Colorful Creative Spaces.......

I finally got to the end of a long to-do list that has been following me around for awhile. I love the wide space that opens up in between crossing the last item off the list and before it fills up again! So I spent a quiet day in the studio and was able to create a few pieces. I added these new inspirational, vintage themed, glass pendants to my website today. If you would like to see more images and find these sweet little offerings you can see COLLECTION A here and COLLECTION B here!




I had the opportunity to create a special order journal this week for a dear buyer of mine who serves overseas in Iraq. Her only request was to "create whatever inspires you"! I love to create "journals as art" and often sell one-of-a-kind-journals with lovely metal picture stands to display them on. Placing your own journals in a special area of prominance, as art, is a wonderful way to honor this process of expression and encourage a daily practice of written or art journaling.

I seem to be entering a season of bright color!I am so drawn to the rich and vibrant jewel tones these days. I fell in love with these handcrafted "silk sari ribbons" and creations by designtalentedone on Etsy. She creates the most unique and colorful ribbons I had ever seen!I treated myself to one of her original hats recently! It definately brought out that funky inner artist in me!

Art Blessing Giveaway!!!

Its been awhile since I offered an art blessing giveaway and I thought this "Vintage Journey Acrylic Cube" would be a wonderful way to bless one of you! Click here to see more pictures of all sides of the cube.

I am always so grateful to receive your support and encouragement as I continue to explore and share art as a healing, revealing and redemptive tool in the revelation of our inner worlds. If you would like to be a part of this giveaway please leave your contact info in the comment section and I will add your name to the drawing! If you would be so kind as to share about this art blessing on your blog I will add your name twice to the drawing (just let me know)! I will draw the name of the blessing winner on Friday, April 2!

New Healing Art Blocks

I am now offering 'Healing Art Blocks" which make very special gifts for a friend or loved one who might be in need of hope and encouragement...or just a little something that says, "I understand where you are my friend"! The blocks are 3.5 x 4.5 inches and are just right for a small gesture of kindness. Customers may choose which design they would like on their block from my entire collection of art card collage prints. You may find these on my Website, Ebay and Etsy stores!

















Several months back I shared about a heartwarming project I participated in called "The Ties that Bind" to raise funds and support awareness of Ovarian cancer. This large, amazing art doll was created that held handcrafted, healing-oriented, charms and beautiful art ties lovingly created by over 100 participating artists. A raffle is currently in progress to raise funds for the cause through September 30th when a very lucky soul will win this incredible treasure! A beautiful book with these unique creations and survivor stories has now been published and it is filled with gorgeous photos of this very meaningful project. The proceeds will also be contributed to fight ovarian cancer and you can find the information about ordering the book here. I recently ordered my copy and can't wait to receive it. I have also heard such sweet stories of others purchasing groups of these books to take to cancer treatment centers etc. The charm I created is hanging directly in the center of the first photo with the vintage girl, metal filigree wings and says "Heal". It was really an honor to contribute and watch this project come together over the months. I can't wait to look through the pages and pages of one of a kind pieces and hear of the hope in the lives of those who stories are shared. There is nothing that brings me greater joy then when passions and gifts converge to support and uplift those in need!
























I hope you find some rest and relaxation in the days of summer still to come. I plan to join my family for some adventures over the next few weeks. There is still so much for me to hear, take in and reflect on and I am grateful for the opportunity! Thank you all for your comments and encouragement during this season of waiting and reflection!

A few more reflections....

Found myself staying in the studio the last couple days and that images and musings continued to pour out. I think in all the challenges and activity in earlier months my little river of creativity had been stopped up. My time away is about moving those stones around, rearranging and maybe the flow will be fresher, wider and deeper. These cards can be found on ebay.

Mid Summer Reflections......

I thought I would step back in for a few moments to share a few new pieces I recently created. My time away continues to restore my heart and enlarge my vision. The unexpected has often rearranged any plans I thought I might have and priorities have become so clear. There have been difficult choices in order to step into this new space but I am moving through life these days with much more internal simplicity and quiet and am breathing deeper in releasing much of the striving. Having had to let go of much I had been holding onto...for a season...I am trusting what is meant to return will one day return. I feel a deep trust in leaving it up to God who and what that will be. For now, my sabbatical is revealing, challenging and hopeful. Each of these original art cards have been listed here on ebay!

