Whilst I suspect many of you who read this will already know this work well, I only found it today. I just wanted to share it and may it give me inspiration when I need it in my work.

Desiderata, by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

From the Chrysalis, by Emily Dickinson

My cocoon tightens, colors tease,
I'm feeling for the air;
A dim capacity for wings
Degrades the dress I wear.

A power of butterfly must be
The aptitude to fly,
Meadows of majesty concedes
And easy sweeps of sky.

So I must baffle at the hint
And cipher at the sign,
And make much blunder, if at last
I take the clew divine.

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I have no less than 4 commissions to do, 2 of which will be put on public display...but can I find any motivation or inspiration to do them?

Why do we all go through low times? What is it within us that temporarily dies, only to resurface randomly at the most inconvenient of times?

I want to be a better artist and feel there's so much more within me to learn and explore; what's holding me back from just...getting on with it?!

With reference to this, the poem seemed somewhat relevant.

Blessed Be.

Yes.

That is all

I'm already beginning to get orders for Christmas for pet portraits (I can't quite believe it, but there we go! Obviously somebody out there has faith in my ability to draw!), so just thought I'd put word out here in case anybody from here is interested in getting one?! Prices from £35 (to include UK P & P, but can do also send internationally for extra cost) for an A4 colour portrait in traditional media, to £50 for a group A3 portrait - cheap compared to some of the huge prices you see professional artists charging!

See www.pawtricks.co.uk for details and examples of my work, browse my gallery, or just note me or email me.



Secondly, a change of direction. I'm sadly a poor, poor student right now and I'm going to have to sell my camera. It just makes no sense to have something so expensive when I can't even afford the basic things I need. So if anybody would like a 400D, with 55-250mm ESF IS lens, plus goodies and bag, in tip top condition, then make me an offer! It's going to break my heart to see it go, so I hope I can find a good home for it.


Which means I'm going to be a lot quieter on here. BUT I still need to give out lots of thank yous for the continued appreciation of my work on here, you guys are all fab. So again, an advance thank you and an apology, until I get around to finding time to go through my messages and reply to each of you.



Hope everybody is keeping well and happy! I look forward to finding the time to browse evberybody's latest and newest deviations.
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