A Woman's Worth

I am still searching for reasonable information sources about two creative and independently ambitious women... Séraphine de Senlis and Edith Gregor Halpert. One born in France and referred to as a 'foundling' and the other born into a well-to-do merchant family in Russia; who upon losing everything, migrated with her family to America as an infant. Edith, unbeknownst to nearly everyone, grew up to become one of the most influential persons to shape the very foundation of modern art in this country! Her legacy was at risk of slipping into oblivion, until it was unearthed a few short years ago and written about by Lindsay Pollock. The story of a creative and resourceful life, as Séraphine uniquely lived her own, is still to be uncovered and told to the world! Who will be called to complete the project of telling about Séraphine de Senlis, possibly as part of their own development of becoming?

Along with these two examples of women nearly forgotten, or not recognized at all for their preciously valuable contributions to this world and humanity, I could point to the poverty of detail in my own female biological family history! As far as the impact this reality has had on the quality of my own development into adulthood, it is no wonder that I may be just emerging from my own struggles to find and shape my own sense of worth as a woman and human being. Just emerging into awareness to understand what my responsibilities are, in shaping my own successes in life. Just beginning to clearly envision a life of value for my own self, contributing to the world in which I now live, and understand that I have arrived internally to a calm that I may just leave a legacy of conscious worth for my daughter. Not that any of this knowing or shaping can be done in advance of the doing; in advance of the living it into reality. Yet, in light of the struggle to simply locate records of the value of other significant women's lives, that a general lack of awareness for the value of self has been such a struggle, a struggle to break through the external layers of cultural amnesia caked on top of the prism of personal experience and history, I must ask, do we need to continue this standard amnesia approaching recognition, orientation and familiarity for the valuable in defining human consciousness evolution? I am searching for a simpler, shared language to do this, learn this, to share this!

This post is not a lament of personal difficulties but only a brief comment out loud for the recognition of my own propensity for naïveté. To somehow always expect what is not already in place in the world, as though it is my right that my expectations of life, ought already be so in manifest reality. Yet too, this consciousness which Western societies define as confidence, this consciousness of expectation is in reality, a tricky balance to learn; to consciously cultivate internally. Learning to abandon the ego in the process.
At risk of sounding egotistical this post then, is an act of my own recording for all the world to find. That I am experiencing recognition for the significance to learn conscious, internal self-worth as a woman, as a human being, on a global and microcosmic level today, this week, and I am posting about this recognition for it's own sake at this moment.
My worth, any person's worth is up to me/each one of us_ to define by living that inherent worth we are each invited (by birth), to bring into reality.
The only expectation then, is to truly consciously become all that we can each be. I am recognizing this is my job to do in, and with my life from here on out...

Life lived in pursuit of clear truth, seems to be a process of distilling everything down to its essential nature. Henry David Thoreau is someone whose words I have paraphrased before, where my own path seems in relation to his wisdom in quiet hours. Having just come back across this quote, I add it here where it seems relevant (in my life) again: "In proportion as she simplifies her life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness. If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." ~Thoreau, paraphrased


Tokens of well-wishes sent in support of my very first public exhibit, 1988.

Séraphine de Senlis

This image is (original to me) posted on flickr by, Dalbera

I first learned about Séraphine de Senlis in 1999, as I was beginning to build my undergrad research on French women artists. I chose not to use her work in my research at that time, because there was so little to find out about her. However, I was recently greatly enamored to have rediscovered her as subject in the movie snapshot last fall, about her work, her experience of being discovered as a naif artist & that all too brief time frame the movie covered on her personal life.
My rediscovery of the life and work of Séraphine, occurred through amazing coincidences I was experiencing on line; my own naïve discovery of a phenomenon called blog swapping!
Today, I have decided to renew my (again!) all too brief_ research about this woman and artist, by committing to write more about her, as I unearth the gems of info on Séraphine de Senlis, there is yet to discover!!

Beating the Recession Blues with a little jazz at my RENT PARTY and YOU are invited!

I invite you to join me in some stylish survival reverie!! As my job search endeavors continue in the face of this daunting recession, I am throwing a Rent Party, the roots of which I discovered many years ago!! Since it went over went quite well at that time, in a whole whoosh of last minute spontaneity, making the rent in a sigh of relief and a lot of gratitude, I want to throw open the doors online to some afternoon socializing! With the caveat that your visit here will add some cash to the pot upon arriving! 'Course some folks, at the first Rent Party or "skiffle" years ago, enjoyed themselves first and then, wrote generous checks upon leaving! Wow! It was such a fantastic interaction of mutual support that I am enthusiastic to again re-create what seems to be a great way to spend a special afternoon with you, your favorite food, and a little offering of some great jazz music! Heck, invite your family and friends and make it a whole party right where you are!! Just don't forget to hit the paypal button below!

