TODAY WE ARE EXCITED TO WELCOME OUR GUEST AUTHOR, LORLINDA OSBORNE, WHO IS SHARING ACT 1 OF VOLUME ONE OF HER NOVEL, 'THE ARTISTS OF WILDWOOD CANYON' #RWRTeamBlog #ReadWriteRepeat

The Artists

Of

Wildwood Canyon

A Memoir

By Lorlinda Osborne

A Memento

For My Soul Sisters

Our Friendship is too Precious to

Allow Time to Forget or Erase

And to anyone who has dared to dream.

Glossary of Characters

Lauren: Main character – me. Husband, Brad.

Jasmine: Folk singer/song writer, alien artist, and writer. Husband, Aaron.

Heather: Jazz singer, artist and Tarot reader. Husband, Brooks. Dog, Mary Jane.

Lizbeth: Illustrator and artist. Husband, Jon.

Josie: Saxophone player, musician. Husband, Shawn.

Amber: Actress, artist, musician. Husband, Kenny.

Karissa: Spiritual counselor, energy worker. Husband, Dylan.

Betty: Jazz singer and Heather’s mother.

Ricki: Singer

Matt: Comedian, Police Officer

Act One

DISTRACTIONS

A Walk on the Wall

“Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse

If you don’t get your fears under control, one day,

they’ll lead you straight into the lion’s den.

In the event you didn’t know, distractions are a little something each of us has in our arsenal to help us avoid doing something we find deeply uncomfortable. Unfortunately, this strategy can backfire. And these distractions can manifest themselves into little dilemmas, big dramas or simply unnecessary busyness created for the sole purpose to justify not having to deal with an underlying problem, such as fear, or in my case, fear of success.

They say follow your dream. But they don’t tell you that following your dream reveals your insecurities, your self-doubts, and any lack of confidence that so far you’ve done a good job hiding. It takes a well-balanced person to take a walk on the wall of dreams and not fall or jump off. The trouble is most of us creative types start off in life a little unbalanced; making that walk on the wall all the more precarious. As a portrait artist painting musicians, I am one of those quirky people.

Let me introduce myself. To the best of my ability, I stay secluded in a charming, modest home remodeled by my hands-on husband, Brad, tucked in a little unknown canyon called Wildwood, in the rolling hills of Los Angeles, California. If you are trendy, highbrowed or enjoy a homeowners association, than this canyon is not the place for you. Forgotten by society and city municipalities, the people who live here are free to live as they please. Our neighborhood was established before the concept that houses must all look the same. Consequently, the homes are very old with unusually large and odd shaped lots due to the jagged and rambling hills that canyons create. A fence between properties does not necessarily define a property line. It was just the easiest place to put it.

If you have the money, there’s plenty of land on your property to renovate and build a large spacious home. As long as you don’t mind that your neighbor may live in a shack, have chickens, a rooster or other animal husbandry, even bison. There are also no streetlights or any lights for that matter to protect your home at night, or sidewalks for your delicate feet to walk on. You will also have to learn to live with local wildlife, including coyotes roaming, raccoons scampering across your roof at night, possums digging up your garden, owls hooting at all hours, and an occasional bobcat or mountain lion. Oh, I almost forgot the flocks of wild turkey, which everyone protects and treats like royalty. These large ground birds will always have free range on your property to do as they please, even crap in your pool. But if you want to live in Los Angeles but not be part of the Los Angeles scene, this canyon might be the place for you, especially if you are an artist, musician, writer, hermit or other eccentric individual.

Blended into my environment, if you look hard enough you will most likely find me painting portraits of my musician friends out back in my little studio that non-creatives call a shed. I have to admit, from the outside my studio does look like an abandoned playhouse: with its wobbly handrail made from Birch on the property; together with flowering vines of Morning Glory and orange Mandevilla growing over and in through the dirty windows, along with a spider web or two or three. Its vintage blue paint has faded and is chipping off the outside paneling. The white lattice surrounding the raised foundation is missing in places; most likely removed by either an opossum living underneath, or a hoodlum raccoon passing by. Long ago, my little studio stopped resisting the forces of nature and has become one with its habitat. Either despite or because of that, this is where the magic happens. Artists experience their environment differently than most.

