* Tiniest of things…and wisdom.
February 15th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Wild Blackberries (‘en plein air) ©Morri
acrylic / wrapped canvas (click on image to enlarge)
~
within
the tiniest of things
lies
beautiful
wisdom.
~morri
~
Wild Blackberries (‘en plein air) was painted near this time of year, in a spring past. I was working on large commissioned Tuscany pieces, and I was feeling somewhat weary. So I decided to step away from it for a spell. I looked down from the studio window and saw the wild blackberries growing high over the fence at the edge of our yard.
As if bewitched
I then found myself deep within blackberries painting the tiniest of petals and thorns, completely lost in the music of bees and the perfumed air of spring.
T’was just what I needed,
to paint freely..
from my heart.
I forgot all time and place until the little canvas was filled.
When I returned to the studio I was not only ready to work…I found myself in love with the Tuscany pieces.
Thank you, dear divine blackberries.
Once again..I could see things clearly and anew.
It is much the same,
in life.
Sometimes we need to step aside from time and place
letting it unfold.
Trusting…
that
all is as it should be.
Like winter leaving,
spring returning
and
once again..
wild blackberries,
anew.
“Wild Blackberries..again” (photo 2/15/2012) ©Morri
~
I have peace, of heart..
and
I’m wishing you the same.
within light..
~
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* The Journey..voices from within.
February 5th, 2012 § 5 Comments
The Journey ©Morri (sold)
24″ x 32″ acrylic on canvas
(Prints are available)
click on image to enlarge
~
The journey
begins,
only to
circle
back…
from
within.
~morri
~
This tactile painting The Journey left me some time ago, before I worked under my name morri. I’ve written about the painting several times in the past, so I will not do so here again. If you wish to read one of the posts here’s a link to my previous blog —> gypsy-heart, I am.
The energy of this piece continues…lot’s of prints out there, and I also allowed the image to be used, from churches to festivals..music to poetry..throughout the US to Canada.
Recently, it was on t-shirts worn at a Hispanic leadership institute for a school district in Colorado. As promised, the organizer sent me a t-shirt:
I love it ..certainly a keepsake!
Alas, this time I am writing of another journey–
the one of my name..
Not the changes, in real life, due to three marriages. (hey I am not a quitter. 3rd time was a charm..married almost 22 years.)
So not my legal names, but how I’ve signed my work, as an artist..
- susan sims (too common)
- susan morrison sims (too damn long)
- smSims (too generic)
I did not connect to any of the names..especially the name Susan. (I apologize to my mother)
I hesitate to tell you this..but this is to be my year of freedom as a person and as an artist. (I no longer have reason to hold back..another closed chapter, in my book).
Freedom allows me to tell you…
I had been thinking about how to sign my work. A name came to me within a dream. Often a **voice speaks to me within dreams or within waking silence. Yes, it’s true. Anyway, he whispered the name, morri. I had never heard that name before..
and yet, it felt so very very familiar.
I researched a bit and mulled it over, until finally embracing it whole heartedly.
Now, fast forward a spell..
My dear father came for a visit. I told him about the name morri (though, I left out how it came to me..hee hee). He seemed surprised when I said the name. He then told me how long long ago, morri was his nickname (only used by one good friend).
me: you’ve never mentioned that.
my father: it just never came up.
This was so typical of my father..a non-pretentious, conservative man..not prone to talk a lot about personal things or events.
Much to my surprise though, he was very pleased with my decision! I had no idea my seemingly healthy father would leave our world within a few years. Needless to say, the name means more to me now than ever!! Once again, I was thankful to a voice for guiding me..this time, to a name I share with my beloved father! Morri is now officially trademarked and a LLC. Much to come, I do believe.
I am toying with the idea of legally changing my name to morri. If you knew my crazy journey you might understand why. lol
Still within names…
The last few weeks confirmations and signs have been swirling around me (including an unexpected phone call). Many are concerning my vision/wishes concerning fashion design. It all has to do with my ideas of ”Twyla” by Morri.
and yes..the name Twyla came to me by way of voice (during waking hours)..this time, a feminine one.
Maybe next week, I will write more of Twyla here (also the painting revealed to me).
To ignore signs and confirmations would be quite rude of me, don’t you agree? That would be refusing gifts. Gifts..I wished for. :)
So..
the journey goes on..
and signs & confirmations (and voices for some of us) along the way,
but we must
be aware.
