if the shoe fits

We've all heard the saying,

I am feeling the magnitude of that expression and it feels "just right".

Last night was my first group Create Art with Abandon class.  Six wonderful women gathered around my kitchen table to allow me the honor of guiding them to create art without concern for the outcome (abandon).  I'm sitting here at my computer trying to come up with the proper words to express how I am feeling yet the words are just out of my grasp.  It came to me that I am too concerned about the outcome of my story telling so I am going to practice what we learned last night, I am going to write this post with abandon.  Straight from my heart.

I was all set  with the preparation of the class and ready to go, just waiting for my doorbell to ring.  I sat on the couch in a moment of silence to express to the Universe/God how grateful I was for this opportunity.  The more I expressed my gratitude the more I began to feel the depth of what I was grateful for.  In those moments I came to realize how much creating art with abandon mirrors our lives.   We all begin with a blank canvas.  Each layer of paint could represent each experience in our life.  We may not like the color we just added or what happens when we glaze over a painting because it changed the look of our art, just like in life.  We may have bad things happen in life that changes what was before.   In painting, as in life, we can choose not to like what we have and call it quits OR we can take what we have and make it into something we do like.   Sure it may take a couple more tries to get things to the point of acceptance.  When we choose to try something else it can make all the difference in the world.  We are painters, painting our life.  

We began the class with each person writing on their canvas "there  are no mistakes in art".  At first they were hesitant but with a little coaxing and assurance that it wasn't going to affect their art we moved on.  You know what?  There are NO mistakes in life, either.   As we added layer after layer   I started noticing a little bewilderment of what the outcome would be and together we would chant  "there are no mistakes in art".   As the class went on, I must have said the word awesome, it seemed like, a thousand times.  I could see each piece taking form, coming to life, and that really excited me!   When all  the layers were dry and it was  time for marking the piece of art by adding the final touches, excitement was  mounting as they saw their piece being transformed right before their eyes.  My heart was filling with pure joy watching this unfold.   Ah, hell... I'd even say I was as giddy as a kid in a candy store.  There was something special in every piece that seemed to "make the art".  Hands down...everyone left with an awesome (there's that word, again) piece of art.

This class marks the official beginning of my Create Art with Abandon classes.  What a relaxing and fun way to gather with friends or family.  If you are fairly local and want to invite your friends to your house, I have the paints and supplies and I will travel.  My house is readily available, too.  

My website is under construction please email me at teresa@teresacash.com with any questions.

intention + hot glue = cool art

I was given a challenge to create a piece of art within 

5 days from conception to completion.  

I questioned if I could do it or not.  

There was a call for art for this book that I heard about.  I emailed the woman in charge and told her I was interested.  She informed me that the deadline for the initial entry had been a month previously.  Dang!  I had gotten up the courage to submit and this was my response.  I apologized for being late and told her that I felt the Universe had guided me to her and this was my first ever submission to a magazine/book.  She proceeded to  followed up with the word BUT, which is an interesting word that can indicate many conclusions.  She said someone had just backed out and she would accept my art if I could have it to her within 5 days to meet the art submission deadline.  The art was to be created around a choice of one of two quotes.  I told her that my word for 2014 was YES, therefore, I would accept the challenge.   With a chuckle in her voice she said, "you are really going to like one of these quotes".  When I received the quotes, I heart smiled within.  She was right.  I recalled pleasing with the Universe saying out loud,  "OK, Universe, help me with this one!"  

My intention was to create something original.  For 3 days I worked on my art and on the 4th day it was completed.  I was pretty darn pleased with the results.  I took photos and submitted it.  Within a week I found out that I had not been accepted into the book.  It's peculiar because when I got the news I wasn't crushed.  I will admit that I was just a little disappointed, yet not crushed.  I learned much from the experience about myself and my capabilities.  I overcame the obstacle of submitting my art.  Even tho I was not accepted I didn't feel defeated.  If anything the whole experience has lifted me to another level on this creative journey.   She suggested that I wait for another month before publishing it online anywhere in case she did another book and I could re-submit.  I've waited now for over a month and decided to share my finished piece. 

Check out the quote at the bottom left.  It truly fits with my word for 2014.  The art piece measures 

11" x 14" and is made on a sheet of canvas panel.  The background began by first layering with drywall tape, adding multiple layers of paint while utilizing several techniques to apply the paint. The beautifully colored poppies along with the buds and stems are all made with hot glue. Yes, I said, Hot Glue.  The poppies look 3D because they are.  I  adhered them to the stems so they "pop" right out at you.

I will be attaching it to a canvas panel that has a shadow frame around it.  That canvas panel will be painted as if it were lattice to give the overall garden appeal.  I am working on it now and I will post the completed project here.  Then I will add it to my website on-line store at  http://www.teresacash.com

Have you been to my store, yet?  Come on over and check it out.  You may find something that is unique and just the right gift for someone.  Mother's Day is right around the corner.

my store is open

I have been stocking my online store with goodies and these  handmade journals. I am the one (not China)  making the journals and stitching them together. 

My on-line store is open for customers. 

You are bound to find one of a kind treasures, loaded with details, and made from my heart.  

If you like what you see how about helping me by sharing the link with your friends.

http://www.teresacashart.com

Please stop by even just to browse.  CLICK ON FOR MY STORE

Psssst!  I have lots of items perfect for Mother's Day!

the naked truth

I am really hesitant when it comes to talking about what I am doing but since this blog is about my creative journey my intention is to bare it all.  

