Home is my Haven

In other's words...

Do you ever find comfort in someone else trying to explain your thoughts and feelings?
This happened to me while reading an article in a publication from the Association of Research and Enlightenment (Venture Within, May-June 07). The article was about Julia Cameron (The Artist's Way author). She said "Creativity is the natural order of life. Life is energy, pure energy…We are to give and be of service…Balance is the key" This has been my goal for the past 4 years in trying to simplify my life, having fewer meetings to attend and social functions to satisfy. Giving me more time for my creativity and art practice. She also stated that Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God." She also quoted Bruce McArther, "A person who becomes drained by giving too much to others is not able to fulfill his or her own destiny." This is all so true and expresses beautifully what I have only attempted. O the joy of someone else's words explaining and expressing your own inner thoughts and beliefs.
I know my art is a mission and service to myself and others. Selling enough to support it is the least important battle. Making it and sharing it is what I do best with it and I know that it is what God expects me to do with it.

Simple Days are More Valued than GOLD

Today was a taste of Terry retiring. He worked short hours early and was home by the time I was up and going. I had walked, had breakfast, devotions and was checking emails. I got lots done this morning and had a lovely lunch of leftovers with him and watched a movie. What a luxury for a Wednesday.

I also had time to sit and browse the mail. Pasticcio (Angela Cartwright and Sarah Fishburn's new zine) came and I have devoured half of it. I was excited to see an invitation to submit work. I certainly will. Having been published in several Stampington magazines, I have become confident to submit to others. Choosing something to try is the hard part.

I really like the work I am doing now and hope to continue to grow and improve and find purpose in it and chances to share it and hopefully sell occasionally if only to cover costs.

Well, I am rambling today but it is a calm and peaceful day and I just had to speak of it.

Image is another Dia de Los Muertos tag for recent swap!

Art Books for Sale

I have many art books for sale. I have reduced prices again. If interested send me your email and I will send you the list. These are traditional art books about watercolor, landscapes, drawing, etc.

Another freebie

Here are some magazine altered faces for you to use in your art.

If you want to make your own, then just choose an image, lightly gesso over it, then add your own colors and alterations to the image. No one could ever know it was from a magazine.

• Have fun with art.


• Use all you can from what you already have.


• I know there's a ton of wonderful embellishments to find and purchase and I do give in sometimes but I also try to manipulate what I already have in order to be frugal. My studio still runneth over because I do save so many pieces of ephemera and stuff but hopefully I'm saving some bucks. Of course you buy your favorite paints, pens and adhesives too but use what you have.


• Your creativity and imagination can grow by using what is there. Sometimes I just choose a stack or bag of scraps and go with it.

Firsts

It's the first day of school in the area and I remember my own first day of school, my son's first day of school, his first day of college and his first day of work. Firsts are exciting. A chance to do things right. A chance to be happy and know your own strength and even better, the strength provided by a God who is stronger than anything else. Each day can be a first. A time to start over, do better, give more, love more, be more. Make today a special first and make it the best first yet. Remember that saying from the 60's?

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

Believe it and make the most of it.

Art piece is a collage of watercolored papers and paper beads.

Wouldn't Change a Thing

about my life....I've always over thought things but one thing for sure. I would not change the wonderful things of my life. I am married to my soul mate. I have a wonderful grown son who is smart, sweet and kind. I was able to stay home with him as he was growing up. I still teach a little but now the passion of my life...ART! I have my art for therapy. It keeps me sane. I have wonderful parents and I'm lucky to still have them into their 70's. I have many friends. I have a relationship with my Lord and Savior and He is the reason for all the rest.

Here is another tag from the Frida/Dia de Los Muertos Tag swap.

Art completed

Sometimes when I'm working of something great, I hate to finish for fear I'll never do something good again. At other times each piece sends me to the next idea and project.

Sometimes good sometimes bad. Maybe that's why I always hold on to some pieces for a while before I finish so there's always something to work on. I have many ideas but just can't get them all to be successful.

The image is part of a new tag swap I just finished. The theme was Frida Kahlo and/or Dia de Los Muertos.

tag is made of mat board with acrylic paint, fibers, clip art head, stickers, watercolor painted dress

Life Changes

We change. The world changes. People around us change. Nothing really stays the same. That's good I guess but I get very comfortable in my own little world and don't like change too well.

