Rosie Huart

Do you know how beautiful you are?

Saints bowing in the Mountains

Do you know how beautiful you are?

I think not, my dear.

For as you talk of God,

I see great parades with wildly colorful bands

Streaming from your mind and heart,

Carrying wonderful and secret messages

To every corner of this world.

I see saints bowing in the mountains

Hundreds of miles away

To the wonder of sounds

That break into light

From your most common words.

Speak to me of your mother,

Your cousins and your friends.

Tell me of squirrels and birds you know.

Awaken your legion of nightingales—

Let them soar wild and free in the sky.

And begin to sing to God.

Let’s all begin to sing to God!

Do you know how beautiful you are?

I think not, my dear,

Yet Hafiz

Could set you upon a Stage

And worship you forever!

-Hafiz

In September a Poetry Corner will be set up at Town & Country Fine Art Center.  The space will be conducive for anyone to stop in, sit a spell, read, write and listen.  There will be poetry books and a journal titled River of Words where one can write their own words and the next person who comes along can add a thread to the previous writer's words.  The thought is that words can be uplifting and possibly an inspiration to those who need to be heartened along their journey.

I came across this video below and feel compelled to put it on my blog.  It is so resonance of the spirit within so many artists.  I hope you enjoy the words and images.  Jan Phillips is the author and you can view her website at janphillips.com.  At our gallery's art talk tonight I introduced the video to a very enthusiastic group.  Phillips is also the author of several books.

A few months ago I lost a very dear friend.  He was shot and killed by his stepfather.  I wrote a poem honoring him and trying to put some closure on his life that came to such a violent ending.

I digitally printed the poem and collaged it onto a painting.  A few months ago it was accepted in

an art exhibition.  I decided then I would give it to his mother.  I was able to that.

The poem is titled I Think—You, Therefore, You Are.  

I paid you homage today. 

I went to the garden and found you

in the diamond dew on the wispy fern.

There—you glistened

in the sunlight.

I caught you

Dancing

with butterflies and

doing somersaults in the air.

Throughout the yard

I saw you shimmer.

Even my hand

had your sparkle on it.

I smelled you

in the fragrance surrounding me.

I invited you

into the silence.

I heard you

call my name in the murmur of the crickets and birds.

I think—you.

Therefore, you are.

Believed to be the baptistery at St. John Basilica

Remains of what was considered a library

Ancient Mosaics inside Basilica

Greek Symbol of IXOYE meaning "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior." 

You can make out the letters I X O Y E.

Some of the ruins

Ruins of St. John Basilica

Ruins

Ruins

Column Remains

Ruins at Basilica Entrance

Tomb of St. John in Ephesus

A Turkey Welcome

Reads "The House of Mary"  It is believed that Mary lived the latter days of her life

in this Muslim Shrine.

There were several olive trees surrounding Mary's house.

And Monica, my daughter, entering Mary's house.

Viewing Doges Palace from the top deck lounge of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship.

Viewing Venice while Leaving Port

View Leaving Venice

Draw bridge entrance to the inside town of Dubrovnik

Little alley cafe

St. Francis of Assisi Church

Interesting Entrance

I bought a couple of his CD's....a very pleasant and personable young man.

I'd like to be sitting on this little porch right now.

Where Stacey, Trish, Monica and I enjoyed lunch.

I love texture.

Trish taking a photo.

IHS is the Christogram for the Greek spelling of Jesus.

Hanging Dolls from a Window

Last Glimpse Leaving Dubrovnik

Daughter Monica and Me

Monday Morning Wash

Drinking coffee and watching morning sunrise from ship

                                  A sweet garden behind our hotel in Venice.

                            A wall in the garden that inspires me to do an abstract painting.

                                        Any garden that has bamboo is a good garden.

                              Ground covering in the garden area.  Inspiration for a 

                               mandala painting possibly.      

                                         A quiet Sunday morning close to our hotel.

   This door passage was in the garden area also.  I'm intrigue with doors both open and closed.

                                                       Me standing in front of our hotel.

Connecting Art & Spirit

an art workshop and retreat

Maria Stein Spiritual Center

Maria Stein, Ohio

April 30-May 2, 2010

The theme of grace was the weekend's creativity practice as we explored

the creative expression of grace through visual art.  Participants each had a blank

book in which to incorporate text and images.  The Book of Grace is a derivative

of the Book of Hours.  I directed the participants through meditation, reflection,

creative writing, painting and sharing.  It truly was a weekend filled with grace.

As a result, next year's connecting art and spirituality retreat is in the making.

Book of Hours

I made a copy of this book for each participant.  It is a

reminder of the hours in a day and a time to offer silent prayers. 

Permission was granted for printing by www.gratefulness.org. 

An example in the Book of Hours is Vigils:  The Night Watch—

before the day's noises begin, when it is still perfectly quiet.  "In the stillness

before my day begins, I open my heart to the gift of this hour; gratefully

I listen to the silence."

The prayers in the Book of Hours are:

Vigils: The Night Watch

Lauds: Coming of the Light

Prime:  A Deliberate Beginning

Terce:  The Joy of Living

Sext:  Commitment and Fervor

None:  The Shadows Lengthen

Vespers:  Lighting the Lamps

Compline:  Completing the Circle

“I believe art is foremost for the artist who creates it. You do it for your soul, and if the rest of the world gets something from it, that's a bonus.”  Marion Boddy-Evans

The above piece was selected for the cover of "Presence Journal," a publication for Spiritual Directors International.  It will be released September, 2010.  It is titled "An Unfinished Life."  It was a piece I did in memory of a friend who died while in his youth.  The poem I wrote and read at his eulogy.