Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Wild Surrender Giveaway Winner!

Congrats to Sally Lentz and Heather Williams!!!  I decided to giveaway two places instead of one.... I have felt so amazingly blessed and I'm so grateful to be living this journey of art.

please email me at lacefield13 {at} yahoo.com and I'll get you added into the classroom.

Thanks to all of you who helped spread the word!!

Friday, December 13, 2013

Wild Surrender online class


"The creative process is a process of surrender, not control" - Julia Cameron


I believe that when we surrender control of the creative process, we can reach higher realms in this journey. We become one with the process and in the process harness our own divine/creative light. Allow yourself to surrender to the outcome. Allow it to evolve and grow the divine spark inside you. I believe in doing so, we can share and inspire others. And the creative circle goes round, growing brighter and brighter.
Wild Surrender is a 6 month class. It is very much like True Free Spirit in that there will be a project each month. However, Wild Surrender is for only 6 months. Plus, 3 of the months there will be a bonus video from a guest artists, Nolwenn Petitbois, Micki Wilde, and Magaly Ohika. I'm so thrilled to share their techniques with you. 
Please head on over to their blogs. They have lots to offer this coming year and I'm so grateful that they are contributing to this class.




The lovely, amazing Nolwenn Petitbois. She has been such a light in my life.
Excited for you guys to see her collaborate with her 2 daughters Koala and Grenouille. 
Let me tell you, you guys are going to LOVE watching these little hands work (along with Momma) 
Pure Magic happens! January guest Artist





The talented, gorgeous Micki Wilde. Watching her create is intoxicating.
So thrilled for you to see her in action. February guest artist.
ps. you are going to LOVE her accent!




The inspiring, stunning Magaly Ohika. She and I have "known" each 
other for a while on etsy. I discovered her work back in 2009.
Y'all are in for a treat! March guest Artist.


The first month, I'll be doing gesture mixed media paintings and will be a two step process.
Cost: $75
Projects: 6 projects from me, and 3 bonus projects from Nolwenn, Micki, and Magaly.
You will have 1 year access to the class from the date you sign up. Also, the videos are downloadable for you to keep forever. I suggest to download as you work through the class.
There will be a facebook group for this class and the link to the group will be provided once you sign up.

The first project will post on or around January 1st.

Supply List is available HERE - and there will be a few supplies updated and added as we travel along this 
journey.










Giveaway!!!!

I am also doing a giveaway for this class. Just share this post somewhere on your social media....instagram, pinterest, facebook, twitter, etc....and come back here and leave a comment. (Any duplicate entries will be deleted.)

If you have already paid for the class, I will refund your registration monies...if you win. Thanks for helping me spread the word!!

I'll announce the winner on Wednesday, December 18th.




Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Don't go


Something very special happened in my studio the other day. As I was re-visiting works in progress, a black poodle appeared. Through tears and paint, I finished the piece. Spent from emotion, my studio time was cut a bit short. Before I left I wrote these words:

Stars don't fall and stay. 
They are here for a little while 
to shine for a time.
Transformed into something brighter than their physical being...

They are here to bring love 
and you realize how much love YOU can hold.
I don't want you to go....
but I know that you must.

So that you can shine the way you were truly meant to.
To be a beacon.
To be an angel to watch over me.
I now know I never lost you.

I will meet you again and join your light 
and we will shine together.
I love you.

This is dedicated to all my dear friends who have lost fur-babies over the past year or so......Denise, Carissa, Dawn, Jayme, Michelle, Jessica, Pixie, Paula,......and so many other facebook friends that escape me at this moment. ********I knew I would forget some folks....so sorry...there were so so many lost - this is also dedicated to Kecia, Laura, Elizabeth, and Lenore. If you have lost a fur-baby please post here and let me know. I want to add you to this list. xoxo******

Each time you lost, I lost all over again. I cried with you and ached for your loss. Oh, but there is love. so much love. And we will see our loved ones again waiting on the rainbow bridge.


