Dec 20, 2011
The photo above is a “double-headed serpent Aztec figurine from Mexico (A.D. 1400-1600) made of about 2,000 small pieces of turquoise on a curved wooden frame.” It was featured in the New York Times, as part of a series called “The History of the World in 100 Objects.”
It’s a stunningly beautiful object (though maybe a little scary for any of you who have a snake phobia.) I like it for its beauty, but it’s also sticking with me because of the story it tells. I’ve not looked into the suspected meaning of it for the Aztecs, all I know is the blurb I quoted above. To me it depicts well this time of year, when we reflect on the year coming to a close, and begin to look ahead to what’s coming.
Did you ever read The Little Prince? Remember when he drew the hat that was really a boa constrictor eating an elephant?
It is a great image, too! I shouldn’t distract you too much with it, but I thought of it because at times lately, if I get overwhelmed, I feel a bit like I’m in the long belly of the double-headed serpent, making a hat-shaped lump! However if I take a deep breath and remind myself to take one step at a time, I feel more like I am the double-headed serpent. I prepare to close things up here for awhile before I fly across our little earth to see what Shanghai has to offer. Looking back at all that’s come before, I try to troubleshoot all the little details I should tend to before leaving. Facing forward with my eyes open and my teeth shined up, I get ready to take a bite outta what’s coming.
As you know if you’ve been reading my blog, this month was the third anniversary of the passing of my nephew Matthew, who is part of my current art show at Chakra Khan. My mom recently shared with me something she picked up at my brother’s church in South Minneapolis, which is where Matthew’s funeral was, and this year, his new little brother’s baptism. The essay my mom picked up was written by their wonderful pastor, about grief and loss. In it she talks about the idea that maybe “closure” and leaving things in the past isn’t what grieving is really about. She suggests that perhaps we can instead acknowledge that we carry all that we lose with us into the future–our loved ones, our failures, our youth–they don’t entirely go away, but they exist within us and around us, even as we continue forward seemingly “without” them.
When I think about that, I start to see an image of millions of overlapping lifetime snakes, the timelines of all the people throughout history, so many that they start to look like waves that roll together and make up an entire ocean. This imagery of course could go on and on–some waves touch each other and some never will, some batches of water will evaporate and hang in the air awhile and later return, the ocean is one, but it is many. . . and let’s not forget snakes shedding their skins. . . what useful images, the oceans, the snakes. . .
Back to that belly–are you feeling inside of the snake? Or are you feeling like you are the snake? Take a deep breath. In. Out. One step at a time. The year is closing, it’s dark, breathe it in. The light will grow and the new year will open up. Breathe out of your one mouth, into all that came before that created you. Breathe out of your other mouth into all that is in store for you, all that you will create, all those you will love, all with which you will fill your heart.
And–if you’d like to dive into these ideas a little more, with art and creativity, you may want to check out the two retreats Sarina and I are offering in January. In the first one you will craft a beautiful calendar-plan of self care for the year. In the second one you will spend time looking out of both eyes of the snake–what you want to move forward from in 2011, what you want to carry with you into 2012, and what do you envision for the year ahead. Read more in the previous post.
Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy this snake as much as I do.
with love,
julie
Create and write your way into the New Year!
Looking for a gift for yourself?
Julie Kesti and Sarina LaMarche are excited to announce our
Create Your Year Retreats:
* Two fabulous retreats to support you in making 2012 an amazing year of growth, care and creativity.
* Both retreats include a shiatsu massage, wine and treats, and time for reflection, journaling and art-making.
A Year of Self-Care
Saturday, January 7th from 4-8 pm
Create a beautiful portable or hangable calendar to help you commit to a year of self-care in 2012. During this fun and creative retreat you will make develop a theme and an image to aspire to, and a wellness activity to participate in each month. You’ll be able to hang the calendar, stand it by your bed or carry it with you throughout the year. This keepsake will also have room to add pages for journaling or notes during the year.
Expect lots of hands-on time with various art materials, and lots of inspiration! Commit to a year of groundedness cultivated through self-care.
