Do you See What I see? with Cecelia Rappaport

Flipping through my sketch book, I found this doodle that I had created one afternoon while vacationing in the Caribbean.

I think my subconscious was really tuning in to my island surroundings.

However, I am not always the best at communicating which reminded me of one of R.D.Laing (Knots) quotes:

"Jack can see he sees

what he can see Jill can’t see

and he can see

that Jill can’t see that she can’t see

but he can’t see WHY

Jill can’t see that Jill can’t see”   

I guess it really is a wise idea never to assume that someone will see things exactly as I do!

Art from a Tea Cup......with Cecelia Rappaport

Looking around in all my stuff, I came across a box I made many years ago. 
It was covered in red fabric with a starched-stiff teacup affixed to the top of the lid.

Inside the box I found information on Meret Oppenheim. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Méret_Oppenheim 

She was a surrealist born on October 6, 1913, over 103 years ago.

Her fur-covered teacup, saucer and spoon, entitled  “Object” (Breakfast in Fur) was the first piece of her art that the Museum of Modern Art acquired, making Oppenheim the First Lady of MoMA.

Here are two important facts I learned today.  Meret Oppenheim and Cecelia Rappaport share the same birthday and we both found the time to create Art from a Teacup!!!!

Create art and enjoy your day!!!!!!

IMAGINATION AT WORK, with Cecelia Rappaport

“What is now proved was once only imagined.” 

― William Blake  

I read that creating requires that something be envisioned before it can be caused. It is called the Hellenic Imagination named after Prometheus, the Greek god, credited with the discovery of the magical power of being able to imagine the future by projecting a horizon of possibilities. 

I am continually intrigued by my imagination…what evokes our inspiration? 

Whatever those emotions are--ones that evoke happy or ones that vibrate sad--there is no doubt a  longing for me to translate this energy to a painting.  I just have to quickly get to my canvas before I lose it:) 

Traveling the I-10 in Los Angeles, I see the tall lanky palm trees swaying in the sun looking, to me, like lollipops.  I imagine reaching out and plucking from the planet, tasting the sweetness and having this surge of one happy emotion after another.  

ah, to be original!!!! My imagination at work……….

Sunset Palms

36"x36"x1.5" Acrylic on Canvas 

View HERE

NEGATIVE and POSITIVE SPACE…a new painting??? with Artist Cecelia Rappaport

"Thirty spokes meet in the hub, but the empty space between them is the essence of the wheel. Pots are formed from clay, but the empty space within it is the essence of the pot. 
Walls with windows and doors form the house, but the empty space within it is the essence of the home." — LAO TSE


 Over the years, I have accumulated quite the possessions, stuff and memories. Just categorizing everything in little labeled piles designated for greatness or the trash (whatever my mood deems appropriate at the time) has proved to bring me a great sense of accomplishment. And, really???? It took me this long to understand why Thursday Trash Pick-up Day made me exhilaratingly happy!!!! Yet, it totally makes sense to me (ha!) as it’s another little step moving to expand, freeing up my heart to express.

 No more dragging my past odds and ends into my future space. No way! I am ready to create newly. Yesterday, I exchanged art notes with two “way-younger-than-me” artists and was quickly reminded that my positive life experiences (represented by the positive shapes) added to some empty freed-up space (the white negative shapes represented below) could just possibly create an interesting painting.

Happy New Year from Cecelia Rappaport-Here’s to expanding in 2017!

It seems that I get excited about almost everything and find myself wanting to try something new every day! At times, it drives my husband crazy.

I tell him he is one of my rare consistencies and that seems to quiet him for awhile.

The fact is one minute I am mesmerized watching “Walking with Destiny”.
It's the story of Winston Churchill. You can find it on Netflix.

The next day I am totally consumed with planting vegetables in my hydroponic TowerGarden. Winston who? Living like this keeps me entertained, busy and moving. And, as I share this with you, I am happy to blog never having blogged before.

Isn’t this what it’s all about….expanding —moving out of our comfort zones??

Whether it is learning a new language, making a new friend, trying something new (like a new way to make guacamole vs. buying it),  moving to see our world newly each day is a start.

Here’s to expanding in 2017!  Happy New Year!!

Cecelia