Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Free Image Tuesday... On. A. Tuesday... Miracles Never Cease...

I could tell you about all the wonderful art I am creating. I could tell you about it, but it is just not happening for me lately. I feel very scattered and displaced. Depression has been lurking and holding me. I am working to pull myself up by my bootstraps. All my arting things are still in boxes waiting for the studio to be done. Until then, I am sharing my studio "office" space with my husband and not too many pretty things are happening there. Bills aren't pretty or exciting or inspiring so, it's just FITS right now. I have loved all of your comments and sweet emails and even phone calls:) I can Yak and Yak. Yes, Lori? LOL!! It never fails to amaze me how incredible this Blog World has become in my life. People who don't blog do not understand the connections we make here. The Friendships we create here. It seems strange to the outsider. It feels like Home to me. It feels like Family. Love, Jamie




She seems so grown-up. Her hands are tightly closed so I wonder if she was stressed or nervous about the photo shoot. Lovely dress and stockings:)



I love how his sleeves are too long and that he is standing on a bench. His cheeks have been lightly tinted. So sweet!!! I think there is a hidden mother behind the curtain who is holding his head still for the photograph. What do you think?


Look at those sweet curls!! She is just precious!!!


Civil War era gemtype tintype in a decorative frame. These were created to allow gemtypes to fit in the newer CDV albums.

"There came a time when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
     ~Anais Nin

Looking through my Valentine flower photos today I found a perfect heart within this rose. I am glad I took a second look.

31 comments:

Gail said...

Sweet Jamie,
I'd love to say that I just can't relate, but I'd be a liar!
I too have been struggling with the whole "down in the dumps" bit, and especially with not creating...luckily I think I'm getting my inspiration back, slowly but surely. I'll say a little prayer tonight that you get yours back soon too my friend.
You're not alone.....:)
Gail

Anji Johnston said...

As Gail said - you are not alone! Depression can be such a devastating thing - it takes hold and just won't let go. But there is always a light at the end of the tunnel - really Jamie.
It just takes time, lots of love, and belief in yourself. Thoughts become things...
XxX

the blue muse said...

My first visit, I love your blog, it is beautiful. Things will get better, they always get better...

Jan said...

My dear friend... you have been so busy and through such a lot this past year that it is not surprising that you have come to a halt....
Sit back for a while, take time to relax and enjoy your beautiful boys...... you WILL come through it, believe me. xxxx

Dorthe said...

Jamie, Thanks so much they are awsome, love the baby with the tight curls, and thanks for the heart-rose,
have a lovely day.
xo Dorthe

Dorthe said...

Jamie,
I know how you feel, -2 years ago, I was there,too, and I`m still on medication, -but feeling good about it, it helps me a great deal, stopped worrying too much, and made me have my life back.
I wish you all the blessings possibly, and that you will find light very soon.
Hugs, Dorthe

José said...

Thank you for the beautiful images. Especially the heart in the rose. It's a good thing you see the beauty of this. It means you will get better. Believe me , I've been there. My mother in law always says : no matter how dark it gets, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. And I believe it's true. Hope you can believe it too. Fight! You're worth it.

Lori said...

hi girl:) i am sorry to hear you are still in the grips of this...i was planning to call you today...i hope you will be home so we can chat!!! i love the FITS!!!

Pam said...

So sorry to hear you're feeling low. I hope surely it will take an upturn very soon. I have been there too and feel for you. It was not that long ago, and I did finally kick myself out of that "not nice" place. I'm learning to have enough faith in myself to stay out of it! Mind you, menopause in my case, didn't help much.
Thanks so much for these beautiful images. They are all just so adorable. I'll be looking into the centre of every rose I see now! lol. Hugs.
Hugs.

Kim Mailhot said...

Keep coming back for that second look, Jamie. I know how those dark moments can threaten to over take but I also know that you are a creative and powerful woman who will find her way through.
Sending you love and prayers and wishes for giggles and thousands of everyday graces...

The Feathered Nest said...