This painting is a gift for the lovely Denise Phillips who lost her little dark brown poodle last June. This is for you, little Sidney Matisse Laptop



Friday, November 22, 2013

Her Totem, Her Story

I'm so excited and honored to be featured on my bestie's Danielle Daniel's blog today!!

Check it out over here!


This series goes hand and hand with her new book, "Sometimes I feel Like a Fox". It is available in french and english and is available in her etsy shop.

I'm so gracious that she asked me to do this interview and feel blessed to have her and the other artists in my life. Here is a list of the other featured artists so far:

Carissa Paige
Stephanie Lee
Juliette Crane
Micki Wilde

Go ahead and check out all the awesomeness from each. They have so much to offer right now....from jewelry, online classes, primitive artwork, and so much more.

This circle of sharing and telling stories with each kindred spirit has been such a blessing. What an amazing group Danielle has curated.

thank you so much Dan for your friendship, love, support, and creating from such a wonderful place. You are LOVED!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

True free spirit - November project

I wanted to share with you the project that is feature over on my monthly project based online class, True Free Spirit.


I have enlisted the amazingly talented, Nolwenn Petitbois to create a bonus project. She and her daughter, Koala collaborated on a painting. It was amazing to watch Koala's little hands work next to her momma. There is so much to learn from the littles....they really do have it right. They don't think, they don't hesitate, and they never 2nd guess themselves.

Here is Nolwenn and Koala's collab painting:


Be sure and check out Nolwenn's ETSY shop too






I was so inspired by what Nolwenn and Koala created that I had to create a unicorn painting of my own:





You can sign up for the class anytime and you'll gain access to 11 (soon to be 12) projects right away!!
 Sign up HERE

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Inspired

Lately, I have been smitten and inspired by the artwork of lovely, Jeanie Tomanek. You know the moment when you are in a blocked mode artistically and then you see someone's work that totally pulls you up...? Well, this has happened to me yet again. I adore Jeanie's color palette and expressive women. They seem strong, yet nurturing. They seem resilient, yet a tad fragile in their expression. Jeanie paints with such grace and intuition. I am so thankful to have found her work and connected with her online. Please check out her etsy shop. She has some amazing work......
Here is a lovely sampling of her work:



And here are a couple paintings from me that came after seeing Jeanie's work:

"Barefoot"
Original sold
Prints available HERE

"Reflection"
Original Sold
Prints available HERE

these words are inspired by the poem from St. John of the Cross:
I was sad one day and went for a walk;
I sat in a field.
A rabbit noticed my condition and came near.
It often does not take more than that to help
at times-- to just be close to creatures who
are so full of knowing, so full of love that they
don't chat, they just gaze with their marvelous
understanding.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Light

I'm sitting here with the poodles for my morning devotion and I am reminded the night God spoke to me to paint. Rewind some 7 years ago, Tim and I were exploring wine country in Santa Barbara county when I saw the full moon over the Pacific. For some reason, I had an epiphany that I wanted to try my hand at painting. 

The word epiphany originally referred to insight through the divine. (Wikipedia)

That particular night I was unaware of the source (my Source) speaking to me, but as I began my journey and creating, I felt His presence more fully than ever before.

NIV translation Gen 1:27 says: So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;

I truly believe this verse means that we are created in His image....not of the physical form, but....to be creators ourselves. Creators of art, creators of imagination, creators of words, creators of giving, creators of --fill in the blank-

We have recently found a new Church home. I had fallen away from attending church when I started working in makeup because most Sundays I would be working. We got out of the habit of going and my anxiety of even going back to Church crept in. My fears kept me away. But, as we stepped inside of this bustling community of love, my fear instantly fell away. I was reminded we are not there to worry what humans think, but to worship our most High God.

We sing a song there that goes like this:


the other night when I lay down, these words filled my soul: 

Your light is a million times brighter than the sun
yet I cannot look away.
Your love fills me up
more than ever before
And I realize that we are One.

One with You, God
One with the Holy Spirit
One with Jesus Christ, our Savior

Your light is always there
never unending
it was and ever will be
from the beginning of time and forever

I surrender all of me to You.
Shine my own divine light
through You
in my hope of reaching others.



inspired by the imagery of the account of Eben Alexander in Proof of Heaven
where he describes God as a million times brighter than the sun.....





