The last few months have been trying to say the least.
My motivation and love for time in the studio has waned, as I have been dealing with some serious grieving. Grief is a mysterious thing and there is no 1 - fixed formula for how one goes in and out of all the seven stages. Mine have been a roller coaster of many emotions that never stay in one area. Guilt, what-if's, should haves - could haves... many questions, shock, disbelief..and eventually down the road acceptance.
Experience is a teacher. I've unfortunately been schooled in the art of grieving and each time is just as hard as the last. I still don't have it down to a science..such heart issues cannot be a formula. I've learned that grief cannot be forced or rushed because it is a unique journey processing the loss of a physical connection that is no longer. My heart is heavy but i do grieve with hope that i will see sweet Brooke again one day..
And in the midst of the dark.. God gave me - light... a glimmer of hope.
Baby Lewis will be arriving - MARCH 2013. (a complete surprise but, an awesome reminder that despite hard times.... life is a beautiful thing).
I recently came across the photography of We Are The Rhoads. Their photographs make me happy that it's summer and make me long for many more adventures of my own. The family and I have made some trips and memories over the past month and it's time for me to get back in the studio. I've had much time to gather my thoughts and fill my artistic ' love tank'..and I'm anxious to see what will come out of this time away! In the meantime.. I bid you a HAPPY happy Summer my friends!
It's gone through many phases. Ugly phases...weird phases.. Blah phases. I love the process of watching a painting evolve and trying to figure out what I want a piece to shape into. It's liberating and quite scary changing your mind in the middle of something so large.
But, I've realized that in the end it usually pays off.
I normally paint with no preconceived ideas of what a painting will be in the beginning. But, somewhere along the middle of the process I begin to envision what I think it should look like. What I've learned is that even then.. I should always be open to the possibility of change. You never know what can evolve if you allow yourself the freedom to cover stuff up and not get attached so soon (Thank you Flora Bowley).
This piece had a mind of its own. I kept toying with the idea that it was going to be floral.. Something whimsy and fun. But, I HATED it and decided to cover it with a ton of layers, brush marks and even some finger painting. I was nearing the end of the piece (although I didn't realize it was the end at the time), when I realized a funny thing had happened...
There is something romantic about taking something old and giving it life again. This piece is rustic and has a lot of character. It's a recycled piece of art and I am partial to it.. I will not lie. And yes.. I used the color pink. A new one for me.
I've been away from blogging for a little while now. BUSY with life. I get bummed when I don't keep up with these things but, I know it's important for me to put some things away and fill my creative tank.
( my new favorite)
One of the things I've had the privilege in experiencing.. Is the BLOOM TRUE course by Flora Bowley!! It was five weeks of painting and fun. I loved it so much! I've never met her personally But by the end of the course I felt as though I new her in some small way.
She taught me how to paint without judgment.. Give myself some freedom and to go with the flow. Her course reminded me that when "life happens" and I'm not in my studio (as much as I think I should be)..when I'm looking around comparing myself to everyone else who seems to have it together (artistically speaking)...that I need to look at my time away as a time to fill my creative well.
So THAT my friends.. is what I've been doing. A lot has been going on. Some painting.. (more to come). Many travels and many sweet moments with some of the people I love.
I've been taking Flora Bowley's 'Brave Intuitive You' painting class, which has really helped me in breaking out of my 'painting shell'. I'm using colors in ways I haven't before and I'm allowing myself to be more playful while painting. I tend to over think painting sometimes and it feels good to just let go and allow myself the freedom to create without judgement. I've been layering and trying not to become to attached to any of it. We'll see how this one ends up. I'll keep you posted.
In my kitchen hangs this sweet sign above one of my originals. My friend Sarah of fiveoeight made it for me and I love, love, love it. Go check out their work. It's pretty fabulous.
My family and I went on a hike on one of the coldest of days and even so... it was beautiful. There is so much wonder in the woods. The sun was peeping out just enough. A reminder to me that I need to get out in the woods more often.
I've been working on some smaller canvases that I am fondly calling, "The Mini Series". I'll be posting them SOON in my shop. They have a whole new look and flavor to them because I'm trying to just 'go with it'.
Hoping you are having a week full of WONDER yourself.
One thing is for sure... Time waits for no man. It's true. Is it really the second week in January already? I'm amazed at how time flies. 2011.. you have been good to me..but, I am looking forward to new things. Over the year, I have had a few, "I said I would never do it" moments. These moments would occur when I would make a decision or a choice to do something that I always said I would never do.
One of them is..write a goal letter to myself. I used to think, "What is the point in writing a letter to myself?" But, now I see the importance of verbalizing what I may want to see happen this year.. goals for my family and for myself personally - (even if it's just on paper).
and so .... even though "I SAID I WOULD NEVER DO IT" ... here it is...
Sealed and ready for me to open in one year. Perhaps we can take a look at it once the year is up!
I've been trying to figure out how to get more studio time in. I'm finding that I tend to forget that even 30 minutes of creating.. is better than none in a day. So during the week when there are days that are full and I can only find a block of time here and there.. I am trying to jump in and not wait.
I started working on this piece a few weeks ago and decided to pick it up again.
and in between the painting and all the other duties that an artist/mom/wife has.. I've been taking care of this new addition to the family... (another thing I said I would never do again..)
May your new year be filled with amazing music... crazy awesome art... good books.... safe travel. . .great health...honest friends... good wine....good food...and above all may you experience God's PERFECT love..
Today 36 years ago I came into the world. My Mom says it was a hard labor and I was turned all sorts of wrong which gave her horrible back labor (*sorry Mom*....) and so today in honor of my 36th birthday (and because Danielle Daniel gave me this fabulous idea):
I am having a ONE DAY ONLY SaLE!
Everything in the shop is 36% off!
(fyi: the 36% will be deducted at time of purchase).
COUPON CODE IS: OLDISBEAUTIFUL
It's been a full year and I am so grateful.
We don't grow older. We grow riper. -Pablo Picasso
I have the privilege in taking part of a Holiday Blog Hop hosted by Katie Cahill.
Today's featured artist is the lovely and talented Angela DiGiovanni. Angela is a self taught artist and is in the process of writing an intriguing memoir called the virgin wife chronicles. Her etsy store is full of fun and intriguing faces. I think my most favorite are these two beauties:
Please go visit her etsy store and show her blog some love. You will not be disappointed...
In the meantime.. here's my Magical Blog Hop treasury... Check out the talent!
Happy December people! It's a beautiful time of year.
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