Francesca Filanc

Tag: motivation

  • WHY THIS ARTIST LOVES TO WRITE

    WHY THIS ARTIST LOVES TO WRITE

    FAR AND WIDE (60 x 72 Acrylic on Canvas)
    FAR AND WIDE

    I come from a long line of writers on both sides of my family. While some research implies talent in families is passed down through the gene pool, equally important are environment, training and opportunities. The environment in which I was nurtured encouraged creativity and artistic expression. In our family we are all artists. My sister is a scientist as well as an artist. Check out my first blog post We Are All Artists.

     In my family tree there are writers, actors, architects, designers, gardeners, musicians, and painters.

     I was reading an article in Surfer Magazine today about the surfing gene and how families of professional surfers evolve. The author of the article was interviewing families of famous surfers. One statement they all seemed to stand behind is the fact that their children had been exposed to the best surfing from the time they were born. And practically before they could walk they were taken out into the water with their famous surfing parents.

    My niece Rebecca has a childhood friend whose family is full of famous baseball players. It seems to make sense that we are born into families where we can excel in the family business.

    I love to write because it is so creative. The same energy I experience when putting paint to canvas is present when I write. In the beginning everything was written longhand. Imagine my delight when I learned to use computers. Now writing is effortless and even more of a joy.

    A couple of years ago I went to the mountains by myself for a long weekend with my standard poodle Amie. When I got home I sat down with my laptop and just wrote and wrote. I felt like I was with my best friend. If there really are angels like my granddaughter Anushka says, and which I tend to agree with, maybe they are right there with us while we write (Check out my blog about my granddaughters). I believe we are never alone. The idea that our spiritual guides, angels, God are always with us continually is such a comforting thought.

    Think of all the authors who have said, I don’t know where a story is going to take me when I sit down to the computer – the story unfolds, the characters tell me who they are and at times the story starts writing itself. In this way my art takes the same form. I’ll start a painting in one way yet it totally changes before it is done.

      I am at times beginning to feel swept away with my friends or friend as I sit here and type away. Many times I can’t type fast enough for the thoughts that flood into my heart and mind. Writing is like painting because it is fluid and alive. I love this quote of Maya Angelou’s . . .

     A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.

    ― Maya Angelou

     I view writing the same way. I enjoy the juxtaposition of writing and painting. Here’s to creativity no matter what form it takes.

    Bye for Now,

    Francesca

     

  • THE DALAI LAMA VISITS SAN DIEGO

    THE DALAI LAMA VISITS SAN DIEGO

    I happened to be one of the fortunate people who heard the Dalai Lama speak in San Diego a couple of weeks ago. He spoke at UCSD, USD and SDSU.

    My brother-in-law, sister and mother and I went to see him at SDSU Dalai Lama Transcript of Speech. It was amazing to watch the throngs of people quietly moving along in an endless line outside the amphitheater. I felt like I was at a rock concert or sporting event except that there were people of all ages — mothers clutching newborn babies along with the elderly. Perhaps we all felt that to be in the same space as the living Avatar of our time, might give us blessings, hope or peace. Or maybe it was just curiosity and openness to see what might occur out of the experience.

    Peter Rowe, journalist for the San Diego Union, wrote a great article. A shout out to Pete, a childhood friend of mine. Seeking Traces of the Dalai Lama.

    We were first entertained by Viejas Casino Native American dancers in all their regalia. There were even little children dancing. The Native American dancing was spectacular and put one in the mood for what was to come.

    When the Dalai Lama emerged I was moved to tears and I venture to say that others might have been also. You could have heard a pin drop.

    Despite the fact that I felt like a little ant at the top of the amphitheater 12,000 people that day! It was amazing and such a spiritual experience to be in his presence.

    The Dalai Lama spoke for an hour and a half. His advice was simple. In a nut shell the Dalai Lama spoke of the importance of raising children with affection and love. That in turn gives one inner strength and confidence to carry on into adulthood with productive happy lives. People who have been raised with affection and love have open hearts and sound intelligent minds. If a person was raised with abuse or in a loveless environment, a person still has the ability to open his heart to let love in and have a sound, intelligent mind.

    Everyone has a special gift, one special gift to share with the world. The Dalai Lama pointed out that he is a Buddhist but that it is also important to be tolerant and accepting of other cultures and ways that people worship God. He also spoke that it is not even necessary to believe in God or a higher being as long as one is living a life of honesty, confidence from the heart, love and intelligent mind to help further the human race. The Dalai Lama loves scientists and talked about the gifts they give our world.

