Decoy Duck by Nathan Lynch. See Nathan's website here."Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Even though you're feeling deeply, lightly let things happen, and lightly cope with them on tiptoes and with no luggage, completely unencumbered". - Aldous Huxley
Molly with Nathan Lynch's Decoy Ducks. See more here.It's that time of year when I feel as if I'm wearing concrete boots. Last year my friend and Life Coach, Leslie suggested that it could be a seasonal thing for me....... a combination of hot humid summer and burn out. This makes perfect sense, since every January/February I feel this heaviness and in fact brace myself for it .... blaming Christmas and all the rushing about. I know that I push myself until Christmas trying to get through all my commissions in time. This year I seem to have gone over the deadline and am still trying to complete commissions. The humidity isn't helping either!
I found this image on Pinterest.Knowing that it is a seasonal thing doesn't make it any easier but I am able to look at it from a lighter perspective, if that makes any sense.
Web Feet Duck Bum by Tom Moore. See more of Tom's wonderfully whimsical glass creatures here.
Web Feet Duck Bum by Tom Moore. See more of Tom's wonderfully whimsical glass creatures here.The Aldous Huxley quote sings in my ears ..... "Lightly child, lightly" ... while I search for images to lighten my mood. I'm drawn to those artists with a wonderful sense of humour, and let me tell you, it's well nigh impossible to feel heavy for long.
This member of the Omo Tribe made me smile. I found the image on Pinterest with no links. 
All the pictures are amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou find the coolest things.
ReplyDeletedoes the cat have indigestion or is the rabbit overstuffed??? what fun. you do find the best!
ReplyDeleteR-love the concept - lightly - a sense of drifting with the flow - touching without fighting against or even pushing. Love the light frivolousness of many of the images - in particular loved the woman on the red ballon-ball - just going lightly. Go well. B
ReplyDeleteif it isnt the screaming monkeys it's the horrendous humidity...here's a little puff of dry air and hope you get thru it feeling better!
ReplyDeletewonderful... that Omo's head dress made ME smile, too!
ReplyDeleteI'm continually amazed by their designs!! Love the lighthearted and at times mythical images in this post.
Robyn....you are giving yourself great advice and lucky for your readers we get to benefit as well. Slow down a bit and yes, find the lightness and the humor in it all! Beautiful selections....hope you are beginning to float a little above the ground by now, rather than having to plod along! Cheers....and yes, go lightly!
ReplyDeletei must say agree..though here we are enduring snow, ice and grey yuck....loved the whimsical art..a perfect fix to a blah mood indeed...
ReplyDeleteand you always have your comical little bullie...I just wonder why bullterriers stink so much?
These are all so playful and quirky. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe Omo fellow made me really smile! Reminds me of Dr. Seuss!
ReplyDeleteIf all of us in blog land could get together some time, wouldn't it be fun to dress up for a party? I would follow the lead of the Omo! Now I bet that idea will make you smile lightly Robyn!
Maybe have an ice cube while you bounce down the road on that red ball.
Love, love, love the decoy ducks. Now I want one.
xxoo
What a quote! As a passionate 100% type, this is just what I need to remember. 'Lightly'
ReplyDeleteBtw, have you seen the movie, "The Fall"?- pretty film with amazing imagery. There's a scene in it with birds coming from the mouth of a 'mystic', don't know what it means but did it ever get my attention and I've dreamt of it since. The little girl you love so much has taken on new meaning since I saw her last...
I just love that Aldous Huxley quote - what alot of sense he talked.
ReplyDeleteOh that is a great image of the woman with the red ball....so many interpretations possible....your quote and reminder to go lightly so apropos....a sense of humor is the only way to go...
ReplyDeleteThe web feet duck bumb made me laugh this morning when i saw it on Tumblr. Too funny.
ReplyDeleteConcrete boots sounds all gravity. Like Maybe a moon walk would be needed to get the bouyancy...
