Thank You

I recently finished my first sculpture, title "Thank You"!

I am taking an on-line class, SoulBearers by Jeanne-Marie Art.

The work from the students in this class is exceptional.

 I had never done anything like this before.   I will admit that I was a little leery.

All I knew is I like to work with my hands.

Here is one of many lessons I have learned on my creative path.  When you feel fearful of something you have never done before is a sure sign you are moving in the right direction.  You don't have to know all the answers.  Just begin, right where you are.

The excitement is in the journey.  The fear you feel is an integral piece to the excitement puzzle.  I know it doesn't feel like it when you're in it, does it?  I've been there.  I still go there with each new step.

It thrills me when I acknowledge these lessons I learn while on my creative path run parallel to life lessons.   

Which is why... my art is from my heart.

share your smile

                            Each of us have a story we could tell about how a smile, 

given or received,

changed the course of events in our life.

(if only for a moment)

In 2015 I started a Smile Project - I set out to find people who believed in the value of a smile as I did.  I asked each person to send me a photo of them smiling.  I charcoal paint/draw each smiling face.  Then you and your smile are included in my Smile Project.  You see... I want real people, with real smiles.  I can only do this with your help, your smile.

The clock is ticking. 

My goal is to acquire 52 smiling faces + me by the end of this year or sooner.   Right now I have 29 beautiful smiles.  I need 23 more smiling faces in order for this project to move on to the next phase.
Send me YOUR smile.




Here is what I want to do:
  #1.  create a very big piece of art with all of YOUR smiling faces
  #2.  the message it will carry is "when you smile the world smiles with you
  #3.  I envision it being exhibited in many places to promote the value of a smile

        I am asking that you, YES YOU, join me and these ladies by sharing your smile.

All you have to do is email me a photo of you smiling: smileee001@aol.com

Do it TODAY and join the fun.  You'll be glad you did!

I will rise again!

My balloon may have been deflated........

I WILL rise again!

This blog is about my creative journey.  

Of the venturing out into the cyber world, sharing my art, and telling my truth.

I am focusing on being balanced and determined 

to take each step presented to propel myself and my art into the world.  

One of those steps, for me, is to get my art published in magazines.

On a cold day in December I put my "brave girl cape" on and submitted a piece of art 

to Cloth-Paper Scissors magazine for the Mixed-Media Flowers challenge.   

At that time I felt I had a really good chance of being selected. 

Today, I learned I that my name was not on the chosen list.

I wouldn't be included in this challenge.

If I am to speak my truth I will admit I was a little disappointed.

Yet what pleases me the most is to recognize that feeling dissipated rather quickly. 

I am learning in my studies of the Law of Attraction thru Abraham-Hicks that the more energy I put into something via my thoughts and feelings I will received more of the same.

I'm learning how to choose what I think and feel about.

Here is what I know, plain and simple, it is true I wasn't accepted into the magazine, at this time.

I will continue submitting to this magazine and many others.

I will eventually be accepted.

I WILL rise again!

Anyway.  Ready to see my art?

Poppies made from hot glue

with a heavy heart

I have a friend who's heart is really heavy right now with sorrow.

Thoughts of her and what she is feeling lingers with me.

I want to be there for her yet I am not sure how.

My nature is to be a shoulder and to help lift people when they want to move forward.

There will be a time for that.

For now, in silence, I send loving energy with the intention to comfort her. 

I spent time in my art journal today expressing myself without a filter.

It's just me sharing my heart, thru my art.

This is one of the many reasons I LOVE creating art........

My word for 2017

Ever since 2012 when I heard the concept of choosing a word for the upcoming year instead of making new year resolutions, I was sold and have been doing it ever since.  I put a lot of consideration into choosing my word.  When I feel the word is right I try not to question it's validity I just go with it.

Sit back and let me tell you a little story...

I lived in Wisconsin for a big chunk of my adult life.  Starting in my early 30's I became an avid goal setter.  I learned about this in the time I spent as a Mary Kay consultant.  I would write all my goals down on paper.  Device my 5 year plan projections broken down into smaller increments.  I made my 10 most important things to do list everyday.  I understood the law of averages and lived my life with those in mind.  I will stop with my in-depth explanation here... you get my point, right?

In my early 40's I moved to Flagstaff, AZ where I was introduced to spirituality, not religion, spirituality.  An interesting path began after I read a book called "The Celestine Prophecy" by James Redfield.  I could go on and on about my adventures after reading this book but that would take on another whole new story.   I met some absolutely amazing people who, I am thankful to say, remain in my life today.

In my mid 40's there was a shift in my life.  I moved from Arizona to Illinois.  I was saddened to leave Arizona for several reasons.  One was I was afraid I would loose my spirituality.  Yet... I am an optimist.  Onward I went.  I clung to the idea that maybe this move was an opportunity to combine my goal setting self with my spiritual self.   As I settled into my new life, well... life happened.  What more can I say?  I can talk a good talk but the truth is I never implemented it.  I just lived my life, which by the way has been good.

I believe, from the very core of my being, that everything happens exactly when it is suppose to happen.  As I was pondering what my word for 2017 would be it came to me in a flash.   My word for 2017 is BALANCE.  It brought tears to my eyes.  This is my time to focus on blending my goal setting self with my spiritual self.

I made this piece of art that begins with:

~blending my conservative self with my free spirited self

~blending the dark times with the light times

~blending spirituality practices with actions

(click to enlarge)

Thank You for all of your support and encouragement.

It wouldn't be the same without YOU!

what a difference a year makes.

As the end of 2016 draws near I take this time to reflect back on my artful and personal life. 

Often asking myself the same proverbial questions.  

Throughout the past year it has been easy to caught up in false assumptions 

that my dreams are so far away and may never come true.

Yet when I do take an in-depth look back I unveil an 

appreciation and deep satisfaction in my progress.

This feeling fuels me and propels me forward.

(click to enlarge)

I ask myself, "Why does it matter?"

I find this answer not an easy one to articulate.
The simple verbal response is to say that I am
using my gift, from God, of creating art.
February 2011, there was a pivotal moment.
I never knew that I could paint or draw until that time.
Creating art has changed my life.

I believe we are all creative yet we doubt ourselves 
and hesitate to let our creative spirit out to play.

PLEASE NOTE:   You can read all my entries that chronicle my creative journeyat the side bar of this blog under All Posts-Now & Then.

Thank You for all of your support and encouragement.

I couldn't do this without YOU!

Merry Christmas