[ultimate_post_list id=”11511″]
Tag Archives: writing
Possibilities & Plans; A New Year
Possibilities & Plans; A New Year
Fresh snow has blanketed the transition into 2017 as we begin a new cycle of possibilities. Trees laden with cotton-balls of snow adorn the thick lined branches. The hares have broken the snow, weaving around the trees leaving their tracks. The New Year came peacefully as I played guitar & drank tea.
I am happy to leave behind the things that are no longer serving me. Much clearing has taken place and I am simplifying my life to focus on what really matters. I have done another layer of purging to create some space around me for expansion and creativity.
The new possibilities are exciting. This year the emphasis will be on my visual art, music and writing.
Visual Art
In January, watch for a painting a day, five days a week, starting today, Monday January 2, 2017. Check later today when I will post a link here. All paintings will be postcard size and available for sale. I will let you know a secret. My little paintings go very quickly. I will also be posting them on my Facebook Page if you would like to connect with me there. They often contain as much effort as a large piece and I will be selling them for a reasonable price.
I have not taken many photographs this year, for the first time in a long time. I would like to take a road trip. Some new territory to explore will surely inspire more pictures this year.
Music
Writing an album of music is one plan I intend to complete. The ideas have been in gestation for a long time. The music and melodies come easier than the words for me. It was not always that way. I intend to play more live music gigs. If you would like to host a house concert, let me know. It is easy to do and I will help you on how to set it up. I am still teaching piano and guitar and have a few select openings for new students. Have a look here.
I took a Berklee Jazz Improvisation course on piano and here is one of my assignments; a short improvisation. My jazz improv scale choices for Memories of Tomorrow by Keith Jarrett.
Writing
I am preparing to journal again this year. I have journalled for many years, but I have had a long sabbatical. Exercises for the soul are the mainstay of keeping a journal. Digging deep, becoming aware of all my inner workings to stay conscious of where I am on the journey. I have the three novels (or novellas) to finish, a book of short stories that I will edit.
Healing
My healing journey is now showing some results. I am feeling better than I have felt in a long time. Yoga, meditation & proper diet have been instrumental to my well-being. As well the inner work I have committed myself to for a very long time is now producing fruit. Results do not happen overnight. It is an ongoing process to uncover one’s aspiration and authentic self, however well worth the effort.
A quote from The Tao of Healing which resonates for me:
To penetrate the hardest armor
Use the softest touch.
Yielding melts resistance
Density is filled by light
Good work is accomplished without effort.
In silence the teachings are heard;
In stillness the world is transformed.~Jampolsky, M.D.
May we all experience health, wealth and joy in 2017! We have set out intentions. Now it is time to dig in and make it happen. This year will be a year of action. Please leave a comment and share what possibilities you see for yourself in this new year. I would love to hear from you.
Welcome to My New DIgs
New Digs
New Website & Blog
Welcome to my new digs. This is my new website & blog. I have decided to integrate everything I do into one site.
I had my blog on another service for nine years, and now it is here and this is the first post. I like the idea of being able to manage my own domain and the contents. Below this, in the right hand column you will see the blog archive where you can read my old posts. I will eventually move it all over here. For now, it will be a gradual transition.
A fresh start, feels wonderful, just in time for summer. Almost overnight green leaves have sprouted and the fragrance of blossoms fills the air. The launch of this website corresponds with the three year anniversary of being laid off as Director of the Music Academy. Since then, I have been working on establishing myself as a creative entrepreneur.
My music teaching schedule has shrunk for the summer, and art classes have finished. However ART CAMPS are coming! Stay tuned for the latest details about locations and availability. If you have a special group, a birthday party, ladies night we can cater to your wishes. Let’s create something together!
Upcoming Events
Caprice’s Fine Art Summer Event
Saturday June 14, 2014 10-5pm
10-5pm Inglewood Community Hall.
My Art will be on Display & For Sale, and my musical performance will be from 11 am to 12 pm. Many other fine artists, musicians, food trucks & more … come & hang out. The last one was a blast.
Posts