I want to invite you to come to church with me. If you have never been to church or have fallen away (as I did) then please come worship with me. Or if you have anxiety about attending a church building you can worship with me HERE online.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Radiant Light

When you are still, you shine your radiant, divine light.
Your true self begins to emerge.
Walking alone in the woods
you witness the birds.
The sun's light shining through the trees
suddenly becomes a star. And cross.

You wonder about the universe
and how small you feel.
Standing at the base of forest floor
leaves finally still from the crunch under your feet
you let the sun sparkle on your face.

Glistening moments, when you realize
you are not alone
A parade of light specks overwhelm your senses
You feel embraced by them. warmed
There is only this moment.
Only the tiny cricket sounds matter.
In this moment, clarity wins.
In this moment, my presence is eternal.






Thursday, October 10, 2013

Doodle Circle Blog hop

My dear friend, Dawn DeVries Sokol just came out with a new book. It's called Doodle Circle: a fill in journal for BFF's to share.





Let me first say that the pages are absolutely LUSH! Who wouldn't want to create, doodle and explore on these pages. I love that they aren't blank so you are inspired each visit to your journal. The color brings you in. The textures invite you to play....and the prompts keep you coming back for more!

One of my favorite prompts/pages is "What's in a name" If you could change your name to anything else, what would it be and why? Doodle it out here and make it look fancy. I just love this. When I was a kid I wanted to change my name to Molly. no idea why.....LOL!


Please check all these wonderful, talented artists in the blog hoppers circle for Dawn's Doodle Circle book:

Oct. 1: Michelle Geller, www.michellegeller.typepad.com
Oct. 2: Aimee Dolich, artsyville.blogspot.com
Oct. 3: Pam Carriker, pamcarriker.com
Oct. 4: Tammy Garcia, daisyyellowart.com
Oct. 5: Tracie Lyn Huskamp, thereddoor-studio.blogspot.com
Oct. 6: Jill K. Berry, jillberrydesign.com/blog
Oct. 7: Carla Sonheim, carlasonheim.wordpress.com
Oct. 8: Tamara LaPorte, www.willowing.org/blog
Oct. 9: Micki Wilde, thesecrethermit.blogspot.com
Oct. 10: Mindy Lacefield, www.timssally.com
Oct. 11: Jane Davenport, janedavenport.com
Oct. 12: Dawn D. Sokol, www.dawndsokol.com

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Wild Surrender

My book is here! I'm just now being able to blog about it due to some teaching in Portland this past week. My book has 7 sections: beginnings, clarity, coyote and red rock, Process, Prompts, Progression of work 2008-2011, and Recent Work.

Wild Surrender is image heavy with over 200 paintings in progression from 2008 forward. I wanted others to see the progression my art has taken and the time it takes to evolve your art. It doesn't necessarily happen overnight. I didn't create amazing art at the get-go. I hope you find that refreshing, if by chance you are just starting out. My book also features a few tutorials on how to paint a face as well as painting and journaling prompts. The beginning of the book is my favorite. It showcases poetry (birthed from my morning pages) married with my art. If you are a visual person, you will love this book. My hope is through surrendering up my words....surrendering up my fears and childhood rainy days...that you will connect and open up to new possibilities of expression.



Wild Surrender is available on Amazon
or you can order a signed copy through ME here.



Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Serendipity

My girl Juliette Crane is hosting a year long painting class! She is giving away one free spot. Click here to check out all the details and how to sign up.

