Look at what I found.

The intention of my blog has been to document my creative journey.  That's why this story is significant.

Today I was going thru art stuff that I've been holding onto.  To my surprise I came upon 5 pieces of art on watercolor paper that I did in 2019.  This was over 3 years ago.  The sizes range from 18x24 to 20x24.  

Let me explain the significance of these pieces...                                                                                                           I began my creative art journey in 2011, I was 59 yrs old.  I had no art experience I just "knew" I was suppose to be an artist, creating art.  So I began.  

 Here's the link if you want to read that story --->  http://www.asmilemaker.com/p/about-me.html   

This journey has been filled with it's ebbs and flows yet even in the lowest times I knew I was never going to quit.  I am better now but for years I didn't believe I was good enough.  I was caught up in the comparison game which held me back.  Today I find myself doing the same thing but I have learned to recognize it and I shift my thoughts.

Currently  I have been struggling with creating and learning the principles of abstract art.  When I discovered these pieces today my heart was warmed and I was filled with gratitude.  I am taking it as a message to just keep doing what I'm doing and keep believing.

I realize there may be more that can be done to some of these pieces.  I am just so pleased to have recovered them.

https://www.instagram.com/teresacashart/

                                                                                                                                           

My anthem then and now

I wanna see YOU be brave!

 This song was my anthem when I first started my art journey.  It rescued me many times when I felt like I was never going to achieve what I had envisioned in my heart. 

 Now that I'm in another growth stage on this journey it pops back up again.                                          I am overcoming the intimidation feeling of  being in front of the camera, stepping out as the face of my business.  

Ask yourself... what do I want to accomplish with my life?

I wanna see YOU be brave!

INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/teresacashart/

WEBSITE:  http://www.teresacashart.

YOUTUBE:  https://www.youtube.com/teresacashart

Unique and Original Tea Bag Art

For three years, every week on Tuesday I have painted a portrait on a 4.5" x 5.5" tea bag.  Since I drink ice tea and I had accumulated many tea bags I figured why not paint on them.  This became, and continues to be,  a regular part of my art practice.   Thus Tea Bag Art Tuesday was born.  I create a portrait on a tea bag and post in on the Facebook and Instagram each Tuesday.  To date I have 167 paintings.  I primarily paint soulful female portraits.  I've been asked why paint only female portraits.  I'm not sure how to answer that but the best answers I can come up with is that 1st-I am a female and 2nd-I love the non-verbal messages that can be conveyed thru a woman's eyes and the subtle look on her face.  Eyes are mirrors into your soul.

I made several YouTube videos click this link to watch my process.  I have been told... "one of the reasons I feel in love with your art is when I watched it unfold".  This happens to be one of my favorite things about other artist is when I can see them work.   Learn more about who they are and what about being an artist ignites in them.

In the last two weeks I have been asked by several people if I would ever sell my Tea Bag Art.   I always knew I would eventually sell them but I just didn't know when.   I believed the right time would come.   Having several people ask me the same question within a short period of time  I took it as the sign that NOW was the time.   I activated my plan of how to frame them then my husband, John, and I have busily been making these frames.

I am so excited to offer my original Tea Bag Art to you now.

$47.00

FREE shipping in the US.

Each piece is original 6" x 7" * framed * ready to hang

BEFORE FRAME

AFTER FRAME

Here is an original Tea Bag Art before and after it was framed.

Below is the lists of available Tea Bag Art.  They will be framed when ordered.

Have fun shopping!

How to order:

*Send an email to me at teresa@teresacashart.com

*Tell me which piece(s) you want - give me the number under the painting

*Provide your email address and I will send an PayPal invoice

(you can make other arrangements)

*Provide your name and mailing address

If you have any questions please let me know.

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A Belief

Today, before meditation,  I read, "A belief is something you know with total and absolute certainty.    It's a thought that you've decided - consciously or unconsciously - is the Truth.  Our beliefs are the root of our reality and our results."

This bit of information is dominating my thoughts and how it relates to my life, specifically my life as an artist.  All in a good awakening way.  I had just turned 58 yrs. old when I began on my creative path in 2011.  I had asked God to be show me what I was suppose to do with the rest of my life.   I believed with every fiber in me that I was to be creative in some way.  I had no idea what to do or which way to go so I just began.  Putting one foot in front of the other,  believing that I would be guided.  (if you want to read more about those earlier steps you can read previous posts on this blog)

Nine years later I look back with extreme gratitude of all the connections I've made, the art I have created, the opportunities I've been offered, all that I've learned along the way, the people who have been moved by my art, my growth as an artist...this list goes on and on.