Promise of Spring
Read More

December’s Song
Read More

Another Spring, A Slower Pace
Read More

While the Garden Sleeps
Read More

Summer Mural Painting Complete
Read More

Warm Summer Breeze; A new Jazz Instrumental
Read More

Movement Naturally Occurs
Read More

Early May Days
Read More

Almost Spring
Read More

An Artful Life
Read More

January 2017 Daily Paintings
Read More

Possibilities & Plans; A New Year
Read More

New Hockey Mural!
Read More

Artistic Life Design
Read More

February is Here
Read More

The Dark of Winter
Read More
Summer Plans; Be a House Concert Host
Read More
Things Worth Holding Onto
Read More
Introspection
Read More
New Creations
Read More
Sweet Summer Dreams
Read More
Welcome to My New DIgs
Read More
Happy New Year 2014 New Story
Read More
Life is a Series of Transitions
Read More
Living Authentically
Read More
Embracing Change
Read More
Spring Rumblings
Read More
Vintage Jazz by Deborah Robinson
Read More
Happy Solstice
Read More
Mission Accomplished
Read More
Fast Track: Writing, Music, Art
Read More
ART EXHIBIT & SALE ON NOW
Read More
Chaos & Creativity
Read More
My Life is a Work in Progress
Read More
2012 … It’s Been Here a While Now
Read More
Already December
Read More
Writing A Book: NaNoWrimo
Read More
Indian Summer
Read More
The Golden Hour
Read More
Late Summer Stroll
Read More
Dog Day Reflections
Read More
On My Easel
Read More
Life Redesign
Read More
Spring Thaw
Read More
Transitions
Read More
Instinct & Evolution
Read More
October Garden
Read More
Thoughts on the Process of Art
Read More
Autumn Blooms
Read More
September Song
Read More
Buds & Woolen Socks
Read More
Prevailing Flow
Read More
Ladybug Festival & Unity Wave
Read More
Early Spring Remnants
Read More
More Expansion
Read More
For Creation Sake
Read More
Painting Story
Read More
Art Show Revue
Read More
Sneak Peek
Read More
Suspended Animation
Read More
Late Summer Light
Read More
Sunday at the Market
Read More
I Adore Hollyhocks
Read More
Sunday Concert in the Park
Read More
Summery Summary
Read More
Spring This Year
Read More
Welcome Spring
Read More
Open Water
Read More
Abstractive Reality
Read More
Abstractions
Read More
Moments Like These
Read More
Pixel Play
Read More
Make Me An Offer
Read More
Winter Solstice
Read More
Fabulous News!
Read More
Weekend Getaway
Read More
Remembering Gratitude
Read More
Golden Light Flow
Read More
Living & Dying
Read More
Transformations
Read More
Change in the Air
Read More
Summer Blazes
Read More
Nice Place to Work
Read More
Summertime
Read More
Pause to Refresh
Read More
Dog Days of Summer
Read More
Still Life
Read More
Zen & Then
Read More
Critters, Curtilage, Canvas & Clearing
Read More
Never A Dull Moment
Read More
For the Birds
Read More
Anatomy of a Painting
Read More
Bluebird Blessings
Read More
This N’ That
Read More
Spring HotchPotch Review
Read More
You’re Invited!
Read More
Creative Diversions
Read More
Just For Fun
Read More
In Like A Lion
Read More
Golden Sunset and Nature
Read More
By the Light
Read More
Continuous Flow
Read More
Life Imitating Art
Read More
To Under Paint … Or Not?
Read More
Virtuouso & Delicioso
Read More
This Very Moment
Read More
What’s Shakin’ Round Here
Read More
Needing Rest
Read More
Under the Chinook Arch
Read More
A Cup of Tea
Read More
Eluding Winter Blues
Read More
Fur Babies
Read More
New Beginnings
Read More
Happy New Year!
Read More
Letting Go
Read More
The Artist in Me Wants Out!
Read More
Take Time …
Read More
Artful Cheer
Read More
Writing, tech stuff & good eats
Read More
Bleak November
Read More
Snowy Monday
Read More
Rare Beauty
Read More
Rhapsodizing
Read More
Think Green
Read More
Good Medicine
Read More
October Passion
Read More
A Moment in Time
Read More
What I Need
Read More
I Have Seen
Read More
Change & All That
Read More
Gardening & Such
Read More
Summer Sustenance
Read More
Clearing Cobwebs
Read More
Twilight & Triptych
Read More
A Thousand Shades of Green
Read More
Painting From Life
Read More
Playing with a Full Deck
Read More
Spring Starts & Stops
Read More
Fait Accompli
Read More
Mountain Renewal
Read More
Guess Who?
Read More
Let Them Eat Cake …
Read More
Ever Feel Like This?
Read More
View from Here
Read More
February Gray
Read More
Markets, Minutes & Mysteries
Read More
Autumn the Movie Star
Read More
Going With the Flow
Read More
Wanna Know a Secret?
Read More
Rants & Such
Read More
Elemental Haiku
Read More
Saturday Inspiration
Read More
Beginning Again
Read More
Art and Healing
Read More
Tis the Season …
