A Completed Work... in Many Ways...

Completed work!
(Is it ever complete? I know I am not...)
(...for He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion... Phil 1:6)

After all of the tweaks, it's finally ready to go.

This one brought so much joy 

in the creating, 

and hopefully will bring as much joy 

on it's journey.
(Can you find the birds?? Love the birds!)

This piece is a 30 x 30- acrylic
(unframed 3/4" deep canvas)

The winning bid 

will not only own this colorful piece,
but will be 
a most appreciated donor 
to the 1000 Backpack Giveaway!

All proceeds from this auction 
will be donated to supply 1000 kids in need, 
(right here in the San Fernando Valley!)
with a backpack and supplies
to get them off to a great start 
this school year.
So bid - bid - bid away!
Auction is LIVE at dailypaintworks~ woo hoo! 
It will run for 7 days- highest bid wins! 
If you've ever wanted one of my pieces- here's a way 
to own a BIG, colorful, 
meaningful in many ways, 
piece of art!
Thanks in advance friends!


(Kindly leave a comment here on my blog if you have placed a bid, 
as I would love to show my appreciation by sending you a small print, 
with some love, and thanks for the support!)

(If you feel so inclined... donations are being accepted here as well, 

separate from the painting auction fundraiser
 http://www.indiegogo.com/1000backpackgiveaway)

ConfeSSion...

Confession friends... 

I had the lofty goal of posting my painting 

on an auction site today to start the process 

for 1000 Backpack Giveaway.

A couple of things got in my way..

good things... but things that caused me to delay 

doing the launch until later in the day 

tomorrow.

Please check my post tomorrow. 

It's going to be worth it! 

(shhhh... a giveaway will be in order!) 

Promise...

I have to laugh, but as an artist would...

I took another look at the painting this morning

and of course, saw more things emerging. 

That's right... I had to add a few touches 

to what I thought was a finished piece.

Caught red-handed 

or paint-handed, 

might be more appropriate.

If you look above- you'll see the bird's in the first image?

they appeared today...  

A little tweaking had to happen 

on the right side of the painting as well.

Then there's the actual auction part. 

I thought I would use Daily Paintworks, 

but I researched a few other options 

and have yet to confirm that choice.

It all looked so easy...

So, you see... I'll be here tomorrow

with all the loose ends tied up.

Thanks for being such a supportive group!

Excited for the big reveal tomorrow!

Giving from the HeART...

"Alone

we can do so little;

Together

 we can do so much"

~Helen Keller

I totally enjoyed sharing my space for a week of posts 

by a lovely group of creatives, as part of 

the 101010 Project last week. 

g r a t e f u l

to all!

In the meantime... I've been gathering my thoughts

because I am crazy excited about a new project...

a project that affirms the Helen Keller quote above.

I've been going down the intuitive/expressionistic path 

on my painting journey and am just loving it. 

(thank-you Flora!)

There is such freedom, such color, and such organic beauty 

that comes through in this process- 

I just get giddy with excitement, 

when I come up for air.

There are a few "growth" parallels happening too

in the

art life

spiritual life 

and 

work life.

I just love when that happens- don't you?

The project I speak of, has to do with a fundraiser... 

The sneak peek image at the top of this post 

represents a painting that will be auctioned off 

to support this fundraiser.

The piece I am working on is a 30 x30

intuitive expression- 

so what you are seeing 

is just a snippet and I am inspired!

Now for the real excitement!

The fundraiser is a project to raise 1000 BACKPACKS 

complete with school supplies

to give out to "children in need" 

before school starts in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles!

Our TEAM is working fast and furious on various fundraisers 

to meet this lofty goal!

I felt it deep in my heart to shoot for a painting sale 

as my contribution to the project.

so... if you like what you see, 

and you are interested in bidding on the painting...

I will be setting up the link at Daily Paintworks 

as an auction piece by July 1oth. 

(There will be a one week bidding time frame after the 10th)

The complete amount raised will be donated to 

the 1000 Backpack-Give-Away

(website is in the works)

through Freedom Church.

What better time to get a meaningful piece of art,

while contributing to a most helpful cause.

I have a huge heart for children in need 

and am honored 

to be able to contribute.

Thank-you friends...

so much can be done

when we gather together!

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