For we never know when or where such may come–
until next time..
within light..
~
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* Art..Within paints and glass.
January 25th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Within Muscadines ©Morri
24″ x 32″ x 1.5″ acrylic / wrapped canvas
~
When you possess
light within,
you see it
externally.
~Anaïs Nin
~
Running late on my monday post this week..’tis Wednesday night. I found myself a little under the weather for a few days. Sickness sure does make one appreciate wellness..yes? Happy to be out and about in my studio and garden again.
Today I feel drawn to write about art, within paints & glass…
First, a little about the painting Within Muscadines…
I painted this from images I shot while on a visit to a vineyard in our area. I love how light threads its way through the deeply shadowed vines. I also love to eat these grapes straight off the vine. Naturally birds savor the grapes too..so I had to tuck one or two within the shadows ..yellow rumped warblers they are!
These grapes are native to our area..(Muscadines are also called “America’s first grapes, discovered in 1584). As I said, I love to eat them, but they are also good makings for wine. At our place on Drayton Isle I hope to have my own little vineyard..it all circles back to the ancient history of the island. I hope to eventually make my own muscadine wine, but much less sweet than what I’ve tasted thus far. I’ll certainly let you know when it comes to be!
Still on the subject of art,
only now, is of glass..
My good friend & glass artist, Deb, gave me an old stained glass window, found by a contractor friend of hers discarded beneath a building in Jacksonville Florida. I fell in love with it and brought it home straight away. I knew exactly where it was to go…
Antique stained glass window photo ©Morri
I placed it in the parlor (my favorite room) on a lovely iron easel in front of the window that overlooks my little vegetable garden and the river beyond. I have to say. I am quite enchanted by this glass piece of purple, amber, and green. Maybe it is the heart design..or the colors..or the stories that lie within the glass. Stories such as how did it end up buried in darkness beneath a building or
who was the maker…
I know the artist left here long ago..who knows maybe his or her spirit will channel through the shards of glass. I hope so.
Well, I must hush for the day is quickly coming to a close.
Tonight as moonlight filters through the window I will raise my glass of wine to my friend Deb, all the humanitarians among us, and a stained glass artist from a time and place long ago..
within light..
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* Sparkles and Treasures .. (monday musings)
January 16th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Sparkly Clutches-photo ©Morri (click on images to enlarge)
Aren’t they lovely? My photo did not do them justice.
♥ read about these beauties on down a bit
I’ve been mad busy since my week ago Monday post, and I would have the beginning of a book if I wrote about my nights and days. So I will spare you and me. I’ll only chat about a few things–how about biz meeting-thrifting with friends and gardening?
Friends first…
Once a month I meet with Mark & Susana, a couple of friends – treasures in my life. I met them through my Rotary club. Anyway, what began as a business/lunch meeting some months ago has evolved into so much more. We still discuss, encourage, and inspire each other about our businesses and latest projects, tasks, and goals. I think it works well because we are all in totally different fields, a mix of gender, and of age. (me being the elder-ette)
We used to always meet at the same place, but now we select an interesting venue or area to explore. Last week we were in Green Cove Springs, Florida..a lovely little town just across the bridge from me.
We decided to check out a few thrift stores, and I found a few things that caught my eye and work for my visions in process.
Here’s a few of them:
Large heavy green bowls..
Green Bowls photo ©Morri
Love the color green, so I had to have these.
So pretty, and perfect for parties. I will keep them in the parlor (one of my favorite rooms) for a spell. Seemed fitting to have them beside my basil and grove pepper plants ( brought in for a few days due to our cold weather).
♥ I think my most favorite finds were the little purses at the top. They are so different yet so similar in style..sparkly so. I see so many possibilities using them..especially the black one.
hmm…
Maybe I’ll start posting some photos of what I “put together” when I venture out into the world. :)
Beyond thrifting ..
We had lunch at a locally owned Italian place called D’Fontana that my husband and I eat. The owners are from Rome, Italy and the food is very good and reasonable. After a long lunch we strolled a couple of doors down to the newly opened Spring Park Coffee –>(facebook page) also locally owned. Named such because it is a lovely walk away from Spring Park on the St John’s River. Very quaint inside and two adorable young ladies made us delicious coffees..mine a latte, of course. :) They serve Allegro coffee (read about why I like the coffee and the concept by clicking on the link)
I finished my thrifty day with A Little Florida Cookbook by Anne Hardy. I’m looking forward to trying some of the recipes..especially for guests when we are at our place on Drayton Island. I’ll be writing about that world from time to time..it is a place of dreams and possibilities!
on to
Gardening…
Last week I tended to my little kitchen garden (only 22 steps from center of kitchen). Over the years I’ve always had something growing in the dirt, but something happened during this winter garden. I’m turning into a serious gardener (and wanna be cook). I’ m morri-fied (see definition in margin on right). hee hee
It took travels to the Tuscan and French countryside/villas to paint en plein air for me to remember what I grew up with (part of my life)..delicious meals straight from the garden..not a box or can.