Read More
Destination Nirvana
Read More
Off the Wall
Read More
Bittersweet
Read More
State of Being
Read More
Chinooks, Sunday Mornings Conversations & Such
Read More
Language of Intuition
Read More
Staying Warm
Read More
More Beans Please
Read More
Being Green
Read More
Trial by Fire
Read More
Where the Air is Thin
Read More
The Shadow
Read More
Some Days are Better than Others
Read More
Getting the Groove Back
Read More
Miscellaneous Moments
Read More
Metaphysical Mind
Read More
New Site News
Read More
Diversion Tactics
Read More
The Human Condition
Read More
Intentionality
Read More
Attention All Bloggers!
Read More
Integration
Read More
Wounded in Action
Read More
Nature of Mind
Read More
Aspects of Reality
Read More
Chick With A Camera
Read More
Busy as a Bee
Read More
Stopped On A Dime
Read More
Random Acts
Read More
Perception
Read More
Imagination
Read More
The Journey
Read More
Dropping Rain
Read More
Individualism and Intellectualism In Art
Read More
Full Circle
Read More
A Day in the Life
Read More
I Just Had to Laugh …
Read More
Wonder of Phi
Read More
Artistic Integrity
Read More
Metamorphosis
Read More
Brave New Worlds
Read More
Art and Politics
Read More
Prelude to Autumn
Read More
Purpose of Art
Read More
Just Because
Read More
The Real Lowdown
Read More
Creative Process: Another View
Read More
Creative Process
Read More
Certifiably Insane?
Read More
Fresh Berries
Read More
Non-Representational Art: An Inevitability?
Read More
Down by the River
Read More
New Pair of Shoes
Read More
Society and Fear
Read More
Priorities
Read More
Following Your Own Path
Read More
Après le Carnaval
Read More
Crowdsourcing
Read More
State of Affairs
Read More
Back From the Desert
Read More
Pussy Willows
Read More
Flying Solo
Read More
No Compromise
Read More
My New Addiction
Read More
Manifesting
Read More
Gardening and Such
Read More
Still Life Experiment
Read More
Art Squared
Read More
Magnolia Continues
Read More
After the Carnival Continues
Read More
Magnolia WIP
Read More
After the Carnival
Read More
Oil From Life
Read More
Unwrapping the Mystery
Read More
Red Sunflower Miniature
Read More
A New Way to Shop
Read More
A River Runs Through It
Read More
Magnolia Beginnings
Read More
Completion
Read More
Trusting the Process
Read More
Improvisation
Read More
In Living Color
Read More
Moonlight Macro
Read More
Hibiscus Work in Progress
Read More
Divine Proportion … 1.6180339887
Read More
Hibiscus Macro
Read More
Lessitovka: Final Touches
Read More
Light is a Wonderful Thing
Read More
Tel’nii Podmalyovok
Read More
Podmalyovok & Lessirovka
Read More
Imprimatura
Read More
Old Classics New Mediums
Read More
The Cosmic Dancer
Read More
Cosmic Dancer
Read More
Golden Dragonfly
Read More
Cat Portrait
Read More
Summer Reprieve
Read More
Clearing the Clutter
Read More
Tragedy of Trends
Read More
Almost August
Read More
Yellow River
Read More
Cats & Curiosities
Read More
In The Shadows
Read More
Engage
Engage
Let’s Work Together
Whether you are a solopreneur or a small enterprise, something here will indeed engage you. Whatever the reason for your visit, I want to help you to meet your goals. It is satisfying to share my talent, skills and knowledge with you.
Please look at my body of work & see my offerings.
Why Work With Me?
In fact, as a creative entrepreneur, I have a wealth of experience in owning and operating small businesses. I know how to deliver.
In all my dealings, I strive to work from a place of conscious business with respect and compassion. Clear interpersonal communication works for me, and I am highly intuitive. My references are excellent.
“All of my businesses function on the basis of integrity, quality and value.” ~ Deborah Robinson
List of My Services
- Social Media
- Web Design
- Marketing
- Art Murals
- Live Music Show
- Music Lessons
- Art Classes
- Hair & Makeup
- Reiki
- Face painting
- Art for Sale
Fill out the contact form below, so we can get started.
Please Note: It is impossible to give a quote or an estimate before knowing the scope of the job. My prices are derived from tangible data.
Happy Solstice
Happy Solstice~Merry Christmas~Happy Holidays and welcome to the age of Aquarius. Who ever thought we would have made it this far?
We have had a a lot of icy fog and hoar frost this year and it is beautiful. Occasionally the sun breaks through.
And though I would like to be out taking more pictures, however other things have taken priority.
