Creating....

Creating sparks of brilliance from barely glowing embers,
She is only a breath away.
                                                     The Tao of Women

Food for thought from Rumi.....

One who understands makes no attempt

To solve the puzzle of another,

To stop their world from turning

To keep a soul from learning.

                                             rumi 

Inspiring words to help differentiate between "helping" and "serving".

"Big Moon"

In honor of the 'supermoon' making an appearance this Sunday, June 23.  Happy Solstice everyone!!

"Big Moon"

16 x 20

collage/mixed media

Tree Art IX and X

These trees just keep manifesting themselves!!

Breath Girl II

Anyone following the Breathlines.com process I played a little more with it this week. I ventured out of the process a little to add pastels vs. paints and created a textured underpainting before beginning the breathlines. It is very meditative. and I find i really enjoy this vs. creating mandalas which i find frustrating. At any rate here is Breath Girl II

A Blessing For You Today....

"Mother of All"

acrylic

16 x 20

On each threshold, wisdom

At every doorway, love

Through every entry, grace

With each beginning, peace

                                j.richardson

Happy Mother's Day!

I was thinking today of www.halikarla.com   May Prayer Art Invitation and "remembered" this piece i did a while ago in honor of The Seeker archetype.  It reminded me that as women we do remember what is important and are always in search of wisdom and truth wherever it is to be found.
p.s. ( I apologize if i posted this piece before....i'm having trouble "remembering" !)

"The Seekers"

11 x 14

oils

Orbs in my Yard

Last week i had an "orb" experience in my yard. Some (me) think orbs represent divine presences.
here is a one photo i captured along with artwork to help me express my awe of discovering this.

Where do you create?

Click here to see my sacred creating place......

Carolyn M. Abrams. Brunswick, NY

Where do you create?

Click here to see my sacred creating place......

Carolyn M. Abrams. Brunswick, NY

Peace Orb

....in honor of those lives lost and impacted in Boston

PEACE.....what does that word mean anyway?

PEACE....
What does that word mean anyway?

Terror, I understand
Hate, I understand
Sorrow, I understand.

Because I have seen.

But peace?
It is such an elusive word.

Does it mean joy?
Does it mean happiness?
Does it mean love?

I think it means silence.

Peace in the Longing

To my sisters in art.....

"Sisterhood II"

watercolor/collage

5 x 7

From my friend Terri at Bone Sigh Arts

i had to reprint this....so connected to my sacred vessels artwork

visit Terri at www.bonesigharts.com

Beautiful writings and artwork......

Bone Sigh Arts

---

sacred vessels

“it was when she dipped deep inside, and scooped out her very essence - and then stretched her arms outwards with her hands full of stars - it was when those stars passed thru her fingers and out to the world - it was then she understood she was a sacred vessel. that we are all sacred vessels - with the entire universe flowing thru us - and all we need to do is open and be.”

Tree Art VI

Tree Art VI

acrylics

7 x 11

Book Spine Poetry

I recently came across something called Book Spine Poetry....try it and post it here!

The Tao Of Women is my Artists Muse
It searches my Women's Spirituality
And causes me to acknowledge my Sacred Contracts.
As I explore my Soul of Creativity
I realize Art is a Spiritual Path for me
The Soul's Palette opens up the Colors of the Soul
And encourages me to explore
The Anatomy of the Spirit!

She Sings....

Acceptance

My Easter word this year is acceptance.  The dictionary describes it as "the act of taking or receiving something offered."  Accepting one another for who we are, i think, is a great act of acceptance.
Blessed Easter to all!

"Morning Talk"

mixed media/collage/gelatin print

5 x 7

She Stories

Some time ago I began an art journal of "She Stories". At the time, it seemed like a less personal way of expressing myself by saying it in the third person. Then i realized many of my friends could relate. It seems i was a little ahead of my time because i am now seeing similar "she stories" being posted online. Here is one of mine. Can you come up with a "she story" of your own? If so, please leave a comment and share with us!

She is the Artist of Her Life

collage/mixed media

5 x 7

Carolyn m Abrams Art Spring Newsletter

Carolyn M Abrams Art Spring Newsletter

click here:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-Carolyn-M-Abrams-Art.html?soid=1102328835087&aid=9nXK-ZCrAFU

Tree Art V

The parts are sometimes greater than the whole......

Tree Art V

acrylic on paper

7 x 11

In keeping with my rabbit dream......

"Spirit Hare"

acrylic

7 x 14

Tree Art IV

More tree art.....

Tree Art IV

acrylic

7 x 11

Spirit Rabbit

The other night i had a dream about a white rabbit with wings.  I never dream about animals.  So i asked my friend who has an animal interpretation book what that might mean.  Here is her reply

In the animal deck a rabbit signifies fear. Rabbit medicine people call their fears in so they can learn from them.  the essential thing to be learned here is: what you resist will persist!! (btw, this is the third time that saying came to me in a week!) What you fear most is what you will become.

Rid yourself of any negative feelings and if you feel the need, burrow into a safe space to nurture yourself.

White signifies Spirit, wings can indicate angelic beings.

So i went into the studio and created my dream.

"Spirit Rabbit"

7 x 11

acrylic

In honor of International Women's Day today....

