I'm tickled

I'm tickled and wanted to share.  My picture made it in the advertisement for the workshops at CREATE.  Open the link and scroll down to the bottom.  This is a photo of me and Mary Beth Shaw.  Mary Beth was the artist/instructor for a class I took last August in Lisle, IL. She had one of the most lovable personalities + I learned lots from her.  CREATE is coming to Lisle, IL again this year.  If you have the opportunity you should check it out and perhaps take a class or two or three or.......
http://e1.interweave.com/dm?id=2CF9776E1CA25942F354A97C233C7F7C5BE63396ECAF4B7D

and I played

I put on my pajamas and I played. 
OH DID I HAVE FUN!
This would definitely be the true meaning of "letting my creative spirit out to play".





what's holding you back?

Fear of being judged was always the #1 fear that could stop me dead in my tracks.  But not no more.  Does that mean I still don't have the fear?  Absolutely not, because I do.  It's just my desire to step out of my comfort zone  is much stronger than my fear.  I am learning to face my fear head on and push thru it.  We can often get caught in the trap of blaming other people and outside circumstances, instead of looking within.

I created this piece because it seemed fitting to be with my "simple reminders/simple truths" series.  I purposely put her right arm across her body as a symbol that we are the one who hold ourselves back.  No one else can do that to us.

 

I'd like to point out this is my first time to draw/paint an entire body. Getting proportions right was the challenge.  My next step is to add feet.  I'd like to say that I ran out of space to put them in this piece but the truth is, "I was afraid".  See, there's that fear I was talking about!  I'll meet it head on the next time.

from listening comes wisdom

I would like to show you another piece I completed in my "simple truth/simple reminders" series.  It is titled "From Listening Comes Wisdom".  Listening, really listening, is probably one of my most difficult challenges.  And you know what, I am not alone.  (that's why God gave us two ears and only one mouth!)  I always thought of myself as a good listener until I became more aware.  There is more to listening than just hearing words.  It's the feelings behind the words you hear that develops true listening. 

art is more fun when you can share it

On Saturday, my granddaughter, Delaina, and I spent the day in my studio creating art. 

Actually, she was creating art while I watched and smiled. (Elmo was watching, too)  

I loved every minute of it. 

I'll be sure to show you the piece we're working on when we're done.

I love it when a plan falls into place.

Understand that "this creative journey" is fairly new to me.  I am approaching my 1 year anniversary.   I have always dabbled in crafty things my entire adult life.  Yet it was on my 58th birthday that I knew I wanted to let my creative spirit out to play and pursue it with everything in me, my motto became "If not now, when?"  Thus my journey began. (see my first blog post) I had no compass and did not know what to do until I saw Kelley Rae Roberts artwork.     I can not clearly express the without a doubt certainty I knew I was on the right path.    I was inspired and continue to be inspired by her and her art.

The first time I drew this picture was in August 2011.
I had been having little whispers to draw and kept resisting.  Finally I gave in, sat down to draw, low and behold she appeared. I was absolutely floored and elated that I could do it!  It was at that moment it was affirmed that I was on the right path. 


In September 2011 came the second drawing.
I started to see progress and the excitement remained with me.







In November 2011 came 2 more.  I know these drawings are not perfect.
What they brought to me was the exclamation mark to my belief. I can draw!
                       
If you want to my other artwork that are on the right side bar of my blog.  http://www.asmilemaker.com/

I have been patiently searching, knowing I would find, someone who could teach me to draw.  My husband, John, had given me a gift certificate to for 2 trial lessons at this art class.  Last night was my first lesson.  It's often said, "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear".  I know this student is ready and I believe I have found my teacher.  The sweet part is she is only 15 minutes from my house.

I look back at my life and the things I've done and I realize that I am officially a Late Bloomer.  Letting my creative spirit out play is without exception. 

Raise your hand and tell me your story if you are a Late Bloomer, too!

eyes opened a little wider

I went for my routine annual mammogram today.  I changed from my street clothes to the "ever so stylish white robe that opens in the front" and I made my way to the small waiting area where other women were seated.   We were all in the infamous robe waiting for our name to be called.  Normally I would pick up a magazine to leaf thru, this time I didn't.  I sat glancing at the other woman in the room.  In that short while, I formed a deeper appreciation of humanity. We may come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and be in different stages in our lives but when the exterior is taken away we are primarily the same. 
  It's just amazes me what can be seen when you open your eyes (and heart)  just a little wider!

And then.....I heard my name being called and ladies we all know what happened next!