At the moment it seems I am going from deadline to deadline, pacing myself and somehow it all gets done. Everything I need comes to me, miraculously.
I am getting bits and pieces of time in the studio in an attempt to finish some work. This is one of several oils I did late this summer, all 12 X 16. They are almost dry, still a bit wet in the darker areas.
A couple of weeks ago, I auditioned for a band and the experience was great. I felt good about the energy I took there, and was relaxed and calm. Feeling good about being in my element though it had been a long time and an opportunity to perform. It did not turn out to be the right situation but it feels like a bridge. A couple more situations are just on the horizon.
Currently I am writing new music, on piano mostly. My goal is to create an album, a CD, and once I have done that I will find a way to record it.
So I am carrying my notebook with me everywhere, as I always did before. The music is coming quicker than the lyrics. That has not always been the case. Creative thoughts must incubate before we can birth them. Much growth has been taking place under the surface.
I am spending this time to set intentions for the New Year, and to prioritize. Included in the repertoire will be lots of art, music, web design and writing. I am re-branding myself to integrate all that I do, and am determined that will provide me a way to sustain myself. In the meantime, let’s set an intention to make 2013 the best year ever!
Mission Accomplished
Well I did it! I surpassed 50,000 words, with a few hours to spare. This year, things went much slower for me, but then I had a couple of big pushes that drove me over the finish line.
It is a great feeling to achieve the required word count, despite the fact that the book itself is not finished. Of course this is just the first draft. I really feel this one is worth completing. I am going to reserve January for the rewrite, and I will pick away at finishing the first draft until then.
The novel is entitled ESOTERICA and the genre is magical realism. Oh and I even designed a cover this year for fun.
Here’s a short synopsis:
Story of woman artist, a sculptress, set in New York in the early twentieth century, whose family immigrated to the USA during the Mexican Revolution. Malinali Gohl was a trail blazer in the New York art world.
Malinali perseveres against all odds in a sea of tension and opposites, creating alliances that propel her into new worlds and uncover creations that will survive the test of time. In order to do so, Malinali must overcome ancestral patterns, illusion, discovering her inner visions and holding them steadfastly, while purifying her heart to make way for inspiration.
A journey of: Intuition – Illumination – Inspiration The Angel of the Presence, which guides her addresses and supplies the solution to glamour, unveiling the authentic and uncovering the truth.
One deadline down, I can now move on to my next set of commitments, including two showings of art during the month of December. And there are parties coming up too! If you are at Waves Coffee- Springbank, be sure to take a look at my art which will be on display & for sale during the month of December, beginning Sunday, December 2, 2012. The address is 160- 30 Springborough Blvd S.W
Come and see me at Calgary’s newest craft fair, in Bridgeland on December 8, 2012, where I will have an assortment of smaller to medium sized works and artist made gifts for sale at Bridgeland Riverside Community Association. 917 Center Avenue NE, Calgary, AB. Hope to see you there!
Fast Track: Writing, Music, Art
N A N O W R I M O is happening for me again this year. It’s novel writing month, and I will attempt to write 50,000 words in the month of November. You can view my progress in the sidebar. Last year I met my goal and I found it truly stimulates all areas of my life.
I only decided two days ago, and I am going to let my intuition lead the way. I have done very little planning, if any, so I am going to have to channel this thing.
Staying focused on my creative work, while shopping for inspiration, I have actually started to paint in oils. The one below is the first one I did. I am infatuated with the sensuality of the paint and have done a number of small works, mostly landscapes and flowers for a show at Waves Cafe in Springborough in December.
Leighton View
12 X 16
Oil/Canvas
I will also be selling at an artisan fair on December 8, at the Bridgeland Community Centre through What the Craft. A new series of energy paintings which I have designed is a collaboration of art, gemstones and Reiki and will be included in the show & sale.