Had to catch myself around Christmas this year since 2nd anniv of my brother passing-- guess its going to be a little new addition to the season; somethn wanting attention. But humidity + me = bitchy grumble buttons.
Beach trip!? :)
that was an amazing passage to read... i felt my chest loosen a bit - thank you so much... that is needed... i seem to have gotten myself involved in a good many number of deadlines that all end within a week of each other... i will be thinking on this...
ReplyDeleteand i hope that you get to feeling lighter as well...
Robyn, I love this quote qnd have it on my Tumblr blog. It sings to me too.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you are light and floating soon.
hugs and kisses to all.
xoxo
I'm laughing out loud at Web feet duck bum!! My new year resolution is to do less, but it doesn't mean less laughing. Wishing you some of our chilly breezes.....
ReplyDeleteIn the deep south in the states, we all slow down during the summer - way down. I can't imagine having all that humidity right after all the holiday madness - whew - go lightly!
ReplyDeleteLove all your images - smiling and laughing - isn't that the cure for just about everything!
@mansuetude - yes - a beach trip is also a cure for everything! lol
"Lightly" .. a WONDERFUL word .. "smiling & laughing" lightens things up! Reminders for me. :)
ReplyDeleteI too love that quote. Several of these images made me smile.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way at this time of the year Robyn, Not sure if it is post Christmas or the fact that we have the threat of searing heat and deliberately lit fires for another 2 to 3 months and not much possibility of rain. Terribly dry here, again, sigh, although a few days of cooler weather.Unbelievably fog this morning!Then hot and humid for the rest of the day.
oh how i share your seasonal stress
ReplyDeleteits' about this time of year i start wishing autumn was here
longing for cold crisp nights, were sleep comes easily and cool sunny days where there is still energy left for doing things other than the essential
i just love that photo of the girl jumping down the road on the space hopper
wheeeeeeeeeee
yes,
ReplyDeleteme too...
xox - eb.
I'd feel heavy too if Christmas came in summer during the absolutely horrific Virginia humidity. Just think about fall, which must be amazing there!
ReplyDeleteI love the whimsical bent of this post.
What a quote to carry with us Robyn...a gentle reminder that all shall be well. Whimsy is an important but undervalued element of life I think and these photos capture that sense wonderfully - loved the decoy ducks the most! Wishing you time and space to be gentle with yourself. Go well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Art!
ReplyDeleteKathryn, I try :-)
Lyle, hmmm good question. I think the rabbit looks sheepish.
Barry, I would love to try that .... though I think I would go for a loop.
Thanks Paula, I definitely feel the difference :-)
Valerianna, the Omo do seem to come up with amazing patterns head dresses.
Patti, yes I keep catching myself grinning when I think of Web Feet Duck Bum and the decoy ducks.
Lisa, I've never had a stinky problem with any of my Bullies.... or do you mean by reputation ? Oh dear i hope Dexter is not still having problems.
Seth, enjoy!
Leslie, I really want a decoy duck too :-)
Shayla, no I havn't seen The Fall but will look out for it.
Do you mean Tweet Tweet? I think I've blogged about her 3 times :-)
Weaver, I found quite a long Aldous Huxley quote on Tumblr and this is a short version. He does talk sense!
Cynthia, one can go a long way with a sense of humour :-)
Mansuetude, Christmas does bring all those memories back but having an anniversary at the same time must be very hard for you. Beach trip .... sounds perfect! Actually we are plotting a beach holiday for a few months time. Can't wait!
Mairedodd, the quote had that effect on me too.... a loosening or a lifting of weights off the shoulders. Good luck with those deadlines.
Annie C, floating as we speak ... xoxo
Annie K, lol... the title is enough to get me giggling but those thin little duck legs in the air are classic!
Judy S, speaking about beach trips....I hope you are stiil enjoying yours. Time goes too quickly when you are having fun.
Jann, replying to these comments is stirring up all the giggles again. These images have been a laugh!
Penny, keeping fingers crossed for rain in your neck of the woods. We've had a few short drizzles which is better than nothing.