Reserve your spot here.
A Guide for Your Year: Reflecting back and looking forward
Saturday, January 14th from 4-8 pm
Explore through writing, collage, drawing, doodling or whatever you please the things you’d like to let go of from 2011, what gifts you want to bring with you into 2012, and what you want to create in the New Year. This retreat will involve lots of writing, with creative prompts to guide you in your reflection & get your pen moving, followed up by building images from your writing. These images (and writing, too, should you choose) will also be bound into a book you can continue to work with throughout the new year. Get inspired and start your year with a little more clarity!
Writing prompts, creative inspiration, and all supplies provided.
Reserve your spot here.
Fees:
$125 for one retreat
$200 for both
Payment and registration required in advance. Please register by January 2nd, and we’ll email you about payment.
Minimum of 5 people per retreat. Bring a friend!
Dec 10, 2011
This week was my last week at Blooma, a place you have likely heard me talk about. Blooma is an amazing prenatal/postnatal/beyond yoga and education center in the Twin Cities. I’ve been the studio manager at Blooma for the past 4+ years, and I learned so much, and worked with tons & tons of amazing people. It’s so strange to be done–I don’t think it’s totally hit me yet. . . though I’ll be continuing on as the newsletter editor, so I will still be a little bit in the loop from afar. :)
At any rate, they threw me an amazing “retirement” party on Wednesday, which included many funny things–like the Julie heads below, and neon posters, silly screen printed tees, and bright clothing everyone wore to “dress like me,” and a night of celebration and kind words. I couldn’t ask for a better send off.
I thought you might get a kick out of the pic below–enjoy! And if you haven’t checked out Blooma yet, please do–it’s a great place.
–j
SO MANY JULIES
Dec 8, 2011
It’s December! It’s TIME! Time for my birthday and the GIFT CERTIFICATE SPECIAL!
Read the cute version of the story, or read the plain version below. :)
–julie
December: Best month of the year!
DECEMBER news FROM JULIE
“WHY is December the best month of the year?” you ask.
“It’s so cooold! It’s so daaaark! I have to scrape my car! My fingers are frozen!”
Those things are all true, but December also brings snow and makes the whole world sparkle. December means it’s my birthday, and the birthday of all the great Sagittareans I know.
December for me means time with family, having fun. And the smell of pine trees and sitting by a fire, and soft, quiet nightime sounds, softened by the–did I mention it yet?– snow!
I love snow.
I know you won’t all love December as much as I do, but I will still offer you the gift of a special Gift Certificate Deal in honor of this wonderful month. You’ll want to keep in mind that I am only going to be in the office ’til the end of January, so if you are giving them as a gift, please let the recipient know they’ll need to enjoy some bodywork SOON. (Not such a bad thing).
And, as usual, you are welcome to use them yourself.
Here’s how it works:
U.S. MAIL me a “happy birthday!” note postmarked on or before 12/12 (my birthday)
include a check for the number of gift certificates you’ll like
make sure your address is somewhere
I’ll mail you the gift certificates.
We both get mail! Low-tech and fun!
this year’s deal:
2 hour-long sessions for 130 (140.08 with tax)
2 75-minute sessions for 160 (172.40 with tax)
mail to: Julie Kesti at Chakra Khan / 2637 27th Ave S. / Minneapolis, MN 55406
Let me know if you have questions.
Keep reading for more great news–an open house, two retreats and other specials!
Happy December!
–julie
open house with art and gifts
 Join me for a couple relaxing hours at Chakra Khan on
Thursday, December 15th from 5-7pm
I’m only here for a couple more months, so hang out with me while you still can. ;)
* see my art
* chat with me
* buy some art
* pick up some super-cute gifts
* get a chair massage!
You never know what friends will stop by, two-legged or four-legged. (woof!)
