2015 in review

in review

It actually was quite interesting to retrieve all the art I created in 2015 and put them in one place.   I hadn't realized I had created so many pieces.  Memories surfaced as I recalled the stories behind each piece and the smiles offered up for my Smile Project.

One thing I know for certain is the role that each and everyone of you fulfill on this creative journey of mine.  Little or big your role is significant and appreciated.

It's not always easy being an artist.  Most times my ego fear-based doubtful mind wants me to believe that making a living as an artist will never work.  This is something I cannot nor will not ever give up on.  I truly believe that I am doing exactly what I am suppose to be doing.  I, also, believe that I have only just begun.  That day in August 2011 that asked God/The Universe to show me if there was something else I was suppose to be doing with my life and I took a pencil and paper and drew a face.  Well that was the beginning.  I had absolutely no idea I could draw.  My creative journey began on that day.

I thank you from the depth of my heart for your continued support, encouragement, and words of motivation.  You've listened to me.  You've raise me up when I felt discouraged.  You've given me the courage to continue to put one foot in front of the other.

I'm looking forward to what 2016 will bring.

What my word for 2016 means to me

After much thought, I have chosen my word for 2016.

Abide:

  *to wait for

  *to endure without yielding

  *to bear patiently

  *to accept without objection

  *to remain stable or fixed in a state

My intentions for this year is to combine goal setting skills in conjunction with the spiritual aspect of why I create art.  Lately, in my daily meditations I have taken stock of my life.   I have come to this concrete understanding.  

There was a time in my life that I would have considered myself to be an extreme goal setter.  I had many lists going and working those lists all at the same time.  I loved the things I accomplished and the energy I generated.  My general idea of life shifted when I moved to Flagstaff, AZ in 1996.  It was then I became aware of the spiritual aspects of life.  I had never before experienced the peace and tranquility, admittedly with a little trepidation, too, that came with surrendering all outcomes, yet knowing everything is happening exactly the way it is suppose to happen.  After having the privilege to practice living in that space, for a little over a year, my life shifted, again.   I found myself and my life right smack in the middle of what I would call the unknown.  So much negative shit kept wanting to reside in my head and my heart.  My saving grace became the firm belief that everything is happening exactly the way it is suppose to happen.  With this strong belief I was able to pick myself up from my boot straps, put one foot in front of the other, and move on.  I remember briefly thinking this was going to be the time that I could combine my goal setting techniques and spiritual learnings together.  I moved to Illinois, not knowing a sole, and my new life began.  

Fast forward... I really never implemented the concept of combining my goal setting techniques in together with my spiritual learnings.   What I actually should say is it has taken me this long to realize the value of combining the two.  I am ready!!!

To abide has to do with the concept of 'being' instead of 'doing'.  Setting goals, working a plan, overcoming resistance, daily to-do-lists are all important.  However,  if I am doing these things just because I am  suppose to, or I am doing them in our own strength, I will not have victory or peace and I will miss out in having an intimate relationship with my Higher Power/God/The Universe/Providence/or whatever name you prefer.  That pivotal day in August 2011 that I sat down at my desk and drew, every fiber in me clearly knew it was a gift from God.  I am forever grateful for this gift. Thank You-Thank You-Thank You!   I will continue to create art from my heart because that is where my spirit resides.  Yet, also knowing this is how I will be earning a living I am implementing goal setting techniques.   As I set my goals and do the action oriented tasks required I will remember to wait for/endure without yielding/bear patiently/accept without objection/remain stable in the outcomes.  All the while believing everything is happening exactly the way it is suppose to happen.

Thanks for your continued support.

I couldn't do this without you!

Surrender your dreams

Late yesterday afternoon I was in my studio feeling like I wanted to play a little.  I pulled out a pile of paper that I had used as a place to experiment different products.  I now use them as an inspirational starting point.  This background is  Dr. Martins Hydrus watercolors. As I was looking at it I saw this face peering thru.  She is a hidden visitor just waiting for me. 

I began to bring her to life then 2 more visitor showed themselves to me.  

The top one looks like a partial face with the eyes closed and the bottom left looks like a little girl. 

I'll be honest... this kind of stuff creeps me out a little, in a good way.

I decided to stop for the night and finish this in the morning.

