Holiday Makings...

...and so it begins!

December started and the wild ride begins. 

The studio is in full swing... making and making.

(It would be a good time to find some elves.)

Just came off of 4 days of shows-

a visit from family over Thanksgiving,

and now in preparation for the Christmas zone.

In this time of craziness,

I've been thinking a lot about 

w o r d s...

I'm feeling the word 

f u l l

calling out to me.

Full in spirit...

Full in family...

Full in creating...

Full in friendship...

Full in gratitude...

and the list goes on...

I am thinking the word

f u l l

is calling out for some 

visual representation.

f u l l

with some new art and possibilities

 right around the corner...

twig2nest studio

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.

Where we've been... Where we're going...

Blink... and it's gone... 

October... seriously... poof... gone...

I got to thinking about 
T I M E..
and how,
as much as  
I T  
leaves us- 
IT  
shows up again
leaving its mark 
in the
"where we have been"
and 
"where we are going".

Where I have been this past month, is working my tail feathers off 
towards a few goals and possibilities...
Where I am going... is on that same path of 
putting various forms of my artistic soul 
out into the world.

...gulp!

With that, I am so pleased to be included in a group show starting November 9th. 
A first time- out of state, gallery show! 
Six of my original mixed media pieces will be on view 
and available for sale at LEDE Gallery, Wake Forest, NC. 
They are part of a show called "Taking Flight, a journey of extraordinary women." 
The exhibit is comprised of a group of artists, 
who participated in an e-course 

together with "Kelly Rae Roberts", 

a well known mixed media artist, and "possibilitarian". 

This show, was born out of a dream that Dani Keith, 
an artist, metalsmith & jewelry designer had...
 to bring together, the art and passion of this group in a curated show of work.
The first part of her dream, and the dream of other's 
will be realized this week at LEDE Gallery.
The second part of the journey involves a show 
at Reston Arts Center, Virginia. 
If you aren't in the NC area, and want to check my pieces out, 
they will be available on dailypaintworks, as well. 
(a few shown above)

Looking forward to being part of some wonderful-ness
with much gratitude!

The In-Between Spaces...

I've been away from my blog for a bit...

well... okay, maybe for more than a bit.

(g u i l t y)

I got to thinking...

sometimes in the craziness of our lives

when no words will come...

we just need to be 

quiet,

need to be 

still,

just need to 

be...

I like to think of these times 

as the 

in-between spaces...

...much like 

that dark crack in the concrete 

where you see a tiny bloom

poking through 

making you wonder...

I'm finding...

there's beauty in the 
in-between spaces...

it's where we grow.

During this time of 
in-between spaces

I find myself drawing & sketching,
planning  & gathering... 
  (for bigger, more scary things)

journaling & exploring ideas...

teaching & sharing with those I love...

painting, painting, painting...

and building toward my "art future".

(website, & video's are coming together)

Time to be accepting, 

of the time it takes to grow... in the 

in-between spaces.

What are you growing in your 

in-between spaces?

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!