Live and Learn for Mother Earth

All of the environmental learning I've been doing is birthing yet another new consciousness within me. I'm learning how to cook. I'm learning how to eat healthier food. And importantly, I'm making time for meal planning, meal prep, cooking and even (drum-roll please) ... cleaning up the kitchen. This, from someone who works in her business from sunup to sundown.

Ah, but a new day is dawning, and filling me with eager enthusiasm for the changes ahead. This morning I woke up early. I packed up my cooler, grabbed my cloth grocery bags, and at 7am drove up to Siesta Beach to walk on the crystal sands. Walking is a part of my new healthy lifestyle. I'm pretending I have a dog, so I have to get out of the house and walk the dog at least twice a day. This morning, as I walked on the beach, I feasted my senses on the surf rolling into shore, gazed at the pelicans and shore birds who make their home there, and happily dreamed I lived in one of the villas near by.

Next, I headed up to Morton's Deli for homemade rice, beans, and tofu salads. Satisfied with my finds, I went on to C'est La Vie on Main Street in downtown Sarasota for my favorite bread, an old-fashioned French Baguette. Finally, I walked the aisles at Whole Foods and selected nutritious vegetables and beautiful soups  that will support my new way of being. Three hours later, I was home. I went directly to the kitchen to clean out my freezer, my fridge, and my pantry to make room for the new wholesome, organic natural food I'd purchased.

I put any raw fruits or vegetables that had spoiled in my new compost bin. I'm learning how to buy just the right amount of food as well as the right kind of food, so I can get better and better at eliminating waste. I love that I am a part of the composting consciousness. It makes me feel that I'm doing my part to help the Earth, if even in a very small way.

With joyful determination, next I found and cleaned out all the glass jars from sauces that were years past their expiration date. Throughout this process, I discovered a dozen plastic bags that had various leftover meals or breads or pizza dough in them in the back of my freezer. Here comes the lesson: Did you know that if the plastic bags we all dutifully put into the recycle bin at the grocery store are wet or dirty they will be thrown in the trash instead of recycled? Horrors. I thought the recycle people had some massive washing machine that cleaned it all before breaking it down into some other form to make bags or bottles with.

Since I learned this, I've taken care to rinse out any plastic bag that's outlived it's usefulness and hang it out to dry. Today, however, I had a dozen, and after I'd washed them all I realized my little kitchen could not handle them all. Eureka! I made a clothesline as you see in the photo above. It cracked me up, seeing all those plastic bags hanging out to dry. So I'm sharing it with you. Enjoy! - Raphaella Vaisseau

Inspiration, Food for the Soul, and Allowing the Birthing of New Art

I love being an artist. I enjoy working in my business every day. I create new products, manage my websites, fill orders, and find new retail outlets for my work. The possibilities for creativity are endless, even in how I enter data in my spreadsheets and make charts and graphs to track my sales and growth. I could happily work from sunrise to sunset every day. Yet over the years I've tried to include time for other things that might give me balance in new and healthy ways. Like learning to cook, nurturing friendships, and taking walks on the beach. So, from time to time I pull myself away from work and plan an adventure. Usually it's a grocery shopping trip to Sarasota, 30 miles away.

It takes three hours. But every time I take this time for myself to buy bread at C'est La Vie on Main Street, then shop for organic and wholesomely natural food at Whole Foods Market, I am filled with goodness and inspiration. Just walking in the front doors into the wealth of produce there makes me happy. Last week I was trilled to discover hydroponic basil, which is now alive and thriving on my kitchen counter.

Organically speaking, living on the Gulf Coast of Florida is not like living in Marin County, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. I planned these adventures in my decade living there as well. Every time I drove into the City to buy art supplies, I felt like I was on vacation. Going across the bridge into the fog often moved my spirit to tears of gratitude and appreciation. Coming back home again a few hours later, and passing through the rainbow decorated tunnel into the hills of Marin, also brought me joy.