Kel, you just might have hit the nail on the head. Cooler nights for easy sleep. I think when the heat wakes you all night long it definitely effects your mood and energy. Roll on Autumn! My energy levels soar throughout Autumn and Winter.
eb, you too .... and yet when I wander over to your blog I feel refreshed. We have a great support team here don't we?! xox
deborah, I'm thinking, I'm thinking.... Fall is amazing here! Still hot but the early mornings and nights are crisp.
Fiona, as you know, it often only takes a quote to get you into a better frame of mind. This one is very soothing.
i'm feeling much LIGHTER and
ReplyDeletemore CHILDlike from traveling through
the whimsy of this post.
ESTA TRIBU ME ENAMORO...
ReplyDeletePINTE 3 CUADROS DE ELLOS SON DIVINOS.
SALUDITOS
After coming out from being snowed in for a week with 10"of freezing snow, I forget the other side of the coin is hot and humid.. I wish I could send you some of this snow! I hope you are feeling 'light' with smiles and laughter by now.. art can do that.
ReplyDeleteLove the attitude theme in this post. The art matches the words perfectly. Artists are so lucky to be able to entertain themselves and others too.
ReplyDeleteyou have found amazing amusements.
ReplyDeleteThat Huxley quote will stay with me this week. We have a week of 40-42 degree heat ahead and I am dreading it!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you in your humiditiy. The creativity will come back.
ps we are having nights of 25-26 and as I see from your comments, the lack of sleep has a knock on effect for the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteAm finding small projects to keep some creativity going during the day. For once I am glad I have no commisions waiting! Hope all goes well with yours. Take care and take cool showers!
The art ducks are amazing! I love them. I have a golden that looks just like your dog...aren't they the most lovable dogs?
ReplyDeleteHope you are finding rest followed by a burst of creative energy!
So glad to have found your blog and your Pinterest boards. Inspiring.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully bizarre!
ReplyDeleteI have those ebbs and flows through out the year too. I get one of those really down feelings after the holidays when it is typically so cold one can't get out here. Then during the heat of summer through August until the weather breaks into the cool of autumn. Your photos here are uplifting. I love the little girl sketch with birds on her tongue. It made me smile. I love the last image too. Now I know what I will do with a gourd top the next time I end up with a nice one. :) I hope you are feeling lighter now. Big Hugs...
ReplyDeleteLOVE tweet tweet!x lynda
ReplyDeleteNothing like humditity to push one over the edge Robyn... because we are escaping humidity for the most part this summer I am amazed how easy summer is without it. OK... we have buckets of rain at the moment...but with humidity largely absent we are all in shock at how gentle and doable things are!
ReplyDeleteThat girl on the red ballon... I see thats you taking a flight of fancy to leave your concrete world of the moment ... good idea sometimes to have such a whimsical thought... !
Hope you get through and those works are soon done and theres time for a breather!
xo
The heat and humidity of summer always drains that energy out of me. Maybe your malaise will pass soon and you'll feel your old self.
ReplyDeleteNeva, glad you're feeling lighter.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia.
Donna, yes art can improve one's mood and looking for these images certainly improved mine. It's been a cooler week which makes all the difference.
Robin, I often think how lucky we are as artists. We look at things differently and notice tiny details that others might miss.
Thanks Thelma.
HHnB, cool showers and ice packs help. I hope your predicted 40's have passed. This week has been cooler here.
Lisa Graham, the golden lab isn't mine but I do love the look of Nathan Lynch's dog in the image.
Thanks Jane-Anne, I've been enjoying your blog and Pinterest boards as well.
Caroline, indeed!
Lisa at Greenbow, feeling lighter by the day :-)Thank you.
Lynda Howells, Tweet is an old favourite. She's visited my blog a few times.
Sophie, the weather has been kinder this week. Glad your summer has been mild. (Last year ours was gentler than usual)
Stevie, I'm feeling a lot better. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.