Writing & Journal Exercises

WaterColour Doodle

Notepad rests on top of a huge watercolour pad of paper.  On the top left hand corner of the facing page is a single image I painted this afternoon.

I was looking out the window and there was a face-like image outline I could see in the threads of the yellow curtain.  I sometimes see images, outlines in things.  Today,  I decided to doodle it with watercolours.

Since it was just an outline, it was easy enough to recreate but soon, as I kept playing with it, it morphed into a recognizeable painting of a face.

It looks upon completion, as an Incan chief with its eyes bleeding.  This I found remarkable as the other day, I had been reading about Incan history.  One of the personages I read about was Yahuar Huacac, "He Who Weeps Blood".  He was captured when he was young and when they saw him bleeding tears of blood, they let him go.  He became famous for this and was given that name.  He also became a co-ruler.

When I'm flowing in my artwork, these sort of revelations often occur.  I never know when I begin what will happen - but soon it shows itself.  I need to trust more.  And be happy doing so.

There was a certain feeling while painting that I get when these things happen.  Its a sort of abandonment and freedom.  A freedom from care and release.  I appreciate the moments as it is so needed now.

Exercise:  Flow Writing - Pick a tangible object from your surroundings and use it as the opening image in your entry.  Let your mind free-associate from one thought to the next.  Write for a specific period of time.   [Life's Companion by Christina Baldwin pg. 24]

Wasaga Beach

Sleepy, resting in a camp-style fold out chair; I've just arrived at Wasaga Beach.  It seems most of Ontario is here today.  I have not seen this many people here before.  It may be due to the new parking lots they have added.  Wasaga Beach is north of Toronto and rests on Georgian Bay.  The drive to Wasaga Beach from where I now live in Loretto, Ontario is about an hour or so.

There is no one style of people on the beach today.  All shapes and sizes, families, singles, couples, and groups of friends.  The sand is very hot, soft and its namesake coloured.

I'm wearing a pink bikini under a yellow cotton shirt and white shorts.  Eventually I will disrobe to swim and take in more Vitamin D.

I closed my eyes to listen to the screams of play from children, laughter, chattering conversation, the mix of languages, the splash of waves made by departing waders.  And to not be forgotten a seagull loudly honks by.

Exercise:  Flow Writing - Pick a tangible object from your surroundings and use it as the opening image in your entry.  Let your mind free-associate from one thought to the next.  Write until you have arrived at a place that feels finished.   [Life's Companion by Christina Baldwin pg. 24]

The Pond

My feet are dipped in the warm water touched by a summer sun.  Swimming past, already seen, is a bass fish.  There are several in this pond.  A pond of average size and one inviting to swimming humans, fish, and a few turtles.  Also accompanying me are many dragonflies.  A new sort too, I've not seen before are everywhere, dive bombing the surface of the water.  There is a surf baord (though I'm not exactly sure why) nestled on the shoreline next to an aluminum boat.  I'm sitting on a wooden dock writing as the wind blows my hair to and fro, and creates sunlit ripples that dance with the eye's gaze.  There are bullrushes lining the east side of the pond, while different kinds of foliage line the rest until one reaches where I am sitting, the north side - and here you will find a small dock and a clearing where you can wade into the water.

It is rather beautiful and peaceful.  Only the sounds of birds tweetering and once in a while the sound of a woodpecker drilling a hole in a tree.  I haven't swam yet in this pond; not sure exactly why.  I hope to soon.  The sun's heat is certainly supporting the activity.

Exercise:  Flow Writing - Pick a tangible object from your surroundings and use it as the opening image in your entry.  Let your mind free-associate from one thought to the next.  Write for a specific period of time.   [Life's Companion by Christina Baldwin pg. 24]

Lemon Plant

I'm sitting on a tan-rugged floor in front of a potted plant.  I bought it last autumn.  Its still growing nicely.  I've repotted once already, and soon perhaps I will find it a roomier home base.  Right now it grows in a pinkish burgundy plastic container with gold touches on the ridges that encircle it.

Its about 12 inches in height.  The leaves are larger at its height than its base, which makes me wonder that it needs some extra nutrients.  The leaves look healthy and shiny.  Light to average emerald green, the leaves turn downward yet are robust.  There is no sign of buds nor, therefore, fruit yet but thats okay.  I'm glad that it is still growing.

I placed it on the ground in front of my sliding door balcony windows that faces west.

To the touch the leaves feel silken and comforting.

I think it wants to be amongst more of its kind.  Perhaps not a solitary plant at all.  I may rectify this for my lemon plant soon.

Exercise:  Flow Writing - Pick a tangible object from your surroundings and use it as the opening image in your entry.  Let your mind free-associate from one thought to the next.  Write until you have arrived at a place that feels finished.   [Life's Companion by Christina Baldwin pg. 24]