Awaken

I wasn’t thinking about the morning, wandering in the forest shadows weeks ago.
My breath hanging in misty clouds before me.
Or about how the frosty dew glinted in the sun. The essence of autumn in the air, bringing it’s fresh earthly scent was far from my mind.
I wasn’t thinking about how I would tackle this on canvas, what brush I would use, what colours I would mix to recreate just this moment.

The truth is, I wasn’t thinking at all.

I was too busy being immersed.

“Tell stories of THE moment of inspiration. What were you doing in this spot,what were you thinking?’ a customer asked.
A wordsmith, her inquiry peppered with dramatic descriptions of what might be going thru my mind.
Listening to her poetic monologue, I thought what a crushing disappointment I am going to be when I tell her I don’t think.

Research claims may save me from further explanation.

According to Dr. Rossman, author of ‘the Worry Solution’ the conscious logic of our thinking brain works differently than the wisdom of our unconscious emotional intuitive mind.

‘When you are actively solving problems’ he writes,’ the electrical firing of your brain operates at a baseline of 24-42 cycles per second. When you breathe deeply and shift into relaxation mode, the brain slows to 10-12 cycles per second, as it slows further, information from it’s non verbal parts appear as images, feelings, intuition.” Inner wisdom resides here.

This is where the creative juices flow.

I might not be thinking about the sun streaming on maples or about the chill in the morning air,
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but I am AWARE,my senses,saturated.
I bring this to the canvas.

Thinking happens during the in-between moments, after the experience, before I start to paint.Composition and colour swirling in my mind for days or weeks.
My mind sparking ideas, working thru the puzzle.
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Relaxed at the easel, a shift occurs, thoughts disappear.
I am standing in the shadows, awash in the sun, breathing the scent of autumn once again.
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Resilience & Sunshine

In his book “ the Gifts of Adversity” Dr. Norman Rosenthal suggests obstacles can be a key to success.
“It’s not just the adversity.., it’s what you do with the adversity — how you grow and become..a more resilient person….more compassionate … as a result of the things that happen to you — those are, in my view, marks of success.”

Glen Steen knows about adversity. The former rugby player is familiar with pain, enduring long  physical games of contact.

When injuries sidelined his rugby playing, he took up triathlon. Triathlon? Not just triathlon but Ironman. After a serious neck injury derailed his swimming, he kept cycling, and took up karate.

Karate? Sensei Steen began teaching karate, pursued his passion for long distance cycling, while working full time as a Health Unit Inspector.

His life took a dramatic turn while cycling in 2011. Thrown from his bike after hitting an obstacle, Glen suffered a spinal cord injury leaving him in a quadriplegic state. With incredible drive, Glen has begun to achieve the nearly impossible. He can now stand, take steps and cycle on a trike.

                        ironmanPhoto from Glen’s blog glensroadtorecovery.com
Dr. Mark Seery, a researcher at the Department of Psychology University at Buffalo co-authored a study that shows”, under the right conditions, experiencing some adversity may foster resilience.”

Years ago I was asked to get my affairs in order.  “I have seen thousands of CT scans, and none like this.” He said. “You may not survive the surgery on top of that, if the tumor ruptured it could be fatal”.

Lying in wait for surgery I considered tactfully begging for my life. My family needs me, I have more paintings to paint, more love to give, I would say.

Yet,I realized the staff had other patients to attend to, families to go home to…. a life.

If it was my last act, did I want it to be begging..  or kindness.

I thanked the team by name, for showing up. ‘Thank you for being here, for doing your best to fix me, whatever the outcome, know that I am grateful,’ I said.

A scar runs from the centre of my chest to above my right hip.

          run pic   London Marathon -6 months after surgery.

 Extensive repair among many areas, included my diaphragm. I faced permanent nerve damage in some areas, walking, running/biking with a partly numb leg/ foot.Several metal clips are scattered inside me.

I understand now, how vulnerable our bodies can be.  Gratitude permeates.

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I am thankful for the incredible medical team that saved my life, the ones that followed with rehab care,  supportive family and friends. The experience has made me a better person, better artist, and helped me be of service to those who fight their own battles.

I asked  Glen where he believes his resilience stems. Personality? history participating in sport? We agreed sport teaches dedication, and dealing with pain. He says’ you just have to make the best of the situation and never ever give up”. It  boils down to attitude. In fact, the latest research says THE Key to resilience is attitude.

We’ve been discussing his return to painting. Glen approaches art in typical fashion despite  physical challenges : gather knowledge, create and execute a plan. If you have to re-adjust, do so. Because tackling the next goal is what he does. That, and never giving up.

Vulnerability

Research professor Brene Brown’s work reached sensation with her TED presentation “The power of vulnerability.” http://brenebrown.com/videos/

Brene says working as a social worker you realize “connection is why we are here’’ “it is what gives meaning and purpose to our lives”.

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For connection to happen, she says, excruciating vulnerability, belief in worthiness, and the courage to be imperfect, are necessities.