I also had a wonderful opportunity to create a special 12x12 inch piece for the opening of the "Grid Show" at the Imago Dei Gallery in the Portland Pearl District. Over 100 artist's were asked to contribute their reflection on the theme of "Touch". All proceeds are going to support the art program of a local school. It was truly amazing to see all the different styles and mediums!

And finally I must leave you with some tempting treats I made with my son and the neighborhhood gang recently. I forgot how much I love to create desserts! Its little discoveries like this that my time away continues to reveal. I am enjoying making these new memories! And yes.....they were really yummy! Creative Blessings to you and I hope this summer brings you rest and enduring memories!

Taking a break......

Sometimes we can sense these seasons approaching. When you can no longer push aside the growing conviction that you are being invited to do something that feels threatening, uncomfortable and might reveal a need to evaluate on what foundation you have formed your sense of security, identity and purpose. I am not sure what these thoughts all mean for me. Significant events in my life the past few months have forced me to stop and reevaluate where my energy has been going and how much I actually have to offer. Sometimes the cumulitive weight of what we are carrying, being and doing for others catches up to you and something has to give.

As an artist, creating and revealing ourselves is a calling near to breathing. Our social media world has given us ample opportunity to share, reveal, promote, expose and spread ourselves out to far reaches of the world in a way that feels so personal and authentic. It can be a such a powerful way to communicate and has such incredible benefits. But I have this haunting, unsettling feeling that has persisted....about how it all is affecting our capacity for depth and real intimacy in our face to face relationships and our emotional availiablity to those who might even be in our own homes, our neighborhoods, our communities. There can be an illusionary sense of being known when connected everywhere on line...but what of ourselves are we revealing in our being known...and at what depth are we connected to what we are revealing? I find myself needing to ask the questions and listen for balanced answers. As I work and view the world as it presents itself through the computer screen...unfortunately more often than I have breathed in the fresh air lately.... I can't deny the need to redefine what I am doing and restore a sense of balance. I am grateful to have wise ones in my life encouraging a time of backing away....a time to catch up to myself....be present...and move back into the deeper journey I had begun. I am grateful for the invitation.

I realize my work requires use and resources of the internet. I know that I am so blessed and grateful for such wonderful and amazing souls I am lucky to call friends who I would not have met were it not for having risked myself in my artowrk, here in on this blog or other in creative on-line communities. Those who visit here have often extended words of support and encouragement to me as I have expressed my creative journey and work and I hope I have shown that kindness in return. I am just asking myself some hard questions...for me personally....and it feels critical to my emotional and spiritual health that I make room to investigate the answers. My humanity cries out, "But what if they forget me and I vanish into obscurity!" Even behind that cry lies an opportunity to explore concepts of value and self-worth. In reality, this is only one of several impacting situations in my own personal life that has culminated in a halt to how I had been living it recently. Sometimes the plates we are trying to keep in the air need to be set down for awhile.

So I feel the need to listen and check for healthy balance in my life. Go on more dates with my husband. Hold up my end of a conversation with God again. Take my youngest to the skate park...he has been begging me. Go to coffee with my teenagers...as long as I pay of course. Take the dog for more walks....she looks at me longingly when she sees me put on my tennis shoes. Stop and talk to my neighbors....I might have something they need. Read more. Journal more. Write more. Create some healing art for my local community....walk in and actually meet them and place it in their hands. Hike in and stand before that secret waterfall up at Mt Hood. My soul is thirsty for whatever else this space opens up and reveals to me. I need to lay it all down and rest for awhile first. I look forward to picking things back up again when the time is right....when my breathing is fuller and deeper...and the fresh air from a more three-dimensional place has filled my lungs.

So I am sure it won't be forever. I"ll peek in again. I hope to continue Art Blessing Giveaways here and there. I will still be creating art for the healing journey behind the scenes, quietly offering new work on my sites as time, energy and revelation present themselves. Most of what I hope to discover and reclaim I know in my heart will not be found on-line. Just taking time to step back and try to take a little better care of myself! My deepest hope is to open and make space for what needs opening and be in a place to make the changes that are revealed! I pray your days are blessed and you take time to listen....and see if your soul is thirsting for anything....if there are any questions that need answering....or if you just need a breath of fresh air....