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

Seeing the Magic

“Children see magic 

because 

they look for it.” 

- Christopher Moore

Yesterday, I had a lovely opportunity to spend 

a couple hours with my dear friend's grandkids.

We had been talking about 

a painting day for a long time. 

Not only do I have a love for the watercolor medium,

 but I really enjoy introducing children to 

"real"watercolor for the first time. 

It's kind of like...

 taking friend's to Disneyland for the very first time,

and seeing the look on their faces 

when they get off of Space Mountain.

...p r i c e l e s s ...

So, as I am trying to impart some art knowledge, 

and create a fun, playful, experience for the girls,

several thoughts come flooding into my soul....

... children seem to approach painting

u n i n h i b i t e d  

with

w i l d   a b a n d o n

and 

w i t h o u t  r e s e r v a t i o n.

This is my 

t a k e   a w a y, 

every time I work with children.

And it was a 

l i g h t b u l b   m o m e n t 

for me 

when I realized 

that this is the very same thing 

I seem to be striving for 

every time 

I put a brush to paper or canvas.

Perhaps that is why I am loving the concept of intuitive painting

that I learned from Flora Bowley's class. 

Perhaps that is why I love watercolor, 

as it forces me to not be 

so in control of every part of the process...

...and perhaps 

this little painting experience

was timed just right, 

for me to be open 

and anticipate 

*magic!

* I am sooo excited to be participating in an online 

ecourse that starts tomorrow called 

hellosoulbusiness

Another fabulous course taught by the one and only
KellyRae Roberts & Beth Nicholls.

I'll be posting about my experiences in the coming weeks- promise.

Check out the website-
there's still time to join the huge community of creatives!

I'm feeling the magic coming!

and...
...a special thank-you 
to 3 sweet creative little girls
for letting me share 
their beautiful 
artwork above. 

(another beginning of one of my intuitive paintings)

...linking up with Jennifer and the creatives at studiojru -feel free 

to take a peek to see what everyone has been up to!

A fresh look, new words...

"Your work is to 

discover

your world and

then with all your heart

give

yourself to it."

~ Buddha

It's a   n e w  y e a r - h o l i d a y s  are over...
 the dust is settling, as the last ornament is packed away.
I don't know about you, 
but this time of year always leaves me 
r e f l e c t i v e,
p l a n n i n g,
a n d  m a k i n g   p ro m i s e s
to myself,
 to simplify
and make my time count more
in the newness of this year.


So to start off  2 0 1 2
  I've done some thinking,
and have chosen some words 
 to guide me into an  
a r t ~ f u l l  
year.


 w o r d  thoughts...


~how I see myself... 
encourager
grower
seed planter
believer


~what I want to be more of... 

brave

art doer

focused

cultivator

~in 2012 I want to...

color outside the lines

be uninhibited

explore without fear

have less expectation

~and most of all... 

I intend to 

keep discovering

and give to

my art 

with a full heart!

How about you... what are your words,
your art thoughts, your promises to yourself 
in the newness of this year?


There's always something to discover...
we just have to keep looking.


So happy to reconnect with the lovely creatives 
linking at StudioJRU
Take a peek if you are interested in seeing what 
everyone is up to this month.

(sorry- but I couldn't resist the holiday birdie~ 

it's not really over is it?)

Love & Joy come to you....

...and this 

is the house 

that love 

built...

love & joy

Paper and glue, paper and glue... 

this is my month for paper and glue. 
I long to pick up a brush and paint colors, 
but November and December are always 
the month's for paper and glue.

I'm tickled with my "new" holiday birdhouses. 
I'm spending lot's of time creating and showing in the next 2 weeks.
I have a tendency to get a little nuts at the beginning of December, 
as I am sure a lot of us do... 
but always trying 
to be mindful to 
stop, 
see, 
breathe,
&
soak up some joy
 in this 
season of beauty.

What are you creating this season 
that brings you joy? 
(Baking, decorating, crafting, and more?)


I hope you are all soaking in some joy, 
as we prepare for this month of 
friends, family, faith, 
and thoughtfulness.


To celebrate this month of joy
be the first to know about my ...
H E A R T S I E   O R N A M E N T
S A L E!
Just in time to spread some joy..
regularly $10 each
on sale ~2 for $15


check them out at...
www.twig2neststudio.etsy.com

Thankful...

... and so 

the season 

of 

"gratitude" 

begins...

Although I'd like to think of 

gratitude as a 365 day a year thing, 

I love, that we take some time at the end of each year 

to focus on gratitude,

gathering together with loved ones, 

and our gifts to each other.

