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!

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!

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

Creating Yourself... and a Grateful Giveaway

"Life isn't about finding yourself.

Life is about creating yourself."

— George Bernard Shaw

Oh, do I love your inspiration Georgie!

I think I am in a perpetual George Bernard Shaw state of mind.
Exploring~ creating~ exploring~ creating. 


So I've had this burning desire to use the backgrounds I painted. 
Funny, but I wasn't sure how I wanted to approach them. 
I got to thinking perhaps my watercolors 
would look interesting collaged on top.
(With other interesting things of course...)


I tried laying one of my pears on top...
Wasn't sure if the colors worked, or if  would even look good- 
but after looking at it a while, 
I'm feeling it may have potential. 

I don't know about you, 
but I have this habit of having to look at the steps I am taking,
 for a while, and then continuing on. 
It's a broken up process for sure, but I've never been able to crank out pieces.
I am not really sure if that's a good thing or not. 
There's a rhythm to my process, that is like a dance... 
take some steps~ stop~ observe~ feel~ think... 
take some steps~ stop~ observe~ feel~ think...
hmmm... maybe a visual cha cha cha!
How about you? 


What kind of process do you go through when you create?
We all have one~ 
much like the individuality of our strokes on the canvas,
the medium that we choose to work with,
and the things that "move us to create".

ahhh... but the best part of today's post is 
my  g r a t e f u l  giveaway... 

I've been wanting to do a giveaway 

of one of my more recent birdie houses.

I have been overwhelmed with the encouragement, 

the cheering on of my journey,

and the ever so kind comments that everyone has been leaving.

So it is with much  g r a t i t u d e,  that I am going to offer 

the item below, as a sweet giveaway

for all of that kind support, friends.

To participate, become a follower of my blog 

(and thanks in advance if you already are).

Leave a comment, and tell me what your inspirational words would be...

because, if your name is drawn,

I will personalize this birdie house with those very words.

One lucky winner will be posted Friday September 2nd. 

thank-you friends!

"Let your L I F E be a painting..."

F i r s t   t h i n g s   f i r s t....

I needed to share this inspirational goodie with everyone...

a simple beautiful arrangement of words~

" When I say B E creative,

I don't mean 

you should all go

and become great painters 

and great poets.

I simply mean

let your L I F E be a painting,

let your L I F E be a poem."

-ohso

I fell in love with this quote, while reading a book that has become 

one of the most profound finds, 

filling my art spirit at the moment.

Creative is a Verb

Patti Digh

(just a little teaser~ but I'm interested in throwing out some seeds  to see if anyone 

would want to take root in this book together. 

As a small tribe, I think it could be invaluable to share learning, through the words 

and creative challenges that Patti Digh has woven together in this incredibly insightful book. 

Let me know in the comments section or by email if there is any interest.)

Are you thinking...what up with all the photo's? 

I had a lot going on this week in the land of "creating". 

I was juggling between a couple of etsy orders for my personalized keychains

~new plate designs using my watercolors-stay tuned

~a new idea that's been brewing in my right brain for a artsy pin (above) 

using textural yarns & silk and...

~more little inspirational birdhouses.

personalized keychains in process.... 

one of the finished pieces.... 

 the little birdhouse line-up...

a few finished designs ... I'm liking the words... I'm liking the words!

So- the items for upcoming boutiques & refilling the etsy store are well under way, 

but I need to get back to my paint brushes!

 Maybe next week?

 Once again... linking up to studiojru ~ 

lots of inspiration & talented artist linkups to see!