FUEL: VIRTUAL = EVENTUAL

Sometimes I get the distinct feeling, that all the ideas I spawn (but never find the time to realize or complete), are not lost to oblivion.
To accomplish the painstaking materialization of any idea, one needs a very special kind of ethereal energy. 
Being earth- and time-bound, results in immense quantities of 'lost potential'. However I believe that these virtual 'stillborn brainchildren' which all contain an energetic nucleus, are sacrificed in the flames of creativity and through Alchemy's transforming processes, become the fodder in the furnace, that feeds the stream of energy which enables us, to ennoble our eventual production and create Art.

Aleta Michaletos

www.aletamichaletos.com

GIRL SCOUT

I rest my case.... 

Over the years, I have developed an uncanny sense of the concept of 'margin' and the concept of 'timing'.  

Coupled to this, I have also developed a severe allergy to people who neither understand the concept of 'margin', nor the concept of 'timing. 
 

These 2 precautionary measures and attitudes to life, are able to avoid many of life's disasters.  

Be prepared.

 
- Aleta Michaletos 

www.aletamichaletos.com

BRUISED BEAUTY

 

BRUISED BEAUTY 
PHOTOGRAPHER: Aleta Michaletos

 'Our school system definitely falls short, for not enlightening learners concerning the various and deceptive psychological disorders, or how to recognize the symptoms and protect yourself, if ever you had the ill luck of falling prey to such evil. Armed with knowledge, much harm can be avoided.

  Even if you are powerful and successful, long term exposure to a 'crazy maker' is contagious. You will eventually find yourself in ruin and even doubt your own sanity. 

As a start, be sure to read the magnificent and insightful book: 'The Artist's Way', by Julia Cameron.' - Aleta Michaletos

HUMPTY DUMPTY IN BERLIN

'Embrace and delight in that which is pure, whole and beautiful. 

Keep your thoughts and eyes focused 

on that which is harmonious and positive.

But

don't neglect to keep in mind,

that eventually, 

all things will fail 

and all things must and will fall.' 

© 2018  ALETA MICHALETOS

STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS 2018

Added 2024 June 19 Inaugural speech by Pres Ramaphosa, of his second term as President of South Africa.

 Let's hope and trust that this time round (with some encouragement of his new friends) more of these idealistic statements will come to fruition. 

A stark reminder of the promises made then. 

Posted 2018  

One is not often handed a second chance in one life time.
Some words that come to mind when I think of our new President...
Patience, capacity, vision, wisdom, resilience, respect and dignity

Key ideas from Pres. Ramaphosa's inspiring inaugural speech.
A NEW DAWN
NOW IS THE TIME
'2018 will be a year of renewal and a year of hope'
'Seize this moment of hope and renewal'
'We are bound together by a common destiny'
'We are united through fundamental matters'
'We will build a new nation'
'Things will change...that means renewal and revitalization'
'We want to turn the tide on corruption'
'We are one Nation & One People'
'We should put negativity behind us'
'There's a mood of optimism'
'A focus on ethical behavior and ethical leadership'
'Don't act improperly or unethically'
WE MUST TURN THIS COUNTRY AROUND
The power of his healing and inspiring words where like a balm to the Soul of all South Africans.
It touched me in particular as he freely used all the words I painstakingly searched for and collected from the daily Newspapers during 1989-1994 and in the process, created the mammoth 22 meter long, PRECIOUS CIRCLE, consisting of 50 individual, positive collages. Miraculously it ended on the day of Nelson Mandela's inauguration.
I delight in sharing a few of these historical collages with you.

https://www.aletamichaletos.com/gallery/PRECIOUS%20CIRCLE

 

 

 

OUTA SPACE

'The one mystery I've never been able to solve is the following paradox: 

Despite the fact that each caressing brushstroke is practically breathed onto the canvas and therefore my technique is painfully slow and meticulous 

and although I've dramatically increased and expanded my gallery and available hanging space....

and although I'm consistently selling my work,

I'm always running out of space.'