As you may or may not know I lost my job mid January due to restructuring of the company. (no moaning and groaning, please) At first it set me into a tail spin, oh hell, I'll even admit that I was frickin' lost.  Fourteen years is a long time.  It didn't take long for fear to set in by dangling all the "what ifs" in front of my face and trying to convince that doomsday had arrived.  Yes I was faced with the fact that I no longer had a steady job or a steady income.  But fear made it seem ten times worse.  I bought into it for a while.   I cried, I moped around, I felt really sad, I  felt broken.   All the while I kept my smile face on.   No one knew what I was feeling on the inside. 

It was around my birthday in February that I had had enough, I was tired of the pity party.  I resolved to pick myself up by the seat of the pants and move on.  The core of who I am has always believed that everything happens for a reason.  It's when we embrace the reality, get busy looking for the lesson(s) to be learned, and being grateful for what we do have that things will turn around.  Above all else is to have faith in the Universe/God.  That was my new approach.  I created a new routine.  I started going to the gym, I continued with my daily meditation followed by writing in my journal, and I immersed myself in creating art with abandon.   I look back at the artwork I have produced since January and my heart smiles because each piece mirrors this path I have been on.  

I firmly believe that this creative path I am on is exactly where I am suppose to be.  I'm not sure where is will take me, I just know that I will continue to put step in front of the other and be on merry my way.     

I can not be successful alone.  It takes people buying my art or items I make and sharing them with their friends and family.  I sincerely want to  my website as appealing as possible and your opinion would be extremely helpful.  I am open to constructive criticism.   Please browse thru my website at http://www.teresacashart.com and then send me an email at www.teresa@teresacashart.com providing me feedback.  I realize that your life is busy and I  am very grateful for your assistance.

yes I can do that

A friend of mine posed a question on FaceBook the other day asking us to share something about our self that others do not know.  I responded back by saying, "from the outside I appear to have it all together when in reality most of the time I fake it until I make it".  That does not imply that I am phony it simple says that I will take risks to step out beyond my comfort zone even with my knees shaking and I haven't a clue what to do next.  YET... there are times that fear has engulfed me so tightly that I can't seem to get loose.  In the past I would beat myself up over it to the point that I felt like I couldn't overcome.   I am glad to say that hardly ever happens to me anymore.  When fear of reaching out of my comfort zone presents itself I get quiet and allow myself to feel the feeling, then I release it.  I often come up with a way to encourage myself to move forward.

Which brings me to the point of this post.

Lately I have been feeling the intense and exciting urge to paint big.  I've been preparing by buying large canvases and gradually increasing my acrylic paint supply to the 4oz. bottles.    I am enrolled in an on-line class with Donna Downey called 48 Weeks that has stretched me to paint in a journal that measure 16.5" x 21".  This is the largest I have painted.  Now it's time to step it up.  I will admit to you that fear is rearing to the surface again yet I know there is nothing to fear.  This is what I am doing to overcome this feeling.  I have hung a blank canvas on the wall in our Living Room.  My husband just shook his head when he saw it.  I believe it is just the little bit of encouragement that will turn this big white canvas into a beautiful piece of art.

In the meantime, I will fake it til I make it.  When guests come over and and see the blank white canvas on the wall I will confidently say, "I'll be painting a piece of art to take it's place."

just in time for Mother's Day

JUST IN TIME FOR MOTHER'S DAY - ONLY 3 LEFT

I created these 8x10 Gallery Wrapped canvases as a unique way for you to send a message "from your heart" to someone special or even your mom on Mother's Day. Above the heart is a place where I will add your message. It was always hard to figure out what to get my mom for Mother's Day because she had everything and if she needed something she would just go buy it for herself. (know what I'm talking about?) One thing she always craved was to be appreciated and loved. Any pressent that expressed how much she meant to me was always the perfect gift.

You can check them out closer in my shop-simply click the link below.

http://www.teresacashart.com

1st semester of 48 Weeks

The intention of this blog was to be about my creative journey, as I set forth with joy in my heart and follow the path of my dreams.   I am an example of what can happen when we make a conscious decision toward change.  I believe we all are creative in one way or another.  Sometimes we just convince ourselves otherwise.  Remember... it was just a little over 3 years ago I did not know that I could draw or paint.  It was when I decided to let my creative spirit out to play that my creative life began to evolve.  It  is my mission to encourage each and everyone of you to let YOUR creative spirit out to play, too.  You will be amazed and joyful at what unfolds.

  

We can create art together.   We can have fun together.    Me & You & Your Friends, too!

 I was given sage advice from an artist friend of mine, Kelly Hoernig, "to explore who I am as an artist".  

Thank You, Kelly!

When the opportunity to join this class presented itself I knew it was going to be just the right fit.  It's hard to believe that 12 weeks have already gone by since I enrolled in  48 Weeks with Donna Downey.  It goes without saying that I am learning lots of techniques and using products I hadn't even heard of before.  I find this to be very exhilarating!!!  

I just finished the 1st semester and I wanted to show you the work I've done.  I am working in a moleskin journal, each piece measures16 x 23.  This is bigger than I am familiar with.   Since I have been doing this for 12 weeks I am really getting the itch to paint on a larger canvas.  One day soon!

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

WEEK 5

WEEK 6

WEEK 7

WEEK 8

WEEK 9

WEEK 10

WEEK 11

WEEK 12