Just Life With Denise

Tag: nature

  • Magic in the misty moments-

    -just a modern day Shaman, moving through modern day life with healing and spiritual tendencies deeply rooted in nature-“feels like I’m finally free”, I think to myself as the song actually comes up on my play list-I laugh at this little bit of serendipity-a tank of gas, some sunshine, a packed lunch, allowing for the gypsy spirited me to choose an intuitive path towards nature today-the AIR moves me, the Earth grounds me, but it is the Water that always seems to draw me in and where I find the most peace, where I go to just let myself literally go with the flow…it’s been awhile since taking myself on a little road trip and today I decided to chase waterfalls and venture towards one not far I had researched-Panther Creek Falls

    I arrived as the sun was just beginning to shine above the trees and down on the trail, intermittent patches of shadow and sun making the trail look like a jigsaw puzzle as I gingerly traversed the narrow trail, strewn with pieces of rock, twisted tree roots, an occasional log, the steep grade that hugged the mountain descending to the bottom of the falls –
    although there were a couple other cars in the parking area, I was amazed to have the place to myself (at least temporarily) I rejoiced in this momentary gift and took it all in- the tranquility mine to enjoy- I settled myself in a patch of soft spongy moss and decaying tree and just sat BEING, a perfect opportunity to do some breathing-that is when I became more aware of the magic surrounding me, entranced-the Stone people and Tree people (also known as the Standing people) of earth, standing quietly and stoically as sentinels, while Air and Water decided to play-sunlight hitting parts of the rushing waters that came crashing and cascading off rocks, and fallen tree to explode in pools and earth, splashing up into spray I could feel misting around me, the mist and sun creating rainbows of color that seemed to float and dance, similar to the dancing of northern lights I’ve seen in an Icelandic sky- moving forwards and backwards in areas of the spray and mist- the trees wanting in on the dance, adorned in their new spring attire of delicate bright green leaves, swayed to and fro, as the breeze (now becoming stronger and more of a wind) teased and twisted through their branches, weaving in and out, occasionally lifting the water to splash a bit extra against the shore and at me-Bird came and lit upon a branch close by to share the spring melody she had been rehearsing all winter and sang with a clear vibrance that could be heard over the roar of water, Spider also was there, showing off her intricate weaving and artistic talents, connecting mystery to magic in every gossamer thread of her web that glistened in the sun, holding firm as wind batted at it, testing it’s strength of purpose, her resolve and intention -so many lessons -indeed just a magic moment of being connected in nature

    In Light✨

    Denise

  • …heron “spa day”

    …floating among the lilies in my kayak, if I stay still long enough the pond begins to forget I’m there…there have been more than one occasion, however, when I encounter the great blue heron soaking up the warmth of the sun, standing balanced on one leg in the still water, peacefully indulging in the solitude of the moment surrounded by water lilies in her private nature spa…as I drifted into view catching her attention she gives me a very seemingly annoyed “side-eye” waits a moment or two then flaps her great wings, lifts off in flight and lets out a prehistoric and loud sounding squawking…I have to admit I reflect feeling a bit guilty of interrupting her peace and feel a bit rude…and think -it’s really about honoring space…learning to do the same

    some days are for healing

    some days are for blooming

    and some days…are for not being disturbed

    I took quite a few photos that day and have spent the past couple months feeling creative in my life again…painting…thought I’d get attempt to a couple paintings with them… here are a few I’ve done recently…

    Feeling courageous…
    Striving for simplicity and not getting caught up in details and minutiae…I giggle as I sit here struggling to achieve that with another attempt at Fauvism -not sure why I am so intrigued by this style?…maybe because if done correctly (actually not sure there is a “correct” way?) it is amazing in its simplicity and imperfection? Perfect imperfection…exactly how I have lived my life, when I couldn’t wait for “perfect”, when I lacked confidence, I just kept moving with gentle courage…and usually it turned out much better than I could have anticipated…not sure about these particular paintings though?🤔🤨 I still catch myself getting caught up in the minutiae and detail that really doesn’t matter in stead of a more simple version…BE SIMPLY COURAGEOUS …it doesn’t have to be perfect…
    Just to recap-fauvism-simplified shapes, distortion, bright, strong, color, unrealistic – more representational and impressionistic
    Post note: I sat thinking about this some more and reframed my apparent failure at attempting simplicity (as I have recently in my life as well)…
    “I try to live simply… and yet I still get caught up.”
    But here’s the reframe:

    I don’t complicate life.

    I care about it.

    I notice things.
    I feel deeply.
    I attend to detail.
    I don’t skim the surface of anything.

    That’s not failure at simplicity.

    That’s DEPTH…layers in my life…I set out to paint bold, wild, simple Fauvism…

    …and ended up layering detail, texture, nuance… BUT creative in my authenticity?? 🤷🏼‍♀️😬🙄 lol…another heron I attempted from a photo this past autumn at a friend’s pond…the backdrop fall foliage was ablaze with spectacular color…

    In Light✨

    Denise