    Two questions and his holiness’ answers from students posed at the conclusion of his talk were as follows:

     As a culture with all the wars and horrors of our world are we improving as a human race?

    Yes we are improving as a human race and the scientists are doing their part.

    And then he referred back to the importance of human beings having open hearts filled with love to give and receive and sound intelligent minds.

     What do you believe to be most important to achieve in life?

    Happiness is most important — having a peaceful mind and heart leads to happiness.

    In conclusion the Dalai Lama spoke of the importance to live life honestly.

     Determination is important. Honesty is a social step. We should live our daily lives with no cheating and live honest truthful lives. To live in a more compassionate world, through knowledge comes advancement.

     You have the opportunity to make a new world. May you have a happy life, happy families, better world and make a contribution.

     

    Bye for now,

    Rippin’ Lips

    Francesca

  • CREATING A BREATHTAKING CENTERPIECE IS EASY & FUN!

    CREATING A BREATHTAKING CENTERPIECE IS EASY & FUN!

    St. Patrick’s Day, last Saturday night, was a leprechaun reason to entertain the neighbors. I love decorating the table for a party. Sometimes, if I am really well organized I do this a day or two before the event.

    Creating an enchanting centerpiece
    is part of the ambiance for a
    successful dinner party.

    Many people don’t know where to begin. Remember finger painting in kindergarten? Painting the Centerpiece is right up there with the kindergarten experience, in my book! I get so excited, I am thrilled as I write to you about creating your own centerpieces. You too can have fun creating your own centerpieces, it’s easy!

    Growing up, my mother did not encourage me to cook with her.

    But creating an elegant centerpiece was different!

    I can remember how fun it was to go out into my mother’s garden and pick plants to bring in the house and put on the table in an interesting design surrounded by votive candles. If Pat, (Patwelsh.com -my mom) had a specific idea in mind she would pick the flowers and greenery herself, but then let me have full creative license in culminating the project. So last night, with the candle’s lit I snapped some quick photos with my smart phone, smile on my face. I was pleased and happy.

     The table has helped set mood for stimulating conversation.

                                                        I always have my dining table set with a centerpiece so all that is needed is to add the                                                                                                  finishing touches.

    In this case I have a gold tablecloth on the table with two runners of gauzy material, one gold and one purple. I intertwine them, then put 3 large candles of different heights on the table. Then I take 5 elk racks that have a candleholder built into each one and place them over the runner.

    Years ago my friend and I bought artistic woodland decorations from Michaels (Michaels.com). That then is the backdrop for whatever theme I chose to create.

    Many times I pick flowers and greenery from my garden to decorate the table. On this particular occasion, I went to Trader Joes (TraderJoes.com) looking for shamrocks, but they had none. No worries. They had darling small roses, bulbs in colorful pots and pink jasmine.

    Great for a St. Paddy’s Spring Display!

     The plants were so reasonable just a few dollars and, by the way, Trader Joes has daffodils this week, just 1.50 a bunch – can’t beat it!

    HAVE FUN CREATING YOUR OWN CENTERPIECES!

    Bye for now

     Rippin Lips

    Francesca

  • GLORIA’S PICO DE GALLO AND TOMATILLOS SALSA PARA ESTA GRINGA

    GLORIA’S PICO DE GALLO AND TOMATILLOS SALSA PARA ESTA GRINGA

    Francesca's Breakfast
    Francesca’s Breakfast

    Gloria is originally from Mexico. After a knee replacement last May, I felt my speedy recovery was due in part to these two delicious condiments. I lost 14 pounds that I have, so far, successfully kept off. One of the changes in my diet is what I eat for breakfast every day. As a morning girl with type O blood, I am typically hungry when I wake up and my body craves protein. In the past I would eat a protein bar or cereal for breakfast before going to the gym. After working out I was ravenous again! I have tested my new breakfast with great success :) I stay full and satisfied all day, many times no stopping for lunch if I am wrapped up in my painting, gardening or playing the guitar. Not that I am saying that is a good idea. If I am busy painting or gardening for instance I might forget to eat lunch.

