One of my New Favorite Quotes

I love quotes...they inspire me to look at things differently, more positively--they can put things into a better perspective for me when things are frustrating, disappointing or even sad.  They also inspire some of my artwork.  One of my new favorite quotes is a portion of a poem by Osho.  I love the imagery of this..."let your life be a painting/let your life be a poem."  I've done two mixed media paintings with these dreamy words--here is one of them:

When I think of poetry I imagine powerful words, strong images, scents, feelings, music, memories, hopes, disappointments, honesty...
When I think of paintings I think of color, impact, feelings, emotions, music, love, honesty...

I guess these are all the things of life and then some...some beautiful, some messy--life.  What a great image in my mind.

Thank you! Thank you!

Thanksgiving is approaching and I want to give thanks to a few of the great things in my life right now.  I know that many bloggers are probably doing something similar, but I personally feel uplifted when I read other people's lists of what they're thankful for.  I try to give thanks daily but sometimes life gets busy and the gratitude gets forgotten.  I'm going to go for a list of five things I'm super thankful and lucky to have right now.  There's definitely more than five, but I think that's what I'll share here.

1.  My spunky, beautiful and loving daughter Isabella who is a dream come true (I've always wanted to be a mommy to a little girl).

2.  My husband Shane who has a fun sense of humor that I can really be myself with.

3.  My best friends in the whole world, Carrie and Jenny.  I've known Carrie since 1st grade and Jenny a few years after that.  I am so blessed to have had these friends for so long--we've been through everything together: first communion, first boyfriends, homecoming, prom, spring break trips, weddings, divorce, babies, deaths.  There is a lot of history there that can't be replaced.

4.  My new community of art friends that I met through Flying Lessons (an e-course by Kelly Rae Roberts).  I've never had other artists to talk to and learn from and now I do and they have made life much richer.  Most of us have only "met" online but I feel like I've known them for years and that I can talk to them about so much.  They are funny, supportive and uplifting.  

5.  Finally following my dreams of creating art.  I've wanted to be an "artist" ever since I was a little girl watching my grandpa paint, but practicality got in the way.  A few years ago some health issues made me wake up and take my life into my own hands and start following my heart.

There you have it--five of the major things I'm so deeply grateful for and have blessed my life.  I still have my problems and disappointments of course, but when I really count my blessings, I feel so lucky, especially because of the above five.

I hope you all enjoy those things that have blessed your life.  Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.  Thank you for taking the time to visit me and my blog!

  

A Heartfelt Thank You to Art

I know it may seem weird, but I want to thank Art for helping me heal.  Yes, I truly believe that when I got really low and my lupus was at its worst, starting to paint regularly helped me toward getting better physically and emotionally.  It also led me to leave my teaching job, helping me realize it wasn't the right fit for me after all.
I'm sure some people think this is quite hokey, but I truly believe art does heal.  It made me come alive and search my soul for what it really needed which was more art and being true to me.

I used to constantly worry about everything...everything!  But when I'm painting or collaging, all that worry goes away.  I get lost.  A good lost.  It has taught me to be in the moment and not worry about what did happen or what could possibly happen (or not!).  It has brought me peace, much needed peace that a worrier often lacks.

So, again, Thank You Art...you've changed my life.



Please visit Stephey Baker at Marked by the Muse to see her story of how Art Saves.

http://www.markedbythemuse.com/2011/05/art-saves-crescendoh-readers-share.html

New Painting - Our First Snowfall

I love snowmen, have for years.  I even have quite a collection that I can't wait to put out in December.  Don't know why, but maybe it's the simplicity and the whiteness--I know not very specific, but there's just something about them.  I just finished this new painting titled "Our First Snowfall" and it's just a cute little 8x8 canvas to bring some whimsy into someone's home during the winter/holiday season.

Encouragement

I'm feeling a bit discouraged with my art/painting lately.  I don't want to go into much detail because it's probably just one of those poor me moods that I know will change if I help it.  I think I want something so badly I sometimes lose sight of the reason I do it.  Patti Digh gives a good reminder to "Stop trying so hard...Just do to do."  I love painting and sometimes I forget that I need to paint just to paint, not worry if someone will buy them.  The reward is just creating.  She also says to "Detach from outcome."  Hmmm...this completely relates to my last thought.  The outcome can't always be others approval, hence others purchasing my work.  My focus sometimes goes a bit off track and then I feel like giving up when I know I shouldn't and I won't.  I guess I'm just having a pity party inside my head right now. 

I'm going to get some fresh canvases today and paint just to paint.  I'm also going to look back at her book, Creative is a Verb and look at the highlighted words that really spoke to me.  Hopefully it will help me remember why I love to create.