Part of being an artist - in most of my work in the theatre that means acting or directing or producing or doing other tech work... is allowing oneself to expand beyond what we knew we could do.  That's what is happening with me now, as I prepare to be a part of the (burn the witch) art show at the Empty Space Gallery.

I can feel my blood dancing through my veins, percolating with excitement.

I've done it! I've created something that I thought I couldn't. I have accomplished

something I didn't know how I was going to accomplish.

Sunday I thought, "Oh, forget it. I can't/won't/don't have the time for the visual art

aspect of the (burn the witch) show, I will be satisfied with only performing my poetry.

That will be enough, more than enough."  My heart hurt. I was letting my not knowing

how to get it all done get in the way of the personalized breakthrough that was

waiting to happen.  I wanted it, I didn't know how to get it, so I froze.

How often does this happen in each and every aspect of our lives?

We don't know exactly how to get to our solution so we choose to not do anything.

It is like taking all the possibilities in the world - any inspiration that is literally j

umping up and down, gleefully, wanting to play with us, and putting

it in the garbage disposal.

Since when is inspiration garbage?

Inspiration is breath - the root word for both

"inspiration" and "breath" is "spirit".

In choosing to stop the creative process, I was shutting down anything divine

that was wanting to flow through me. I was standing like a sullen child, stubbornly

with my back against the door, barricading myself from the wonder that

comes from bringing art to life.

And then came the call from Jen Raven, the show curator.

"We want you in the show," she said.  "We want your pictures

in the show."

I answered, "I wasn't sure how... I am having an issue with...

well... I guess I can...."

And with Jen's gentle persistence, I realized her desire for

my involvement was the sprinkling of spirit I needed in order

to follow through with my initial intent.

I slowly stood up straight, took away the self-created-barricade,

and invited inspiration - spirit - breath - to lead the way.

I simply moved and viola, it is done - for better, for worse. I adore

the result - so therefore - it is much, much, much better than I

ever could have imagined.

Bring it on, (burn the witch).....

= + = + = + = + = +

Come see the phenomenal women artists in (burn the witch!)

at the Empty Space Gallery - 2 pm tp 7 pm September 9 and

September 16, 2006.  I will be performing my Curvy Truth

series of poems between 3 and 4 PM on Saturday, September 9.

The Empty Space is located at 706 Oak Street, between Brundage

and California, behind Pizzaville. For questions, call 661.327-PLAY