    Fran’s breakfast:

    Ingredients
    2 egg whites cooked
    1 T black beans and quinoa
    Generous helping of Gloria’s Pico de Gallo and Tomatillo Salsa
    1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (Farmer’s Market oranges)
    Coffee black or with half and half or tea

    I love these two condiments on everything from breakfast, fish, meat, soups and stews. My dear friend Loretta posted on my Facebook page: “Hi Francie……Tomatillo is great on everything…”

    The Pico de Gallo and Tomatillo salsa last nicely in the refrigerator for a week. If you want them hotter just add more jalapeños (Gloria formulated these recipes “Para esta gringa!”). Heat will vary depending on the individual chilies. They grow in my garden year round.

    Gloria’s Pico de Gallo
    Ingredients:
    6 large tomatoes knife chopped into ½” cubes
    1 onion chopped fine (it is ok to use Cuisinart for onion) remove and set aside.
    1 large bunch or 2 small bunches cilantro (chop in Cuisinart 10 seconds) along with 1 or 2 jalapeños
    Mix all ingredients together
    Add salt to taste

    Gloria’s Tomatillos Salsa

    Gloria's Tomatillo Salsa
    Gloria’s Tomatillo Salsa

    Ingredients:
    Peel the Tomatillos
    Bring 18 tomatillos and 2 jalapeños to a boil and simmer for five minutes
    Grind in blender with a little cold water plus 1 clove garlic and ½ bunch Cilantro
    Add salt to taste

    Have fun experimenting with putting them in or on all your food. :)

    Bon Appétit

    Rippin’ Lips

    Bye for now,

    Francesca

  • EXPANDING VEGETABLES

    EXPANDING VEGETABLES

    A couple of days ago I went to our organic local market, Jimbos, to stock up on vegetables for the week. In my zeal, marketing without a list, and thinking about …oops it’s February already, (what about those New Years Resolutions I kind of made; eating lots of vegetables, losing a few pounds, and getting into better shape.)

    (Badly needed for lifting big canvases around the art studio.)

    Vegetable-Soup-Francesca-Filanc
    Vegetable Soup

    I arrived home late; the vegetables had somehow multiplied in the car as I drove home.

    My kitchen counter was covered! Exhausted, stuffing them in the refrigerator and thinking what in tarnation am I going to cook that will taste good and that I will enjoy eating for the next decade! I will have to invite an army over to eat or, freeze the food and will that even taste good?

    My sister, Wendy Woolf, became a vegetarian a few years ago. She is an amazing cook and always knows the right spice to add here and there to make the food even delectable to “a meat and potatoes person.” Check out Eat Well on Girls Gone Child.

    Vegetable-Dinner-Francesca-Filanc
    The End Results!

     

    The next day I was ready to tackle the veggies…Oh my they had quadrupled in my refrig! I cooked all afternoon and I had a ton of food! I called and texted my sister several times to see if she and her husband could come to dinner. No answer, so asked two other couples who were unavailable and ended up eating the seven course meal on a TV tray while watching Antique Roadshow on KPBS.

     

     

     

     Menu:

    Vegetable soup
    Black beans with quinoa
    Collard greens with bragg
    Steamed white rice in rice cooker
    Sautéed onions with mushrooms and garlic
    Baked sweet potatoes with skins on
    Chile rellenos using poblano chilies
    Rice pudding “Pete” style

     

    Stay tuned to next blog post for recipes.

    Bye for now,

    Rippin’ Lips,

    Francesca

  • WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO PAINT?

    WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO PAINT?

    GALAXY
    GALAXY                                                                                          © 2012 60 x 48 acrylic on canvas

    Many things motivate me to paint. I paint because it brings me joy to create attractive works of art. Painting is fun and keeps me balanced. It is a way for me to self-sooth. Many people exercise to center themselves. Painting does that for me.

    Painting is a space where I can work out emotional situations and at the same time create something beautiful. I’ve heard it described as “releasing the unconscious by means of spontaneous art expression.” (Dr. Margaret Naumberg.)

    Do you remember finger painting in kindergarten? Remember the roll of butcher paper the teacher would bring out and tear off a big piece? Then she would come around and put a dollop of liquid starch on the paper. The colors would be put out and how delicious the feeling to start sliding ones fingers through the paint and starch, mixing colors. I remember making lots of green with yellow and blue. Remember how the colors would end up muddy brown and gray when you would add orange or red? For me it would be so frustrating! But I eventually learned to mix the colors and was inspired in doing so.

    Every day when I go out into my studio it takes me back to that magical place and time when I was finger painting in kindergarten.

    Here’s to being motivated!

    Bye for now,

    Francesca