the deep hole

Wondering where I have been lately?  

I'm OK! 

I've been (still am)  in a deep technology hole.  I come up once in awhile for some fresh air.

I realize it is time I get serious about my art as a business.  So I've plunged myself deep into the technology hole of learning to improve my FaceBook Business Page.  Even tho I enjoy working with technology it is not my strength so it takes me a little while longer.  Here is the link if you want to go check it out so far.  https://www.facebook.com/teresacashart While you're there feel free to like my page.  I'm learning that in order to get additional benefits from FaceBook they determine that by how many likes you get on your page.

What I'm finding is while I'm doing this technological computer stuff I am getting these inspirational ideas.  So I jot them down on the stonewall for a later day.  It's amazing how the mind works.

Gotta get back to work.

what I've been up to

Last week Wednesday, in my blog post, I shared a piece of my vulnerable side, I spoke about something I was/am afraid of.    By speaking about it I called out my fear.  Fear magnifies itself when it reamins silent.  When I spoke my fear outloud it started to disipate and no longer had a hold on me. (at least not for a while)

It is my intention to  diligently do my part to continually move myself on this creative path.   Here are some of the new things I am doing.

• I am researching ways to get myself and my art known.  I am open to any and all suggestions if you have any.
• I positioned my mantra next to my computer where I can see it and say it often through out the day.
  
• I hung up my vision board so that I can see my goals and dreams.

• I am going to regularly post about my journey.  The way I see it is, if reading all the blogs I read have helped me then maybe I can do the same for someone else.
• I will continue to show up everyday (in my studio), do the work (creating art), and let the Universe/God take care of the rest.    Here are some of the things I've created since last week Wednesday. 

 

Thanks for stopping by.  Your support and encouragement is part of what keeps me going.  I sincerely appreciate it.
                       
                                 

what a transformation

Last week I extended an invitation to participate in an creative endeavor I called A Virtual Collaborative Painting.  Quite a while ago I had started painting an  18" x 18", it has just been hanging around in my studio.

So I asked people to look at the canvas and tell me what to add to the artwork.  I would paint their request. My intention was to prove, once again, that  we are all creative and there are no mistakes in art.  There were 7 ladies who joined in on the fun.  I know for certain that each and everyone had a good time and will eagerly participate the next time.  I'll admit, at first,  I thought what the "bleep-bleep"  have I gotten myself into!  :-)  I was getting requests of things I had never drawn before.  Google images became my assistant with inspiration to draw from.  Yet it amazes me how easily I drew/painted each object.  I wasn't worried about the outcome.   I just knew it was all going to be OK.  My creative muse was indeed working overtime.

Let me introduce you to those ladies and what their requests were:
     *Julie Crowe - strawberry plant with a blue/black butterfly on it
     *Jeanne Grode - dainty pink flowers with a hummingbird nearby
     *Zonie Christopher - bullfrog sitting on a lily pad
     *Zenitha Comstock - stars and raindrops
     *Brenda Huggins - clouds and sun
     *Linda Kinnaman - sunflowers
     *Darlene Kwasniewski - a hummingbird drinking from a Canterbury flower

Just six days later ...    what a transformation!

I am blown away with how it all turned out.  I would have never, in a million years, thought a bullfrog sitting on a lily pad would go with what looked like the beginning of an abstract painting.  Every item added to this piece from my seven virtual artist has meshed well together.  What an inspirational piece this has become.

Thank You, Ladies!  I am grateful for each and everyone of you who took me up on this offer to and create art with me.

Guess what else?  I am over the moon excited to let you know this piece of art has been 

and will be going to a good home.

Yes... I am doing the Happy Dance!

There...I said it!