In afore said resilient manner, I have posted some jazz music via Pandora, featuring the one and only Duke the-man Ellington, the Count Basie and maestro Art Tatum, plus a ridiculous number of other equally talented names in classical jazz & musical history_ who will just show up on each station, for your dancing/listening pleasure!
The longer you stay, dance and listen to the music with that glass of whatever you like to drink best (to your health!!)_ check below the music to find the paypal button I have set up to make it easy to contribute to my RENT PARTY online, and do donate as generously as you can! Remember it's for a good cause; helping one more person keep their own roof over, in this case, my own head, while I continue searching for work! Stay tuned to my blog for updates on this progress too!

Feel free to leave a comment here if you have any employment to offer, as my skills base is broad! I would love a chance to telecommute in a paid entry-level illustration &/or graphic design intern assignment, for example! Here is my LinkedIn connection. On it I have posted my ideal employment goals, plus my work history background; don't hesitate to talk to me about what skills you may be seeking. Employment-wise, let's network and see how we can get connected!! If a RENT PARTY is good enough for Steely Dan...!

And THANK-YOU very, very much for your support here today!!! Enjoy my Rent Party and please donate via the paypal button below!

As an additional treat to the RENT PARTY, I have created an incentive for donors, to own this painting as the highest bidder, in helping me to achieve the RENT PARTY's informal fund-raising goals! This is in conjunction to the main event I will be hosting here at my house, on the 21st of THIS month! Sunday after next, from 3 to 7pm! Bring a pen, some extra cash, a willingness to socialize, network and share a little healthy mirth in the face of challenges. (*Please note that bids start at $200 on the painting!)
It is February, so spread the love and donate today, as often and as much you can and own this painting, entitled: "Vous Etes Né Comme Vous Etes; Un Esprit Beau!"

* It seems one might need to reference: "Timeless Rhythms Studio" when filling in the donate info after clicking the button! **This is my first time to use paypal for anything (!) so, please share your input if you are experienced and see anything that needs attention. Just leave a comment on the blog, and let me know how you like my RENT PARTY_ thanks!

* If there is only a big blue rectangle (below) with a spinning gear in the center of it, just hit the refresh button on your computer and then give the blue rectangle a few patient seconds_ the music menu will then magically appear!

Larry Lessig on laws that choke creativity | Video on TED.com

Stanford Law Professor and Creative Commons founder Larry Lessig Larry Lessig on laws that choke creativity | Video on TED.com

4 years later!

Four years after posting my art blog, Timeless Rhythms_ my visitor count has hit 6000! Woooooo!!!!!! Hoooooo!!!!!! I am excited! It is nice to be posting one of the intelligent locations on the web that an artist can count on. Count on to find tons of reputable materials about all kinds of resources in the art world. From other artists workings, to galleries and museums world-wide; houses of good quality art and even whimsical works! Timeless Rhythms is place on the net that gives focus to the art produced by incredible women artists of all media, including my own, toot! Toot! There are artist resources including 501 c 3 sponsorship for individual artists, and all kinds of support that other communities and states arts organizations seem to continue to resist creating closer to home; resources in support of more local "revenue streams!". Fractured Atlas is an organization that will support the individual artist learning to fund your project where we each live in America! I don't reveal too many details because I want you to be intrigued by your own searches here! Discover for yourself because yes, everything about creating takes time and you are worth the time it takes!
Even with all this resource information, I am still very much feeling my way in the dark on this path as artist with life! A path that requires all of my confidence in being and doing something that I know am supposed to in this world. Contributing to the world more beautifully, that in addition to my journal entries_ speak visually to freedom, to love, to truth.
Therefore, I continue learning to open my life to this creative process, to healthy creative collaborators and patronage of my work, to new friends and loved ones, deepening my connections to those who are so much part of my life, especially my daughter_ I love you with all my heart!
Thank-you to everyone who stops in to visit this corner of my Timeless Rhythms Studio and Online Journal!! Keep coming back; leave your comments! I love knowing you are out in this river of life with me!

It All Happened inside of Five Minutes_ Literally!

Tonight, I came home from my weekly check-in with a friend whose shop is not far from my current abode, and thought I would just check the local craig's listings for employment potential. This has become part of my daily ritual for months now. What did my wondering eyes happen to see first, at the top of today's listings, but the following ad title(?):

Reception and Bookkeeping /ART GALLERY/ (corvallis/albany)

I began this quest about 7pm my time and by 7:10pm, the ad had literally disappeared from the craigslist listings all together! DISAPPEARED right before my eyes! But, not before I had done a little digging after, I had responded immediately to the ad.
I was duped; taken in; my personal contact information scooped up and who knows how it may be being used, as we speak.

I did also just contact my bank to cover my back, just in-case. I am also posting it to my blog for everyone to be aware of the level of unscrupulousness that some desperate souls will stoop to, in a recession. BEWARE of all employment ads on craigslist anymore. I am sorry to say this, but it has become a nest of connivers! Not just this ad, but increasingly there are more phantom employment gimmicks posted than actual, local positions for real work!