I feel in my gut there is more.  I ask myself what my belief is to this feeling?  I look back at photos some of my previous art and it is evident that I have grown.  Yet what I am aware of is when I present my art to the world there is an underlying sentiment that I pulled it off instead of being proud of the art I created.  So... this brings up the question for me - am I truly honoring and believing the gift God gave me in 2011?  I'd have to say no.  My ego/critical self is tossing in it's doubtful thoughts to keep me small.    My desire is to create art from the place of absolute belief.   I can overcome those obvious hiccups that will present it's self along the way.

As I was expressing all of this thru journaling, the little whispers returned urging me paint with oil to pull out the oil painting I did in 2015.  When I looked at it I thought to myself, "That's pretty darn good!"  I had heard those little urgings before today then why didn't I listen?  My response is self-doubt.  I'm listening now.

"A belief is something you know with total and absolute certainty.    It's a thought that you've decided - consciously or unconsciously - is the Truth.  Our beliefs are the root of our reality and our results."

Here is the oil painting I did in 2015 of Katy Perry when she was on the cover of CoverGirl magazine.

From Here to There

I originally stared this art piece because I do not know much about making 

abstract art yet I know I have what it take to figure it out.  

I, also, know that practice makes better.

Then I realized it was much more.

I wanted it to be a conduit for anyone out there watching 

who may want to paint yet are a little intimated.

Most times what seems like the scariest part is beginning.

Many artists experience hesitation because of the blank white canvas.

Often times they will scribble, splatter paint or do whatever to put something, anything on the canvas.

Painting/creating art has changed my life, for the better.  The way I see things.  My emotional well being.  It's given me an opportunity to grow.  I do not het hung up on petty shit that happens around me.  I could go on and on about all the benefits.

I would not consider myself to be an abstract artist, yet.  I'm OK with that.  I am simply enjoying the process, using a limited color palette, following my instincts, and loving every minute of it.

These are the different phases my art went thru.

1.

2.

3.

4.

FINAL

Memories Triggered

It amazes me how memories are triggered and can flood back into your thoughts.

I am in the process of doing a major organization/clean-up/throw away process of my art studio. I intend to start teaching small groups (I'll tell you more about this later) in my studio so I need to make room.

Thru the clearing process I came across this painting I hadn't looked at in quite awhile. It was my very first painting ever from 3/21/96. My husband at that time, Greg, and I had moved to Flagstaff, AZ. and I didn't know anybody. One day I happened upon a Ben Franklin store. Back then Ben Franklin was equivalent to Michaels and Hobby Lobby but on a smaller scale. There was a notice of a painting class to meet once a week for 4 weeks. I was intrigued so... I signed up. I can recall that I loved going there and learning how to paint. The instructor guided the group step by step and to paint the exact same thing. Or so we thought! :-)

After 4 weeks, the end of the class, I brought my 11x14 painting home. I purchased a frame before I left the store and put my "masterpiece" in the frame. I found a prominent place to hang it. AHHH! My first painting. I was so excited!!!

It was long after this painting had been proudly on display that someone pointed out to me the pathway leading to the house didn't go where it was suppose to go. WHAT?!? OMGoodness!! They were right! And... the path to the double door building was too narrow. And... the apple barrel was in the center of the path leading to the double door building.

I don't recall how I felt yet I will assume that my joy was probably squashed!

Here it is 24 years later, I cross paths with this painting and all those memories return.  I sit with them for awhile and am filled with gratitude for the lessons learned.

Yesterday I put the art in a the pile to discard or paint over it. John sees it, I tell him the story then he asks what I was going to do with it. When I tell him what my intention is he said, "Don't do that. Keep it. It was your first painting. I'll hang it in my TV room if you don't want it."

His statement made me think. I am following his suggestion to keep it. I will find a prominent place to hang it in my studio and feel very proud to know it was my first painting. I will embrace the mistakes and all.

Jessica

I just finished painting a 16x 20 portrait of my friend's (Alix) daughter, Jessica.

Jessie is such a loving and beautiful soul from the inside out.  

When I saw the photo Alix had taken of her I felt it deep within to paint her.

I wanted to capture her beauty and emit emotions as well.

Intimidating - HELL YES!!!

Yet I am learning to trust and follow the inner urgings.

So that is exactly what I did... I began.

Little did I know how cathartic it would actually end up being. 

I am so grateful, everyday, for the gift given to me to create art.