Watercolor time...

Some days I find I am writing more than painting. 

Who knew? 

Some days I find I am building my website more than painting… 

Who knew?

Some days I find I am tending to others needs more than painting…

Who knew?

This path of growing an art life will always be riddled with stops and go's...

making that time spent painting 

so much more appreciated.

So with those moments…

I've been working in my S&B sketchbook painting a series of veggies. 

This time of year, brings back memories of summers 

on the east end of Long Island…

where a farm stand resides

on many a small town road.

Fresh strawberries abound, for making jam.  

and..veggies brighter than the sky, 

delight the eye with their homegrown goodness.

I got to thinking about my affinity for painting elements 

from different seasons…

the flowers of spring, fruits & veggies of summer, the leaves of fall… 

and the flowery greens of winter. 

I find myself returning to them, just like home.

In the wake of developing this little series...

I've been getting tons of questions and requests regarding my palette, 

my process, the brands I use, the glazing, the calligraphic words, 

and my little signature block.

I've decided to do a series here to provide answers to those questions.

Woo hoo! Went through a dry spell with words,

and now have an array of informative posts planned for you all. 

If you have any specific questions about my process, 

feel free to leave a note in the comment section.

I'll be posting once a week…

starting with my palette and brands of paint.

Grateful for all of your artsy support friends!

It's a New Year with Promises...

"Every end 

is a

new 

   beginning"…

- unknown

The decorations are down… the boxes are out,  I am surrounded by 

the memories of another holiday season ended 

while having entered a new year.

The first few days of January are always a time of 

reflection.

 Looking back and looking forward.

Taking inventory of the goods, the bads, and the continued dreams.

I love the concept of choosing a word for the year. 

I'm a big believer of making lists, planning and sticky notes.

(Ask my daughter… I really love sticky notes.)

So my personal word for this year is going to be… 

"BIG"

It may sound a little weird, but I am choosing this little word…
because it personifies the whole process I want to see for myself in the coming year.
I love the fact that the word 
"BIG"
is so small.
Okay… here's the vulnerable part… 
I see myself as that  l i t t l e  word… 
with the capacity for BIGness.
I see a foundation that God has been providing for that BIGness
and I now believe it's time to 
step into 
that BIGness. 

Want to join me? 
Is it time to
step into 
"BIG"
for you too? 

"BIG"
in your art
in your believe
in your serve
in your connection
in your action…
I'm planning on pushing the boundaries into 
"BIG"
this year 
in many parts of life…
starting with 
a 30 day journaling project
with Lisa Sonora Beam

Journaling with art & word...

I'll be posting the process here, as I lean in.

Please feel free to leave your words and thoughts  
if you join me on this path…  
What boundaries will you push to grow 
into your own 
BIGness?
haPPy 2014!

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!

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!