She just defined life as a professional artist.

Artists understand vulnerability, and resilience. They embrace imperfection. To evolve, stumbling can be necessary. Now- a -days that evolution can be witnessed on a global scale. Talk about being vulnerable.

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Vulnerability can unite us during difficult times or struggle. We are not alone. Resilience builds from struggle.

An artist is a lifetime student. A passionate quest to constantly learn.

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“When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other.” Margaret Wheatley

Red Maple & Furniture Wax

The scent of furniture wax, fresh linens and lingering oil paint fill the air. It feels timeless in the most comforting way.

Is this the fragrance of a home a century ago?I ponder sipping tea at our dining table.

The table is rich walnut, skillfully designed and crafted by my husband Marc.

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Wooden chair cradles the way a custom fit will. Sensuous curves Marc carved with hand tools. It’s smooth texture encouraged with countless hours of sanding.

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Tea steams in a pottery mug, made by known potter, Al Pace. I visualize his large hands molding the clay as mine wraps around its warmth.

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The paintings, furniture and clay intermingle like the scents in the air. Each compliments and celebrates the other.

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Some believe the spirit of the creator lives with the art, an energy source, breathing life to the space.

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A quilt folded nearby, sewn by our friend Debi, offers comfort on a cool fall evening. I think of her hands running over the stitches, hours of design cutting, & sewing. The inside corner hosts her heartwarming message.

 

The season of Autumn is upon us.

With it brings Studio tours, One of a Kind shows, and craft fairs.

Artisans offering their wares, hand made with passion and attention to detail.

As you peruse the fairs and studios, it is a treat to meet the artists, to shake the hands that crafted your purchase.

In a society of consumerism and mass production, it’s rare to know your item is handmade.

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An original you will not decorate with, but live with.

Created with love that is carried in the smooth craftsmanship of a chair, stitching in a quilt, curve of a clay mug, and resonating paint on canvas.

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RED MAPLE- original oil 8×10  265$

Original walnut Table- Marc Banning

Dining Chairs-  Scott Morrison Maloof inspired design- Marc Banning

Pottery Mug- Al Pace – Pace Pottery Studio

Quilt- Debi Campbell

Feel welcome to visit the studio, I’d be happy to meet you, peruse the art, share a cup of tea. ~ d

dawn@dawnbanning.com

A Flat Tire & Duct tape

My day began with a flat tire.  A definite glitch in my long bike ride plan.

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I applied duct tape to the little slice in the tire, changed the tube. Good for 83.7k.  Hooray for duct tape!

I love to ride and run as much as I love to paint.
It is apparent no one would sponsor me to run marathons & triathlon, but perhaps for artists who do? :0)

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It was on a cycling trip that we stumbled upon these amazing lavender fields, the subject in my new painting, LAVENDER.  18×24 Original Oil.

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Being active outdoors influences my work.
When I began participating in marathons and ironman the work set ablaze. The secret wasn’t racing, it was the confidence participating gave me. Motion & energy transferred to canvas. I became bold. Well, bold for me.

What holds you back from trying something new, exploring out of your comfort zone?

My secret? I don’t get caught up in comparisons. Whether it be in art or sport, I focus on being the best Dawn Banning. If your dream is to start an art project or zumba, the confidence you build will seep uniquely into your life. Like fixing your own bike tire with duct tape.

Painting Live in the CBC studio today!

CBC Radio Windsor was kind to invite me to be a part of their Art & Culture promotion series. I was a guest artist in the studio, with the Bridge guest host Meg Wilcox.

I was requested to produce a painting, in the studio, during the show’s two hour time slot. It was an interesting challenge, first to paint an original piece- not in the comfort of my quiet studio, but in the midst of a busy Radio show. Second, to try to communicate verbally during an interview what I normally do visually.

I tweeted the news and updated FB as we progressed thru the afternoon.Thanks to Meg, Dan and Katera for making me feel so welcome. Congrats to James on winning the new painting!

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Donation

“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality”. Martin Luther King Jr.

 I am approached from various charities through out the year.  Making my selections usually a year in advance allows me time to create special pieces for the chosen charities, aside from the monies I have donated to the Nature Conservancies. These two new donations were painted specifically for their charities. I am excited to share the news and will keep you updated on these pieces.

New ” Tree” 14×18 Original Oil ( 625.oo$)  donated for the Cops for Cancer Ride will benefit the Grand River Cancer Centre. All information on the charity can be found online at a future date. Special thanks to Dean Ducas of Dean’s pics for providing the photo research for ‘Tree”.

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 ‘Forest Walk ‘ 24×30 ( 1372.oo$) ( Boreal) has been donated to the Snowflake Ball, taking place May 4/13 in Ottawa. Benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre and Screen Colons Canada. You can find all the information on the Auction and Ball at www.snowflakeball.com  I understand their 2013 web details will be online shortly.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is,’What are you doing for others?’” Martin Luther King, Jr