The ad of such concern in my experience, as it appeared briefly (a couple of hours total from the look of things) on craigslist tonight, is as follows, DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!!!:


Date: 2010-01-23, 5:40PM PST
Reply to: see below

ART GALLERY BOOKKEEPER

Major contemporary art gallery (specializing in contemporary painting and sculpture), located in midtown, is currently interviewing for a full-time position. This position involves bookkeeping, gallery reception (answering the telephone and maintaining front desk) as well as some assistance with archiving.

The position requires someone who is highly organized, detail oriented, efficient, and quick with numbers, as well as energetic, unpretentious, and personable. The applicant should have experience as a bookkeeper and a strong visual sensibility. The applicant must be proficient with a Windows PC and have knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as some experience with databases and the internet.

The work-week for this position will be Tuesday through Saturday during the fall, winter, and spring, and Tuesday through Friday during the summer.

This is a long-term position. After an initial trial period, the Gallery requests a commitment of at least three years.


Please contact Thomas M. Smith at thomasmsmith@gmx.com and attach a resume if possible.

* Location: corvallis/albany
* Compensation: great compensation - negotiable!
* Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
* Please, no phone calls about this job!
* Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.



This is a copy of the autoresponder email contents that came back in my emailbox:

thomasmsmith@gmx.com
to me:

show details 6:56 PM, 1/23/10

GMX Autoresponder

Thank you for your interest in the Reseption and Bookkeeping position we have posted through Craigslist. To complete the application process please click on the link below.

To apply for this job click here http://newjobsforlife.com?183466

Thank you
Thomas Smith

This autoresponder e-mail was sent in reply to your message. Please note that additional automatic replies will only be sent once per week, regardless of the number of times you try to contact this recipient.

© 2008 GMX Internet Services Inc.
GMX is a registered trademark of GMX Internet Services Inc.


THIS IS THE SITE, CONCERNING FRAUDULENCE THAT CAME UP, IN A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH FOR THE NAME OF THE COMPANY (THOMAS M. SMITH GALLERY), it came up as a "Money Mule Scam":


http://www.fraudwatchinternational.com/fake-jobs/thomassmithartsgallery/

Thinking about Stillness_ and Noticing

"Beauty Arises In The Stillness Of Your Presence

What you have just described is something that I have occasionally experienced for brief moments when I am alone and surrounded by nature.

Yes, Zen masters use the word satori to describe a flash of insight, a moment of no-mind and total presence. Although satori is not a lasting transformation, be grateful when it comes, for it gives you a taste of enlightenment. You may, indeed, have experienced it many times without knowing what it is and realizing its importance. Presence is needed to become aware of the beauty, the majesty, the sacredness of nature. Have you ever gazed up into the infinity of space on a clear night, awestruck by the absolute stillness and inconceivable vastness of it? Have you listened, truly listened to the sound of a mountain stream in the forest? Or to the song of a blackbird at dusk on a quiet summer evening? To become aware of such things, the mind needs to be still. You have to put down for a moment your personal baggage of problems, of past and future, as well as all of your knowledge; otherwise, you will see but not see, hear but not hear. Your total presence is required.
Beyond the beauty of the external forms, there is more here: something that cannot be named, something ineffable. some deep, inner, holy essence. Whenever and wherever there is beauty, this inner essence shines through somehow. It only reveals itself to you when you are present. Could it be that this nameless essence and your presence are one and the same? Would it be there without your presence? Go deeply into it. Find out for yourself.

When you experience these moments of presence, you likely didn’t realize that you were briefly in a state of no-mind. This is because the gap between that state and the influx of thought was too narrow. Your satori may have only lasted a few seconds before the mind came in, but it was there; otherwise, you would not have experienced the beauty. Mind can neither recognize nor create beauty. Only for a few seconds, while you were completely present, was that beauty or that sacredness there. Because the narrowness of that gap and a lack of vigilance and alertness on your part, you were probably unable to see the fundamental difference between perception, the thoughtless awareness of beauty, and the naming and interpreting of it as thought: the time gap was so small that it seemed to be a single process. The truth is, however, that the moment thought came in, all you had was a memory of it.

The wider the time gap between perception and thought, the more depth there is to you as a human being, which is to say the more conscious you are.

Many people are so imprisoned in their minds that the beauty of nature does not really exist for them. They might say, “What a pretty flower,” but that’s just a mechanical mental labeling. Because they are not still, not present, they don’t truly see the flower, don’t feel its essence, its holiness_ just as they don’t know themselves, don’t feel their own essence, their own holiness.

Because we live in such a mind-dominated culture, most modern art, architecture, music and literature are devoid of beauty, of inner essence, with very few exceptions. the reason is that the people who created those things cannot_ even for a moment_ free themselves from their mind. So they are never in touch with that place within where true creativity and beauty arise. The mind left to itself creates monstrosities, and not only in art galleries. Look at our urban landscapes and industrial wastelands. No civilization has ever produced so much ugliness." _Eckhart Tolle, The Power of NOW, pgs. 96-98