE_Daub_lowres.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323336283413476722" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Friday<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span> <br /><br />It is Friday<br />We sit at a restaurant and think<br />Through the meal I wonder<br />How the meal is much like a life.<br /><br />It begins<br />We enter a little unsure<br />Through the meal there's laughter<br />How the meal is much like a life<br /><br />It is over<br />After eating we sit and digest<br />And remember the great food we've eaten<br />When its over we just have to go<br /><br />Through the week we work and we play together<br />The week is much like a life<br />And it is Friday.<br /><br />By Jim Rasfeld<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Friday<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /><br />5 o'clock and it's begun--week's end.<br /><br />Time for a movie; time for a drink<br />Time to see your lover and time to uncover your true self.<br /><br />And it's time to loosen up and play<br />at least for the next two days,<br /><br />By Stacey RasfeldStacey Rasfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01355517081934457214noreply@blogger.com0