Friday, February 26, 2010

New creative friends

Cathy


Amy


amy, me, and danielle


Louise




Chrissy



Danielle


I met these extraordinary ladies at An Artful Journey last weekend and my creative world as I know it has been deeply enriched. Thank you Louise, Danielle, Amy, Cathy, and Chrissy for the making this retreat more than just being creative. We listened to each others stories, we joked, we cried, we laughed, and we got inspired. oh yeah....and throw in a little red wine to boot. (thanks lorrie!)

funny story.........Amy and I had arranged to meet at the San Jose airport the thursday that we flew in and low-and-behold Danielle just happened to be sitting across from us at baggage claim. That sweet Canadian!!! anywhooo...she said would you guys happen to be going to the art retreat....and we did a little squeal. Then we called our buddy Peter (the shuttle driver)....i say our buddy. we didn't know him. but he did a great job and accommodated us. he even gave us all kisses on the cheek when he dropped us off at the presentation center.....hehehe!! yikes.... a little weird but at least he was dependable........

Also, Anne-Marie, Lorrie, and Monica......i loved our conversations.....and your light that you brought to my creative soul.

I can't wait till we have hot tea in the mountains again. we will meet again. i just know it. i love each one of you! I am so tempted to go back in July :-)

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Journey to the misty mountains


This past weekend I had the opportunity to paint and learn from the incredible Kelly Rae and finally got to meet another inspiration of mine......Mati Rose! They totally blew my socks off......


Not only was I inspired creatively, I met some friends I know I keep in touch with for a lifetime. You know those kind of friends......the ones that get how excited you are over little stacks of buttons, papers, and ribbons. and oh those buttery copic markers (amy!!!)


We stayed in the most surreal atmosphere......a little grouping of cottages nestled in the misty mountains of Los Gatos, CA. I never saw the deer but others mentioned that they were walking about closely and munching on the fresh clover covered in dew. Everything was green. it was lush and the flowers were blooming.


I will be back to tell you more about the lovely friendships I made. they deserve a post all their own.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Away to California



whew....what a week!!! The article caused a definite stir.....and oh what fun it was :-) The best part was all the wonderful, sweet comments. It's so refreshing that so many people are in the same boat as me and are living their dream and/or striving to the point not giving up their passion. Many folks said that it inspired them, but one thing I do know is that all of these wonderful souls who took time out to leave their touching words, left me emotional at times. We are both tackling it everyday....staying persistent....keep on keeping on. go get that dream of yours! I love you all...............


I'm leaving in the morning to go to an art retreat in California and am taking a class with the lovely kelly rae roberts and mati rose. I'm so excited. I also get to see Chrissy again!! double yay!!! I cannot wait to see that smile of hers.
I need this breath now. A time to reflect and let the paint flow. I need the smile of other kindred souls. I need to breathe in nature and take in a bit of sunshine.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Quit your day job

photo by jonny meyer

Thank you Etsy for featuring me in the Quit your day job article series. It was so fun to answer the questions given to me by Mary with Etsy. I love my new art friends that I've found through various ways online through flickr, facebook, twitter, and of course etsy. I just wish I could bundle you all up and bring you to arkansas for a cup of hot tea.

And thank you all for words of encouragement and cyber-hugs that you flourish me with everyday. You make this awesome job of mine even richer.




Thursday, February 11, 2010

T-shirts are finally here


After some snags in getting my t-shirt order, they are finally here! Go to the shop
for more info and sizing. They are printed using a direct process on a women's cut shirt.

There is still snow on the ground here but the roads are clear so at least I can get out of the house for mexican food if need be.....thank goodness!

next week...i can't wait....i have some fun news.

love to all of you. :-)


Monday, February 8, 2010

Big Flakes



We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning. And the last thing I heard the weatherman say around 10:30 last night was "you may hear a little sleet on your window, but don't be alarmed it will turn to rain soon after". They totally missed it!! We ended up getting around 6" of snow....which is a big snow for us here in central Arkansas.


I didn't get much work done today but I worked on some cute pillows that I'll be listing tomorrow. :-) I'm hoping to paint more tomorrow too.


I've got some fun news to share on the 16th so check back. I'll be sending out a newsletter.



ps. still keeping the post short. the headaches come and go still and its making it difficult to get motivated to work. I'm still doing yoga.......and hoping that it subsides soon. (they are daily, but somewhat dull and sporadic so I'm able to function)

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Jack and Sally love



I'm quite smitten with this new painting. I guess mainly because I ADORE the creations of Tim Burton. (this is actually where the name "Tim's Sally" originated) Its a little different than what I normally do. the only texture being that of acrylic paint :-)



I'm keeping this post short........I've been having these recurring headaches almost on a daily basis for about 3 weeks now. I can't for the life of me figure out what's going on. They aren't migrains.....just enough pain to be annoying really. I had been taking ibuprofen with no help and I read online that continual usage of ibuprofen can actually be a cause. So I stopped that a week ago. I'm trying to drink more water.
....................but if any of you have suggestions or tricks to stop headaches, lay them on me. I'm ready to do anything.


Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Scrap Artist collaboration


Today, Scrapartist.com launched the new artist-to-artist collaboration today. I had the lucky opportunity to work with some uber talented artists and designers. It is so neat to see my work in this type of digital scrapbooking media. Here are some little birdies I painted and Danielle turned them into little "rub ons".....so darn cute!! Thank you to everyone who put their touches and designed work inspired by the work I do. I am completely honored.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Stuff i made today


I got into the studio after yoga today and put on elton john. he is my absolute favorite artist of all time. He was the first rock concert I went to back in 2000 I believe...crazy i know. Oh i had been to many other concerts....but all country.

I'm having fun with some new paintings. here are some i finished today. short post. more tomorrow.