© 2018 ALETA MICHALETOS

CONSUMERS: DEEPER CONCERN

One becomes so concerned about the amount of mobile data (= hard earned revenue) your cellphone may gobble, but a much deeper and legitimate concern, should be the amount of one's life time, it is capable of effortlessly devouring, and which we so generously hold and offer, in our open hand....  (Aleta Michaletos)

www.aletamichaletos.com

ON OCCASSION

'It is quite possible and worth considering, that those who on occasion speak great truth, are on the whole, compulsive lairs.'

LOOSE ENDS

'Over time, I've unwittingly, accumulated a vast amount of loose ends.
However, I never realized it was going to be so exhausting and time-consuming, to gather them all together.'

© 2018 ALETA MICHALETOS

LEAKS

I think it's fair to say that I am in tune with the infinite.

I'm also vigilant as far as noticing and interpreting signs and grasping metaphor.

It's not by chance then that today's page in my diary is enriched by the following morsel of wisdom written by Warren Buffett:

'In a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels, is more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks'.

©Aleta Michaletos

PSALM TO THE PALM (23rd)

I will not embroider on the variety of challenges the Universe has been lashing me with the past month (the most of which still remain unresolved.)

But today, I have been utterly and totally traumatized by the most recent cataclysmic event.

Despite the fact that I have no destructive inclinations and my adoration of nature and trees, I had to agree to the death sentence of that which was faultless and innocent.

Two majestic 40 year old palm trees, which were planted when we built our house, were executed this morning.

Whenever I happily sat on our verandah, protected by their dappled shade, the twin pillars reminded me of the two columns, Jachin and Boaz.

The palm is also one of the two attributes of victory, in the sense of elevation and exaltation. This I also sensed deeply and intuitively.

As an artist I express and create beauty with my hands and the shape of the 'palm' of the hand and fingers, then also mysteriously gain an additional meaning.

Although the only 'sin' the palms were guilty of, was doing what they did best as they excelled at growing upwards, producing leaves and abundant dates. However this, did not save them from an unforeseen, violent and abrupt death. 

It was only their vigorous excellence, which caused their downfall.

The most professional tree-fellers and -trimmers have warned us for some time, that the sheer height of our majestic palm trees, now made it impossible and extremely dangerous, to trim the dead leaves and life-threatening sheaths (with dagger points) which (without warning) plummeted to the ground next to us, on a number of occasions.

After the first palm fell, the executioner, Caspir, saw the distraught look of disbelief and horror on my face, as the length of the garden, was instantly filled with one tremendous, earth-trembling thud, releasing aromas that where buried deep inside as well as that of a few crushed leaves of a lavender bush.

As I burst into tears, the executioner was visibly shaken by my response and all he could awkwardly say was:

'sorry man'.........

 ©Aleta Michaletos

THE CHRYSALIS & THE BUTTERFLY

INTENTIONS

What I wish for you and Intend for myself, 

is to Gain the Strength and the Courage to Continue

the PILGRIMAGE of TRANSFORMATION and GROWTH, 

whilst simultaneously Resisting and Battling to Free oneself, 

from the Constraints and Encasement of the firm Cocoon, 
 the GOLDEN PUPA or CHRYSALIS 

 (which Paradoxically also signifies Comfort and Protection)

This Vulnerable Transitional State, 

where the Eventual Energetic Potential of the Butterfly 

is still Captured in a state of Incomplete Development,

often Attracts Predators and then
Inevitably and Tragically the GOLDEN PUPA
becomes a Mausoleum. 

If you Patiently yet Invisibly 

Nurture your Creative Qualities,

Keep your Energies Intact,

 Remain Alert, Sharp and Vigilant,

 your Reward will be to Prosper and be Successful

 after the Break-Through 
and claim Your Unique Opportunity to

Fly High and Fly Free in 2018 and beyond.

© ALETA MICHALETOS: 'EMERGENCE' oil on canvas 2002-2004 

(sold)