Also she has put together a little sneak peek video of the goodness that is to come: HERE


I had the opportunity to create and teach with Juliette this past June in Port Townsend, WA and let me tell you her videos and attention to detail and MAGIC is something not to be missed!!!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Alive process

Lately I have been wanting to withdraw a bit. I don't want to admit to anyone that the fear of my love for painting is waning. I'm hoping its one of those dark spells again that surface every now and again. I have been through this so many times, yet each time it feels different. Each time I feel raw and exposed and want to hide away from all social media. But there are definitely some pros for social media. oh yes. The other day while I was thumbing through the newsfeed I saw this quote.
f you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.Vincent Van Gogh

I have been hearing this same voice. I go to paint. I sit. I am disturbed and disgusted at what is coming out of the end of my brush.  I guess what I'm saying is that I always want this to be a joyful process. To be happy while I'm doing it. And yes, most of the time I am. Apparently, like the rest of life it doesn't always work this way. I have decided to see this as a gift. A sometimes wrenching process that must be this way to build within it's own character. This process is alive. This process is a voice that's sometimes weak. It's not always "sure of itself". It has a dynamic that artists' have been trying to wrap their brains around since the beginning of time. Who am I to say I've got it figured out? Who am I to say I ever will? All I can do is continue to paint. Continue to silence the dreadful voice. This process is an extension of my soul. Something I put into God's hands. 
God is the magician. We are the magic. 


my studio table with Works in progress at various stages





Him and the birds

I chat with my Creator through Stillness
Just me, Him, and the Birds




Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Divine Light

On my trip back from Port Townsend in June, my flight from Dallas to Little Rock was cancelled. There were no flights available until the next day at 6pm so I opted to rent a car and drive the 5.5 hours back home. At one point, I called my husband and told him I would probably stop in Texarkana, get a room and drive the remainder the next day. But as my trip went on, (playing 80's music really loud to keep me awake) I began to feel more energized. I decided to stop off and get a coffee and donut to get me through the rest of the 3 hours home. After I got back on the interstate, I saw a meteor. At first it was really bright. Too big and bright for just a "falling star". It turned blue. Then green. And soon disappeared as it got close to the ground off in the near distance. It all happened so quickly that I was a bit stunned at first. Did I really see what I think I saw? I had just written about a metaphorical meteor a few weeks back....here.


I have the power to release it with writing and painting. 
I can come here and send it out into the universe until it begins falling to the earth and is consumed by the atmosphere. 

Beautiful obliteration!
seeking somewhere to rest for a while, it's molecules break loose
the matter of its makeup all of a sudden make no sense.
the reality is no longer held together by turmoil and verbal abuse

This piece of writing proved to be such a healing turning point in my life. And here is this visual turquoise beautiful light coming out of nowhere. This gift. This sign. And it was just seen when I made the decision to make the drive home. 
Coincidence? 
I don't believe in coincidences. 
What I saw that night around 10:30 pm was no coincidence. I saw this beautiful sign only after little intricate details and decisions must have been met for me to witness its descent. 
This lining up of circumstances gave me pause. What we are doing in this creative journey matters. It heals. It catapults me into stratospheres I never expected. It holds me there and I feel renewed and comforted. This is why I write. This is why I paint. I must. It is what my Creator designed me to do. In His image. 

This is Divine Light.



original SOLD, prints available on request

Monday, July 15, 2013

Bonus project for Lifebook

I'm so thrilled to let you know that I'll be doing a bonus project over on the LIFEbook online class. You still have time to sign up. This particular project will post sometime in August.

Bunny Party
heal from within
create your own party with a bunny
eat cupcakes
pick tulips
reach out to those in need
wrap your magic scarf of love around them

treat each day with magical eyes
seeing wonder in the small
sprinkle hearts
and light your candle of love



Monday, July 8, 2013

MATS Class

When I got the email from Beth, (a sweet, creative friend who I met at "An Artful Journey" back in 2010)
that she was hosting a an online class with the amazing Lilla Rogers as our fairy art
God Mother....I knew that I wanted to sign up. MATS is short for "make art that sells". Its really all about exploring areas of the licensing arena and which one you feel that your engaged to create for. It was really helpful in helping me decide what I area I was most drawn to. I think I had the most fun in the wall art design piece. Simply because this was more in line with my comfort zone and how I'm used to working. But the other exercises really pushed me into new ways of thinking and how you can take bits and pieces of your art and create something pretty magical in photoshop that lends itself to the product better. 

With the children's book cover and the pencil case design, I feel I grew in ways I wasn't expecting. I cannot say enough great things about the class. And guess what there is a part 2 to this offering....Make Art that Sells - Part 2! - starting in October.

