The 101010 Project starts tomorrow... and a little creativity

Art 

is simply a result of expression 

during right feeling...

Any material will do. 

After all, the object is not to make art, 

but to be in the wonderful state 

which makes art inevitable.

~ Robert Henri

I am so thankful for the ability to be able to express.

Whether it be with words, images, paint, or even food.

I've heard so many people say...

"Oh I could never do that- I don't have a creative bone in my body!"

It makes me smile.

I sometimes think about where 

creativity lives...

I see it in so many forms of expression. 

Sometimes it's simply in the way we plant our gardens,

the way we prepare food,

the way we share with a friend,

the way we choose our clothes,

the way we write a note,

the way we share our heart...

and the list can go on and on.

I love being in that 

wonderful state

which makes 

art 

inevitable! 

IN PROCESS ABOVE: Working on being in that "wonderful state"

 with an intuitive, expressive, organic series of pieces for a summer show.

Starting June 15th... tomorrow!

101010

Also friends...

I am happy to share that for the first time on my bloggie space here, 

I am participating in a collaborative blogging project 

conceived by a most talented friend

Robin Norgren. 

I've spoken about the wonderful e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts 

called Flying Lessons that I took a couple of years ago. 

Not only was there a tremendous amount of information imparted,

but hundreds of creative women, from all walks of life 

met and formed a bond 

through a group, that continuously shares 

and challenges each other, in so many ways.

In 2012, the 101010 project was created by Robin,

 as a way to share information and stories of how 

some of these independent business women 

are managing along their journey. 

Starting on June 15th, I will be hosting the second set of 10 women 

that will impart some words on their businesses 

through a series of 10 questions. 

It is sure to be a valuable resource... affirming for all creative types.

CLICK HERE for see the participants. 

Feel free to take a peek at the video to learn more.

(so darn cute)

A Little Birdie Told Me...

I've been totally in love with working on these journal pages lately...

I feel like they 

are a 

thread, 

tying parts of my art life together

weaving in and out

from page to page

leaving me with 

a road map of ideas

to 

turn into 

big colorful art.

I'm amazed at what this process has been growing... 

I find it not only a way 

to explore my paint process, 

but to think about words

and have some fun 

with the pages I pulled out from the book.

Oh the possibilities!!

So... I'm whispering now...come close... 

I've gotten a huge response to my journal postings 

and have been asked by some 

to teach an ecourse on watercolor. 

It's on my radar, and I am working out the details.

If you think you'd be interested in an online class

feel free to drop me a comment with any thoughts,

request's etc. 

Also, I am getting close to launching an official website.

Woo! Hoo!  It's been in the works, 

and getting closer to complete.

And finally... tomorrow... Sunday...

I am officially introducing art prints to my etsy store!

These prints are made from my journal artwork in limited editions.

The colors are vibrant and a true match to the originals.

Printed with a Canon Pro 9000 printer 

using Epson Ultra Premium Matte Paper

 created. 

 a lovely reproduction.

I am offering a 20% discount to all you lovelies that visit here. 

I am forever grateful for 

your kindness, encouragement and support.

Mention the discount code: BLOOM when ordering.

Only one coupon code per order.

Linking up to Jennifer and the lovelies over at  StudioJRU 

Come on over and have a peek!

BLOG HOPPING...on a Saturday

Welcome to the official 

Art of Wild Abandonment 

bloghop post!

If you've made it here, you've probably popped by after visiting with the lovely

Valerie Hebert at

www.valsartstudio.blogspot.com

(wasn't her birdie just grand! Love her work- and she has a cool name too!)

This bloghop was created to showcase some of the work that we've created 

after learning from two absolutely fabulous artistes

Junelle Jacobsen

& Christy Tomlinson

There are around 50 artist's that are part of this lovely group 

who have been using watercolor, acrylic, pan pastels, gesso, pitt & scarlet lime pens,

fabric, parchment paper... and the list goes on... 

to create and express in their journal books in their own style.

I first came across Junelle's blog... yes and amen

a year or so ago, 

and I was fascinated, enchanted and just downright hooked 

on her every word and every image.

Immediate connection~ girl crush~ kindred spirit~ God connection....

But it was the journal pages that she posted 

that would touch the inner most part of me! 

I often thought how I'd love to learn to express like that!

And along came this class!

I am forever grateful to Junelle for her teaching...

What a joy it has been creating this book- my art life is forever changed 

having learned a new way to express and create 

alongside a fabulous community of people.

So, I've decided to complete the cover of my journal book 

"a la Junelle"...

Ta DAhhhhhh!

I'm loving the nest feeling, stuck on my watercolor poppies, 

enjoying making leaves out of the pages I tore out from the book, 

and always layering paper and paints to make interesting things happen.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Here are a couple more spreads from the inside of the book. 

I do  L O V E  my watercolor paints!

My previous post highlights one special spread and the story behind it.

Gratitude to all of my bloggy, wild & artsy with abandon friends!!!

When traveling on, be sure to stop by and see what Gina Lee Kim is up to.  

 http://ginaleekim.blogspot.com/ 

Many thanks to Claire at 

http://clairesmillie.wordpress.com/

for her hard work in organizing this bloggy good time!

It's a matter of TRUSTing...