I began treating myself every Saturday morning before opening my Heartful Art Gallery in Sausalito, with a trip to the San Francisco Farmers Market at the Ferry Plaza. Being there at sunrise, surrounded by rows and rows of fresh fruits and vegetables gave me the feeling of pure health. Besides the organic goodness, I browsed the Ferry Plaza shops, sipped a hot latte, bought delicious baked goods, and explored the start-up food companies on Market Street which offered exciting and original packaged food to try.

Don't get me wrong. I love our Venice Farmers Market too, and I look forward every week to setting up my Heartful Art booth and sharing my art with the people. But that's more about my life as an artist and loving my work. These little trips to the market, these gifts of adventure to myself, feed my soul in a different way. Last week as I made the journey, I listened to an Abraham-Hicks seminar in my car, and I felt an unfolding of a lotus flower within my heart (again).

When I returned home, after I put away my beautiful bread and wonderful organic food, I got out my paints and created a new work of art to capture the blessings of the day. Here it is as a magnet, and my wish to you: Allow the Unfolding. Of your magnificence, of the day, of your journey, and mine.

-Raphaella Vaisseau

The Earth, Our World - Believing in Our Future

     It's important to believe - in ourselves, in human nature, in our evolution of understanding. Like the French proverb on my little poster says, "It is by believing in roses that one brings them to bloom." Abraham-Hicks says it another way: "Our attention to something keeps it growing, our thoughts keep it active." As long as I can remember, I've been a positive thinker. I prefer to think positively about everything, and to find the beauty wherever I can.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice recently sponsored an Environmental Film Festival, showing a documentary film every Monday evening in March. The first was "Ingredients" - exploring the movement to eat locally to "create a healthier, more sustainable model for living and eating well."  I missed the second week, but the film shown was "Tapped" - about "bottled water and the industry that thinks we should buy it." Next came "Trashed" - about recycling and where our trash goes. And finally, "Deep Green" - about "solutions to stop Global Warming now."

I learned things, of course. I've been going to Transitions meetings here in our area. And, I've been exploring shared housing and intentional communities. I know change is coming. For me and for us all. It's exciting, actually. I believe it's a wonderful time to be alive. Keeping our thoughts positive and within the realms of possibility, happiness, and positive resolution for all while learning about climate change and global challenges takes some focus, but it's worth it.

As I viewed these films during the month of March, I felt a subtle shift of new awareness open up within me like a lotus blossom. Each film presented another look at new movements taking hold across our planet. I felt pride for the people who are on the leading edge, people who are already changing entire companies and countries for the good of future generations. The interconnectedness of life, and of things, became even more apparent to me than before. Take composting, for instance, which I learned reduces methane gas in our landfills, thus protecting the atmosphere even in a small, individual way. I didn't know that. I thought composting was just for people who liked to garden.

I look at the baby hawks in the cypress tree in my back yard, and the new bud on an orchid that survived the seasons, and marvel at our beautiful world. We can do this. We can educate ourselves about energy efficiency. We can support local organic food growers. We can think about what we buy and what we throw away. We can bring consciousness to more of our environment and what we can do in our individual daily lives that will be good for each other. We can take responsibility for choices we make that impact our world and future generations. We can believe in the goodness of people. We can trust each other to cooperate and keep making changes that will help us all. One awareness at a time. One choice at a time. I have confidence in the human race. I believe in our global future.
- Raphaella Vaisseau

A Day of Art with Friends at the Mount Dora Arts Festival Feb 5, 2012

In looking at the numerology of 2012, a 5 year of freedom and discovery, I've made it a goal to travel more, whether it be short trips to discover more of Florida, or longer vacations to visit family and friends. Spending time investing in and enjoying my friends is important to me. So, yesterday, February 5, 2012, Theresa, Shirl and I ventured forth to spend the day at the 37th Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival. It was a 3-hr drive but we packed our car with water, fruit, chips and artichoke salad, and enjoyed the trip, not knowing what we would find when we got there.

We arrived in Mount Dora, which is about 30 miles NW of Orlando, just after noon on the 2nd day of the show and were surprised to discover the size and scope of the festival. It was huge and wonderful.