I started this blog as a place to share my creative journey.  I know when I first started down this path I was thirsty to learn how others have made their way.  I wanted to know, within my heart,  if they could do it, then so could I.  I wanted to hear the truth.  So I began to read blogs.  If I felt connected to the artist/person I read their blogs faithfully and even devoured their older posts, as well.  I still read them.  It was those posts that gave me courage to take that first step toward following what I call my creative journey.   I wanted to hear about their struggles and how they overcame them,  about their successes so I could celebrate with them.

Brene' Brown says "Ordinary courage is about putting our vulnerability on the line."  I consider myself to be a private person,  I am not one to tell people of my woes and worries or of being vulnerable.  Therefore, I always appear to be strong.  I have been called Polly Anna many times because I choose to look for a lesson in any given situation, which I believe is actually a good thing.  The truth is I like Polly Anna!!!

I've been questioning myself...
IF I value the stories of  lessons learned by others who have chosen to follow their creative spirits
and
IF I learned from the stories they told about the hurdles they overcame
and
IF I was there to celebrate their successes
and
IF I wanted this blog to be about my creative journey
Then I will become more vulnerable to share not only the highs but the lows, as well, of my creative journey.

Today in meditation (I follow Deepak Chopra and Oprah  21 day meditation) Deepak said "Not knowing what is the next thing that will bring you joy is called The Wisdom of Uncertainty.  Be quiet and receptive inside, open your eyes, and the next thing you see may be a source of magnificent joy."  When I heard those words tears started streaming down my face.  It was those words I needed  to hear.

What a relief it is, because of my Polly-Anna personality, to know that what I am feeling has a title The Wisdom of Uncertainty.  Ever since I lost my job in February and decided I was going to follow my creative path full-time I've had this unspoken, underlying, uncertainty of fear.  There I said it!  I've never said those words out loud because I didn't want to jinx my belief that I am doing exactly what I am suppose to be doing.  Now I have come to understand that keeping them to myself was detrimental to me and my creative journey.  I will continue to show up everyday (in my studio), do the work (creating art), and let the Universe/God take care of the rest.  The difference is that the silent fear no longer has power over me, I spoke it out loud, I called it out!

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued support and encouragement.

collaboration is fun

I invite you to virtually create with me! 

I have this 18" x 18" canvas that has been sitting it my studio from, what seems like, the beginning of time. I've worked on it and worked on it.  I woke up with a fantastic way for it to be completed.  I'd love to take credit for the idea but, actually, it was gifted to me from The Universe/God. :-)

Let's collaborate and finish this piece together.

This is where you come in.  Take a good look at the canvas below and tell me something you can add to it, something that will pull this piece together.  Tell me what to add, if it's a particular color tell me that or a marking of some sort. as the places fill up I will choose a location then I will add  it for you.   A few things you should know - the white areas are joint compound and can be painted on - the actual top of the canvas has been determined and is placed accordingly.   I only have areas marked to help when you tell me where to add your idea.

I know some of you are reading this and are not even considering having fun with us because you think you are not creative.  Well... I am here to tell you that we are ALL creative. (period)   So step on out of your comfort zone and give me your idea.   You have absolutely nothing to loose!  When your element has been added I will send you a snippett on FaceBook.

Let's get this party started!!!!!!!

Simply put your idea in the comment section and I will let you know when it was added.  If you are unable to leave yoour request here please add your comment to the FaceBook post.

Sweet Lucy

Lately, I have been drawing familiar faces with the intention to fine tune my ability to capture the essence of that person.  My desire is for the persons' spirit to show thru in the drawing.   I noticed a  facebook friend of mine had posted a picture of her granddaughter, Lucy, who she fondly called Sweet Lucy.  The photo caught my attention right away, I was captivated by her photo from the get go.    She had a light, innocent, and free spirited look about her.   I loved how she confidenlty wore the little red polk-a-dotted hat.   The next thing I knew I had my graphite pencil and my journal in my hand and I was eagerly off to attempt this feat of bringing a drawing of her to life.  I can honestly say  I am pleased with the outcome.  I belive her innocense yet free spirit shows thru in this drawing?  What do you think?