Great holiday gifts, even if you decide to shop for yourself, as I am making some smaller pieces. I plan to have some art cards available too. Working on a mixed media abstract with lots of texture, gold and silver leaf. Experimenting and stepping out on a limb is a great way to bring in new energy.
I am writing more original music. Once I can demystify this recording challenge, I will have something for you to hear. Enjoying GoGirlsMusic, a networking group for women in music, which I have joined. We have a Thursday night Twitter chat and I have met some amazing women musicians. I was out jamming some blues last weekend. Getting my musician back on and who knows, maybe some gigs are just around the corner.
Writing A Book: NaNoWrimo
I am more than halfway through writing my 50,000 words. I confess, in the beginning watching the meter at the side of this blog was a bit like watching paint dry. The process has been going pretty well, and I am a day ahead of schedule. This goes to show what one can accomplish when a decision is made and one commits to daily practise.
Of course this may not be optimal conditions for the professional writer, but it certainly does give one a kick start. Getting used to writing everyday seems to be the ticket. It is great to be able to set a goal and meet it. The one day I felt like giving up was on day 2. My brain was mush, and my thoughts seemed snarled into a tight knot I did not know that I could get out of.
With the help of a few word wars, I sailed through to week two surprising well, considering the stats say that this is the most common time that participants give up. So here we are in week three out of four and doing nicely. I feel happy I have taken on this project.
It is really only half of what I intend to write by the time I finish. So when November is over, I shall set another goal for myself to finish part two. Most novels are approximately 100,000 words. So I am off to a grand start.
Some people had doubled their daily quota to get a whole book written in November. Since this was the largest writing project I had taken on, I decided to be the tortoise; slow and steady wins the race.
The only way to start living your dreams is by taking action. Some people walk across the Arctic, some climb mountains, and I am writing a book. I needed to get my will back. Seems it becomes fainter with age, we do not have so much fire in the belly as we did when we were younger.
I have tried to coax the sparrows closer to the house and the feeders, but they do not seem to want to get that close. I had so many birds at the other house and I miss them.
Needing Rest
Needing Rest
It was a dark and stormy night … no really! It made me think of the Bulwer-Lytton Writing contest, which is a contest for the worst written opening sentence-usually 50-60 words.
The contest offers a small pittance to the winners and has become an anomaly in writer’s circles.
Shoveling snow, groaning garage doors, and lows deep in the minus thirties to accompany the drifting snow. The wind chill was minus 51 Celsius yesterday morning. How I spent twelve years north of the 60th parallel is beyond me. Seems my energy is at an all time low to match the temperatures and I need rest. I believe I am safe and protected, I will be warm eventually … and that things will turn out all right.
The only warming thought I’ve had is that I am a pro again. (happy dance!) Guaranteed when you fixate on things that are not coming together, my OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) rises up. Oh well, thanks to the ‘team’ for sorting through this for me! I can now blog on.
I should have gone to bed hours ago. Instead I have been burning the midnight oil, accomplishing nothing in particular.
I am taking stock, which will decide my plan of action. Rapid change propels me headlong into the unknown. Where the energy will come for this evades me at the present moment.
Writing, tech stuff & good eats
Writing, tech stuff & good eats
Apologies in advance to all the vegetarians. I was vegetarian for over twenty years. Moving to the Arctic in the early eighties changed that. I find my body requires it now!
No matter what the weather, you can always BBQ! Have you ever smelled steak cooking outdoors while on your way home when you were so hungry? Last night the aroma wafting through the neighbourhood was my own steak. Yum!
