"You Are Enough...Just As You Are" Art Blessing Giveaway!

Life and family have been keeping me busy this fall. With another son now in his senior year and and playing on the starting line-up this football season it seems there is one event after another! We had an incredibly exciting weekend here as his team the "Union Titans" won their league championship in a nail-biting, down-to-the-wire finish and are on their way to the State Championship! So I have been overdue to peek in here on my blog and wanted to share an art blessing giveaway with you all! This altered journal highights a collage print that says "You are enough...Just as you are", bright colored jewels, shimmering butterflies, colorful fibers, and measures 4 x 8 1/2 inches. If you would like to be entered in the drawing for this journal just leave your contact info in the comment section! If you would like to share this giveaway with a link on your blog, let me know and I will add your name twice to the drawing! Check back and on Monday, Nov. 16th I'll post the Art Blessing winner!

NEW TREASURES AVAILABLE ON HEALING EXPRESSIONS WEBSITE: With the holidays approaching, I have been quietly working in my studio and creating encouraging, inspirational gifts for my website (many inspired by beautiful, digital collage images by Batya S.)as well as my upcoming Holiday Open House (details to come soon). I had a meaningful time this past weekend sharing art at a recovery conference called Betrayal Redeemed where several of the new items below were available. I am looking forward to seeing what else is inspired in the studio for the season. I am feeling such calmness, peace, confirmation and anticipation these days for the next steps of my own personal and creative journey. You can click on the link below each item to see more images!

Prayer Cards w/Gift Tin


Inspirational Acrylic Art Cubes


Original Charm Bracelets


Healing Journey Card Sets


5x7 Collage Designs in Acrylic


Healing Words Glass Pendants (over 20 words to choose from) and Inspirational Magnets w/ Gift Tin

Thanks so much for letting me share these pieces. I hope that this day finds you in a good place, breathing in the present moment and willing to reach out to those you love...to risk being cared for...and to offer care to someone who crosses your path. Each of us has much to give and to release of ourselves as the holidays approach and so many will be in need of the simple and often free gifts we possess.

Every fall I think of this song and thought you might be blessed by it too. It always moves me deeply.....

Please pause the music playing on my blog on the lower right sidebar before listening to the video...

Giveaway Winner.....

Thank you to all who entered the Art Blessing Giveaway and for leaving such encouraging comments! It was a busy weekend and I am finally getting the drawing offically done! The name I reached in and drew was Angela! She has a wonderful blog where she interviews dear artists that have inspired her! I am sure she would enjoy if you stopped by! I plan to have Art Blessing Giveaways each month so hope you'll stop by again and join in the fun.

I have been reflecting on this song. Simple yet profoundly beautiful. Thought I would leave it with you all for today. Be sure to pause the music playing on my blog on the lower right hand sidebar before viewing the video!

Art Blessing Giveaway and Studio Clearance!

My season of creating some quiet space for myself continues to be where my heart and soul is being nurtured. I have been arranging reflective places in my home and cleaning out my studio and creating room for what is to come in many areas of my life. Stepping away for a season from being on-line and from other committments and relationships these past few months has allowed me to engage on a much deeper and meaningful level with myself, my family and God. Solitude and quietness brings such clarity. Although this season has brought with it some hard choices and rearranging in order to move into this new internal space....I am grateful for the courage to try. When you know God is leading you somewhere, even though it feels unknown, there is a sense of peace that you are where you are suppose to be. So I hope to peek in a little more on my blog over the coming months with new hope and inspiration born out of this simpler season.

I wanted to share an art blessing giveaway as we move into the new season and fall is around the corner. I have put together a collection which includes a 5x7 Print ("The truth shall set you free"), Greeting Card ("Listen, Nurture this season of dwelling in the deep sacred spaces"), Healing Art Block ("She moved on the quiet path of her inner peace and strength"), Framed Print ("Healing Season"), and Art card Print "Masquerade" If you would like to have an opportunity to have your name drawn to receive this collection just leave your name and contact info in the comment section and I will draw a name on Sunday, Sept. 20! If you would like to share this giveaway post on your blog with a link just let me know and I'll be happy to add your name twice!

STUDIO CLEARANCE ON EBAY!!!!



Well it truly never ceases to amaze me what a creative artist type can collect!!! I have been sorting through, gutting out and working my way through "stuff" in my studio. The letting go process always seems to expose so much inside. And it was definately true that while I made my way through the "gut out" it got alot worse before it got better...especially on the day an entire shelf of glass jars filled with trinkets and beads came crashing down to the floor! Just reminded me of the tenacity it takes to keep going the directions we are called no matter the obstacles lol! So as I contemplate the new doorways that need to be opened, I have decided to really clear the pathway in my creative world and have put together fifteen wonderful groups of collage, mixed media and altered art items with the artist in mind. All of these are being listed as auctions on Ebay with Buy It Nows for those who just can't wait! You can find all these sale auctions here!

I thought I would share a few pics of my creative space where there is now a little more room for me to breathe (you may click on images to enlarge)....





Finally, as we approach the anniversary of 9/11 this week, I wanted to share a piece of writing I had felt compelled to write back when the tragedy happened. I had sent several copies along with a friend who is a trauma therapist and was going to be heading to New York to work with survivors. It is a reflection on grief and the grieving process from tragedy, loss and life's hurts. It is called an "Invitation to Grieve" and you may read it here on my website.I hope you can carve out a quiet space for yourself this week and breathe deep.

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!