what's been going on

I just realized I've have  been kinda quiet on this blog.  Oops!  That's not on purpose!
If you haven't heard from me in a while and you wonder what I'm up to just come on over to my FaceBook page.  www.facebook.com/teresacashart

I have been busy prepping for art shows, art classes, and creating art.  Let me show you what I've created thus far.

 
 

 

Nuggets of Inspiration

What is a “Nugget of Inspiration”?

The art I create comes from my heart, often times but not always, containing a message of Simple Truth/Simple Reminders.  The messages on the art being, either verbal or non-verbal, serves as an inspiration or sparks a thought.  

My customers have been requesting that I devise a way to re-create smaller versions of the art and to make them affordable to be given as a gifts to anyone and for all occasions.  I listened to their suggestions, hence the Nugget of Inspiration was born.   

Each nugget is:

•  A 5"x7" professional print of original art which is fused to a canvas panel
• The front is sealed with varnish
• 2-wood strips are on back of the panel providing a 1" depth from the wall
• Wire to both wood strips for hanging
•  No frame needed it's ready to hang

ALL original art can be transformed into a 

Nugget of Inspiration.

When you visit my shops and do not see the nugget listed that you want please browse my original art and tell me which one you want made into a Nugget of Inspiration.

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/teresacashart

Wesbite:  www.teresacashart.com

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have:

teresa@teresacash.com

The purpose of your life is within.

This piece absolutely speaks from the depth of my being.

Reflecting what has been on my mind and heart.

In my meditations,  I have been/am getting closer to affirming the purpose of my life.

When I created her she crossed the finish line with an intense determination to deliver a message:

"The purpose of your life is within."

Today I wanted to challenge myself to do a quick charcoal drawing. 

My ego mind kept chattering of all the household chores that needed to be done.

I hustled ~ got them all done - and got this piece done, too!

I'm doing a 

HaPpY DaNcE!

I'm off to a nice warm bubble bath, now.

"Polarity"

Once upon a time, there was this white canvas panel sitting on my easel.  I decided that it shouldn't remain white any longer.   I got out different colors of ink and smeared them around.  After they dried I dripped Titanium White Airbrush paint on the top.

One evening I was sitting in my studio, I began to notice all these faces that started appearing within this piece.  I had other people telling me they saw even more faces.  It was sorta creepy and cool at the same time!!  After much deliberation...

I decided not to bring any of those faces forward.  I turned canvas upside down to see a different perspective.  There were more faces!   By this time I'm intrigued and getting into the mystery of this piece.  There is one section piece in the middle of the canvas, 2/3rd of the way up.  There is an eye, with the pupil and the iris a clear as a bell.  Can you see it?  I couldn't resist any longer.  Needless to say~that became my starting point.

I got out a palette knife, Burnt Umber paint, and began to bring forth whoever was lurking from behind.  I tried to not have any preconceived idea of what to do I simply wanted to letting her roll out on her own.  My intention was to only paint.  I did know that I was only going to use a palette knife and my fingers, no brushes.

As I continued to paint she evolved.

This piece took me "off-center", out of the realm of my normal way of creating.  I feel my art can be safe sometimes and my desire is to learn to loosen up. 

"POLARITY"

She is titled "Polarity" because within her outward appearance is a combination of gentle and soft in conjunction with a little rebellion.  The truth is, we all have multiple facets of who we are.  

Am I to learn from this piece to loosen up a little more?

Not just in my art but in my life, as well?

Now that's a whole other thought to contemplate.

“Polarity, or action and reaction, we meet in every part of nature; in darkness and light; in heat and cold; in the ebb and flow of water; in male and female; in the equation of quantity and quality; in the fluids of the animal body; in the systole an”
                                                                                                                                          Ralph Waldo Emerson

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.