faith

Something happens in the mind and heart of a person who stares hell directly in the face yet is able to defeat it. Such a deep and raw beauty emerges. After such an experience, life carries with it a sweetness and a peace no matter what challenges may arise. I don't know that I can really explain this concept with words, it might simply have to be lived, but I think this quote does a pretty good job conveying the message. (I found the quote today on one of my favorite blogs, Apples for Poppy Anne - thank you Erin!)

I'm back from vacation and I have a lot of catching up to do. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday....they really do keep getting sweeter and sweeter every year.

stuff from the week + vacation

I am going on vacation tomorrow (well technically today since it's already Sunday)!!! But first, a few things from the week......






I'll see you all next week!

Belgium train station

ok, this is just way TOO COOL not to post about. You might have already seen it and I am late to the game, if so, watch it again cause it will make you smile big time.

I want to do something like this!!

reality

its SO true. i promise.

By the way, I learned this concept from the e-course I have been taking for almost 3 months now - Creative Pathways with Deb Owen. It has been an amazing experience and has truly changed my life. A lot of times I go into something hoping that I will be moved in some sort of profound way only to be let down...not true with this course. I highly recommend it if you are a creative person or struggling to get unstuck in some area of your life. You can email her directly for more information deb (at) djocreative.com.

Have you taken any e-courses that you have loved? I would love to hear about them.

welcome home

While procrastinating on doing the things I really NEED to do I painted a little sign for our home last night.

(sorry for the annoying glare)

While I was painting it I was not only thinking about the environment I want to exist in my home but I was also thinking about the environment I want to exist on my blog. I really genuinely want to connect with people and create a place where people can feel safe to be themselves and to explore their own uniqueness - no matter how quirky or weird it may seem. I hope that when people visit my blog (and my home) they feel safe to be completely who they are.

I like it when people feel so comfortable in my home that they will open the fridge to get a drink without asking me first. I want my bloggy friends to feel the same way. If you want to leave a comment, leave a comment...if you want to send an email, send an email....you are welcome in this place to think and to feel and to experience life unedited.

There is no judgement here, and if you sense judgement please kick me in the rear, ok?

let it rain painting

I seem to be struggling with words a bit lately. I am in a phase where I am learning and absorbing so much and I just want to keep quiet and allow it all to soak into my being. But I really wanted to share with you something that I learned from this little guy....
He taught me a huge lesson yesterday. He taught me that I can trust myself, trust my inner artist and trust the creative process. He taught me that if I do my part, and just show up at the canvas, the universe (God, higher power..whatever) will take care of the rest. JUST SHOW UP.

Sometimes, when I think about doing something creative, I get completely paralyzed with fear. I feel like I can't get myself together enough to just start something....anything..because I am obsessed with a beautiful outcome. I am a perfectionist and my art MUST be perfect...otherwise what is the point??? This way of thinking can be completely overwhelming and kept me creatively blocked for years.

Here is what Julia Cameron has to say about this stuff...

"Our ego plays this little trick to keep us from getting started. Instead of allowing ourselves a creative journey, we focus on the length of the trip. 'It's such a long way,' we tell ourselves.

At the heart of the anorexia of artistic avoidance is the denial of process. We like to focus on having learned a skill or on having made an artwork. This attention to final form ignores the fact that creativity lies not in the done but in the doing."

Did you get that???? Creativity lies not in the DONE but in the DOING. Whoa!!! It is so easy for me to forget this, especially working in graphic design and advertising when all that matters to the client is the printed piece that brings in sales.

So back to little elephant guy. When I finally gathered enough courage to show up at the canvas yesterday he is what appeared. I took things one tiny step at a time. I had no idea what I wanted to paint, I just started with one small thing, then another and another. And he was born and I love him.

I LOVE this painting. Not necessarily because it represents any great talent, but because of it's birth process.

So now I am trying to meet authentic creativity where it truly exists.....in the process. I am learning to relax and trust. I am learning, when it rains to let it rain....soak it up!!

get past the fear

stuff from the week

Hello hello hello!! I just wanted to share a few VERY random photos from the very random stuff I have been into the past few days.

These horses live across the street from me (i know...its weird that I live across from a farm). For my weekly Artist Date this week I went to visit them and took tons of pictures. This one was my favorite.

This was my second favorite.

This is hanging on my front door so I see it every time I leave or arrive. Yes, I spelled precious wrong....does that make the drawing more precious? I think so.

Seriously, I will never drink them. I just loved the packaging so much that I had to purchase them. Have you ever done that? Maybe it's because I am a graphic designer.

I found these adorable birdhouses at Old Time Pottery for $2!! I loved them so much that I had to buy 3 of them. I spray painted them white for now but have a feeling that a solid coat of bright pink or turquoise might be in their near future.

I feel like this blog post was so random...but really that's how my week has been...very random. I can definitely feel the affects of not setting time aside to paint or create something tangible this week. Does that happen to you too?