nine {with susan tuttle}

Nine is an interview series with creative folks; the interviewees are asked to respond to the questions in photographs.

Today's interview is with the kindred spirit Susan Tuttle. I was lucky enough to meet Susan last year at Squam, and her writing and photography have captivated me ever since.

*****

Question 1: Who are you?

Question 2: What do you love about where you live?

Question 3: What might your perfect afternoon look like?

Question 4: If you had an hour alone in your studio/creative space, what would you do?

Question 5: Right now, what are some of your favorite things?

Question 6: What foods nourish your soul?

Question 7: When you need to simply take a breath and reground yourself, what do you do?

Question 8: How do you nurture your creative dreams?

Question 9: Does your heart have a secret wish you want to share?

Susan Tuttle is a mixed-media and digital artist who resides in the Midcoast region of Maine with her husband and two young children. Her first book, Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations and Explorations, was released by North Light Books in November 2008. Her second book, which is a technique-based publication about digital art, will be released by North Light Books in April of 2010. Susan is a frequent contributor to Stampington and Company publications and a variety of other mixed-media art books. You can visit her web site at http://www.ilkasattic.com/ and her blog at http://www.ilkasattic.blogspot.com/.

(All photos copyright Susan Tuttle)

five (really) good things on a monday

seaview blooms . may 10, 2009

1) the last of the blooming trees are smiling down on us here in the pacific northwest. i have been simply swooning this year at the blooms. for the last week i keep saying to jon, those pink trees are pregnant with blooms. it is true. i can't seem to stop saying that. hmmm...

2) speaking of pregnant, i am beyond excited that later this week i will be spending time with some dear friends who spent time in the world of pregnancy last year and this year...and i will be meeting their beautiful babes. it is going to be a real joy to look into the faces of these friends who are now mothers and then to hold the babies they have brought into this world.

3) i bought some new clothes and stuff to take with me on this trip and i have to rave about two etsy purchases. the first is the shell collector dress from gaia conceptions. oh. my. goodness. i adore this dress (i bought it in purple.) when i saw jen wearing it last month in portland, i knew it had to be mine. this dress is so well made and so soft and flattering. another item i bought is this pouch in chartreuse by yorktown road...and it is delightful in person! loving carol's etsy shop and her flickr photos.

4) taking a quick trip to the coast this weekend with jonny was so good for the soul. driving and talking and singing (jon even joined in with this song [this video is fantastic fun!], which has become a new favorite of mine...a perfect driving song really) and connecting with people in manzanita (as i continue to work on the details of upcoming retreats and plan new ones). having these moments of goodness to add to the mix, well, i am very thankful for these moments.

5) the new jewelry at l'essence du monde. jen has reopened her shop, and these necklaces make me think of a summer evening party in the backyard with lanterns hanging and a white t-shirt and fun below-the-knee skirt with a happy pattern and orange flip flops and friends and laughter and good food and lemon drops and how the list goes on. these earrings are my current everyday favorites (i have them in brass). and i love wearing one of these necklaces with my soul mantra necklaces as some days i just have to layer necklace upon necklace.

oh but wait, one more really good thing i have to share:
the new star trek movie. loved it. i am a big (BIG) star trek TNG fan. my brother and i might have gone to a convention back in the 90s. my husband (then boyfriend) might have begun to fall in love with me when he realized i knew who brent spiner is. separate from all that (since i am guessing you probably have no idea what i am talking about), this is just really a good movie. you should go see it. seriously.

what are five really good things in your world?
i dare you to name them.
right.
now.

living it.

manzanita view . may 9, 2009

Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.

Buddha

because {love thursday}

a photo that appeared in jonny's flickr photostream last evening.

he took it in our front yard when we had a brief break in the rain.

i gave him that frog about seven years ago.

sigh. there goes my heart.

because you seem to never mind when i sing my heart out in the car

because you embrace who i am (even when i haven't showered)

because you make sure i eat every night

because you annoy me until i remember to stop taking things so seriously

because you spent your spring break in the midst of a movie that might rival elizabethtown

because you say things like whatever you need to do when i ask you if i should get a nose ring, or a tatoo, or how the list goes on

because you send me emails in the middle of the day so i feel less alone

because you believe i can

because you remembered

these are (some of) the reasons

i adore you.

(happy love thursday)

this day.

forest exploring, olympic peninsula . april, 2009

give yourself permission
to let this moment
this moment
right now
be just for you

find your breath

notice your next inhale...
then the exhale that follows

let your mind rest
inside the movement
of your breath
in your body

find the rhythm of this movement

inhale
chest opens
exhale
shoulders relax
inhale
heart opens
exhale
feel the space inside you

when you are ready
to return
to what is to happen next
know this:

you have all the tools you need for this day
and the next
and the next

namaste.

thoughts on a rainy monday night.

new all dressed up necklaces in the shop

i am so thankful that yesterday included sunshine so i could take photos of my new creations...before the (supposed) ten days of rain began today. ten days of rain. i am hoping the sun will decide to show up in the midst of it all as spring just doesn't quite seem like spring without some sun peppered in here and there.

lately, i have been realizing (or maybe a better word is acknowledging) that this crazy, wonderful life i lead needs some more organization. more than just the house stuff i am always in the midst of (or...ahem...ignoring). organization in the "to do" today/this week/this month sort of way. i need to be able to check things off.

i am wondering, do any of you use an online organizer? or do you find the binder organizers are a better way to go? i use the computer so much with all the job hats i wear, that an online organizer seems to make sense (and [she writes as she rolls her eyes at herself] i fear i might misplace a binder in the chaos that is the messy.ness of this home).

and since i am asking questions, i would also love to know what you are listening to these days. i am heading across the country in a week and would love some new tunes (or books or podcasts) to download to my iPod.

hope things are beautiful in your corner of the world...

today.

i am happiest when my heart stays open
i am hoping to let go of even more clutter
i am reaching farther
i am twirling inside words and possibility
i am walking a path of deep joy and moments of deep sadness
i am finally understanding pieces of why i might be right here
i am being gentle with myself on days when sinking seems tangible
i am taking dance breaks to nourish me
i am realizing connections can take more forms than i thought possible
i am seeking the brave moments
i am honoring the deeply creative minutes
i am nurturing the truth i see
i am embracing this reflection

*****

i am wondering where you are...

wondering what your "i am" statement might be in this moment...

(this post was directly inspired by this self-reflection post by kelly b.)

forward (don't be afraid)

One can go back toward safety or forward toward growth.
Abraham Maslow

*****

I am happy to announce that the giveaway winner (chosen by random.org) is comment #15 from Amy (anonymous). Amy, please get in touch so I can send you the "hope.full" soul mantra necklace (just see my blogger profile for my email).