Technical frustrations!!! What is up with the frozen mouse thing on XP Pro SP2? Can’t decide if it is my Firefox browser or Windows. All unneeded Windows services have been disabled. One by one I have checked running processes in the task manager, and have rid myself of things which are eating up CPU’s unnecessarily. I understand this mouse thing is an XP bug. If anybody knows how to fix that please come forth and share the wealth. My next computer is going to have Linux, I think, or I will have to get a Mac. I am not interested in Vista.
I have been working a bit on some writing. I found a conditional freeware program called WordWeb which is a dictionary, thesaurus, and word finder, great resource for writers. Now I really like this guy’s originality and his social conscience. The conditions on using the program include you take at most 4 flights (2 return flights) in any 12 month period, and you do not own or regularly drive an SUV (sports utility vehicle). Read more about the licensing requirements and check it out here. Not only that with the pro version you can create crosswords and all sorts of cool stuff, if you’re so inclined.
Trying out a freeware writer’s software called Rough Draft, which works well with the afore mentioned program. I had also downloaded the open source Celtx, but it is more suitable for screen writing, so the jury is still out on that one for the time being in regards to my purposes, but it seems to be a great program. I am truly looking for novel writing software, to do a rewrite on a long awaited project, chapter by chapter.
Hard to believe when I took creative writing at the university about six years ago, I was doing all my assignments on a typewriter! Now I know why people thought I was crazy, now that I know what computers are capable of. That is actually how I came to become a computer addict. And WOW, what an expansion occurred there!
I have decided to try Google adsense for a while. It has been a week and I am still seeing public service ads???
Now for the procrastination tip of the day …
Time to kill? Bored? Hey why not create some scanner art? That way you can avoid all of those things you are supposed to be doing like creating authentic art, which could bring in some hard cold cash.
Wait a minute! This is authentic incubation time as a result of stage three of the artistic process. The leaves were taken from my yard. I suppose it could classify as found art!
Have a great weekend all!
A Moment in Time
A Moment in Time
The rains have come, only hours before the vernal equinox. It is late this year with a full moon soon to follow. Pleased to see I hadn’t missed the changing of the guard. Leaves hurriedly make their way to the gutters whisked by the rapid waters flowing curbside. Music, trickling from the eaves troughs, comforts.
Balmy fragrant long lit evenings have transcended to flaming yellows tousled against darkened skies.
Sirens wail in the distance announcing a new order. I manage to live between the shadows, just like my blog title suggests, preferring a background seat or the bird’s eye view if you will. Peace, solitude and aloneness are key ingredients if I am to create.
I am tired of being in the trenches, the front lines. The combat zone has left me feeling battle weary and war worn.
The raw energies have taken their toll on my psyche. Like setting the stage for a play, all props and nuances must be in place before the show can go on. Regrouping energies, shadow faces seek out the spotlight.
Looking for a way to move from the darkened underground into the light. Yet nothing to solve this achiness in my heart and joints which dotes on comfort like a luxury. Life is fragile. Yellow lifeblood drains from the leaves, leaving a lattice of darkened frames, promises of another spring.
Flow
18 X 24
Despite all of this I managed to begin two new paintings today. I refused to answer my phone, and have not even checked my messages. Sometimes one has to put up their fence in order to get things accomplished.
These paintings appear to be off to a good start, though beginning is never the problem. I shall try not to paint a hole in these.
Peony
24 X 24
I am reading John Ruskin’s “Emotion & Art”, a free PDF download, from his Emotion & Art Project website which I am hoping to absorb through osmosis if nothing else. Listen to his music too if you get the chance. He has also done some groundbreaking work on emotional clearing and written a book on the subject which is available on his other website.