An Artful Life

Tales from a Truck Driver

 

On my recent return trip from Athens, Ohio, on the greyhound, I had the opportunity to eavesdrop on a very long conversation between a career truck driver and a soon-to-be truck driver.  It was really fascinating to hear all of the advice that the senior truck-driver had to offer.  Advice ranging from what kind of truck to get, how to pay for it, how many miles it should have on it, how to merge lanes, how to find out about truck restrictions on the highways, to what to order at the truck stops.  Apparently, hot dogs are ok, but stay far away from the breakfast burritos.

But the most powerful thing that I heard this man share was how you get to choose the life that you want.  He chooses to have one good meal a day and to exercise.  He gave the details of how and where he fits the exercise in.  He says you don't have to get fat just because you sit on your butt all day.  He gets to decide what kind of life he has, not anyone else. 

I'm really paraphrasing here, but he also chooses to be happy.  You don't have to be all negative and complaining like a lot of truck drivers out there.  He avoids talking about religion, politics and his personal finances.  His advice was endless for this young man who wanted to be a truck driver.  It was all given very patiently, without ego, and with endless generosity.

Clearly, this truck driver lives in an abundant world where there is plenty for everyone.  And his knowledge wasn't something to be saved up, but rather, shared with anyone wanting to listen. 

I went to the SAQA conference with two intentions.  One was to discover what my next step is professionally, and the other was to find a new role model.  Who knew that I would find him on the bus.

The Magic Corner

  

The Magic Corner is alive and well in the lobby of the Exchange Building in downtown San Antonio.  This picture is my latest score from some generous soul somewhere in my building.  Who can't use more extra virgin olive oil?  And I recouped a French Press that I had previously let go, not understanding its full value.

Since we have moved into the building, I have gotten cologne and a beautiful mirror for Chuck, and a whole slew of baking dishes for me.  I passed on the pie plate knowing that I would never, ever make a pie.

My first experience with the Magic Corner was when we lived on the corner of Allensworth and N. New Braunfels in Manchke Park, San Antonio.  That was the home where we liberated ourselves of too much stuff.  Plenty of stuff got sold and given away to friends, but a whole lot of stuff got placed on the curb--where it magically disappeared.  We were even able to get rid of an all-in-one kitchen stove- sink-fridge-cupboard unit that didn't work!  I put a note on it that said what was wrong with it, and poof!  It disappeared.

I can't say enough about how much I love the idea of passing on--with ease--stuff that is no longer wanted or needed.  And it is pretty cool being on the receiving end, too!

Win-Win-Win

Fiber Artspace is growing and moving to Armon Art Studios in late February 2009.  This is a made-in-an-abundant-universe situation.  Butch Armon of Armon Art at Blue Star Arts Complex has sub-divided his humongous space to include, his studio, office, and gallery, a workshop space and 5 new smaller galleries. 

The financial risk of real rent and the work of running a space with real hours was more than I could take on by myself, so Fiber Artspace will grow into a partnership with 3 new founders:  Laurel Gibson, Leslie Tucker Jenison, and Laura Beehler.  Together we will run the new and improved Fiber Artspace.  Meetings are scheduled and emails are flying back and forth working out all of the details.

This is a win for me personally for several reasons.   I will be able to not only keep my selling venue, but improve it.  My studio, which has doubled in size since I started Fiber Artspace, won't have to be packed up anymore for First Friday weekend.  I will get to see my creation grow and develop, even though it has outgrown our living room.

It is a win for my husband because he will get his living room back and maybe a bit more privacy on First Friday weekends.

It is a win for our dog, Caliban, as he won't have to be cooped up anymore when the gallery is open.

It is a win for Butch of Armon Art because his financial risk is distributed over several smaller galleries and there will be one more reason for people to go into his space. 

It is a win for Blue Star because they will retain a successful and niche art gallery.

It is a win for Fiber Artspace because it will be on a lower level and will have many more visitors.  And because it will have the creative juices and energy of Laurel, Laura, and Leslie to grow this baby gallery into feisty toddler gallery that it is growing into.

It is a win for Laurel, Laura, and Leslie as they will have the chance to experience the magic of Fiber Artspace that I have over this last year.

It is a win for the artists that will have a venue to exhibit their work at Fiber Artspace.

It is a win for San Antonio because they have an awesome place to view and purchase fiber artwork that they may not otherwise experience.

There are no losers, just winners.