a rabbit noticed my condition

a rabbit noticed my condition print

available here

inspired by the poem written by

St. John of the Cross

and in online workshop news....here is a sneak peek into Frolic.

a mini bunny class. hoptastic!

coming later this fall!

stay tuned for more details...

in the meantime check out the new Classroom
where you can find both of the self paced classes 
Paint Your Story
and 
Neat Stuff

portal

This reality beckons me back but is it the truth?
with closed eyes I feel more in spirit than the waking occurrences
maybe that is all that there is
an occurrence in time that slings us through life at lightening speed
only stopping to bask when things quiet down.

why can't we ask this inner nagging voice to Be Still
to escape some time away from the "need to's" and lists
why is there always something i should be doing.
and when i do finally get there,
the mind automatically jumps ahead to the next "should"

the voice becomes a constant chatter
insisting on being heard

i believe the subconscious is more powerful
and would like to give the voice a good slap i'm sure.

once asleep my mind feels more free.
awake its is hostage to the voice
moments spent in creative work quiets the voice
sub takes the reins

inspiration is a portal to the subconscious 
the opening for the spirit to enter
when the conscious mind is in control, creativity is impossible
to create from a place of pure love.....
art becomes an outward expression of your soul.


I have been in a struggle with the voice. its telling me awful things. its making me lists that i don't want to do. its starting to convince me that i don't want to paint. i tell it to shut the hell up.... but still with the lists. i'm beginning to realize that the voice isn't real, with the help of this book. after reading a couple chapters, i realize what i must do....but its seems that now i've given this voice some attention and that night it really takes hold. i can't sleep. it even told me to write a different blog post. who the hell does this voice think she is?!

todays walk proved successful. i'm whipping this thing into shape. maybe. 
i'm mixing up the routine. i'm doing things i want to do. paint crazy free. not care. paint for me. 
dark. limbs. acceptance.

with the advice of this amazing friend, i'm able to forge ahead and realize that yucky times in your creative life will surface. and absolutely necessary. sunny girl, you are my rock. my mentor. my sister. my friend. there is no one on this planet like you.

Art and Soul - Portland

Hello Wednesday, Hello August!!


Today, I wanted to feature another retreat that I'm teaching at......Art and Soul Portland

Animal Guide class

October 2nd

This Animal Guide class was inspired by Pixie Campbell. I had the amazing opportunity to meet Pixie last fall at the Serendipity retreat in Nags Head, NC. I was chatting with my girl, Lisa Parks and told her I'd love to give the host of the retreat, Michelle a gift. Lisa informed me that Michelle drew a bear card earlier that day in Pixie's class. So something similar to the above evolved from my paint brush. I was so inspired by Pixie and her energy and nurturing spirit that a few more of these animal guides came out of me during the retreat and upon returning home. My hope for this class is to play with color. to let your inner animal play. to speak loudly with a roar from your subconscious. 

Twirl Girl Journals 

October 3rd

These journals are inspired by using simple materials......cardboard, ringbinders, paper and paint. I love that there is no measuring. no calculating. just simple. easy fun! We will play with symbols, neon paint, ribbons and fibers. I will also cover how to create depth and dimension within the face by using warm and cool colors. come on, lets Twirl!

Nurture your Creative Seed

Hello good people.....

I wanted to give you an update on some of the workshop goodness that is coming up in the next several months. Today I'm featuring Nurture Your Creative Seed, hosted by my scarf sister Serena Berry.

Here is Serena.....a photo I took in Sedona last year.

The retreat is nestled in a beautiful location in the Pacific NW at Harmony Hill Retreat Center....

go ahead, check out their stunning photos.

I will be teaching alongside the talented Jeanne Oliver

"wake up to the life you are meant for"

available here

In 2009, I attended my first art retreat.....and my life has never been the same. At this retreat is where I met Serena. We laughed....we walked on the beach....we drank wine late into the night.....in those few days we were forever connected. I hope you will join us. Serena will foster a light in your soul...... You will meet kindred spirits that "get" you...... You will create with magical energy that you didn't realize you possess.

The dates are Feb 28- March 3rd, 2013.

Click HERE to register!

Serenade

On this hot morning, with the AC blasting and the fan whirling.....i snuggle up in my red quilt to read Alena Hennessey's book again -  Cultivating Your Creative Life .

Alena really speaks to me. She reminds the reader to slow down and by doing so you'll coax the magic spark that lies deep in each and every one of us. I'll admit, the struggle for me to slow down has been something I've struggled with. From now on, when I have those times of struggle.....i will pick up this book. Peruse the beautiful art. Take part in the tips and prompts. and let go. Right now, this is my favorite art book. Thank you Alena for inspiring me. thank you for giving so much of YOU that is so magical and so uniquely you.

One of the prompts she gives is "weeding". I began this process of writing and it turned into something else. (i think that's the magic of being still) It begins to evolve and take you places.

Fresh in my mind, was a conversation with my friend, Carissa Paige yesterday......we had some good moments. We let go of the fear of feeling guilty for not "doing it all"...and those comparison issues. it felt so good. I think we did some weeding yesterday.
 "i have big plans for you, my dear!!"

I wanted to share what grew out of Alena's prompts:

Serenade

My voice is here. 

It is in full bloom.

well maybe only at the bud stage.

Why do we let ourselves feel guilty?

only giving of ourselves fully

fostering creation and growing

even through dim light.

we are a seedling, searching....

stretching toward the tiny speck of light.

we lean towards the shining spark

in hopes that one day the light will grow....

to bathe fully in its warmth.

only then, are we able to fully extend 

giving more. 

evolving.

The day will come when morning brings her sunlight

heavy on the horizon. 

the Earth sings.

We bow in reverence

and accept the full presence of nurturing sustenance 

We reach higher.

the serenade begins anew.

Neat Stuff - journaling class is open for Registration

Neat Stuff: a nostalgic journaling adventure

 is OPEN for Registration!

I’m so ready to hit the ground running on our journals. My wish for you and this class is to discover something inside of you that may have been lying dormant for a while. Some creative energy that is aching to get out. I want our journals to be a safe place to experiment and make mistakes in. As well as a resting place for the words that we write by telling more of the story behind the art that is YOU! To be so uniquely you that there be no need for comparison.

Your journal is ALIVE, evolving and growing with each day. It becomes a chalise for your soul......shining bright and emerging into that which is so uniquely you.

We are going to make stamps, paint a realistic face, paint figures, design words, write from the heart, and sketch tokens. All these elements will build up gradually to add to your journal. 

Come join in on the brightly colored fun!!

Paint Your Story - student work

I'm so in awe of my student's work in my Paint Your Story online class. Discoveries were made and just absolute FUN commenced.....and the work is still trickling in over on the Facebook page. I'm so blessed to have this amazing group of supportive women, who show up and support their fellow classmates. thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

here is some of the stunning work by my students:

 Michelle Renee Bernard

Tracy Morgan Whichard

 Carissa Paige

Juliette Crane

Mary Ann McKeating

Lisa Towery

Heidi McDonald

Julie Brastad

Lia Collis Kent

Rascale Richel Hutt

Nadine Pinkley Smith

Dana Loffland

Lynda Malachesky Metcalf

 Stephanie Shelton Goodin

Susie Lafond

And this piece below, by Sue Carey just sums up the whole experience of this class and the beautiful people I had the blessing to teach. We are all one. Connected. Much love to all of you. For showing up with an open heart and a spirit that Shines all over the World.

 by Sue Carey



You can still sign up for the self-paced class here ......
and create your own Story!!