Artists from all over the country were there. I met Cindy McDougall, a jeweler from Fergus Falls, Minnesota where my mom and dad went to high school. Her husband, Jay (a wood sculptor) was there too. Small world. Another artist, Kirsten Walstead of SoMi Tileworks in Minneapolis makes beautiful artistic tiles.

One of my favorite art sculptors was Victoria Sexton who was selling her unusual sculptures (left) so fast I believe she sold out by the end of the day. She shares her current techniques here.

Greg and Mindy Rhoads, from Kansas, create intricate Mosaics (right) with words, quotes, and images, which I adore.

After hours of walking from booth to booth, and being inspired time and again with creative manifestations, the three of us took a break and walked down to the lake for a change of pace. We discovered the Lakeside Inn and talked about coming back to this festival again next year when we might stay overnight at the Inn and see more of the art in the 2-day festival. As it was, I believe I visited only about twenty-five percent of the booths. There was a lot more to see and experience that we didn't have time or energy for. I did take dozens of photographs throughout the afternoon which you can see on Flickr here.

Satisfied yet knowing there would be more adventure another time, we piled back into the car and began the journey home. All night my heart and head were filled with beautiful images of color and creativity, my dreams were vivid blessings, and I awakened this morning with joy. Such are the gifts of art and friendship.
- Raphaella Vaisseau

Grids and Dots: The Abstract Art of Raphaella Vaisseau at Studio V Gallery's Artists of Venice Exhibition Jan-Feb 2012

Studio V Gallery is a hip, edgy gallery in the Arts District of Venice, Florida at 206 West Miami Ave, on the island at the corner of Nokomis. Owner Victoria Miller is a talented local artist herself. Read more about her and view her paintings on bluecanvas.com.

Her current "Artists of Venice" exhibition opens January 14, 2012 from 6-9pm. My original abstract paintings will be among the art from twenty artists showing work at the gallery through the end of February. I'm pleased to say that in addition to the abstracts, I will be showing two of my signature layered creations of color on color: Ruby (shown on right), and Seaweed. These layered watercolor paintings often take years to complete, with as many as seven layers of watercolor paint applied over another.

Included in the collection of abstracts on display will be a series of grids and earthly shapes, including Grid 6 and Swiss Grid (shown to left).

For more information about my art, or for a private viewing at the gallery during the months of this exhibition, please contact me directly at 941.993.7001.

Come to the January 14th opening (6-9pm) if you can. I'd love to see you there and personally share my art with you. For more information about the gallery itself, contact Victoria Miller at 941.412.6051. Except for special events, the Studio V Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm and Saturday, 10am-3pm.

Review of 2011 and Declaration for 2012 in the life of Raphaella Vaisseau

Continuing the focus of the past few years, 2011 has been about reducing debt while developing new and more profitable streams of income and streamlining business practices. Intention and focus paid off for me in 2011. It was a good year. I succeeded at building a more solid foundation for my work in the world, enjoyed time with family and friends, and explored more of the beautiful Florida environment where I now live.

As my new foundation continues to support me going forward, I will create more space in my life for creativity, new artistic expression, and expanded opportunities for sharing my art with others to enhance their lives. Again this coming year, I will be expanding and simplifying at the same time.

2012 is a Year of Freedom. As I stand in knowingness and act on my inner guidance, I will step forward into greater expression and fulfillment of my life’s work. I am committed to manifesting my greatness in the form of my art, writing, my being, and my expression.

We are all great. We all have greatness. This year I have become more aware that it’s up to me to let my light shine more brightly than I’ve dared to before. In claiming my own authority, as stated in my ministerial blessing from 1978, I’m confident and more ready than ever to speak up, step out, and be visible. No more waiting until “whenever.” My focus this year will be on being courageous, taking action, listening to my inner guidance, and staying in alignment with my inner being on a day by day, moment to moment basis. My emotions will be my guide.

“Life is supposed to be fun,” says Abraham-Hicks. That’s where I’ll be living in 2012. Joy will be my song.
-Raphaella Vaisseau

I Can Do It! Tampa 2011 - Part Two: Louise Hay et al

November 11-13, 2011 I attended an I Can Do It! Hay House Conference in Tampa, Florida with two of my friends Joanie and Elaine. (Note: If you missed Part One of my experience of the Conference, read about it here: I Can Do It! Tampa 2011: Part One: Marianne Williamson.)