I guess you could say it took a 6000 mile trip across the ocean for me to fall in love with my own world again.
Anyway, last week I spent lots of hours weeding, feeding, and nurturing. You may think me crazy (won’t be the last time you do), but I swear the plants responded with happiness. Images of my garden earlier on are on my previous post Canvases of cloth and dirt.
Garden work, end of day.
A garden toast (more thrifting treasures)..
Garden toast, end of day-photo ©Morri
One of four wine glasses..again my photo does not do it justice. It’s a lovely green with delicate etching near the top. I don’t know if they’re old or crystal, I just know I liked them. (as I mentioned in my last post–I buy what I like or feel connected to).
The colorful ceramic pitcher is probably my second best-loved find. I did a little research and it was designed by a living artist named, Morag Benepe. Just the colors made me feel warm and happy. I am thinking summer evenings, friends, and a pitcher of margaritas.
Speaking of wine and margaritas
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* Eclectic fashion in purple
January 9th, 2012 § 9 Comments
shades, designs, & textures
in
the color purple
I confess, I love fashion on all levels! I am not a fashion snob though…if I like something I’ll buy it, no matter where I find it. I also love vintage and sewing my own. You get the idea…oh, and I also find things online.
I guess I would say my style is eclectic (most everything about me is..including my art). I love layers and mixing things up in patterns, designs, and materials. I was wearing a lot of black and a tad of gray/silver due to my hair color (silver in the front now), but as of late, I’ve begun adding a few more colors into my palette.. like pinks, greens, & purple/lavenders. I think I am entering yet another era–a peaceful happy era..ever transcending. Age allows one to do so, and that is a good thing.
Anyway, here a few recent bargains..a favorite dress I ordered online (Simply Vera) around $25.00.
front
back
ha ha..no I don’t keep my clothes outside it was just such a lovely day in the garden..the light was perfect for purple!
The dress, coat from Target (marked down to 14.99), yummy shoes by Dana Buchman,
and one of my scarves from my trip to Venice (yes..bargains there too!)
I ordered this dress online. How wonderful that it came straight away to my front door, and I was not disappointed in the least. It’s quite lovely..so simple and feels light as air. I tend to look for pieces that make me happy and are comfortable. I also look for things that I feel are age appropriate..now I don’t mean frumpy or church lady things..no indeed. It simply means I leave the mini’s and such to the young ladies. Which my dears, is where I think such should be…I am quite *morri-fyde at what I see on some “mature” ladies–sometimes frighteningly so!
*morri-fydes are simply things that I love, interest, intrigue..or surprise me!
and
fashion most certainly does!
I know at times, it can be a challenge to find what you wish or need. I often feel frustrated myself.
Soooo I am thinking…
I will create my own designs. Actually, I already have created them in the morri boutique in my mind. :) I’ve had a name for my dress line for a spell..
Twyla, by Morri
“Morri” is all properly trademarked..I am branded now hee hee, and I have Morri, LLC..so I need to stop planning & planning & procrastinating about possibilities and do something…yes? I may eventually tell you how the Twyla came to be..better yet I should paint her. She has been lingering in my thoughts begging me to do so. So maybe I shall…
Well, I think i will end this monday evening post. I have truly chattered about nothing important..and I like that. I wanted and needed a place of un-seriousness (another word I think I just made up..ha ha).
Darlings, if I am to do all the un-serious and lovely things swirling around in my mind/heart…I will need to live a 1000+ years. Who knows I just may..I have never quite felt I was from this world anyway. :)
in the meantime…
good & creative energies to you,
xo!
Ps I think I am somewhat compulsive. I’ve changed the title of this blog a zillion times. Sorry to the few souls out there that found me..what can I say? It has always been such..I am a fretter (spell check informed me that is not a word..well it is now) hee hee Now that I’ve apologized..I’ll truly hush.
~
