Honorable Mention

Yesterday I picked up my art from the Aurora Public Arts Commission where I entered this piece for 

The Creative Muse exhibit. 

I was excited, like a little kid, when I saw the yellow ribbon for Honorable Mention by my art.

what I've been up to, lately

Let me share with you some things I have been working on in my studio.

I took a short break from other activities to do this real quick pastel practice in my art journal.

Chalk Pastels are one of my favorite mediums to work with.  It goes hand in hand with charcoal.

Both mediums are very forgiving.

Eagerly I did a charcoal drawing of Marita to be added to the Smile Project.

I'm on the look out for more smiles for this project.  My goal is 52 faces to finish this project.  Right now I have 26, the half way mark.

You can follow this link to learn more:   http://www.asmilemaker.com/p/smile-project.html

One of my intentions is to adapt to drawing/painting looser portraits.
I'm fully aware that in order to accomplish this I need to practice, practice, practice.  I can do that!
I did these 2 ladies as I babysat for my GRANDdaughter, while she napped.

Thank You for all of your support and encouragement.

I couldn't do this without YOU!

I have found another love

I have found a another love (artistically speaking that is) ... ENCAUSTIC MEDIUM.

I have played with it off and on in the past but I never was serious about it.

Not certain what prompted me to pull out my supplies out again but I am sure glad I did.

I am having a blast.

I am learning lots.  What I am learning I have been sharing with my friend, Christine.  Together we have been reveling over the outcomes.  Almost like little kids. (This kind of excitement is ten times more enjoyable when you share it with someone.  Which is why I love to teach!)

In May 2016 I had created this piece I titled, "Balance".  I liked it yet I felt it was missing something.  Last week while I was learning more about how to use encaustic medium I pulled this piece out.  I began adding layers of wax and fusing.  I noticed the piece was changing and appeared to be coming more alive.   I recalled the flower presses I had  stowed away in my basement from previous years when I pressed flowers as a hobby.  I brought them upstairs from storage.  I began adding leaves, flowers, and more wax to the piece.  

What a transformation!

                                                      Let me show you.    

           

By applying encaustic medium to this piece it has more interest, depth and richness. 

Encaustic is a keeper and will be a technique I will use more often in my art.

 I finished this piece yesterday.   It's of my oldest sister Judy when she was, I believe, in 3rd grade.  I used encaustic medium to layer the photo and flowers.

One of my desires is to develop creative ways for people to display photos.

To get them out of storage boxes and put them where they can be enjoyed.

To learn more about:

• Scheduling a time to create art with me
• Ordering a custom made piece of art

Contact me:  teresa@teresacashart.com

Thank You for all of your support and encouragement.

I couldn't do this without YOU!

just a little off kilter

It would be fairly accurate to say that lately I have been feeling a little off kilter. 
I believe several contributing factors may be from two on-line classes I am currently enrolled in:  
Jeanne Oliver's Reflections : Paint Your Story and Melody Ross's Soul Restoration

There's a lot of soul searching and cleansing going on.
I am currently creating a cast of characters who have played a role, good or bad, in my life.
The characters that were in the good category were easy. I shared some of the stories in previous posts.
Now I'm delving into those bad characters. Not too fun! These characters I will keep private

I'm sitting with these feelings knowing that (mentally) running away or trying to hide is not an option.
I'll wear my BIG girl panties and face them head on.
On the others side I will be blessed with a broader knowing and understanding of myself.

In the meantime...

Today, in my journal, I created this sweet little girl amongst some very happy daisies.
While I created this piece my heart was filled with peace and love.

(acrylic, charcoal, pan pastels)

He's the one that gave me the nickname of Top Cat.

I actually thought I was done with my cast of characters until I woke up this morning with this knowing that I had to talk about Uncle Travis.  

He was one of my mother's younger brothers and my favorite uncle.

When he would come to visit my world would light up. 

Even tho I had a speech impediment he always seemed to know exactly what I was trying to say.  He's the one that gave me the nickname of Top Cat.

He made me feel special!

Unfortunately his life was cut short from a car accident at the young age of 32.  I was devastated! 

 For the longest time I believed it was my fault.

Here's why...

Because we had no inside plumbing, at night instead of going to the outhouse  we used "the pot" inside the house.   

Uncle Travis accidentally walked in on me while I was using "the pot".

I felt really embarrassed and I wished he would go away.

So when he died I thought I was responsible.

In retrospect, I see that I carried that guilt with me for a very, very long time.

Thank You, Uncle Travis.

I am currently enrolled in several on-line classes that are offering the opportunity and tools to dig deep into our past for clarification.  

This prompt is from Jeanne Oliver's class Reflections : Paint Your Story . 

Creating a cast of characters who have played a role, good or bad, in your life. 

The Cash Kids

We are family...my brothers, my sisters, and me.

As a group, my parents often referred to us as "the 2 older girls and the 4 little ones".

As I was searching thru my memory bank for someone who had an impact on my life, these guys came to the forefront.

We each have totally different personalities which collectively made us a force to be reckoned with.

There's not enough time and it's difficult to share the impact that each of them have had on my life. 

Just know that it is big! 

The journey thru this course of reflection  has made me even more aware of that.

It was pleasing to my heart to spend the special quiet time with each person as I drew them.

I am grateful.

I am currently enrolled in several on-line classes that are offering the opportunity and tools to dig deep into our past for clarification.  

This prompt is from Jeanne Oliver's class Reflections : Paint Your Story . 

Creating a cast of characters who have played a role, good or bad, in your life. 

Mary Kay Cosmetics

In my mid-twenties I was offered an opportunity to join Mary Kay Cosmetics.

I was shy and very insecure of myself

Yet the person who spoke to me about Mary Kay saw something in me that I did not see in myself, so I trusted her.

I went to a meeting to learn more.  

I was surrounded by positive, optimistic, encouraging women.  It was contagious.  I wanted more.

It didn't take me long to know this where I was suppose to be.

I thrived.

I was a wife, mother, full-time employee, and a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant all rolled into one.

Did I mention, one very busy lady?

I overcame many obstacles to make this work.  Most of them were in my mind.  Yet I did it.

Being in the company for almost 7 yrs. and surrounded by incredible women I did things I never would have thought were possible.

I kicked fear in the a** many times.

Beyond the cosmetics, Mary Kay is all about empowering women to be the best they can be.  

I am filled with tremendous gratitude for this woman and the empire she grew based upon her strong beliefs...

It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish!

(P.S. I still listen to this song often!)

I am currently enrolled in several on-line classes that are offering the opportunity and tools to dig deep into our past for clarification.  

This prompt is from Jeanne Oliver's class Reflections : Paint Your Story . 

Creating a cast of characters who have played a role, good or bad, in your life.