most days seem ordinary or even dull, tarnished with the mundane which hangs like a dense fog over the landscape of my life
and then while making a cup of tea I notice a tiny spider making its way across the immense landscape of my counter top oblivious it seems to danger
hell bent on the journey of it’s spidery-ness
and it’s as if the lighthouse keeper woke up and pointed a beam of enchantment, illuminating what is real in the world– a being unquestionably engaged in the life it came here to live
and in so doing reveals mine.
Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse Watercolor Painting
~ Poetry by Susan J Schmickle @ Dec. 2, 2019 ~ Painting by Spencer Riddile
absorb the sun and stars reflect moonlight allow the rain to roll off their backs and water the earth
snakes curl up in their warmth and in the cool lee of their underbellies they shelter beyond measure the unsung heroes of the earth
the days of their youth are long and they wear away with the ages awaiting the weight of your footsteps on their broad, strong shoulders so that they may kiss your feet with their passionate and eternal presence
~ Poetry by Susan J Schmickle ~ Paintings by Spencer Riddile
A friend of mine who manages a local cafe (Lotus Cafe/Kitchen) located on the island in Solomons, MD asked if I would be interested in doing an art show displaying some the things I’ve painted at the cafe. I was excited that she asked me and thought it sounded like a fun idea and a fairly casual way of doing my first art show. So I agreed! I hope that you can attend! Following are some details including one of the painting & audio pairs that I’ll be presenting.
Lotus Cafe dressed up for Christmas
When: Friday, February 26 at 5 PM – 10 PM Where: Lotus Kitchen featuring Kim’s Keylime Pies
14618 Solomons Island Rd S, Solomons, MD 20688 Phone: (410) 326-8469 Facebook invitation: https://www.facebook.com/events/227581297582671/ Description: I will be hanging some watercolor paintings in Lotus Cafe. I am pairing audio clips with some of the paintings and you will be able to access them via the web. So if you are interested in hearing the audio clips please bring a smartphone or computer and some headphones.
Below is an example of a painting and audio pairing. I’m excited to share more of these at the show. Please let me know what you think!
Sitting by a crackling fire, we accompanied each other while we shared some of our experiences of the previous year and aspirations we had for the new year. During the year that we were reviewing, my friend shared a significant and challenging transition she had experienced. Her and her husband’s life paths were diverging resulting in a separation in their relationship. During that year she had put a lot of attention on self inquiry and recovering her wholeness and freedom from a traumatic childhood. She used images to describe to me what it was like for her to be liberated from life limiting beliefs that had been frozen in her nervous system.
Respired Flight is my attempt to paint what she shared with me that evening.
Respire: recover hope, courage, or strength after a time of difficulty.
I’ve decided to delve more deeply and fully into my self expression through watercolor painting by starting this blog. As my artistic expression and this blog emerge and evolve, I am eager to find “my voice”, an over arching theme that captures my passion and paintings. I am beginning with a theme of “connecting with life through art”. Read more about me and my art . .