Well...... my creative muse had other plans.  Needless to say, I couldn't sleep so I got out of bed and finished her in the wee hours of the morning.  I added details, toned down some of the brightness, finished the girl, then incorporated my latest favorite quote from Oprah.

She was DONE.  Now I can go to sleep.

I am grateful for divine guidance because 

when I follow I feel there is more depth to what I am creating.

Etsy Shop is open

IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS...
Are you looking for a unique and good-priced ($21.00) gift for someone? I just reopened my Etsy shop and I have placed my "Nuggets of Inspirations" there.   They are ready to ship today.

I have been taking them wherever I go and when people see them they want one. Just like I hope you will! smile emoticon 

All proceeds will be applied toward an official art table for my studio so I can finally get rid of the secretarial desk. So... when you purchase a nugget or maybe two, it's a win-win. 
      #1. You will be getting a unique and good priced gift 
      #2. You are helping me out. 
      #3. Flat rate shipping for one item no matter where in the US and only $6.00 for any quantity more 
            than one no matter where in the US.

I am totally grateful for your support,

because of you I can do what I am doing!

PLEASE VISIT MY ETSY SHOP: https://www.etsy.com/shop/teresacashart?ref=hdr_shop_menu

It's the climb

Last week when I heard Zach sing this song on The Voice tears streamed down my face and I got chills throughout my entire body. The words touched me deeply, especially the beginning. Every time I have watched this video or listened to the song since then I have felt the same way. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YnzIpeOKy0

I don't think there will ever be proper words to describe what this creative journey means to me.  It isn't just about putting paint on canvas.   If I had to come up with a word I guess I would say "profound" maybe even "spiritual" and these words alone don't really do it justice.  I can say with every fiber in me I am totally convinced I am doing exactly what I am suppose to be doing.  Yet at the same time, I don't know why.

August 29, 2011 I felt there was more to life than what I was living.  (my life was good, I just felt like there was more)  I softly and silently asked to be shown what I was suppose to be doing.    For reasons,  I can't explain,  I proceeded to pick up a pencil and a sheet of paper and I drew a face. 

    

I explained... OMGoodness...I can draw! 

I stepped onto my creative path on that day.  I have been traveling it ever since.  Sometimes steadily and sometimes slowly.  Where it's going to take me I have no clue.  To be honest with you, there are times the "not knowing" scares me.  

As the song says... "I can almost see it.  That dream I'm dreaming, but there's a voice inside my head saying you'll never reach it.  Every step I'm taking, every move I make, feels lost with no direction, my faith is shaking.  ButI've gotta keep trying,  gotta keep my head held high. Keep on moving - Keep climbing - Keep the faith."

Thank You for your support and encouragement.

It helps me to keep climbing!

Preparing for 2016

I am preparing for 2016 and all the intentions I am setting.  I see this as the year that I define myself as an artist.  The first order of business  was to get rid of all the "stuff" (all fun stuff) that no longer reflected the artistic vision I have for myself.  I began to clearing out my studio.  It took me almost 5 full days to sort thru and box up everything that I haven't used in a very long time.   There was a lot of stuff there.

I started clearing things out with a lot of enthusiasm and optimism, quite excited about what was "just around the corner" and how I was going to be the artist I have dreamt of being. Yet as the process continued the second guessing crept in.  I started going thru the piles and pulling out a little here and a little there, before I knew it I had a pile of things I wanted to keep. That's when I knew I had to stop what I was doing and have a talk with myself.  I sat with it, I asked for divine guidance, I journaled about it.  I am grateful that I now understand.  Even though all this stuff is materialistic it also represents a part of who I am and by getting rid of it I was letting go of part of me, who I used to be.  I sighed a big relief.  I thanked all the paper, ribbon, glue dots, and glitter for being a big part of creative life and then I was able to let it go.  I have a friend who owns a Creative Art Center, Gallery, Artisan Market called Nido Bianco, Heather has classes called Gather and Create (check out her classes), she happily took the art supplies.   

I'm looking orward to the next phase.  Keep watching to see how it all unfolds.  

I am forever grateful for your support and encouragement.  I am totally aware that I couldn't do this without YOU!

P.S.  For those of you who know me well... don't worry... I did save sone of the glitter!!!!!