I have met so many inspiring artists in the MATS Facebook group. Their work is out of this world and everyone is super supportive and cool.




Plate design



 Children's book cover design


Wall Art design
pencil case design

Friday, June 28, 2013

Waiting on the AC repairman.

I'm deciding to take enjoyment in this moment. This moment that isn't really considered to be enjoying. I'm sitting out in the car waiting for the AC repairman to come fix our air. It's nearly 100 outside.
I'm typing from my phone.

Today Tim was hit by someone who ran a red light as he was traveling back to the office. Thank goodness he was unharmed!

Oh and I also found out that my brother in law is in the hospital from a bad car wreck. (His vitals are improving, thankfully)

This day is really, on paper, a pretty shitty day. This day is more about finding peace and joy despite this one day. It's about recognizing so much love and so much to be thankful for. It's about seeing God work from such magical complexity that when looking back on your journey thus far that what He created for you was beyond your dreams. This kind of goodness wasn't even something you could fathom you deserved. It's here!
Even while waiting on the air repairman......


I want to leave you with words from Ryan Bingham.....
He is the wisest songwriter I know. He speaks of me. Of my struggles with my childhood. This truth he sings and releases. I catch it and do my own releasing. A bit like fishing I guess.

One day I thought i would be just like you...
I know now that you were never satisfied..
Now that I'm grown I am nothing like you.
I see the world with my own eyes
With so much love all around you
How could you never realize
The ground above, the sky below you.
Must beat the hell outta being alive.


(Thank you Kolleen!,,,,8s)


Little moments when you realize a crappy day can enlighten and inspire you tenfold than a retreat in the high country of the grandest canyon on earth and the most stunning red rock these eyes have ever seen. That's magic right there. And His name is nameless. HE is my everything.


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

CONGRATS- Collaborative painting winner

Congrats to Ali Gitt!!! Thank you for helping to spread the word.

She is coming home to you soon :-)


Sunday, May 19, 2013

Magic Making



“Magic comes from what is inside you. It is a part of you. You can't weave together a spell that you don't believe in.” ― Jim Butcher

I do believe in magic. I believe it resides in your core.....Your essence......Your most you, when you are still and willing to listen. It's the absence of the voice. Its the declaration of the soul. Its what's stirring inside of you right now, aching to be seen. Come join, Alena and I, as we guide you into harnessing your own magic.

Magic Making - an online class with Alena Hennessy and Mindy Lacefield
Registration begins: May 20, 2013
Follow this link to register (and click on the "join group" button)
Early bird pricing: $129 (with limited spots)
Regular pricing: $169
Class begins: September 2nd, 2013 and will run for 5 weeks
You will get 1 year access to the class from the date that you sign up!


Alena and I are both doing a giveaway! I'm giving away a collaboration painting by me and Alena.
Here are the steps to enter the giveaway:
  1. Post a link of this blog post on Facebook or on your own blog
  2. Come back here and leave a comment and let me know what you posted to
  3. We will be drawing a random name from the comments on Tuesday May 28th
Here is the painting that we'll be giving away. Yes, you can enter both giveaways. If you do, just remember to post 1 link to my blog and 1 link to her blog and leave comments on both. Here is the link to Alena's blog.



Magic*LOVE
12x12 original


Explore steps and secrets to making your art have that little extra something, that touch of magic, or feeling of the authentic you that can effortlessly flow out of your hand. Through a variety of materials and liberating techniques, you will get to tap deeper into your voice and spirit at play to create art that holds your unique and free beauty. In the end, create one very special painting that demonstrates your learning’s and experiences in this special collaborative workshop between two beloved friends and artists.

Mindy and Alena will share:
*Daily prompts and exercises that will delve into color, mark-making, word, poetry, archetype/symbols, sparkle, florescents, and meaningful narrative. Release and free the inner-critic and transform and transmute your art into shiny and sincere perfection that all the world can feel.