Even though I wear a painting smock, I still manage to get paint all over my clothes and floor. If you look close enough you’ll see paint pretty much on everything I own. Whenever I discover new paint on my clothes, I am reminded of what an old, famous art teacher of mine once said when a student pointed out to her that she had paint on her clothes. She replied unwaveringly, “When an artist finds ‘the zone’ they only have two types of clothes: clothes that have paint on them and clothes that are waiting for paint.” Ever since then, rather than feeling clumsy about getting paint on myself, I feel authentic and satisfied that this most likely happened because I was lost in what she called, ‘the zone.’

I’ve learned that the zone is an otherworldly domain where you lose all sense of time and consciousness of your secular self, and you become one with your craft. Your mind is quiet and instinctually your hand knows how to guide the brush. Tapping into the zone is an artistic pinnacle and a rite of initiation into an exclusive club. Therefore, when it happens I now smile, and I wear my paint like a badge of honor.

There is a certain magic that happens when creative people are able to get into their zone. I’ve experienced it and it’s intoxicating. And I want to share it with others through my art. This is the reason I paint portraits of musicians performing and other artists expressing themselves through their craft. If I can capture that spark of fire in their portraits I can then pass that energy onto others. If we could all experience that vitality, I believe the world may perhaps become a better place.

Unfortunately, outside of my circle there isn’t a big demand for what I do, and my subjects don’t usually have a lot of money. After all, we do this to experience being in the zone. This has some non-creative people around me wondering what the heck I’m doing with my life. Sometimes, it has me wondering the same question, so I get it. Be that as it may, and despite how desperate my financial situation can get, I’m content and even fulfilled with my life as a struggling artist just as it is. While this is not your typical success story, I have never felt more alive.

Besides my husband, Brad, who strangely enough ‘gets me,’ I am sharing this creative journey with many other artistic souls but there are five particular individual artists/musicians here in the canyon with me that I refer to and consider to be my soul sisters. They are my muses. All of these ladies are multi-talents and have their own genre and unique style in which they express their creativity. Even though we are each extremely busy with our creative projects we make time to get together to support one another and to find inspiration; even if it’s just briefly to sit together in our Wildwood Canyon and watch the sunset over the mountain and into the Pacific Ocean. For us, watching the sunset is as inspiring as a religious experience. Hence, it is not surprising that it’s here where our most intimate and philosophical conversations transpire.

§§§

“Nowadays it seems like the prospects for us artists reads like a Shakespearean tragedy,” Jasmine shared with us late one afternoon as we watched the sun set over our wooded canyon. “Do you ever feel like the sun is setting on us creative types?” Jasmine asked searching for some poetic justice.

Jasmine is a folk rock singer/songwriter, musician, artist, actor and writer. She’s our Joni Mitchell. Jasmine has been in the music business her whole life with her biggest success so far having happened more than ten years ago. This is probably what’s causing her to believe her career has peaked and that it is now setting, which it’s not. Despite her worrisome nature, Jasmine is still very much a free spirit pulled in the direction of her heart that she wears on her sleeve. She harmoniously moves in sync with the flow of life in a fair-minded and idealistic manner.

Beside her music, Jasmine is also known for her family paintings of sensitive, lovable aliens going about their daily life. When asked on one occasion by a journalist doing a piece on L.A. artists why she painted aliens she replied, “I’ve never felt a part of this world.”

Lizbeth with her straw hat and playful overalls was the first to reply to Jasmine’s question. Unlike Jasmine, Lizbeth on the other hand, moves through life with a witty and precocious mischievousness, very much like the playful characters she illustrates in her children’s books and her other merry illustrations. As an independent artist and writer she is an entrepreneurial, driven and headstrong; while at the same time a loyal friend and lion heartedly kind. She is the author of her own version of swashbuckling bold and playful quirky. Her sharp whimsical wit keeps us on our toes with a never-ending reservoir of puns, double-entendres, idioms, and other clever word play. With her joking nature, she helps us from taking ourselves too seriously.

“Sometimes that ole ball of fire can feel like its slipping through my fingers,” Lizbeth replied seemingly to agree with Jasmine but I knew she would have a different take. “The same way the sun is doing right now,” Lizbeth demonstrated with her hand reached out in front of her face and the sun’s rays dancing between her fingers. “But it is a dance and, society never makes following your dream easy-peasy,” Lizbeth concluded, “especially, if you’re an artist.”

“Or a professional musician,” Josie interjected and paused to contemplate the sun’s feelings toward her before continuing. “But to be honest, I’ve always felt the blazing sun was mocking me,” Josie added from behind her dark sunglasses and her black Fedora hat. “I guess I’m more of a creature of the night. My world wakes up when the sun goes to bed. The moon has always been my sun,” Josie acknowledged. “In my prior life, I’m sure I was an alley cat.”

