HaPpY DaNcE

I got an email, yesterday, from the Naperville Fine Art Gallery telling me that my other piece of art hanging in their gallery had been sold.  Wanna know how excited I was?  Crazy excited!  Two pieces sold within 2 weeks.

HaPpY DaNcE!!!  HaPpY DaNcE!!! 

This is music to any artists ears!

       

Since I've been traveling this creative path...I have felt more alive.  I NEVER knew that I could paint or draw until I sat down with a piece of paper on the table, a pencil in my hand, and timidly began.
When I write and you read any exciting news it isn't intended to be boastful.  I am just celebrating out loud.  This path I'm on has it's share of dark times when my resilience it tested.  Those times you will rarely hear me talk about.  Why?  Because I don't want to draw to much attention to something I don't want to have hang around.  I sit with it, sometimes feel sorry for myself, I question why am I doing this.   I have always get to the point where I have enough and I am ready to move on.  I learn what I was supposed to learn.  When I regain myself I come back with more drive than I had before.

I can't express enough how valuable your

continued support and encouragement means to me.

Thank You ~ Thank You ~ Thank You

for being there!

Belonging

I answered a call for artist to an upcoming show at a local gallery and my goal is to submit 2 pieces.  The theme is "Belonging".

"Belonging evokes a sense of inherent connectedness...either to a particular family, tribe, community, or the cosmos.  There's a certain deep association...you're a member, you're related, share the same beliefs, same vision...there is a bond."

As I strode into my studio this morning my intention was to begin creating my first piece.  Let me fast forward...............after a long while, I was coming up blank, nothing, nada, and quite frankly getting rather pissed off.  I thought, "their description speaks my language, why can't I come up with any ideas???".   It was then that it dawned on me that my ego had been in charge, not my heart.  I knew it was time for me to walk away.  That is exactly what I did.

When I returned to my studio it was definitely with a new frame of mind.  I invoked my creative spirit for guidance.  The next thing I knew I was gluing book text onto a 9x12 watercolor paper, adding clear gesso to the top, following with a  fumage technique.  I noticed on the left side of the paper, from the fumage, was the beginning of what looked like a ladies hat.  And off me & my creative spirit went, sketching with a graphite pencil. The next thing I knew is that the piece was done, excluding highlights and shadows.  There will be no critiquing or second guessing this piece for perfection.  It simply is what it is.  As far as I know, right now, the only change will be in the flower.  I think I will do that in oil so it pops.  I took the drawing outside and burned the edges.  Next I will be rusting nails and to tack the paper onto wood.

I release attachment of all outcomes knowing the response will be to it's highest intention.  

With quite expectancy, I let it be.  

And so it is.

you just never know when Santa will show up!

WELCOME TO "MY ART from MY HEART"

This past week end I was in the Art on the Prairie art show in Warrenville, IL.  It marked my 2nd outdoor show ever. (excluding the annual shows I have in my yard)  It was such a gratifying experience!  As an artist I spend most of my days in my studio alone, creating art.  I love the time in my studio and I love being alone with myself.  BUT... I'M LOVING even more being out there meeting and talking with people.  What was unveiled, as I paid closer attention, was that each and every person I came in contact with was another soul in human form.  They were more than just people.  Sounds kinda crazy, doesn't it?  I realize that I will not be able to fluently explain what I mean so I won't even try.  Just know that the connections I made were richer than just chatting with someone else with a name.   It's one of the most valued treasures I receive from being an artist.  The catalyst for an unbelievable opportunity to connect. My whole experience this weekend was joyful!

On the fun side... their was music playing most of the day and I couldn't resist tapping my feet and moving to the music.  There was a lady in the tent across from me I noticed was doing the same thing, so I went over, clasped her hand, and we jitter bugged.  Pure entertainment, right there.

The icing on the cake was the delightful way I met Santa Claus.  Bill and Mary Hughes came into my tent because Mary couldn't resist buying this one particular piece of art.  Bill noticed I was from Naperville and he proceeded to tell me he had taught school there but now he was retired.   Me, being the curious sort,  asked him what he was doing now that he has retired.  He told me he worked at a golf course maintaining their landscape.   I sheepishly said, "You look like Santa Claus."


Imagine my surprise when he reached into his pocket and pulled out his business card. I was blown away!!!


Santa and Mrs. Claus was at my tent.  I am so elated that I have been a "Good Girl" this year, so far.

I could not have asked for a better ending to my extraordinary time at the Art on the Prairie.  

Thank You Bill and Mary for the light you shine from your spirits and the broad smile you put on my face that day.  

You can read more about Bill and his Santa adventures here.

Naperville Fine Art Gallery

These two pieces will be hanging in the 

Naperville Fine Art Center & Gallery for the month of September.

This is the 2nd time my art has be represented in this gallery.  I am honored to be amongst some beautiful and awe inspiring pieces of art.

I will admit, tho, that my "little" self or ego's reaction is to feel intimdated.  That's when I remember to center myself and recall my truth of why I am creating art in the first place.  This is just one of the many modes of getting my art out into the world.  So move over "little" self you will not stand in my way.

UPDATE:

I just returned from delivering my artwork to the Naperville Fine Art Center and the above piece titled Goddess Within SOLD before it was even hung up.  I am feeling very grateful!!!