I offer this work of art, part of my Divine Vessels series...

"Freeing Her Spirit"
acrylics
16 x 20

Tree Art III

   Tree Art III

acrylics

11 x 14

Be Brave......

Tree Art

Some "tree art" to go along with my tree hugging experience!! 

Have you hugged a tree today?

No seriously....I had the strongest urge today to hug the silver maple in my yard as i walked by it to my studio.  It's just the perfect size. I wrapped my arms around it. Put my forehead against its strong body. Felt its roots draw my feet under. It was the most amazing sensation. So grounded, safe, strong.
This could be addicting!! and then i went into my studio and made tree art!  i will post when finished! :)

February Prayer Art Invitation

 Gentle Woman   

acrylic

12 x 12

After losing my Dad this image came to me in honor of our Blessed Mother who he was very devoted to. The inspiration came from the hymn "Gentle Woman".  It is amazing to me how inspiration speaks to us....sometimes through thoughts, sometimes through images, sometimes through words or lyrics.

Salute` Dad!

www.halikarla.com
Prayer Art Invitation

Today I notice the driips and spatters of the paint

The orbs and spheres.
A symbol of life
The circle, a symbol of life eternal.

Small Stones - Writing Our Way Home Day 28

This is probably the first "real" poem i have actually written. It came through in trying to understand the tragic events in Newtown, Ct.  I have to believe these angels didn't die in vain.  It has become the impetus of a new work presently in progress to my series "Divine Vessels".   I hope to have "Vessels of Change" completed soon.  In the meantime  i invite you to visit my work at www.carolynabrams.com

Vessels of Change

Twenty new stars and six guiding lights
are prominent in the universe tonight.

Vessels of change as they make their way
Through the portals of a new earth and a new way

Where love is the norm and compassion abounds
As it dances through their veins
These vessels of change.

Where understanding and friendship takes the land
to new heights by day and breaths by night

Where faith is received and love is given
Joining hearts and hands to this new way of living

Is this a dream or a figment of my mind?
No, it’s the hope and  wish of twenty new stars and six guiding lights
In the universe tonight.

Small Stones - Writing Our Way Home Day 27

"There is a time when you are simply seized by tenderness for the world and you decide you want your work to serve some part of that."  uk

This quote has moved me on so many levels since the first time i saw it.  I hope it will do the same for you.

Small Stones - Writing Our Way Home - Day 24

When i look at myself i see someone consumed with my relations to others.
Have I given enough
Have i done enough
Have I said too much
Not enough?
I would one day love to see
my qualities of loving
compassion, creativity, sensitivity
alone
I would love to just shed the dissection mode 
and just see me.

Small Stones - Writing Our Way Home - Day 23

There is nothing like lunch with a couple of  friends, kindred spirits, long overdue connecting.

Small Stones - Writing our Way Home- Day 19

The bare branches look like arms extending awkwardly bending and swaying in the breeze
They look like fingers pointing, grasping, dancing
As the wind blows they respond
Should I applaud?

Small Stones -- Writing Our Way Home

Clarity of vision
As crystal clear as the newly fallen show
In sharp contrast to the evergreens and the new red barn.

Small Stones - Writing Our Way Home

The tiny birds with their black and brown mottled feathers zip back and forth to the feeders taking turns, never squabbling in the cold air. That they survive each winter is a miracle!

From a small stones writing:


Peace in the longing
Peace in the leaving
Peace in the letting go
In every step, peace.

came these two expressive art pieces

Safe within my sacred place i find myself.

Small stones....Writing Our Way Home

They bring a light to my life
That I never could imagine possible. Amen

Small stones -- Writing Our Way Home

I came across this blessing today, while it is not my own i just love it. in thinking of something or someone old my dad came to mind and this just seemed perfect.

Peace in the longing
Peace in the leaving
Peace in the letting go
In every step, peace.
                  j.richardson

Small Stones Day 8 - Writing Our Way Home

Watching the miracle of their tiny faces
Just brings me to my knees.

Small stones, Writing our Way Home

Clear sky, bright stars
North star you are the brightest
If I follow you, where will you lead me?

Small Stones...Writing our Way Home

I would say the sun is so luminous as it shines through the window
How can anyone insist there is no God
A skeptic would say it's just a ball of fire, existing in the sky
    consisting of this energy or that.
I would beg to differ.

A return to blogging...

It has been quite some time since i last journaled here and a lot has happened since then. I didn't realize at the time i was creating my new artworks that it coincided with a spiritual journey i had embarked on. Somehow the images just kept presenting themselves to me and i continued to translate them on the canvases. It wasn't until i had a body of work did i realize they had a message.

The blog posts previous to this date document the creation of some of these works. To see the full series please visit my website at www.carolynabrams.com

The posts following are part of a 31 day challenge from the website Writing our Way Home http://www.writingourwayhome.com/. or visit their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/writingourwayhome

Enjoy!

Small Stones...Writing our Way Home Challenge

Checking out the icicles melting in the window box of my studio.
So very many shades of grey
Isn't it just like the world we live in
Nothing is black or white.

Small Stones...Writing our Way Home Challenge

The smell of the candle is delicious
I don't recognize the fragrance
But the jar says Gratitude
The smell of gratitude...
Yes indeed, it is delicious!