...courage in the heart 

a r t i s t

within the soul...

...I was presented with an art challenge last month...

Did you ever pray for something,

to find that your prayer was answered... 

but not quite in the way you had expected??

I am solid on the thought, to ask God for what you want or dream of, 

be prepared to accept what you get, 

and know that God had a sense of humor.

 I giggle while stating this...  

as I was tested on these very words last month.

The past year or so, I've been in a transitional stage. 

For those of you who know me well, 

or who have been kind enough to follow along...

you've known that I've been working toward a transition

 from my graphic design business

to creating my own art, as the main "soul business" in my life. 

I long to paint, develop my work, and share an art story that connects with others 

and encourages others to grow in their gifts.

Along with various e-courses that I've taken and shared here on my blog 

(Flying Lessons, Hello Soul Hello Business and The Art of Wild Abandonment) 

I've been hard at work, developing my direction, 

figuring out my path, and planning 

the who's, what's and how's of it all. 

And then along came a request- 

to paint a "live" painting at church on Easter Sunday...

seriously??? Live??? 

(In our house we say "thub, thub, thub, thub, when there are no words....)
Uh... I don't get up in front of groups of people. 
(That is why I have no singing voice- God knew exactly what he was doing- no performing for her!) 
I am not one to speak in front of crowds real well. 
I am not one to "perform" in any way to a group.
I looked behind me to see if that question was truly asked of me, 
or if there was someone else behind me 
that was being spoken to.


A lot of things started to become very clear 
in the fearful moments, days, and weeks leading up to this 
a r t   c h a l l e n g e
I know that I was challenged to do this for a many layered purpose...
I needed to listen, trust, and know that if I ever wanted to create a body of work that speaks to people, it would be a most invaluable  
gift

to create in front of a group.


It would prepare me in so many ways, for all of the things I've been asking for... 
especially sharing an art story that connects with others 
and encourages others to grow their gifts.

 and so, 
through the fear... 
(and it was real FEAR- ask any of my friends 
that I spoke incessantly to leading up to the event! 
And the thub, thub, thubbing....)

and through the deafening thoughts
of the how's and what's...
I was put in the ultimate place of 
trust
and I am grateful! 

The journal expression above, 
that came from my worries, 
my thoughts of inadequacy, 
and my fear's... 
was created through the process of preparation, 
for that day.
It was born from such a tender place
and brought much clarity.
Whether you have a belief in God, 
spirit, 
or an inner voice...
it's an amazing experience to learn to 
trust.


By the way... if you like seeing journal pages-
the lovely creatives, that I've shared an e-course with  
(The Art of Wild Abandonment-taught by Junelle Jacobson & Christy Tomlinson)
and I, are sharing in a bloghop tomorrow. 
We are all going to post a project that we've created, 
having been inspired by the techniques
we learned together and link to each other's blogs. 
If you stop by tomorrow, there will be another post to enjoy, 
and a lot of other journal art to connect with. 

I'm also sharing a special surprise tomorrow 
that has to do with one of my watercolor paintings...
hint: discount code: TRUST

Changes in an Art Life...

Have you ever had that feeling that things are about to change? 

That feeling deep in your gut

that you know you are on the pinnacle 

of something shifting?

admission...

"change is hard".

I started out this year with an anticipation of big change.

Pursuing and persisting after it.

Being bold, by taking two courses 

to help navigate the way 

toward a new

a r t   l i f e

Being brave, 

by taking 
one challenging art business course, 

while igniting 
my creative side 

with a 
free & wild 
art journaling class.

I've been on a soul searching journey,

knowing well, that
 a lot of work had to be done
 in preparing to 

redirect and create 
what I really want from this

a r t   l i f e.

I spoke about this incredible soulful business course in my last post...
(Hello Soul Hello Business::  by the notable & wonderful Kelly Rae Roberts & Beth Nichols)

 It is happening...

I can see the pieces 
being reorganized.


...and it is really hard work... who'd think it?

It's kicking my butt,

making me face fears,

and showing me that  
transitioning to 
any new
a r t   l i f e 

takes time, effort, soul, and a whole lotta of work. 
So, this is where I've been at... working on the soul,
 of my... soon to be... new...
a r t   l i f e
In a space of exploring my art style through journaling and painting.
(the best class ever by Christy Tomlinson:: The Art of Wild Abandonment
featuring art journaling with Junelle Jacobson  & Christy Tomlinson) 


In a space of learning, and planning... 
In a space of incredible creativity and fun,
and in a space 
that is pushing so much on the left side of my brain 
that it may actually burst! 
So grateful, for the journaling right brain class 
to keep it all in balance.

...so thank goodness for 

Spring
and all of the change it brings...


the season that reminds us 
to see new blossoms...
that season that teaches us to anticipate
growth and beauty.

(and in case I haven't officially said it, the "new art life" is all about creating a space 

to sell my art paintings, offer workshops, and develop soulful ways to share the gifts I've been given

 to bring creativity, connection, and joyfulness, while inspiring others to see the gifts in themselves .)  

An unofficial vision statement.... hmmmm....

(Note:: the painting at the top is a 36 x 48 acrylic, intuitive- 

prints soon to be available in my etsy shop... 

taking big steps...)

linking up with Jennifer & the artistes at studiojru

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