Wayne Dyer gave the keynote presentation on the first evening in which he encouraged us to treasure our magnificence, live from the end, and assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled. Live from the place as if it were already an accomplished fact.

Much of what was said served to remind me of what I already knew to be true. Yet it was exhilarating to be in the presence of many of my favorite authors – people who are my role models, people who to my way of thinking are walking their talk. Louise Hay and Cheryl Richardson have a new book out, You Can Create An Exceptional Life. They were adorable as they talked about mirror work (positive self talk while looking at yourself in the mirror), and shared hints and tips of how they live their lives. One of my favorite take-away affirmations is one Louise has had in her bathroom (directly across from the toilet) for decades, "I bless and prosper everyone in my world and everyone in my world blesses and prospers me."

Doreen Virtue is always a pleasure to experience. Sweet vessel of light, she works with angels assisting people. You can participate in her weekly call-in show on hayhouseradio.com every Wednesday or listen to rebroadcasts throughout the week.

Saturday evening's keynote presentation was from Gregg Braden, "bridging science and spirituality." He talked of history, assumptions of science, Heart Math and the Global Coherence Initiative and purported that "strong collective emotion has a measurable impact on the earth's geomagnetic field." The main point I came away with from this session is that cooperation is key. Choose love. Choose cooperation.

Carolyn Myss opened Day 3 of the Conference and spoke of prayer and grace. Her prayer is, "God, give me the courage to see You in everybody." And in difficult situations, she prays "Keep me in a field of grace." The graces include 1) a sense of Reverence (my life is holy), 2) Piety (see the divine in others), 3)Understanding (having empathy), 4) Fortitude (courage to do what I know in my heart is the truth), 5) Counsel (not to betray myself), 6) Knowledge (sacred truth, revelation), and 7) Wisdom (wise choices, holy force moving through me).

Debbie Ford was next, and is the author of The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, which I can personally vouch for as a life altering read. I first experienced her transformational work in a televised workshop on Wisdom TV around 2001, so I was very excited about being in the room with her in Tampa. First she shared the opening of her movie, The Shadow Effect. Then she walked us through a few exercises so the participants could have an experience of embracing the shadow, and thus having a breakthrough. Her belief is that "when we fall in love with our dark side, it becomes a part of our light." There is only love, she says.

Already filled with inspiration and insight from the motivating speakers I journeyed on. Joan Borysenko's latest book is about burnout and appropriately titled Fried. She listed stages of burnout and steps you can take to recover. If you're emotionally exhausted, working too hard, have diminished self care, and start isolating, you may be in burnout and this book could help. A take-away for me was to ask myself what revitalizes me and put what I love first. Figure out a way to fit it in. Doing this will increase the total amount of energy that I have. She suggested we be mindful of what the energy of aliveness feels like and do more of that. Ah, more food for the soul.

Last but not least was Marianne Williamson, who gave the final keynote talk. It was with Marianne that my I Can Do It! Conference began on Friday, and I was eager to hear more from her. She began with a prayer to be a vessel of love and then explained, "Just as the absence of light is darkness, the absence of love is fear." She urged us to be willing to see things differently and accept that everything people say to us is either love or a call for love. Interesting, she said, that the word communicate has the word commune within it. Her daily prayer each morning is "for the happiness of everyone I interact with today." Make everything spiritual. If you're going to make a call, make it to be a blessing for the person you're calling. Send love to them in advance. Ask self, "Where am I not as loving as I could be? Where am I not as much of a blessing as I could be?" Then have a change of heart. Say to God, "What can I do for you?" Marianne ended with asking the audience to turn to each other and repeat Namaste as "The love in me salutes the love in you." She encouraged us to do this throughout each day as we walk in the world. So that is my intention. That, and incorporating all of the wisdom and insight I gained in this fabulous 3-day experience with these great teachers into my daily life.

Namaste.
-Raphaella Vaisseau