Shari Beaubien

My Sabbatical...

Where oh where to begin?...

I don't think I've ever given myself a gift this wonderful or this luxurious.  It was the gift of T-I-M-E, and I'm not sure I've ever needed it more.  Allow me to scream from the rooftops that my sabbatical was simply THE BESTI

I feel so full of joy and so completely energized in a way that I haven't felt in a long time.  One of the primary reasons for taking this time was to allow myself to find my focus again, and that I did.  I realized that THE most important thing on this journey of mine is to evolve as an artist.  Everything else comes in second (and often third and fourth).  If I am to be truly happy, I MUST concentrate all of my energies on achieving that goal.  No more putting everyone else's needs first.  Perhaps it sounds selfish, but it's time for me to occupy the numero uno spot in my own heart.  Life is just too short for it to be any other way.

That being said, thanks for your patience with me as I navigate my path.  I appreciate all of your support... more than you know.  I've always felt as though the people that really "get" you and care about you will be there no matter what.

I got sooooo much painting done during my sabbatical.  It was gloriously quiet and I didn't feel pulled in a million different directions, like I normally do.  It was a blessing to work like this.  Here (above) are some twenty 5" x 5" canvases, newly gessoed and ready for paint.  They are the start of a mini-series that I'm taking with me to Art & Soul in Portland.

This little guy is the second painting in my new "Carnival of Dreams" series.  I guess it's not really that new because I showed you the first one here quite some time ago.  I'm over-the-moon with excitement about this series and am grateful that I've finally found my way back to it.

While on my sabbatical, I also drew three self portraits with graphite as well as a few other sketches.  I wrote pages and pages in my journal and worked through a lot of things that have been on my mind.  All of these are things that I never seem to get around to in my "normal" life, and just having the freedom to spend time on them was heavenly.  Did I mention that my sabbatical was the best?

And last but not least, here's a close-up shot of another canvas I've been working on in my "Carnival of Dreams" series.  Hopefully you can ascertain that he's an elephant.  I finished his tail since this photo was taken as well as gave him some ground to stand on.

In conclusion, I'd like to say (once again!) how pivotal this time by myself was.  My birthday is in two days and I honestly can't think of a gift that has meant more to me in all of my... ahem... thirty-seven years.  The trick will be to hold onto this glow and everything that I've learned about myself as I move forward.  But I know that I don't have a choice.  I REFUSE to return to that place of stress and feeling like I'm on the verge of a perpetual breakdown.  Living in celebration of your own light and strength is a much better place to dwell, don't you agree?

The Time Has Come...

Sab·bati·cal (sə bat′i kəl)

a year or shorter period of absence for study, rest, or travel,
given at intervals (originally every seven years)
as to some college teachers and now to people in other fields,
at full or partial salary

Perhaps this definition sounds a tad clinical, but doesn't the spirit of it feel simply heavenly?  SABBATICAL.  It truly is a beautiful word representing an even more beautiful break...  And I'm taking one.

No phone.
No internet. 
No television.
No interaction with the outside world of any kind.

No work.
No chores.
No cooking.
No errands.
No responsibilities.
No husband or animals, even.

It's going to be just me, the quiet, my sketchbook, my journal, and my ever-racing thoughts.  Maybe, just maybe, I can get them to slow down enough to find that place where I feel centered and in control.  I might even remember what it means to honor my very essence.  I'm going to try, anyway.

I'll be back on Monday, July 21.  Adieu!

New on Etsy...

"Happiness"
6" x 6"

When I created that large canvas I showed you yesterday, I also created three smaller works featuring birds painted in a similar style.  Here is one of them, now available in my Etsy shop.  I titled this little guy "Happiness" because he just makes me smile whenever I see him.  Thanks for looking!

One Day...

Here it is... "One Day..." (22" x 28").  I think you can click on the photo to enlarge it.  The journal page I posted last week was the study for the birds in this picture.  Just an FYI:  the green square isn't as dark in real life as it looks here.  I'm not sure why it looks so shadowed in the photograph.  C'est la vie, I suppose.  Incidentally, I'll have this brand new piece with me at the Malibu show at the end of this month.  Let me know what you think!  I'd love to hear.

We had a quiet weekend, which was nice.  I have to admit I'm infinitely glad this holiday is over.  The idiots setting off home (illegal) fireworks so close to the dead brush behind our house keeps me on edge every 4th of July.  Thank heavens there were no fires to speak of, although my thoughts and prayers are with the firefighters working to put out all of the other blazes in our state.

Happy 4th of July!

This little scene is playing out in our back yard.  I love the fact that the vine reached all the way over there to twist itself into the sun's eye.  I love even more the fact that now it's in there, it can't wait to crawl back out the other eye.  Isn't that always the case?...  We continually seem to want what we don't have.  Alas, such is the nature of life, I suppose.

I've been entertaining various contractors this week.  Some have been making bids and some are actually doing work, but either way it's been cutting into my art time.  I hope to get back to that journal page and if all goes well, complete my large canvas by Monday.  Be with me, art gods, be with me...

I hope you all have a sunny and safe 4th of July weekend!