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.

And so it begins...

A few things in the "art life" are aligning themselves...

I am finding that they are happening in 

"groups."
Groups of events...
Groups of people...
c o n n e c t i o n s...

A couple of years ago,
I dared myself to 
b e l i e v e 
I dared myself to face
f e a r
and I dared myself to 
s t e p  o u t...

Stepping out sure looks pretty in a group!

there's comfort in a group,
there's beauty in a group,
and there's fearlessness in a group
I love the connection that art brings! 

Here's one group of lovelies...

Rebecca Klier

Kelly Warren

Sandi Volpe

Dani Keith

Cindi Silverstein

Suzanna Leigh

now showing through the end of the month at LEDE Gallery
To see everyone's work up close and personal, take a peek at
LEDE on Facebook. The SHOP button links to everyone's work.

The other "moon & star" alignment 
involves another group of lovelies...
from the original 101010 project. 
A few month's ago, I hosted a series of artist's interviews 
that had to do with a group of creatives, pursuing their artistic dreams. 
The originator of this fabulous project, Robin Norgren,
compiled a book, based on interviews with over 40 creative women
(including me!!!! woo hooo! I am officially published)
sharing their thoughts on running a creative business.
Spark and Inspire is one amazing collaboration, 
and I am humbled and honored to be part of Robin's vision.

I will be posting a GIVEAWAY in December 
for a PDF COPY of Robin's lovely collaboration! 
The book is available now thru amazon, 
and makes for a wonderful gift.


Along with the PDF giveaway... there will be a  little goody from me 
to celebrate fearless women taking flight!

Stay in the loop by checking back!

Starting to feel 

art emerge.

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!