Seasons, Seeds & Summer Faire!

My oh my… I can feel the beginning of summer happening here. 

There's the sound of 'Pomp & Circumstance" in the distance, 

and names being called as diploma's are handed out. 

There are sounds of skateboards on concrete in the the neighbor's driveway, 

and the harmony of kid voices, full of excitement...  

knowing they are at 

the doorway of summer break. 

Every season brings it's own freshness… newness… 

and shift from one routine of life to another. 

As much as Spring is known, as the time of seedlings and new growth

summer brings a growth of it's own.

Brightly colored flowers, 

vegetable gardens, 

bike rides, outdoor play, 

barbeques and outdoor eating, 

summer camp, 

ice tea and lemonade…

Soooo... with all that in mind
what better way to usher in the "newness of summer" 
than with a Junelle class!
I've been busy busy working on a few projects to add 

to her wonderful Summer Faire lineup!
After having the opportunity to do a little offering 
in her Art of Spring class, I couldn't be more thrilled 
to be invited back as part of Summer Faire.

Look at the lineup she has in store for us all!

a favorite mailbox collection
market fresh wreaths
kitchen window cottages
ice cream & gelatos
tomatoes & "basil" the cat
potted herbs and vintage seeds
bikes & blooms - stops & smells
street fair treasures
summer porch art
garden steps, stoops, and stories
a big summer canvas (or creative art journal pages)
...and more!
(guess who's got the potted herbs & vintage seeds up her sleeve and more… hint hint!)

I hope you'll be as excited as I am to be part of the summer fun! 
I am always inspired by the artsy tribe 
that love all things Junelle!
Hope you'll join us… 

Class starts Friday July 10th
earlybird sign ups are 
happening now..
for only $32 

3 weeks of Summer Art Inspiration!

Click the link to sign up today! 

regular price 44.95 ~ July 1

pssst...I've got a secret…an Online Class...

So here it goes… I am over the moon and a little cray cray here.

A few weeks ago... one of my favorite online teachers, 

bloggers, and all around wonderful human beings 

asked if I would like to do a segment on her next online class.

Enter the "woot! woots!" and "happy dancing".

After spending the past couple of weeks figuring it all out, 

and prepping… 

I am thrilled to announce the launch of 

Junelle Jacobsen's 

Art of Spring!

Sign up's are taking place right now 

for the early bird price of $29

Open House is March 28th

Class starts April 1! 

I guarantee there's nothing more fun than getting creative with Junelle. 

Between her loosey goosey journaling style, 

happy flowers, recipes and her forever loving farm family of sheep

there will be plenty to play with as Spring arrives!

Oh, and then there's my part too… 

I've decided to teach a project using watercolor, 

wherein I can demonstrate some wet into wet watercolor technique 

and lots of glazing of color.

The image above shows my rooster and a couple of flower pieces 

that will be part of the little watercolor booklet we'll design...

along with the fun script lettering styles I'll teach how to draw.

Just enough of a simple project to share some watercolor 

love with you all!

So, here's the dealeo… sign ups are going on now…

I have one "FREE" spot to give away in this lovely class.

If you leave a comment HERE on the blog mentioning the class

or on my FACEBOOK page, (include the code: SPRINGART )

your name will be entered into a drawing 

for that FREE class space.

A name will be chosen by 4pm on Friday March 27th

and that person will be notified by email or personal FB message

or on the blog if I don't have your contact info. 

Good Luck everyone! 

This class is truly a blessing in so many ways!

http://yesandamenblog.blogspot.com

 p.s. my website is getting all spiffed up and ready for a launch in the very near future…

keep your eyes open for  http://valerieweller.com  …more watercolor… coming soon

2013... a new word... a new year... another journey...

 The word for this year... 

A D V E N T U R E...

with an emphasis on the word 

"V E N T U R E".

In order to adventure, 

you must be brave.

You have to be willing to step out...

try something new...

something exciting... something risky.

Last year was spent learning, exploring and developing.

This year it will be about

V E N T U R I N G off...

into unknown territory"

with a plan.

(Always good to have that map when you go on an adventure!)

Painting will be predominant. 

There are plans for local workshops and kids classes 

on my map of 2013.

I learned how to make a video

 through the beauty of Vivienne McMaster's ecourses,

(which I highly recommend)! 

Making video tutorial's and/or an ecourse 

in watercolor is also on the map.

All based around "color" 

(my favorite thing) 

and learning to "see".

... and lastly...

I'll be posting an idea for a painting challenge.

Stay tuned for the first posting in February. 

It will be fun, inspiring, and have an end result, 

that's advantageous to all!

oh- yeah... and there's that website that I need to finish up...

(It's on the map of 2013 as well) 

In the meantime, I just cleaned up my blog space to prepare for new things ahead.

I hope you'll join me 

as we journey through 2013

A D V E N T U R I N G

together.

Bring your own map and check back often...

I am sure our paths were meant to cross.

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!

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

Youer than You... Me-er than Me...

“Today you are 

You, 
that is truer than 
true. 
There is no one alive 
who is Youer 
than You.” 

Dr. Seuss

Where to begin... where to start. 
I had no intention of letting so much time pass between blog posts. 
I got to thinking
(upon reading these words from the Dr. Seuss Happy Birthday to You book)
that I was off being ME...
Me-er than Me 
I suppose.


Summer ended, before one could blink...
we quickly rolled into a "new season" 
that's making me think,
what will this season bring, 
a continued uncertainty?
or... perhaps growth, a clear path,
& a door opening for me.
Dr. Seuss is certainly contagious.
I just had to do it!

A few highlights from the past few weeks 
that have kept 
me 
being 
me...

I'm feeling the process of stretching myself into some uncharted territory.

The  b l o o m  piece above 

gives a little sneak peek 
into a style I see developing. 
I am exploring a new way of seeing, a new way of combining elements, 
and a mixture of new mediums. 

This kind of "art play" has been a freeing and joyful experience. 

b l o o m 
gives me a sense

that I am 

opening 

up a bit.
(I'll be posting 2 more pieces this week ~ I'd love your input friends...)

A most exciting thing happened a couple of weeks ago... 
I was featured in the "shared stories" segment of Beth Nicholls blog.
(blush and gush)

I was honored and thrilled to share some thoughts 
on the"doing what you love" space. 
Beth Nicholls has a beautiful way of bringing us to the place 
of seeing our value, and feeling encouraged, 
to do what we love for life.
I've been reading the inspired stories of other artists, 
gathering insight, from many amazing artist interviews,
and planning to fly into another level of growth by 2012 
with the soul sessions e-course being offered 
by the fabulous duo~ Kelly Rae Roberts & Beth Nicholls.
(check it out- sign up's are still available).
Many good things to look forward to!
And a sign of growth ahead...

(grow botanical decoupage plate)

I'll leave you with my heart and some warm coffee 

until the next post!

Linking up with the creatives at StudioJRU~

stop by to see what everyone has been up to.