Hey sweet girl, I battle the same thing....sadness will just wash over me for no reason at all, and then all I want to do is sleep, cry or be mean. Medicine has helped me so very much, just a daily time released thing so helps me feel normal. Creating is truly therapy to me as well. Hormones can totally rule your life and I believe that's my problem. Wishing and praying you well sweet girl, and I'm sure it will help when you pull your art space together, because it's such a part of you!!! Thank you always for the beautiful images, hugs and love, Dawn

Didi said...

I am brand spankin new at this type of 'arting' but I think I'm hooked!!! I am also a member of the depression club...got my meds and everything. The last dregs of winter is a icky time for everyone I think..get as much sunlight as possible. Spring is on its way!!

Anonymous said...

I think that creativity is all about dicipline and focus. I am the most comfortable when I make something new. The key is to do the work no matter what. Sometimes it is magical and other times just so-so. But it always gives purpose to life...Gary

peggy gatto said...

Your sharing of these beautiful photos brings me hours of creative pleasure.....just viewing them is special.
I look forward to visiting you!!!!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

I really feel for you hun, please hold on in there - there will be a light at the end of this miserable hole your going through xx

I just want to say BIG thanks for sharing all these wonderful images, they are wonderful xx

Paula said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Paula said...

Hey again, Sweet Jamie...
I really thought I had your email address, as I was going to send you a private message in reply to your latest post, but when I went to my mailbox and hit "reply" to one of your recent comments, the address that came up was that "no-reply blogger" language. So...I'll just write to you this way.

I, too, have been battling with depression over the last few months. I don't know if it's because of the lack of sunshine, the drama of remodeling this old house, the long wait in our adoption journey, or the fact that our house is in total chaos. Of course, I know that is it probably all of those things combined to create the "perfect storm," and all I want to do is go to my room, crawl into bed, and cover up my head! I suppose that's my way of dealing with the stress...perhaps I'm thinking it will all be better when I finally crawl out from under the covers. It has affected me when it comes to my work...I have to MAKE myself go in to the office. I have no motivation to do anything. It feels hopeless sometimes! All of my creative projects are buried in a sea of "stuff" in one of our rooms that is filled to capacity with furniture and books and things that belong in other rooms. There's not a room in our house that is organized right now, and it is getting to me in a big way. Sometimes I just fill like sitting in the middle of it all and screaming like a banshee. Anyway, I understand those dark places we sometimes allow ourselves to slip into. I'm a regular visitor there of late. You hang in there, sweetie. You're a beautiful person who creates beautiful things, and you make this world a more beautiful place just by being in it. Things will get better.

Sending love and hugs,
Paula

Stella Peterson said...

Hang on in there Jamie! As you can see from all these comments, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I know that when you are feeling this way you feel as if you are the only one, but take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. You have a wonderful family and lots of friends that are there for you. Take it one day at a time. Thank you for all your wonderful, encouraging comments. You are a very caring person. This will pass. Tomorrow is another day.

Thinking of you. Take care.
Love & hugs,
Stella

VS said...

Dearest Sweet Friend...
1st of all Jamie, I LOVE the FITS this week & if that's all you ever do, I will love you forever & come visit every week for the rest of my life just to see what you've most recently added!!!
And as for your muse, sometimes my muse takes European vacations, I think of her traveling on a train through the Italian countryside or maybe she's in France. And since airfare is soooo expensive she's probably going to be gone for maybe a month or so, maybe alittle longer. But I take comfort in the fact that even on the most fabulous vacation you could ever take, eventually you just want to come home.
My muse has been vacationing since Christmas & I have not touched a crafting project since she left, but I think she's coming back soon!! Spring is almost here & I know she loves the spring, the sun will shine & she'll be back....
I have NO DOUBT on that fact!!
Hugs & the next time my muse goes on a journey, I wish she'd take me. LOL
Susie

Laurie said...

I'm in that depression boat with all the rest of you. It does get better! 'In the midst of winter I finally found there was in me and invincible summer.' That and your rose quote are two of my favorites!

Very sweet kiddos. The one with the clenched fists makes me wonder if she had to go potty and was tired of staying still!

I think you're right about the helpful hand of mama in back of the little boy!

Feel better.

Tami said...

