The other week I put out to the universe that I would like to know someone who had a dog I could cuddle and walk, and also that I wanted to be where people are not.
Shortly after, I met Claire, who I mentioned the other day.
Claire owns a very cuddly dog (Pebble, with the most fantastic underbite; I didn’t think to ask for a comedy dog but I love the twist!) who needs walking.
She lives in a village just outside Brighton and there is plenty of walking to be done where you meet almost no one. Magic.
Yesterday was my first dog borrowing session, which happily ended with home made leek and potato soup and a long discussion about art.
It also included a sighting of two wild rabbits and some geese, which to a city girl such as myself was VERY exciting. (As were the sprouts.)
Unfortunately having only two hands and a dog, bag, coat and camera in them, I was unable to get shots of the rabbits before they buggered off, but I think we can safely say we’ve all seen those before.
I have also started a new painting. This is EXTREMELY personal, but I am showing it because I want a record of the progress, and because it’s very significant. Without going into excruciatingly tedious (for you) detail, I’m doing a lot of inner work on myself. This has two (well three actually) strands to it which really come to the same thing; massive internal shifts as I shed old programmes and ways of thinking/believing/being and become the ‘new me’ ;), who is lighter, happier, more creative, and has infinitely more to offer the world.
On Monday I had a very unusual experience, which involved the emotional equivalent of a cyclone passing through my body, involving sobbing and gasping and a feeling of relentless and unbearable grief, leaving me exhausted and fragile, but better for it. Something shifted for sure. Something was released actually. I don’t know what and it doesn’t matter. But it came from a very very deep, old place and I am lighter since it left.
So anyway, before the emotional hurricane, I started a new painting, and was moved to write all over it. I didn’t put too much thought into what I wrote, just did it and left it. When I went back to it after the meltdown, I had basically written what had then happened. So that was interesting. I don’t know what’s going to happen next (with the painting or the internal shifts) but that’s partly the point. We shall see. I’m as in the dark as you!
Dog walking is my next favourite thing to do next to arting 😉
I love to go where no people are even if that means getting caked in mud everyday, if I didn't have my walkies every day I would sit at home being moody, it really does me good!!
It looks fabulous where you went for walkies, I only walk in my local area during the week but on weekends I go to more fabulous places 😉
I love also that you put yourself right out there with the art/emotional experience, I too have changed hugely over the past few years and that has a lot to do with my arting, I feel a lot better with who I am nowadays and life in general seems easier because of it, I went through a lot of emotional turmoil to get here though.
Hugs for you sweetie
Micki x
Hi Tara. I think I found you during OWOH – could it be ? Anyway, I just loved your post today. I have not been able to do my dogwalking gig with my Chica-dog as she is injured right now from crazy ball chasing, but I sure know the joy of it.
I love your new piece and where it is coming from. Those cathartic moments are rare but important to healing bits of our wonded selves, don't yuou think ? I will be back to visit some more. I am loving yoru blog.
Happy Wednesday !
Cheers !
I too enjoyed your photos/walkies very much. I have been in a funk of late..just waiting for the sun to shine. I did rescue Miss Amy on Sat. She is a black German Shepherd who is the great grand daughter of my now gone Champion Tino. She is very sweet and would love to walk but darn..my knees are shot and it is off to the orthopedic Dr. tomorrow..hopefully we will get our walkies soon. I like this new art..it has such emotion.
Love reading the journey you're on and seeing how the works progressing with it.
Love the pics from your walk too, especially the cottage, how pretty!
x
Tara, I was reading along and laughing, thinking that your diction feels so similar to my own sometimes (with the occasional Britishism thrown in, of course!), and how much we'll have to say to one another when we do get you out to California! And then this bit about the painting at the end, and the internal shifting, and all of it–so incredible. I really, really love the painting, and the words, and your description of it. Yay for releasing things. xoxo