Trying New Things

These past two years have been full, I mean full of changes for me.  I went through 18 months of chemotherapy for my lupus nephritis (kidneys), quit my full-time job as a teacher, started working only 20 hours a week, painting regularly, starting an etsy shop and doing occasional art shows on the weekends.

 So many of these decisions came from my heart speaking to me, but so many inspirational quotes have also pushed me as well, such as this one from Max Dupree. 

"We cannot become what we NEED to be, remaining what we are."

Part of my journey of change is reminding myself that if I want a certain life, I have to do different things.  I've been painting for a few years, but now I'm starting to draw as well which I'm finding so fun because I'm letting it flow out of me more easily than when I paint.  I drew (then painted) this girl today and I'm pleased with it.  Typically I shy away from drawing people at all--faces are hard for me, hair is hard for me and hands are almost impossible.  But today I felt looser and free as I drew her.  I actually love her face and her hair (hands are hiding behind the dress).  For me, she's great, compared to any other peope I've drawn.  It's actually giving me a boost of confidence to try even more people. 

Do What You Love

I love the follwing quote about your "higher self" telling you what you should do in your life.  Is it possible that we could all be more happy and grateful if we knew what we loved and were able to do it? 



"What you LOVE is a SIGN from your higher self of what you are to do."
 

~Sanaya Roman

 What do you find yourself drawn to?  What signs are being shown to you?  Are they screaming it or just whispering?  Are you pushing the signs and whispers away?  I'm constantly drawn to visual things, like photography or nature and babies and eye-stopping paintings with vivid colors.  I always felt like I wanted CREATE something, anything.  Now I'm working everyday more and more toward what my higher self is telling me in the form of painting and now I've started drawing too.  I'm not saying this decision has been easy.  A lot of life changes have been made, namely financial, but I know I'm healthier and happier for doing what I love, even if it's just a little painting each day.  Having some serious health problems has opened my eyes to the fact that life goes so quickly and I don't want to come to the end of it and have regrets.

Are you doing at least a little of something that you are drawn to.  If not, why not?



Finger Painting

We are having a great snow day in Wisconsin, even the government offices are closed.  My first prompt from the e-course I'm taking (COLOR YOUR WORLD) was to fingerpaint.  I haven't done that in sooooo long, don't even know when.  Isabella and I each did our own, then we had one canvas paper left, so we made a creation together with her old, goopy watercolors.

This is our final creation.  We each painted the other's hand with a few colors and then stamped them on the paper.  It was a ticklish feeliing having our hands painted with a soft paintbrush.  Then I suggested we just paint a few hearts around it and she dated and signed it for us.  I think I'm going to get a square frame and hang it up somewhere to remind us of our fun getting messy and creating and our togetherness.

How great to just get messy, colorful and not worry about what will turn out in the end!  We loved it!

I Won! I Won!

I'm so excited I won a spot on Bonnie Rose's (of a Life Unrehearsed) e-course called Color your World. 

This is exciting for a few reasons.  First of all, I've been reading a lot about putting intentions out to the universe and then not trying to force things.  Well after reading about all that, I've been trying to think about and visualize what I need in my life to help my creativity bloom.  Winning a spot on this course seems to be a great answer to some of my intentions, namely being amidst a group of other artists who I can form a connection with.  Second of all, Bonnie's paintings, etc. are so vibrant and uplifting that I'm excited to get to know her better and work with her creatively (as well as the others in the group).

My creations are colorful already, but this course and this group of other women is the icing on the cake to make my world EVEN MORE colorful in more ways than one.  Thanks so much for being such an inspiration, Bonnie Rose!  Everything on her blog is very inspirational!

You Have my Heart

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching--tomorrow is already February!  I just finished this painting and titled it "You Have my Heart" which I think is a great message to the love in your life.  After I finished this painting, I now picture it in a girl's bedroom probably because I have a daughter.  I also think it's important to let our loved ones know how much they mean to us, so a daily reminder through a painting is a great way to do that I think.

I hope this sweet painting finds its way to a little girl's room or in someone's home and displayed where the family can see this loving message.

Painting for Chloe

My neice Chloe just turned 10 and my brother and his wife surprised her with a newly remodeled bedroom, furniture and everything.  They sent me a picture of the bedding and I created this painting based off the throw pillows.  I don't get to be as creative when I'm trying to match something, but I'm pleased with how the painting turned out.  Tonight is her party and I'm looking forward to giving it to her.  I hope she likes it!

Inspiring Quote

I printed this quote by David Whyte a year ago and stumbled on it again yesterday.  It's beautiful and powerful and I want to do something with it, maybe use it as inspiration for a painting or put the quote on the canvas with the painting.  For now, I'm just going to type it here because it's worth sharing.

Now, looking through

the slanting light

of the morning window

toward the mountain

presence

of everything that can be,

what urgency

calls you to

your one love?

What shape

waits in the seed

of you to grow

and spread its branches

against a future sky?