Twirl, Spin, Dance...Delight in the Moment

Just finished this new painting called "Twirl" and it makes me think of being carefree-of a girl with windblown hair spinning and twirling under the big blue sky.  Not a care in the world.  Getting dizzy with laughter.

I think inside I still have some of that girl in me, but need to express it more often physically, even if it's by myself out under the stars in my own backyard if I don't want anyone to see a 39-year-old twirling like a little girl in love with the world.  I know I shouldn't care, right?  Something holds me back sometimes from really twirling and reveling in the moment.  Why?  Why am I letting myself miss out on spontaneous joy?   I just sat back for a minute while typing this and some tears actually sprung up in my eyes.  Perhaps I've let that carefree girl get pushed further back than I thought, if just typing this prompted some tears. 

Do you ever just let go and revel in the moment, arms wide to the sky and just twirl?  I know I haven't really in a long while and the time has come to really feel alive.

Periwinkle Sky - What do YOU Think?

I just finished this painting called "Periwinkle Sky."  I've sold a few paintings with trees and hearts with the words I Love You "engraved" in the trunk.  This time I just decided to put a heart by itself.  I'm wondering what you think of it?  Is this something that someone would consider for their home or just for a child's room?  When I do art shows it seems that people just see my work as paintings for girls' rooms.  I want to branch out from that label and wonder if this just fits for little kids.  Hmmmm....any comments?

I'd love some feedback--it always helps to get another opinion!  Thanks!



Oh do these speak to me!

I found this page called Pretty Inspirations. that has tons of dreamy pictures of cottages, charming inside rooms, outdoor rooms, hammocks, sweet scenery and tons more.  (I'm sure these pics are from other original sites and bloggers, but I'm copying them from this site so that's what I'm referring to--hopefully I'm not stepping on anyone's toes!)

Here are a few of the images that really speak to me.  They are so dreamy, unique, relaxing and sometimes vintage.  I wish I could transform some of my house to give me the same feelings I get just looking at these pictures.  Ahhhhhhh........heavenly....

Tell me this staircase wouldn't just make you happy every time you saw it!

What a sweet cottage--it's probably adorable inside.

Soooo sunny and relaxing in white with the blue doors.

Look at those yellow doors.  Wow, wow, wow.

It makes me want to redo my house, in creamy yellows, whites, creams.  I already have the blues down, but something about the light pastels and white just make me feel ahhhhhh.

Looking Forward to Reading...

I'm really looking forward to reading Art Saves: Stories, Inspiration and Prompts Sharing the Power of Art by Jenny Doh.  It features at least 20 artists who share their how and WHY of creating.  It looks full of inspiration from these great artists which always gets me more excited to create something myself.  I"ll be ordering it from Amazon soon and will be waiting very impatiently for it to come like I was for Patti Digh's and Kelly Rae Roberts' books. 



I love these types of art books because they show such unique images as well as a peek into the lives of creative people who are so inspiring.   It's the kind of book that shows the fun mess of real creating.  Can't Wait!!!!

I Dream of a Pink Cottage

I am a huge daydreamer, especially about being somewhere tropical.  Two trips to Jamaica did that to me.  I can't get that water out of my mind.  If I could just live in a little cottage on the Caribbean Sea with a rope hammock between two palm trees...ahhhh.  Don't need a mansion, just a litle cottage by the sea.



Home Sweet Home

Since I'm off in the summer (because I work in a school), I am enjoying the little things like peonies in an old jar, the birds singing early in the morning and the amazing stars outside last night at 3:30 am when I took the dog out (ok this morning, not last night).  I am appreciating all the little moments of being home, so I just finished this painting titled "Home Sweet Home." 

We've been talking constantly about wanting to live on the lake soooo badly, but it's not in the cards for us now (maybe never).  But, I have to remember we do have a great home and we need to see how lucky we are instead of wishing for more and someone else.  It really is a home sweet home feeling when we're here and I need to remember that when I feel like it's not enough--because it is.  It is more than enough.  It has our personal touches and comforts which are priceless.  Doing this painting helps me remember to enjoy what we have AND enjoy each moment, not looking for another one but the one we have right now.

Of course, this painting is for sale, but if it doesn't sell--it's going to be proudly displayed on my teal shelf in the living room as a reminder of the comforts we enjoy everyday together, the three of us and our dog Mazie.

Pink Trees in Paris

I just finished and sold this painting titled "Paris Dream" this weekend.  Didn't even get a chance to post on etsy, just on Facebook and a friend of a friend liked it and bought it for her little girl. 

I've never been to Paris but I hope  plan to someday.  My daughter is slowly changing her bedroom to a Paris theme, so that's what inspired me to paint this, but I wanted to add some whimsy so the trees are pink.  Even though it's not perfect, I am happy with it's cheerfulness and color. 

Have any of you been to see the Eiffel Tower yet?