small works, BIG THOUGHTS

26 November 2024

Hello from M.E. and happy (almost) holidays. As I write this newsletter, I'm reminded of the crazy holiday seasons that I used to have when I had each of my retail boutiques. Each festive season felt daunting and rushed and frantic. Black Friday ran into Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, and did I miss another day of shopping?

As an artist nowadays, I opt to savor the season as much as I can. Holiday traditions are minimal but just a touch of the season that I need - I'm planning a cookie decorating night with a few friends and will get a wreath made and decorated soon enough. Our tree is already up and the slow magical changing lights will be on. I've peeled myself away from work for a bit to spend time with my family in the US. In my florist role, I see the excitement of people who love buying flowers and decorations to launch the season and celebrate it, big and small. As for the art that I'm creating, I'm spending a lot of time lately doing hand stitching and small scale works. These are quieting my thoughts and allowing for moments to be savored.

Other things I'm loving..

I'm intentionally working on consuming different things besides political podcasts. You? Here are a few things I've been enjoying...

books:
EARTH TO MOON - the memoir by Moon Zappa. I knew her as the singer of the cult song "Valley Girl." Whew. What a book. I listened to it as an audio book, but I'm sure the book book is fabulous and apparently has lots of great visuals.

music:
RAHIM REDCAR. I have been a fan of Christine and the Queens for years. The creative force behind this band is now reinvented in a whole new way. I'm fascinated and intrigued and mezmerized by what I consider to be one of the best pop stars of my lifetime. The song "Deep Holes" is now on repeat.

art:
I've been delving into quilting lately and even attended a quilt guild meeting recently. I'm a big fan of the teachings of Sherri Lynn Wood who is all about creating patchwork pieces improvisationally and with a big "Whooppee" when a mistake is made. My kind of artist!

clothing: As a former fashionista, it takes a lot for me to get really excited about something. But I recently got excited for a cute pair of the softest, cutest pyjamas by Rooh London. The designer is based in South London and creates Indian block print sleepwear that makes me feel oh so chic after peeling off my workwear attire at the end of a long, grubby day in the art studio or on the florist stand. I love mine so much that I even gifted my parents some as an early gift for the holidays.

movies:
I came across this 1996 gem when I flew the other day from London to the US. Anyone remember the indie flick "The Daytrippers"? I saw it way back when and was excited to see it again. Whew. So good with just-about-to-hit-it-big actors Parker Posey, Liv Schrieber, Stanely Tucci & more. They travel from New Jersey to NYC in a single day in the family station wagon. Fun views of Soho before it got too commercial and a silly cameo by Marcia Gay Harden, too.

I encounter a lot of people at my florist job. At one of the locations, it's a busy railway station. I'm often bombarded with questions for directions. I help as much as I can, but sometimes it can be a bit much as I'm conditioning flowers and serving customers and often feel demanded upon. Especially when people have phones and can help themselves with their Googlemaps. I often joke that I feel like Lucille Ball and Ethel when they're at the candy factory and can't keep up with the conveyor belt of work that speeds down in front of them. Recently, though, I had a gentleman stop and ask for directions. No phone, no map. He had a suitcase and clearly had been in transit and I'm pretty sure he wasn't from the UK. His sheet of paper said "hot shower" and had an address. He clearly needed a hand. I pulled out my phone and did my best to give him directions. He thanked me and was on his way. This short encounter was a reminder that we can all do a small gesture each day to be a light to someone who is in their time of darkness. It doesn't have to be monetary. A smile to someone who is homeless, directions to someone who is clearly lost, a warm hello to the person you see regularly who may be going through a hard time. I would love to hear your thoughts and stories if you have a good story to share.

Wishing you a good Thanksgiving and early holiday greetings.

Thanks so much for checking out my semi-regular newsletter.

As always, I strive to share the best of my art, inspiration, works in progress and fresh ideas with you. If you're no longer interested, that's OK. Simply unsubscribe below. XO, M.E.