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!

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)