Josie Sax (her stage name) is a very talented New York and Los Angeles saxophone player, who is as smooth as the jazz and blues-rock she performs. Josie has a very deep connection with the animal world and is their advocate, often playing and volunteering for charities on their behalf. Her love for animals, especially cats, is as strong as her love for music, which is why being a vegan is very much part of who she is.

Sitting cross-legged like a Buddha in prayer on her futon cushion, Heather was next to share her thoughts on our sun. “I’ve always seen the sun as a golden orb pouring out its masculine influences and giving us the energy to navigate our daily lives,” Heather answered from under her baker boy cap as she tried to keep her back erect. “In the galaxy kingdom of the Milky Way, our ruling king is the sun. He’s not going to easily give up the role of our monarch and set any time soon,” Heather concluded with her oversized German Shepard, Mary Jane stretched out beside her and competing with Heather for her cushion.

As the oldest member of our group Heather has assumed the role of the wise matriarch; inspiring a sense of mystical magic and esoteric nurturing as she taps into the synchronization of life. She is dedicated to the study of the Mystery Traditions. In her otherworldly manner, she searches for and recognizes the deeper spiritual truths around us. She uses her platform as an artist, jazz singer and peace activist to bring

people from different walks of life together in the hopes of creating understanding and harmony.

As for Mary Jane, she doesn’t know she’s a dog. In her eyes she’s just one of the girls, and as much of a member of our group as anyone else. It’s very difficult for us to get away with leaving her at home. Her favorite game is keep away. She steals your belonging, usually your hat, and then waits for you to try to retrieve it before running away. This can be very annoying but she thinks it’s funny.

Today Mary Jane is holding onto Amber’s sunhat while Amber sits laughing barefoot in the grass. Amber, with her long flowing brunette hair is the youngest member of our creative group and our cheerleader. Amber is always bubbly, cheerful and upbeat. Lively and eager to take the stage, she is a born performer. Therefore, becoming an actress was the natural path for her. With her warm heart, perky bright-eyed and bushy tail she lights up any room. Besides being an actress, Amber also enjoys painting animal portraits, singing, and playing her piano and guitar.

Amber, as she shares her opinion about the sun, is petting Mary Jane’s head waiting for her to drop the hat. “While the shines on everyone equally, I’ve always felt the sun, being an amber star, was calling my name,” Amber smiled joyfully. “But like everything in Hollywood it can feel just out of reach,” Amber revealed. “But if you keep your face to the sun – you’ll never see those shadows.”

“Is that how you always manage to stay on the sunny side?” I joked with Amber.

“Lauren, how do you see the sun?” Amber asked me.

“Me, after all these years of being on the sideline and afraid to follow my bliss, I feel like the sun is finally smiling on me. So I hope it’s not setting. That would make the sun a cruel jokester,” I replied.

I’m fairly new to the art world and just learning to really spread my wings as an artist. I am in the process of reinventing myself, or so I believed. As a result, I wasn’t ready for the sun to set. I still needed to make my mark. To help me do so, a while back I created this little band of creative souls, or soul sisters, as I like to refer to them, for support, validation and guidance.

Before I accepted my dream to become a portrait artist was a valid occupation, I worked as an attorney. If you’re not laughing right now you should be. Trust me; I do not have the demeanor or presence of a lawyer. Nothing about me says law or warrior. So needless to say, I really wasn’t very good at it. While I took pride in my work, my heart was never really there. I took more joy in critiquing the office artwork that hung on its walls than I did with my own work as an attorney. I remember sitting in my office and feeling like a fraud; a fish out of water. While my career in law wasn’t a bad occupation it wasn’t the best for me either. I can see that now.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m learning it takes a lot of self-confidence, courage and resolution, or you must be madly driven to first, give up the security of a regular paycheck, and second, step out of your comfort zone by allowing the world to critique your work. In the creative world, this is what they call walking on the wall. My friends tell me when you’re an artist nothing else is more rewarding.

Jasmine smiled at our responses to her question regarding the sunset, and then made a confession. “Chasing your dreams is scary and it can get old because simply chasing your dreams doesn’t mean they’ll come true,” Jasmine acknowledged with a sigh. “But I have to admit, if I could do it over I can’t see myself changing a thing. Putting my art and music out there has always been a burning need of mine for as long as I can remember; like the sun that is both uncompromising and committed as it is persistent. A need that is not easily satisfied but when it is,” Jasmine paused; “the internal reward/self-satisfaction is a worthy payback. But a paycheck is nice too,” Jasmine smiled and gave us her little alien chuckle.