In this spirit, 

I want to send out my gratitude and thanks to all of you,

who have been so kind,

 as to read my blog,

leave such uplifting and supportive comments, 

and consistently make me feel that I am 

doing something worthwhile

with my art and words.

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving !

BTW...

my appreciation is extended to all of you lovelies

with a WEEKEND SALE in my etsy shop.

Check out the coupon code

TURKEY

for a 15% savings on plates, birdhouses, and more!!! 

(2 for $15 ornaments are excluded from the coupon code as they are already on sale)

If you've been eyeing anything- 

now's the time to save.

oh... and I am grateful for homemade scones too!

Holidays Next...

“sometimes... 

you don't need 

a goal in life, 

you don't need 

to know the big picture.

you just need to know 

what 

you're going 

to do next!” 

~Sophie Kinsella, 

The Undomestic Goddess

I had to giggle when I read this quote. 

I am a list maker, a goal setter, a big picture dreamer...

and lately, 

a chaser of my tail. 

With the holidays fast approaching,

I've been working my tail off, making & creating 

holiday ornaments, plates, birdhouses,

small paintings and more. 

Getting ready for holiday boutiques

brings me to the same place very year... 

trying to start a little earlier- 

trying to be organized

trying to make a general plan...

and it 

always 

get's 

crazy!!!

So once again, I am approaching,

 this lovely season of craziness,

with joy and deep breathes,

remembering this verse...

For I know the plans 

I have for you,

plans to give you 

hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

because His plans are always 

bigger and better!

A little sneak peek at some of my holiday offerings...

 little heartsie ornaments- just listed on etsy.

Keep an eye open for Black Friday & Cyber Monday Specials... 

I'll be listing the discount promo on Wednesday!

Spread the word, if you like!

  and these are just the beginning!

happy T H A N K S G I V I N G week friends!

Another blOOm in the garden of Flora Bowley

To blOOm 

or not 

to blOOm...

... it's nearly impossible 

to not blOOm

after a connection 

with Flora.

It was with much anticipation, excitement and an open heart 

that I had the privilege of participating in 

a Flora Bowley Bloom True workshop this past weekend in Malibu.

(hosted by the lovely Gina Armfield of Artinfusio in this most beautiful location.) 

I was on countdown throughout the year for this experience- 

knowing deep in my soul 

that it was going to be a "transforming" weekend.

...and transform, it did...

a weekend of "soul painting".

Flora has a unique way of sharing herself...

through her words, her wisdom, her wealth of artistic knowledge 

& her ability to give the tools,

to let our own 

artistic truth's emerge.

One concept that describes intuitive art is

"letting your hand's do the seeing, instead of you".

It was a foreign process for me to work directly with my hands on the canvas, 

but oh so fun and freeing!

Flora demonstrated every step in her process, 

while weaving breathing exercises, body movement, 

group sharing, journaling, word images, 

and a sense of letting go of perfection & expectation, 

into every cherished moment.

(the beginning of my process)

Working on 2 canvases 30" x  30" 

we made our marks, 

and painted many many layers 

to gain a depth of color, 

that began to really sing, toward the end of the weekend.

Our own words of affirmation to keep us centered...

Flora's work is ever changing as she flips the canvas, and reminds us to 

"let go of expectations~ focus on the process & not the final piece"...

I think we were all in awe of every stroke of color

 she applied to the canvas.

Flora's insights into the application of paint layers, 

while "allowing the paint to emerge naturally~ 

encourages our own process of discovery".

Her use of color and guidance with acrylic paint, 

had me dreaming of the possibilities,

 as we were coming to a close.

Flora's final demo piece. 
It amazes me to think of how she started this piece,
and the beautiful story that evolved through the process.
I came away so inspired & ready to 
paint through "new eyes".
If you ever have the opportunity to take one of her workshops, 
I'd say- R U N- don't walk! 
It's an experience of a lifetime!

Here's the progression of my two pieces...

 from the transparent, wet on wet layer's...

 to the beginning of

the fatter layer's of colorful paint...

spiraling in and out...

 to look, see, and feel 

what is happening on the canvas.

I am not completely done with either, 

but I am defining that I really like, 

and am working on letting them emerge.

From what I've learned, this may become a whole different painting in a few days...

I'll post them when they are complete.

Endless possibilities... spiritual connections... 

and a wealth of gratitude for this experience! 

thank you dear Flora!

...more beautiful writings about this workshop can be found here...

http://www.irenerafael.blogspot.com/

http://blog.joanacarvalho.com/

http://pamgarrison.typepad.com/

http://whimsykalina.typepad.com/blog/

http://www.jenniferjoanou.com/_blog/blog