Planting seeds... and Heart Experiences...

This time of year is a little different for us...

 west coast cali-peeps. 

It's easer to lose track of the seasons, in a way... 

because the markers are much more subtle. 

Cold is 45 degree's and rain is... well...

oh my... blocking the sun from shining. 

The hills reflect light off of a carpet of green. 

Lavender blooms and camellia's burst alive with color.

All of this being  

somewhat of a pre-Spring...

before winter seeds 

come to a full bloom.

I always like this time of year, 

because  

a r t  s e e d s  

planted from the new year

have been taking root.

One of  my seeds included 

creating an art & word journaling class, 

to be shared with 

a Life Group in my home.

 

I've been planning lessons to share with this lovely group of women, 

to encourage expression, spiritual connection and bravery.

I create my sample pages to encourage everyone to 

not   f e a r 

be  f r e e 

and  e x p r e s s.

We talk about "artistic license"a lot...

 and that there are no mistakes, 

just  g r o w t h.

I  have been humbly amazed at the connection that has been made.

The fear that dissolved, and the spirit that is continually felt among us 

when we gather to create.

Take a peek at what a lovely group can do, 

who were fearful of the concept of "self-portrait"

who thought they had no artistic ability...

who all looked at me with raised eyebrows 

when I mentioned the words

"take a picture of yourself on your phone..."

Our h e a r t s became full, 

as the tension went away, 

and everyone got in their own art space.

I am simply  a m a z e d ...

grateful for 

new seeds of growth. 

(Matthew 18:20)

"For when two or three come together in my name, there am I among them." 

...soooo thankful to Junelle Jacobsen for teaching Wild Art to us all, so we can share the process of art journaling in the world and connect hearts... There's still time to signup for Junelle's Spring Workshop~ 

I soooo highly recommend it~ best class ever!

haPPy haPPy joY joY!

In the middle of the holiday craziness I came across this video 

and just had to share it.

amazing 

in it's

heart spirit,

creative spirit,

and musical spirit.

Got me to thinking about 

the art that we do...

having a heart we need to share

through our own individual creative spirit,

with paint and words.

merry merry joy joy

haPPy 

2013!

Soul Work...

Did you ever 
spend time 
working on your 

soul...

Your every day... 

I am here 
because...

I am gifted with

 and love to do this...

because...
soul???

That's where I have been the past few weeks. 

Under a construction of sorts~ 

unearthing,

turning the dirt over,

and digging deep

into the  

w h y 's  the w h o 's and the w h a t 's 

of what I am doing 

in this creative world.

This  s o u l  searching journey 

began at a most relevant time 

for me and my art.

I have been so ready to "grow" my art, 

and am now engaged in 

looking at that process 

from the inside out... 

from the c e n t e r... 

starting with my very own  

w h y?

Can you imagine what this world would be like, 

if more people were looking 

inward 

as part of their business strategy???

And that is why,

 two of the biggest hearts in the creative world

formed this 

r e v o l u t i o n a r y

e-course... Hello Soul Hello Business.

Two notable women, whom I highly admire...

Kelly Rae Roberts & Beth Nicholls,

collaborated and co-created this 

10 week e-course, designed for creative businesses.

Kelly Rae is best known as an artist, author, and possibilitarian- 

(and I do believe, she could add a list of many, many more of credits to her name, 

after only being 3 weeks into this course. Take a look at her story!).

Beth Nichols is known as an artist, entrepreneur, 

and creator of DoWhat You Love artist retreats-

(I'd highly recommend reading her ABOUT ME tab on her website, as it will 

make one's jaw drop to know the ground she's covered in her young life.).

Learning from these two beautiful women, (and an online group of 300) 

has been making changes inside of me on a daily basis.

I am loving... every seed that is being planted, 

fertilized and cultivated through this process.

I am loving... that my paintings are starting out differently...

I am loving... that dots are being connected,

and I am loving...

that something 

soul-FULL 

is happening!

I came across a most appropriate quote....

"Change your mind 

to want what reflects

the You that you are becoming

rather than the You 

that you have been."

~Talyaa Liera

...linking up with the creatives at Studio JRU~ Sneak Peek Fridays.

If you ever wanted to read a story about a creative who is working from her soul, 

check out this week's story featuring... Beyond Words Designs~ Stephanie

And to see some creative blogs with heART... linking up with 

flytribe for valentines day

A little time off & some creative coffee....

 

I really love coffee... 

and now I know  
it loves me back!

I guess you can see something creative even in your coffee... 

just have to be on the lookout... 

I love all of the heart shapes that fellow creatives post~ 

heart stones, heart leaves, heart hands... 

so needless to say,

I was smiling from ear to ear when I saw 

this little heart staring back at me.

It was really calling me to get back on track.

I didn't intend to skip out on posting... 

but sometimes it's like church, classes, making dinner, volunteer work... 

you know one of those things that are part of your daily life, 

that when you miss a couple of days on your daily path,

it becomes hard to get back on track

or easy to just continue on 
the new one you are blazing.

A couple of weeks ago, I had my parents here for a visit. 

It was a lovely time spent doing family things... cooking and eating together,

(like yummy french toast I made above)

running errands, a little travel to local areas, 

enjoying the sunshine and just being family. 

(My parents try to come out once a year, and I try to get back to see them as well, 

once a year or more, "IF" I am so fortunate).

I cherish that time together.

But when they leave, there is that in-between space of time, 

That breath of fresh air to gain your time back, 

yet that sad space of time to miss their presence.

I've been playing catch-up ever since, 

and have been trying desperately to get to a paint brush.

So, finally this week I got to warm up my hand 

and get started again.

"Art is the giving by each man of his evidence to the world. 

Those who wish to give, love to give, discover the pleasure of giving. 

Those who give are tremendously strong."
— Robert Henri

A little time spent with the watercolor paints 

and a few 

new ideas started fluttering around, 

(hint: involving some larger birdhouses & mixed media decoupage)~

... commitments to more shows starting mid-July came to be...

... the honor of an interview (TBA) at Robin Norgren's 

my creative peace 

is on the radar...

(you've got to check out her wonderful workbook ~ I just ordered mine~ can't wait!)

 and more gift shops to be explored.

Good to take a little unintentional break, 

but good to be back trying to work through 

the art process... and live an 

artfull life.

p.s. I missed linking up at studiojru ~

but it's always fun to see what everyone was up to last week.