lipstick and a studio sale ❣
putting yourself in the way of beauty
My pal Beth once said she had read that in times of crisis, lipstick sales skyrocket.
My guess is that this is the very time when the inner resolve wanes most acutely and cries out for a zesty jumpstart to the heart, and that jumpstart is called BEAUTY.
A seemingly frivolous ruby talisman that says everything sucks and is hard and squeezing me in from all directions, but at least there is still beauty around here and that beauty is me.
I remember reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed in my early twenties, while traveling with my buddy Caroline. Up late reading one night, towards the end of the book as I recall, she talks about how her mom always told her to put herself in the way of beauty everyday, as a prescription for vibrant, joyful living. I cried when I read that part.
And I think about it a lot. The sentiment often blooms in my brain when I'm out on a walk, or in nature, or watching the sun do its up and down dance in the sky.
Beauty is not frivolous.
It's the difference between feeling alive and feeling sucked dry of all your juice.
Lately I am supplementing my beauty nutrition in the studio.
I make art like I'm making an opportunity for beauty to roll up on me, sit in my lap, and have her way with me. With my time, my hands, my imagination, my inertia.
Beauty as pilot light.
Beauty as spirit reviver.
Spark for the sake of spark.
I've been working on a series of cloth paintings.
Soft and supple color collages as the beauty tonic du jour.
Sunday August 28th, I'm having an online studio sale in my web shop.
I'll have 11 pieces available to view and take home with you starting at 11am 🌀🤍
These works are so fun to make and help me do things like put down perfectionism, and open up the inner aperture for more ease and inspiration to flood in.
Consider this an invitation to put yourself in the way of beauty everyday.
As if it matters, as if the waning inner resolve depends on it.
💄 Hope to see you there. 💄
xo xo
M
