RELIEF

'I did not sleep much last night. I was hyper alert and found it fascinating to listen to and distinguish between the infinitesimal sounds on our roof and the gutter. 
I heard little thuds on large leaves and a steady and worrying, metronomic drip on the ceiling. 
I heard a series of crashing waterfalls, as water rushed down garden steps. Drops were becoming trickles and trickles became flowing rivulets.
Something ancient and disturbing gripped my heart, when I heard the faint but steady 'steam train', approaching in the distance. 
The sound of a powerful and unavoidable deluge, grew progressively louder as it drew closer and when it hit, all the valves were open wide, drowning out all neighboring sounds in one continuous, solid, downpour.
You guessed as much,
IT RAINED
heavily......
At dawn, the bird's early chattering and chirping, cutting through crystal clear air, filled my heart with joy and the pool is overflowing with thankfulness.
Dusty leaves are glistening and wet shades of green are all one notch darker, whilst I breathe a sigh of relief..... ' -Aleta Michaletos

MORE OR LESS (Too much of a good thing)

The ultimate paradox - Increased abundance equals accelerated loss.

The more things you have, the less time and opportunity you have to interact with it.
Choosing the best from an abundance of ideas, immobilizes and chances to materialize, will be less.
The more fabulous friends you accumulate, the less quality time you will be able to spend with them. 
The more you eat, the less of an attractive figure you will have left.
The more your life is cluttered, the less space you will have to move freely.
The more you spend recklessly, the less you will have left as a nest egg.

THE VIRTUAL WORLD

Aleta Michaletos 1970

 Although creatives may hold no creative tool in hand and there's no trace of fresh paint on a dusty palette, they are able to fill sketchbooks with intricate drawings, complete large canvasses and have them delivered to museums abroad, say witty and sharp things during sought after interviews with famous journalists, chisel monumental sculptures from choice blocks of Cararra marble, eagerly autograph napkins in fancy restaurants, effortlessly fill journals with published books and sit at the captains table on a luxury liner. 

How, you may ask is this possible? 

All of this is effortlessly achieved by the power of the imagination which is seated (but sadly also obscured from view) within the human skull. 

Only full effort, results in full victory. 

"Full effort is full victory" -Mahatma Gandhi

OBSERVATION

She may have been youthful once but nothing beats a lifetime's development, transformation and experience.
Our rather adult Camellia dropped one of her voluptuous blooms a while ago and under close scrutiny, the sensuality of the abandoned flower, has been entertaining and intriguing me ever since. 
I've touched her, carefully divided her to expose her hidden inner bits, and stared at her for much longer periods, than all the combined fleeting moments that I have delighted in and lavished on, the imposing blooming shrub so far.

VIGILANCE

 

 Aleta Michaletos 'At Odds-Imperfect Perfection' 2005 (355x455) oil on board.

'Weeds are tenacious and whether they multiply quickly or slowly, it is always surely. 
They are powerful and deliberate in their quest to strangle, overpower and survive.

Be careful not to underestimate the tenacity of weeds and perhaps the best advice would be to use their example in establishing your own creative urges.
If your intention is to bloom or bear abundant fruit, take whatever precautions you possibly can, to ensure your own survival and legacy'. - Aleta Michaletos

 www.aletamichaletos.com

BANISH PERFECTION

I'm starting to think that the more my vision deteriorates, the more my actual 'painting' improves. Precision is no longer possible and consequently the freer result and unexpectedness of my mark-making, pleases me more.

www.aletamichaletos.com

'CORNERED'

 

'I think the best thing to do when you feel like you've 'painted yourself into a corner', is to stop! You may think that by squeezing out fresh paint onto the clean spots of your messy palette, you will break the spell and revive the Muse, but unfortunately this option rarely works.
However, take care not to completely stop your art practice and thereby indulge yourself in frivolous behavior. 

Work on your website, plan an open studio, set a date and invite 3 or 4 collectors and art lovers. Tidy a chaotic corner of your studio, read your notes or/and clean your brushes. 

Please, just don't ever stop doing art-related tasks. This impasse concerning a specific piece, could last a few days, months or even years! 

Start something new, try another neglected medium, study all the found objects lining your window sill, make some quick sketches, as long as you ACT and DO something, anything! you will be making remarkable progress.' - Aleta Michaletos

PLAIN SAILING

I think we all suffer from procrastination to some degree. However I really identify with and am inspired by the way Srinivas Rao not only clarifies the problem but creates a vivid image that sets you sailing!
The metaphor he implements, speaks to me directly. 
Ideas which remain trapped in your head, are no different to a boat which is trapped in a harbor. You should consistently spend more time SHIPPING work into the world, where all the magic happens.

To illustrate the point, I've matched one of my paintings, 'PLAIN SAILING', with this idea. This is the only painting I've ever created of a small sailing boat. Remarkably, it was sold to a passionate collector, even without him having viewed the work.   

    

'PLAIN SAILING', oil on board, 150 x 200 mm, 2013, sold