“It is scary,” Amber admitted so Jasmine would know she wasn’t alone. “Going on auditions and getting rejected does get old,” Amber acknowledged as the sun sparkled on her hair. “But every now and then the sun bursts through the clouds, smiles, and delivers its promise. It’s hard to beat those kinds of sunny days,” Amber acknowledged as she hugged Mary Jane still holding onto her hat.

Lizbeth had a more courageous and adventurous perspective. “Yeah, sure it’s a gamble but the comfort zone thing is over rated,” Lizbeth informed us with her entrepreneurial spirit. “Job security is a myth; a fairytale. How can you have any real job security when someone else controls the purse strings on your employment? It’s better to soak up the sun for yourself.”

The sky now was bright orange with the setting sun burning its hottest and bathing the hills with one last douse of heavy sunshine before it began to disappear behind the mountain and into the water. Even though we wore sunglasses, we covered our eyes from the glare.

“Sometimes the sun can be painfully white and its rays can be harsh,” Heather replied agreeing the creative world can be rough. “But when the day fades it was up to us to still have lived it to the fullest,” Heather advised as our matriarch. “We are each given certain gifts and astrologically speaking, the sun gives us the energy to do what we were born to be. We need to be true to ourselves; otherwise life will always feel like a rainy day.”

“I know about rainy days. I just don’t know enough about the sunny day,” I admitted coming clean. “Don’t get me wrong,” I continued. “As an artist I also know the world is my canvas and it’s my job to paint the sun light where there isn’t any,” I paused. “But the first step out from under the clouds is hard to trust,” I conceded. “And sometimes I want to run back for something familiar. Sometimes I forget to trust the process and need a cloudy day to appreciate the sun.” This statement was truer than I realized at the time. It’s funny how when we least expect it – the truth slips out.

“As long as you can tell the difference, Lauren,” Heather warned me sensing I was getting ready to run for the cover of a cloud. “That’s the crucial part.”

“It’s ok to play with fire if you know when to put the matches down,” Lizbeth forewarned me. “But when all is said and done, I’m confident you’ll choose the sun,” Lizbeth confidently and effortlessly assured me.

“Yes, at some stage you’ll learn to trust the sunshine,” Amber added. “It really does want you to shine.”

“Speaking for myself,” Josie began preparing to share how she puts the harshness of the music world into context. “When I can wake up and plan my day or evening exactly the way I dreamt it – that is success,” Josie professed proudly. “In the words of Carl Becker and Donald Fagen, this sister is free; ‘working my saxophone is the essence of true romance,’” Josie answered melodically. “You can call me Josie Blues,” Josie concluded with a wink.

We all agreed with Josie. It was good to be free, and that any fearful or weary feelings from walking on the wall is simply a self-made prison. Knowing this was the key we gave each other and with support from our group of soul sisters, Jasmine was now feeling more optimistic about the sunset. I should have been listening.

“I guess no matter what type of weather we run into on this path, we choose it for no other reason than out of an insatiable appetite to create,” Jasmine proposed. “Fulfilling that desire makes me feel I’m part of something larger; like the sun.”

“Love how the time-space-reality collapses when we’re in the zone,” Heather chimed in, as the sun sank behind the mountain. “It’s a very spiritual state of mind.”

“Yeah, it’s a high like no other; a type of natural ecstasy,” Amber explained. “Not many people outside our circle understand that.”

“Yeah, it kinda makes ya feel a little melancholy for the poor saps,” Lizbeth nodded as the last bit of sun disappeared over the mountain. “Everything at this altitude is so clear.”

“It’s hard to understand something if you’ve never experienced it or lost it along the way,” I replied with my lawyer hat on in the defense of the poor saps, as I was once one. “But I think instinctively they know it’s something very special,” I said in my closing argument. “But as a side note, I do agree with all of you witnesses; the creative zone is an immersion like no other.”

Josie summed it up for us as the sun left us for another day. “All I know is I’m doing what I love and living the dream; what’s not to get?”

**********

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COMING SOON: On Monday, 24th November, our super team member, author Lorraine Carey will share an insight into her character, Latrice Burke, from The 'Women Of Willow Wood' trilogy.