drawings from the last 3 days

The last few days I have been drawing.  I know that if I want to get better it takes practice, practice, practice.  My part in this creative journey is to show up and do the work.  The results are out of my hands.  I am committed to do my part each and every day.

Next week I will be spending time at the Apple store to learn about iMovie.  I've always had an interest in making movies for people from their photos to help preserve their memories.  In addition, I am looking into creating tutorials to share on-line.   I've had this on the back burner for quite sometime, now I'm moving forward.  Donna Downey, who is one of my favorites artists, sent out a call for artist to join "her gang (her definition for a call for a design team).  A criteria to apply was to send her a tutorial/instructional video.  Dang It!  I've never done that before.  I reckon I missed the boat on that one.  Next time I am going to be ready.

Which means most of next week I will have my nose to the computer, unless we have  more beautifully warm days that beacons me to come outside and draw.  (I will have to heed the call!)  Here are my drawing for the last 3 days.

my daughter, Tara, when she was 2 yrs old.         

Fort Vallonia Days

This past weekend I participated in the Fort Vallonia Days.  

It was a grand opportunity to show my art and to take another step in an onward direction.

On Saturday it was rainy, windy, and very cold.  Luckily my brother-in-law had provided me with 2 heating units.  We fondly advertised that we had the "hottest tent in town".   Sunday rolled around and the rain was gone but the temperature dropped even lower.  It was downright freezing!

My niece, Zenitha, was with me during those days.  It was great spending time with her.  I admire the person she is becoming.  She, also,  has a vibrant personality which drew the goofy side of me out of hiding!  Thus… this silly selfie!

The people who stopped by our "hottest tent in town" were delightful to talk with.  I was enriched with each encounter.   We had really good conversations.  We shared heartfelt stories that were provoked by a sentiment written on my art.  Some laughter, some tears, and many hugs were present in those few days.  I am most certain that friendships were sparked, too!  I was filled with gratitude that my Art From My Heart was felt within this small space.  I left that event believing, even more, that I am creating inspiring work that will help change the world, even if it's one person at a time.

Because this blog is about sharing my creative journey, it is important to be honest enough to share the other side of the story,  about the process of my creative dream coming true.  

The legendary question was asked:      "How did you do?"  This is often in reference to "did you sell alot of stuff".  The answer to that question invoked my inner critics and stirred some unsettling thoughts, that I should quit, that I am doing alot of work and not getting paid for it.  All of which seem to be valid.  Don't get me wrong because I agree that earning a living and providing income for my household is important, yet  I can't shake the feeling that this dream of mine is far bigger.  It was only a little over 3 years ago that I did not even know that I could draw or paint.  That day in August 2011 when I sat down with a pencil in my hand a drew a face was the beginning of a whole new world for me.  I am forever changed because of art.  I represent the average person, OK… older person, who has found a way to let her creative spirit out to play.  I am not in this alone, my soul has been stirred and together we can make this dream come true.  That is what fuels me.

My heart is filled with gratitude for all the people who encourage me along the way.

note to younger self

I recently was invited to join a book club with several other women.  The book we are reading and discussing is titled "Tree Spiritied Woman" by Colleen Baldrica.  We read the prologue and the first chapter and afterward there was a prompted discussion.  We were to talk about our relationships with our Grandmother(s) or a Grandmother figure and some of our memories.  It was my turn and I couldn't come up with any positive memories.  My paternal Grandmother died when I was young and I don't remember  a good relationship with my maternal Grandmother.  Yet there was this one Grandmother figure that vividly came to my mind.  It was Grandma King…. she was our pastor's mother yet everyone knew her by Grandma King.  She was an inspiration to me.  I didn't really know it then or even as I was a child but as an adult I often would recall the impact she had on me.  I remember sitting on her lap, she had a soft, cuddly lap, and she would wrap her loving arms around and whisper gently in my ear, "You are special, just the way you are and one day you will know it."  Even talking about her in this manner I can feel her arms around me!  Thank You Grandma King.

Why am I telling you this story?

Well...I felt compelled to dedicate my 2nd  page in my new art journal to Grandma King along with the message she comforted me with.  I drew a picture of me when I was in 3rd grade on a text page from a book and painted it with watercolors (one of my 1st attempts at this).  I believe Grandma King planted this message deep within me, although I wasn't aware, which has sustained me thru challenging times.  

The message is true for us all no matter what age.  

You are special, just the way you are.

P.S. Here is the 1st page in my new Art Journal, I see I never posted it on my blog.  I created it yesterday.  The writing on the art is the premise of the journal.  It is my intention to display all posts from this journal as a means to aid in me expressing myself.

Encouragement

According to the The Society of American Florist the meaning of the Black Eyed Susan flower is:

Lately I have been asking the Universe/God:

     * am I on the right path?

     * if I am, show me what I am suppose to be using my art for?

     * how can I take who I am and what I do and be of service?

I have committed to listening to the soft whispers even if I don't understand them, to quiet my "ego chatter" to be open to receive any and all messages, and another crucial part of the step is to follow thru.  It's quite the task!  Sometimes I do good and, as to be expected, sometimes not so good.  It greatly surprises me when I  get the message loud and clear to the very depth of my soul.  This is what happened with I finished these beautiful Black Eyed Susans.  I LOVED every minute of making them. (more details about them are on my website:  http://www.teresacash.com)  After the piece was completed I decided to look up the meaning of the flower and was enthralled by the definition… encouragement

OMGoodness!!!!  I have answers to my questions.  

Check this out… in the middle of the definition is the word courage, which is the ability and willingness to confront fear.  

I had been second guessing the release of my Little Angels as Breast Cancer Awareness Angels (which I did yesterday) because I didn't want anyone to think I was exploiting the situation.  Because I am not!  CLICK HERE for the link if you want to read more about them.  My intention was to find a way to offer encouragement.  Now I am aware that was just fear of being judged that was attempting to hold me back.

At this time I am feeling at peace and filled with gratitude.

I wish you a blessed day!

I'm Just a Little Angel with a BIG message

I'm just a little angel with a BIG message.

I've come to recognize that one of the main reasons I create art is to express something I am feeling that I may not be able to put into words.   The depth of what I feel sometimes is broader than I can verbally express.

As we all know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  I been feeling a tugging at my heart strings to allow my precious little angels to honor all the BRAVE women who are dealing with or have overcome breast cancer, or any cancer for that matter.  I honestly can not even imagine what it would be like.  I have witnessed others trudging thru their life, the sickness experienced from chemo, the strength used and the agony felt just to get thru  daily activities,  loosing their hair, fear of the unknown and many, many more struggles.  I am in awe with their resilience to conquer.  These ladies have tremendous courage to make it from one day to the next.  You are REMARKABLE!

This cancer thing has been hitting close to home lately. I lost my older sister Judy to leukemia last September and now another sister recently had surgery and the doctor removed 45 pounds of cancerous tumors from inside her.  She is about to start chemo with hopes it will destroy any cancer cells that may be hiding within her body.  The projected outcome is optimistic yet the power of prayer is phenomenal
so if you can add her to your prayers I would be filled with gratitude.

I have made 25 Little Angels and designated them Breast Cancer Awareness Angels.

If you know someone going thru or has survived breast cancer a Little Angel may just be the way to let her know how much you admire her courage, when words don't seem to be enough.

Or the Little Angel can be a reminder for you of that special person you know that displayed tremendous courage.

These little angels are at my on-line store.

http://www.teresacash.com

For each angel sold $5.00 will go toward anonymously buying groceries for someone in need.
It's a win - win!