“Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration’s shove or society’s kiss on your forehead. Pay attention. It’s all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.”
— Susan Sontag
Art is Everywhere! (red birds at Gaulart-Maliclet)
Susan Sontag writes about how to live a life.
I challenge you to test these principles while on holiday.
Life is here. Now. There is a difference in a traveler and a tourist. If your visit is but a weekend, try doing it with a few simple principles that I discovered while on artistic retreat. (You may be surprised by joy!)
• Keep a journal. Write three pages every morning in pencil, in long hand.
• Walk everywhere. Attentively.
• Practice Gratitude
• Make friends
• Give stuff away – for generosity of spirit
• Eliminate distraction (tv, especially the news)
If you’ve brought a camera, and long to connect with the culture, try this advice, by Bob Krist of National Geographic. “They have to know you are not there stealing pictures because you find them bizarre or curious but because you find them admirable or interesting. Contribute rather than consume.”
Oh, and don’t forget to look up:) These flying paper birds hang in my favorite cafe´on Broad Street in Charleston. Two artists opened the place, and it feels like a little French cafe. The cucumber soup is delicious and you will make new friends immediately with whomever is seated beside you. If you come Art Walk with me, we start with the flavor of this place!
I was called to be an artist. And as an old old midwife said to me "If the Lord wants you to do something, you won't have no good luck' til you do." So, here I am, sharing what I love, longing to illuminate the work of art, which is everywhere.
Charleston Through an Artist's eye 
I love your blog! Please keep posting!!
Thanks, Charlotte. I will! Come to Charleston!
What wonderful advice. Something I try to remember to do is to look where I have been (behind). I learned this one a visit to the southwest.
Cindy! I love that. Love up, look down, look back:)