I deal with it but inside I shake.
Changes I'm learning to deal with:

a grown son,

a soon retired husband

building a retirement home

aging parents

menopause

Maybe you should face your changes and pray for guidance to deal with them.
I do. Everyday. It's working.

We are all vessels and if we keep open to collect God's goodness and gifts we can all deal with any change that comes our way.

Home-no place like it

It was a busy week and I did not get to spend as much time home as I like.

I can be happy just being home with my familiar favorites, my art, my family and peaceful life.

If you are always busy running to and fro and working and doing for everyone else and neglecting your home life you can really become quite ill (tempered, physically and mentally). If you don't believe me just try it. Take one whole day. Stay home. Relish your surroundings and blessings. Find time to reflect on your life and realize how good it really is.

more inspiration from the getaway

whether your getaway is in your own backyard, the beach, the mountains or some exotic place...I highly reccommend journaling in phrases, poetry, spilling from the soul consciousness writing or even through images you photograph, sketch or collage....it's a great way to find your center and come to that place where there is perfect peace.....

Hope Returns

free clipart

Here are some crosses I made for a series of ATCs, cards, etc.

They are watercolor and could be printed on watercolor paper or any paper you choose or used for patterns for your own work. Enjoy!

Look to the cross

I worked on several ideas concerning crosses this past weekend. There is an interesting history behind crosses. ATC's, notecards and a larger canvas in the works.

Here is a sampling of the ATC's

Blessings!

journal page

recent obsession with mermaids.....

digitally enhanced collage on watercolor background with gel pen text on the edges

I use my own head and family's for lots of my collages since most of my work will end up with my family....

More ATC's

These have watercolor backgrounds, paper beads and cut designs from leftover watercolor pieces. Trying to save money and use as much as I can of what I have on hand to make my ATC's and art these days.

I've been tagged

by Linda (http://craftygallinda.wordpress.com/) to post 5 random facts about myself.....

I love chocolate.
I play piano but haven't practiced in years and want to start.
I'm a sucker for romance...today is my 27th wedding anniversary.
I wear a cross necklace everyday to witness to anyone I pass of the love of Christ.
I secretly wish I had my own gallery/studio for classes, shows, and sales.(it's not a secret now)
thanks Linda.
That was rather fun and freeing!

Invitation to swap ATC's

I'd love to invite any and all who are interested to swap 2 ATC's. Each makes the choice and each pays own postage. I hope to hear from lots of you! I have just finished a several series of new ATC's and here is a sample. I have so many and want to make more and am anxious to swap. Please contact me at cqt144w@mindspring.com if you are interested.

TIme Away is Refreshing

Time away can really help one find perspective for life.

My new focus is on:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...

Colossian 3:23

My new mantra is :

I commit my way to the Lord; I cannot fail.

Long weekend Getaways

So excited that we are going to see our son this weekend (Sat - Tues actually-thus long weekend). He lives near the coast in a beautiful historic town called New Bern. Traveling NC? Got to check it out. Home of Tryon Palace, first governor's mansion, home of the first printing press, home to Nicholas Sparks the great writer of love stories such as Message in a Bottle, The Notebook and more, and the second oldest town in NC. Beautiful park on the Neuse River and lots of historic homes and buildings....and while you are there read the Sun Journal newspaper, where he is a reporter of education and the town of Havelock.

This will be my last post for a few days so I am posting another freebie to use in your art to tide you over till I am back. I call it watercolor drizzle. To make your own just saturate the paper with drops of wonderful fluid watercolor and tilt to run until you like the pattern. Lay flat to dry. Enjoy!

Creating with old tricks

When I was a girl I used to make paper bead necklaces and my mom would sell them at work for a $1 a piece. I recently started making the beads again to teach my kids classes. Well, it was a bit too much for their patience and dexterity but it rekindled the fun of it in my own studio. So I made lots from magazine and clipart pages and formed them into a Beaded lady on canvas.

Here she is.

hump day and counting

We are going to visit our son in a couple of days and I can't wait.

He is the light of our life and doing such a fine job working and living on his own.

We are so proud of him!

Is there someone you are very proud of?

Tell them.

Image is a mermaid collage of me from my latest art journal.

It's fun to use your own face in collages and you don'

t have to worry about copyrights.