Nuptial Notes #3: Creative Coping Cures
I whined in my previous post about my pre-wedding fatigue. While I’m not the one getting married, (the bridal badge belongs to my daughter) I failed to anticipate the level of stress induced fatigue I would feel. The details of planning a wedding could choke a cat (Note: I’m prohibited from using this expression around my cat-loving daughter). I have, however, whittled out time on occasion to re-charge my battery. How might you ask? Creativity of course, and a couple of art exhibitions thrown in for extra psychic nourishment.
Early in my on-site-mother-of-the-bride gig, Tracy took me to an art exhibition. In the middle of the day! “This must be what it feels like to be retired,” I thought. Granted, it followed the 7am arrival at the PBS Kids event at the Kroger grand opening mentioned in the previous post. She knew I needed restoration, as did she. That is something I love about my girl. The fact that she is nourished by the arts as much as I am.
“Let’s go to the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts (located in Mount Vernon, Illinois). There is a cool exhibition featuring native American portraits.” I was in. “The Art of Artist and Anthropologist William Simeone” focused on his study of the Dene People of Alaska.
One of William Simeone's paintings
I was mesmerized by Simeone’s deceptively simple lines and sculptural use of color to add depth to his portraits. Time seems to elongate when I interact with art. We probably only stayed at the center for thirty minutes, but it felt like I’d just enjoyed a Swedish massage at a spa.
Another of the paintings of the Dene People of Alaska
Another mother-daughter art excursion took us to Etcetera, a florist and fine arts gift shop in Marion, Il. I visited this place and their owners Michael and Michael on several occasions. They also sold the most delicious coffee beans which they were only too happy to grind for you in half pound increments. Tracy and I spent bucks in this bougie boutique. There is something so restful about wandering through beautiful bouquets (some real, some not) and rooms filled with hand-painted pottery platters and dishes. The owners’ love of art was imbued in each of their products.
I Enjoyed our visits so much I painted a water color of the exterior of Etcetera
I had envisioned that writing would be the focus of the creative expression component of my self-care regiment. My goal had been to write daily entries into my wedding-month diary which I intended to post on my blog. That didn’t happen. At 71 I’m owning the fact that I am a writer. Writing is hard. Words are my palette, and I choose them as carefully as I would apply paint on a canvas. As mentioned in my previous post, I was frequently wiped-out by our never-ending to-do lists. My creative energy was routinely zapped. Instead of words, I took creative refuge in watercolors. I don’t profess to be an accomplished watercolorist, so I don’t demand perfection from my floral blobs. My four by six-inch canvases became post cards for family and friends. (Please take no offense if you were not a recipient. I only painted six. Like I said, by 8:15 each night I was angling for an early bedtime).
My Water color postcards
So, readers, this is yet another of my testimonials about the benefits of creative engagement– yours or enjoying someone else’s. Creativity helps suspend time and promotes mindfulness. My primary goal during my month in Marion, Illinois, was to be fully present and mindful of every minute of this momentous time in the life of my family. And it worked! So what are you waiting for? Exercise those creative muscles of yours! Post or comment with your creations.