Visit from an artist

Hi strangers out there,

And I do mean, literally, strangers-- where does time go? The passage of time baffles all of us-- however, that is in itself another post of its own.

Today's topic is a visit from an artist-- a male painter/drawer and pop artist who visited my school and I had the pleasure of listening to. They were enthralled in his words-- but, moreover, I was totally inspired. As he told the class his purpose for being an artist (he want to leave his mark on the world, as well as the mark of what culture was like at the time when he lived 500 years from now....), I was reminded that my existence is time-sensitive. If the time is now, and I want to write (a novel and an in-print column...) where has time gone for my art? And where does it come from?

Please remember what I do daily (French teacher to grades 7 and 8s, pushing around a cart classroom to classroom, standing on my head and making funny voices to entertain their hormone-driven minds out of their crushes and concerns about what they are wearing, to teach them a second language for 40 minutes per day.....) When you teach 13 and 14-year-old people daily, and perhaps with any job-- where does one find the time to carve out time for writing, when you are tired and deflated, want to exercise a bit daily, do a bit of Yoga and spend time with your husband or some friends, read books and see the odd show?

The question continues to puzzle me..... so here are the take-home messages from a true artist, for me, and for any of you out there dreaming of writing a book, acting on a stage, painting something amazing, redecorating your home, arranging flowers, opening a restaurant, baking really good vegan muffins and breads and recording an album:

5. Carve out 15 minutes a day to visit your art-- even by turning off the radio in the car and connecting with it, or journaling about your ideas! Doddle with your coffee. 15 minutes is nothing.
4. Trying to be another artist will not serve you-- only create what is true to your heart. (Sounds like a mantra for life, too, doesn't it?)
3. Make everything an artistic expression-- what accessories you wear, your pen choice, what you put in your salad (plug for the blog title!), what photos or images you have on your bulletin board, etc etc etc
2. Do not give up. Never finish. Just keep going. (Think "Marathon Runner" thoughts....)
1. Truly reflect on the question, What do I want to leave as my mark on this world when I am gone?

Get art-ing and hope to connect with you again sooner than later!!!!
Salad girl xoxoxo