Dear You,
It’s been just a few weeks since I shared a personal snapshot from my transition from law to writing and opened up a space for our Quiet Life community members to share their creative endeavors. I anticipated hearing from a few artists and writers, those already known for their creative inclinations. However, the response was overwhelming. An abundance of you shared paintings, heartfelt poems, homemade madeleines, and skillfully knitted creations. Journal entries, evocative drawings, and captivating photography flooded in. You generously shared your talents and, more importantly, your heart.
This outpouring affirmed what we deeply felt: this community is exceptional. It’s truly a gathering of gifted and full-hearted souls.
The sheer volume and depth of your contributions were astounding. For weeks, my husband Ken and I were moved by your offerings. Many of you echoed this sentiment, expressing a shared sense of awe and inspiration. Since then, I’ve been contemplating the best way to spotlight these incredible gifts. I am thrilled to present a curated selection of your works today. Given the extraordinary number of submissions, choosing was incredibly challenging. Please do not feel disheartened if your work isn’t featured below. We deeply value all creative expressions, regardless of perceived technical skill.
We are committed to providing ongoing opportunities for Quiet Life members to share their creations with the community. Look forward to future posts like this, where we will continue to showcase the diverse gifts within our community!
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And now, we proudly present a glimpse into the gifted and full-hearted members of our Quiet Life community. For a visually enhanced experience, you can view this post here.
Jen Zeman shared her recent watercolor painting, a testament to her artistic gifts. “Old structures of all kinds captivate me,” Jen expressed. “The location of this enchanting scene is unknown, but it drew me in. Completed in stolen moments, this painting in my sketchbook was a joyful process, especially liberating after stepping back from Instagram and the pressure of constant sharing and comparison to other artists’ perceived productivity.”
Watercolor painting of an old enchanting structure by Jen Zeman, reflecting a joyful and liberated creative process.
Christiane Neukirch contributed this soulful drawing, showcasing her gifted ability to connect through art. “Drawing portraits of friends and inspirational figures has always been therapeutic for me,” Christiane shared. “It’s a meditative way to connect on a deeper level. This portrait is of a dear friend, known for 33 years, now in Ukraine caring for his mother since 2022. Communication has been infrequent recently, and this drawing, based on a 30-year-old photo, is my spiritual connection to him, a reminder of happier times and a source of hope.”
Soulful portrait drawing by Christiane Neukirch, representing a deep connection and hope for a friend in Ukraine.
Cassandra Leigh shared her perfectly sculpted madeleines, a delightful and Proustian offering, highlighting her gifted culinary skills. These delicate treats are a testament to her attention to detail and passion for baking.
Perfectly sculpted madeleines by Cassandra Leigh, a testament to her culinary gifts and baking passion.
Jennifer Tse spoke of yin and yang through her mixed media works, demonstrating her gifted ability to harmonize contrasts. “My mixed media pieces explore the contrast of elements I love: delicate and bold, pretty and grunge, light and dark, soft and hard, nature and human creation. Appreciation for all things grows when we juxtapose them.”
Mixed media work by Jennifer Tse, showcasing the harmony of contrasts and her artistic exploration of yin and yang.
Wendi cross gifted us with profound vulnerability and raw emotion, sharing the truth of her heart through paper art. Despite believing it’s “not art, or beautiful,” her work is deeply moving. Wendi explains, “After my son’s death, bypassing words and intellect became my survival. ‘Normal’ ceased to exist. Ripping paper became my expression of unbearable pain. (Gray areas represent places where we scattered his ashes; other fragments symbolize pieces of him and our shared life.) It may not be art or beautiful in a conventional sense, but I share it with this group because of the prompt that resonated deeply.”
Paper art by Wendi Cross, expressing profound grief and love after the loss of her son, a heart-wrenching gift of vulnerability.
Carolyn K shared her evocative “abstract landscape,” painted a few months prior, showcasing her gifted ability to capture atmosphere and emotion through abstract art. The painting invites viewers to immerse themselves in its textured depths and interpret their own peaceful scenery.
Evocative abstract landscape painting by Carolyn K, reflecting her artistic gifts in capturing atmosphere and emotion through abstract art.
Todd Cherches offered his book, “Visual Leadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life,” his proudest creative achievement, demonstrating his gifted intellect and communication skills. He noted, “(By the way, Susan’s book, “Quiet,” is listed in the appendix as one of the top 40 books that significantly influenced my work and life!)”
Book cover of "Visual Leadership" by Todd Cherches, highlighting his intellectual gifts and creative accomplishment in writing.
@Jeanne, an artist creating miniature shrines and altars and a lover of solitude seeking connection, gifted us with a “portable altar/shrine…dedicated to the Feminine Energies and to the Great Cosmic Egg.” Her gifted craftsmanship and spiritual depth are evident in her description: “I love the concept of encountering guardians at the gate to discover what lies within.”
Portable altar/shrine by Jeanne, dedicated to Feminine Energies, showcasing her gifted craftsmanship and spiritual artistry.
Martha Colbert, who began painting at 63, shared “Last Visit with Boppa,” a heartwarming painting of her 4-year-old granddaughter and her Grandpa. This piece beautifully captures a tender family moment, reflecting her gifted ability to convey emotion through portraiture. “Isn’t this wonderful?” Martha asks.
Painting "Last Visit with Boppa" by Martha Colbert, a heartwarming portrait of her granddaughter and grandpa, reflecting her gifted emotional expression in art.
Julie Hickman, an artist with a passion for philosophy, music, and literature, shared her “painting titled Peaceful Scenery 36”w by 27”h,” a street scene brimming with hidden details. Her gifted artistic vision invites viewers to explore and discover. “I wonder if you can see all the sweet creatures in it😊?” Julie prompts. (Can you?)
Painting "Peaceful Scenery" by Julie Hickman, a street scene with hidden creatures, showcasing her artistic gifts and detailed vision.
Lastly, we feature my husband Ken’s brilliant photography. Ken, a lifelong traveler with a gift for languages and connecting with people, captured “Families at Church” during our recent trip to Cartagena, Colombia. This photograph beautifully encapsulates a cultural moment, reflecting his gifted eye for composition and human connection.
Photograph "Families at Church" in Cartagena, Colombia, by Ken, showcasing his gifted eye for composition and cultural storytelling through photography.
I hope you found joy in this first installment of the Quiet Life Community Art Project! We are eager to witness its evolution.
We would love to hear your thoughts, and I am sure our gifted artists would appreciate your feedback as well. Please leave a comment below! (For today, comments are open to everyone, even non-Quiet Life members.)
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