Yes, we love you and your wonderful posts and photos and art that you share, Jamie! We all have these 'slumps' so don't let that discourage you from letting your creativity flow-which I know it will when it wants too. Take care of yourself and think of it as taking a break-do you know what I mean?
Hugs and love to you,
Tami

Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn said...

Feel better soon! I can empathize with you..it is a daily battle sometimes against the demon that is depression. Sometimes I just have to do something even though I don't feel like it..and then it turns into something I DO feel like doing..Have a nice weekend.

Andrea said...

Jamie,
You are in my thoughts and prayers!!

Ragamuffin Gal said...

I so admire your genuine heart. And I wish you sprinkles of joyfilled thoughts and moments. You are so wonderfully generous and kind and it hurts to know you hurt. This is a downer of a time of year, but I keep hoping and now I will hope for you dear Jamie. Blessings! XXO

Julie L. Light said...

I go through these phases, too, I think we all do. One week I am in a creating frenzy and the next I nothing comes together well. Spring is on its way, maybe that's what you need? :)
Have a fabulous day!
Julie

Lee Weber said...

I can totally relate. We moved 600 miles in the beginning of December, to a snow storm, and big drafty house, leaking faucets and showers, ugly 1970s decor, cold cold cold, no friends, art stuff packed away... I have cried many times, so homesick. I just unpacked about half of my art room, and got started on some fabric collages. Getting the creative juices going hs helped. hang in there- it does pass. hugs-

Cheryl Carey Bass said...

Oh, Jamie! I'm so sorry you've been feeling blue. Like so many others her in our blogland HOME (and yes, it feels that way to me, too), I totally empathize with you. I battle depression, too, and am thankful for my meds (though right now I'm going through a change in them and it's tough!) Just know that it WILL get better. Spring is on it's way, and with it, I'm sure we will feel a renewed sense of excitement for life and creation (both God's and our own). Try not to beat yourself up for not being super creative right now. You're going through some major changes right now (a move is a huge ordeal, no matter how great the new place is). It will all settle down soon enough. Just try to enjoy your "down" time as much as you can. I try to think of it as God's way of making me rest. :) I love you, friend, and am so glad you're a part of our blogland home!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Jamie! You know I love that rose! This time of year can get bleak, I know what you mean. Laughter can get things moving, for me...rolling down a hill, wearing silly costumes, or watching funny movies. I look forward to your next blog entry, and love your artwork!

Gerushia's New World said...

Jamie:

I surely know how you feel. I'm just now "kinda" coming out of a two year depression. Darkness everywhere I looked. But...there always seems to be that "light at the end of the tunnel". Sometimes it's not visible as quickly as we want to see it.

You know what I find interesting about the little girl with the clenched fists? She has short sleeves. I don't have very many photos from this time period with "arm" showing!!

Oh...and I know you are so busy Jamie..but if you get a spare moment, would you mind changing my old Garden Painter Art link to my new blog: http://gerushiasnewworld.blogspot.com/ ?

Ozstuff said...

Jamie - thanks so much for your kind comments on my blog. They are much appreciated. I am sorry to hear that you have been feeling down but it's good to know that you have been supported by friends and had long chats on the phone. This made me smile. Why? On the blogs we are just bloggers with common interests and we come from all over the world. There are no accents to deal with, just words on a computer screen. Bev (Indybev) and I have been great friends for 12 years - penpals at first and then sharing a great interest in blogging and art. We had never spoken to each other and one day, for no particular reason, I called her. This should have been no problem because we are both English speakers!! Bev picked up the phone and immediately thought I was a call centre person, trying to sell her something. "What? Who are you? What do you want" said Bev. I replied "It's your old friend Marie in Australia" but she just said "Can't understand a word you are saying" and she hung up on me. Needless to say that was the end of our ever getting together on a phone line - but we are still great friends and we laugh about it.
I hope spring warms the cockles of your heart and refreshes you anew. Here in south-Western Australia we have experienced our hottest summer on record and we are just hanging out for some cool days and, hopefully, some showers which we haven't seen for months.

Cheers from Marie, aka Ozstuff.

A bird in the hand said...

Thinking of you. I've been a bit gloomy myself lately; I get low when seasons are changing, but it passes.
xoxo

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