SoulStudio

The first week of August is suspended like the seat at the top of a Ferris wheel…The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot."
Natalie Babbitt, prologue, Tuck Everlasting

A friend, who has an August birthday, told me recently that she imagines that summer is longer than the other seasons of the year and that August, in particular, stretches over a time normally occupied by several months. This fantasy has a resonance that is reinforced by the heat and stillness of this time of year and our response to it, which, for many of us, given our way, would be to pause for a while at the top of the wheel, to slow time to the point of doing nothing!

If you are feeling an attraction to "Il dolce far niente"—the sweetness of doing nothing, please join us on Saturday, August 6, 9am-noon for SoulStudio when we’ll explore the spaciousness inherent in stillness and tranquility.


Creating Balance

In keeping with the quiet we will evoke in our August 6 session, September will be a month of rest for SoulStudio. I’ll be on vacation until mid month. I’ll be back to teach a Hand and Spirit session of Creating Balance at the Davis Art Center 9am-noon on Saturday, September 24. For those of you who would like to look at the concept of finding balance in your life (maybe a little less striving, a little more rest; a little less left brain, a little more right; a little less clock time, a little more inner space—you get the picture) you’ll want to check out this art exploration of centering and balance. There will be three sessions, September 24, October 22 and November 19. Each session will examine a different aspect of balance.


Fall Schedule (Return of SoulStudio and An Introduction To SoulCollage™)

Just when I thought I had everything in order, I have discovered that I’ll need to change the Fall dates for SoulStudio. Please mark your calendars for the SECOND Saturday (not the first as previously discussed) of October, November and December (10/8, 11/12 and 12/10). I’ll be sending a description of the fall sessions and registration information soon.

For those of you who are interested in learning more about SoulCollage™, Exploring SoulCollage™ may be just what you’re looking for. We’ll cover the SoulCollage™ deck, four suits and wild cards, writing from cards and delve into card reading as well. This class runs four consecutive Tuesdays in October (10/4, 11, 18, 25) from 7-9pm at the Davis Art Center. This is a new format for the intensive SoulCollage™ material. Having time between sessions will enrich the experience and allow us to deepen our understanding. To register, contact Davis Art Center.

Dream Group

This year’s Dream Group is finishing our six month check in. Our January dreams have certainly taken form and are flourishing in August! One group member had almost forgotten her winter’s plan and was surprised and delighted to find that the intention set so many months ago has brought about a number of positive changes in her life. Next year’s Dream Group will start in January with our first dream session on January 8, 2005. If there’s something you’ve had at the back of your mind, a dream you’d like to nourish, this will be a fine time to begin that work.

An Inquiry and A Blog

This question was sent to me recently by Linda Kolker, who with Kirsten D’Andrea Hollander, leads an art embodiment drawing group. We had been working with the idea of embodying art within ourselves—of "being" art.

If I AM art, what is happening with that energy when I am doing anything—how am I art when I’m at the vet with my kitty, looking at ultrasound images of her belly? How am I art when I am anxiously writing a report that will meet the client’s needs and win their approval? How am I art when I am weeping? When I am watching a grasshopper take flight and reveal wings with scarlet undersides? When I am angry at my husband.
I ask this because I don’t spend as much time as I would like with graphite, oil pastel or paintbrush in hand. <or, perhaps, collage materials> Yet, if I am art, the actual making of marks on paper is only part of that expression.
I’m interested…do you have a response to this inquiry? If so, please write to me and with your permission, I’ll share responses next month. Meanwhile, here’s a lovely blog created by everyday artist, Laura Reyes. I think you’ll enjoy seeing Laura’s projects and reading her reflections:
www.theaurainlaura.blogspot.com .

Success Story

From time to time this space will be dedicated to success stories from clients in coaching and expressive arts. This month’s success story belongs to Catherine, a coaching client who has empowered herself to create the changes that she has long wanted in her life. Congratulations!
When I began working with Sara, I only knew that I wanted to earn my living by creating either Illustration or Web Design… I now have a small body of work in my own style & a growing list of contacts in my field. I recently presented my new body of artwork at the Professional Icon 4 Illustration Conference in San Francisco. Sara helped me to hone my style, find my voice, and select targeted groups of individuals who may want my work…My work got a very good reception, and I left the conference with some new potential friends, professional contacts, a new sense of a wonderful community…I am now on my way!




Ceviche! (reprinted by popular demand)

Traditional ceviche is made with raw fish (snapper or cod) marinated in lime juice. The ceviche I usually make calls for cooked baby shrimp, but the recipe everyone's been asking for comes from the Bilingual Multi Cultural Education program at California State University Sacramento and uses imitation crab. This recipe makes enough for a party. Enjoy!

Tools: food processor, small sharp knife, vegetable peeler

Ingredients:

3 cucumbers
1/2 red onion
4 jalapeno peppers
2 packages imitation crab (1 ½-2 lbs)
2 tomatoes
1 avocado
½- 1 bunch cilantro
6 limes

Peel and seed cucumbers. Cut into large pieces and mince in food processor using chopping blade. Pulse lightly until cucumber is cut into small pieces. Be careful to avoid turning cucumbers into slush.

Cut ½ red onion into four pieces. Chop in food processor as above.

Seed jalapenos and cut each into large pieces. Chop in food processor as above.

Chop crab in food processor.

Mince cilantro in food processor using light pulsing motion.

Cut tomatoes and peeled and seeded avocado into small pieces using knife.

Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Squeeze juice from limes into ingredients in bowl. (A Mexican hand held lemon/lime squeezer is great for this.) Toss lightly. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve with tortilla chips or crackers. Buen apetito!

August 2005 Newsletter
Above The Door News © Sara Post 2005