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!!!!!

Free Spirit

This morning after meditation I had a deep-seated revelation.  I came to understand the value of trusting.  As I look deep within I can see that as a child is when I began not to trust.  I didn't know what is was then or even as I continued to live my life.  Yet, in hindsight, it all makes sense.  I can now start to see where this has played a role in my adult life.  I may look like a pillar  of steel or like I have it all together yet the truth is I don't.  I am just like you.  Sometimes strong, sometimes not so strong.  Sometimes good, sometimes not so good.

I have been asking the Universe/God to open my heart.  I know that it is time to rid myself of this protective shield I have built around me.  With that comes many moments of hearty laughter along with moments of tears.  Hell, I find myself tearing up at commercials on TV.    I have shed many tears while watching The Voice as I see those people achieving their dreams.  In those times when I would cry in public I know that I have felt  awkward, even apologetic.  Now I am see instead of feeling shame I should be utterly grateful.

A couple weeks ago I went to a Speak Easy.  A tent folded card was placed on our chair and there was a word on the inside for us to speak about or pass speaking all together.  Before I even looked inside I had already determined not to say anything because I felt uncomfortable (afraid).   Right before it was my turn I opened my card to see the word TRUST.  The flood gates opened, tears began flooding down my face.  Between sobs I was able to utter out what the word TRUST had meant to me in that moment.  Yes, I was a little embarrassed but I felt I was in a safe place.  I felt even more comforted when the woman next to me gently put her hand on my shoulder and softly said she was the one who cried the week before.

When I was in my forties was a time that could say that I trusting.  I believed in my purpose.  I was challenging myself and doing things I once thought I couldn't.  Stepping outside my comfort zone(s).  OK, admittedly sometimes being forced out.  Challenging myself.  It was a time that I took chances, believing with all my heart that everything was going to be OK.  And you know what... it was OK.  I look now at myself with understanding a renewed conviction.

I AM LEAVING BEHIND WHAT NO LONGER SERVES ME AND REPLACING IT WITH TRUST.

Coptic Stitch class December 5, 2015

This is an ideal gift for anyone, particularly the person who seems to have everything.
 I've even made them for my GRANDkids, this way I get to have their drawings all in one place.  When they come over they want to see their book.  To me...this is an optimal way to build confidence.

I Lheart emoticonVE these journals/books and I Lheart emoticonVE teaching this class. 

I am making it extremely affordable for you to come make one with us. It will be you and no more than 5 other women sitting around my kitchen table, enjoying the company, and creating your own custom journal. Come create with us!

To Register:  

Send me an email  smileee001@aol.com I will respond with more details.

your wish is my command

If Only...

If Only... is a statement often made.

On the days I work in my studio I have certain rituals that I follow.

I smudge my space with white sage as I say an affirmation prayer.

There are days when I know and feel that I am being robotic, just going thru the motions.

Then there are those days that every action and every word uttered comes from the core of my being.

That's what happened when I/we created this piece.

When I surrender to the process of creating art, from my heart,  

And allow myself to be guided by a Higher Power.

I am rewarded in ways that cannot be measured by dollar signs.

To me...this is why I am an artist.