The Story of Mindy and Alena:
Alena first came to know Mindy when she wrote a glowing review of her book. Being so touched by her words, Alena reached out to thank her upon discovering that Mindy was a talented and amazing artist. They formed a friendship online and then met in the magical space of Squam art workshops in the deep blue lake country of New Hampshire. Mindy was a student of Alena’s in her “Awaken the Muse” class and they quickly became friends. Alena fell further fell in love with Mindy’s process after watching her effortless way of creating. They realized that their approach to creating held similar aesthetics and working together to help others express themselves creatively and soulfully was something they both pursue. Both Mindy and Alena teach painting and mixed media workshops across the States and share a loyal and special following of students, from beginner to experienced. 


Friday, May 17, 2013

Peace

"When you let go of the belief that you should or need to know who you are, what happens to confusion? Suddenly it is gone. When you fully accept that you don't know, you actually enter a state of peace and clarity that is closer to who you truly are than thought could ever be. Defining yourself through thought is limiting yourself."
- Eckhart Tolle

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Red rock



I dreamt of the red rock last night.
Aching to see coyotes under the clear, starry sky
To hear them calling in the habitat that was made for them.

I relinquish it all.
I hand it over.
I am free.

I send it up to the stars so that it meanders
around until it finds no place to land
and then evaporates as if it never
existed at all.







Sunday, April 21, 2013

Awakening

Be Still and know that I Am God.  - Psalm 46:10

"Stillness is the language of God. Everything else is just a bad translation." - Eckhart Tolle

Awakening
He speaks to me through stillness.
His voice not heard but felt.
A power of oneness flowing through me.
Living in the NOW, that is my gift.

This "now" has no room for the past
nor the future.
It has no room for guilt or should haves.
This now has the power to consume all the sadness....
all the brokenness.
Until it withers under the sun.
The smallest speck of light can now swallow up
galaxies of darkness.



"To become rooted in the aliveness and fullness of the present -that is to lead a spiritual life." - Eckhart Tolle


Friday, April 19, 2013

Broken wing

My first memory was when I was probably 3 or 4. I was in the bathroom standing on a chair brushing my teeth. I remember my reflection. It stared back at me in disbelief and fear. I kept brushing. The chaos and fighting then came behind me. I feared falling off the chair. Maybe I was bumped in the process. 

By the time I was 6, I knew a life that I didn't want. I had a nerf soccer ball and played on the neighbor's basketball goal. I taught myself to shoot. I gained my strength and moved up to a real basketball. I had a passion for something. I had an outlet. My plan was to play basketball in college and leave the life of screaming, chaos, drama, and negativity.

At 8, my little sister was born. I had a new reason for living. My happiness grew and I began taking on responsibilities that no 8 year old should have. It didn't matter. I had to be the grown up. To survive and cope.....I had to do this.

Here I am 30 years later, and the chaos and drama no longer have it's power over me. I am free of it. I have the power to release it with writing and painting. I can come here and send it out into the universe until it begins falling to the earth and is consumed by the atmosphere. 

Beautiful obliteration!
seeking somewhere to rest for a while, it's molecules break loose
the matter of its makeup all of a sudden make no sense.
the reality is no longer held together by turmoil and verbal abuse

My broken wing has healed. 
stitched together by freedom. by love.
lifted up by forgiveness.
I soar higher than before.

I rise up. 
My eyes transfixed on my own blue sky.
I awake to renewal.
I awake to the sun shining brightly
in my window reminding me of 
the magnificence of nature.


This is the life I choose. 

"With a broken wing, she still sings.......Man you outta see me fly!"





inspired by Martina McBride's Broken Wing




Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Art Journaling and a video

I am so thrilled to announce that I am the cover artist for the Spring addition of Art Journaling magazine!!


About 3 weeks ago I saw a coyote run through my front yard. The timing was utterly perfect.
Then, the same night, I woke up and noticed the full moon shining so bright and looked outside. I saw what I thought was the same coyote but as my eyes adjusted it was the legs of deer feasting on clover. perfection. I then knew I wanted to capture this painting that was in my head. I hope you enjoy. 
I have truly been inspired by the inspiring, Anne Patay. please check out her work. 
I have honestly not been the same since!!