And maybe I’ll give away some prizes!
directions etc. at chakra-khan.com
If you haven’t seen my show yet, I’d love for you see it. About half the pieces are small, abstract oil pastel and mixed media drawings. The other half are pieces that originate in an event whose anniversary makes December a challenging month for me–the passing of my sweet nephew, Matthew, at 9 years old, 3 years ago. Matthew was and is really special to me, the first person to be younger than me in my family, and a bright and shining boy who made us laugh. The “Matthew pieces” I created in honor of him, but also *with* him. Matthew was a writer and a drawer, and I took a selection of his drawings and scribblings and used them as the basis for a body of work. They are bright, colorful, mysterious, and layered, just like he was. Though it was difficult to work on these pieces, I hope they convey to viewers his enthusiastic and joyful nature, that we all carry with us. Read more about the show here.
what friends are for!
A SPECIAL DEAL THRU 12/15
> You each get an hour Shiatsu!
> You each get a super-fun, surprise gift to take home, including a coupon for your next bodywork session (yippee!) PRICE: $140 + tax (i.e. $70 each)
Click here to schedule.
sarina and i have one last hurrah! (well, actually TWO)
Sarina and I are teaming up again to offer two more awesome retreats to help you ring in the new year! Create Your Year Retreats: two fabulous retreats to support you in making 2012 an amazing year of growth, care and creativity.
Both retreats include an amazing shiatsu massage, wine and treats, and time for reflection, journaling and art-making. A Year of Self-Care
Saturday, January 7th from 4-8 pm
Create a beautiful portable or hangable calendar to help you commit to a year of self-care in 2012. During this fun and creative retreat you will make develop a theme and an image to aspire to, and a wellness activity to participate in for each month. You’ll be able to hang the calendar, stand it by your bed or carry it with you throughout the year. This keepsake will also have room to add pages for journaling or notes during the year.
Expect lots of hands-on time with various art materials, and lots of inspiration! Commit to a year of groundedness cultivated through self-care.
Reserve your spot here. A Guide for Your Year: Reflecting Back/Looking Forward
Saturday, January 14th from 4-8 pm
Explore through writing, collage, drawing, doodling or whatever you please the things you’d like to let go of from 2011, what gifts you want to bring with you into 2012, and what you want to create in the New Year. This retreat will involve lots of writing, with creative prompts to guide you in your reflection & get your pen moving, followed up by building visual images from your writing. These images (and writing, too, should you choose) will also be bound into a book you can continue to work with throughout the new year. Get inspired and start your year with a little more clarity!
Writing prompts, creative inspiration, and all supplies provided.
Reserve your spot here. Fee: $125 for one retreat / $200 for both
Payment and registration required in advance. Please register by January 2nd. Minimum of 5 people per retreat. Bring a friend!
Stay tuned for news of a farewell reception in January!
See you at Chakra Khan!
–julie
juliekesti.com
chakra-khan.com
Book Online
P.S. If you are totally alarmed by the fact that you *just* read that I am moving to China, read all about it. I will be here thru all/most of January. :)
P.P.S. Why not try mysteryARTgift.com this holiday season? |
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Dec 1, 2011
Join me for a couple relaxing hours at Chakra Khan on
Thursday, December 15th from 5-7pm
I’m only here for a couple more months, then I’m moving to China…so hang out with me while you still can. ;)
* see my art
* chat with me
* buy my art
* pick up some super-cute gifts that aren’t my art
* get a chair massage!
You never know what friends will stop by, two-legged or four-legged. (woof!)
And maybe I’ll give away some prizes.
See you there!
–julie
directions etc. at chakra-khan.com
(photo credit: tanyavillanophotography.com)
Nov 26, 2011
Hi Y’all,
You can still purchase gift certificates from me online–it’s super easy and you can print or email the gift certificate.
You’ll just want to be sure to let the recipient to know to use it before the end of January–but that’s actually kind of a bonus, so they don’t wait a single minute to book their session. :)
You can purchase in any amount, and they can be used towards any session. Just click here.
Thanks!
Julie
Nov 24, 2011
Hope you had a lovely day and are feeling gratitude from your head to your toes!
–julie
Below are pics of “thankful for” pumpkins we made today–great idea, mom!
