And Just Like That....

Its Over......

Art of the Carolinas was amazing this year.....AMAZING, and just what I needed at just the right time. I anxiously awaited its arrival for what seemed an eternity, and in a whirl.....it is over.

I did this page, because all things must come to an end....and its so sad that time truly flies when you are having fun. Thursday finally came and I had my first workshop....and the next thing I knew...it was Sunday afternoon, and the show was over.

To fill in the space for you though....the show truly was amazing, and the classes that I took were just incredible.

My first class on Thursday night was with Jimmy Leslie... Good Golly Miss Molly! He is such a great teacher. This was a collage class and it was GREAT!!

On Saturday I took a class with Michele Theberge

This one was called Drawing with Acrylic Inks....and once again...WOW!! You remember last year when I went NUTTS over those Liquitex Inks....well I'm in Love all over again... In this class we played with them on Yupo paper....GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY. Mind you... I am not even close to being a "drawer", but she was fantastic!! And the class was great even for an absolute beginner like me.

You may remember from an older post of mine the excitement and pure joy I get from taking workshops....unpacking my supplies, and the childlike giddiness I get as I wait for the class to begin....that was exactly the experience I had this time, and I was not disappointed.

As usual, this girl with a-shopping at the trade show....and prepare to be AMAZED once again. Good Golly Miss Molly (did I already say that) well, its worth repeating in this instance.

The trade show was filled with bargains galore...All the supplies that you could imagine from the top companies out there. This girl was in an artistic wonderland. Each company had artists that demo'ed products, and I always HAVE to stop in and "check out" what they are working on...and BAM---I have to have it all!!

I will post findings from each company that I shopped with and found incredible things...each new post will feature a new find, so stay tuned! You won't be sorry.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Change....

Good Morning Bloggers!!!
I can't believe I'm back at another Monday morning...where oh where does the weekend go?
I don't know about you...but I am the biggest hater of ho-hum....and that seems to be exactly where I have found myself...in the land of ho-hum. I am ready for a change. I have said this so many times before, and I still do exactly the same things that I have done before...thus the ho-hum that has overtaken my life.
Get up....go to work...come home....get ready to start all over....What a Life!!! I realized the other day that I don't even know an alternate way into work...because I go the exact same way everyday....for 8 years now!!! Talk about HO-HUM. Thats enough to make anyone go insane!
I am feeling the same about my art....and the muse, that I so depend on...seems elusive these days...
What do you do when you are stuck in a rut....
What do you do when your muse is elusive....
What do you do when you wake up and discover that your life suffers from an acute case of ho-hum?
Sending out a serious SOS here :)
Until next time,
Ophelia

A Stretch!!!

I didn't realize how much time had gone by since I last posted. Although I still make it a point to get up to my studio everyday to play with art...I'm just not as disciplined to actually post about it yet....your patience with me is greatly appreciated!!
Here is the lastest happenings with me....

Have you ever reached for something so big...that is such a stretch that it makes you sick and giddy just thinking about it. Reaching for a goal or an accomplishment that is so far out there that a giant stretch is necessary...well, that is where I am this month with my Silpada business. Back in September, I went for a goal of Senior Rep, and I made it. It was a big goal for me to accomplish since I was humming along happily not even realizing that it was a "goal". The next step within the company is the rank of Star Leader....and, well, its a carrot dangling out there that I HAVE to get. This one is a stretch...like no other for me...and I can already see myself there!!

This new rank comes with an invitation to Chicago for a Leadership conference. I've never been to Chicago, and once again....I see myself there. I can actually see myself boarding the plane, and once there....receiving the coveted bracelet that only the leaders in this company get.

I have until November 30th to make this happen...oh, there goes the funny feeling in my stomach again...but, I will not stop until its done.

Today, make it a great day....and stretch yourself to accomplish amazing things!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Anyone Up For A Little Challenge???

I just love a challenge...just because it pushes me beyond my comfort zone...and I always come out on the other side a new person...bigger and stronger because of it.

I found this challenge over at the blog of Kimberly Moore. Kimberly is an incredible artist...and somehow, although we have never met face to face, it seems we have known each other for a lifetime.

I printed out her awesome "diva" and suddenly, my colored pencils were calling me. I have an all out love for colored pencils...I don't even know why. I'm not sure if its just that they come in a squillion colors and I LOVE color and all things colorish, but I love them, and I use them to scribble because, well, I think the day in kindergarten that we actually held crayons, colored pencils, and such, I was absent, but for this challenge,I gave it a good try.

Join in, won't you....

I have printed more....so keep your eye out...this girl love a good challenge!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Is it Monday Already??

Where oh where did the weekend go!! So much to do, and so little time it seems. Friday afternoon holds so much potential for me it seems, where I think that I can conquer the world...or at least my ever growing to do list...and then in the blink of an eye, its Monday morning... (sigh).

I did get a wee bit of art accomplished, not a whole lot though. Our Saturday was filled with football, and we suffered a muddy, cold, and rainy defeat....the boys had the best time ever though doing mud slides...but I was soaked and frozen to my bones after sitting out in the rain for HOURS!!

With the fury of activity that is always going on around here...I learned a valuable lesson. I learned that I am for one a person of excuses...too busy, not enough time, too tired, my kids are not dressed well, I'm not dressed well enough...you know the list, and I usually let that list of excuses keep me from doing things that I know will eventually push me forward. I think part of the reason that I am always sitting on the sidelines watching other people succeed at what they do is that I let my excuses drive my life....I am learning though, to do things in spite of....I'm too tired...just do it anyway...

On Friday night, it seemed that everyone of my excuses were lined up to jump in and stop me from attending an event that I was invited to join. My husband was called out which left me with both kids...getting dinner, redressing, rushing home after work....the list could go on... but I made it happen, in spite of the circumstances, and I was amazed at the outcome. AMAZED. Had I let the list of excuses keep me at home, I would have missed out on some wonderful opportunities...and I stood there realizing that when you do things in spite of....it really does get you in the game. People that are making things happen for them are also busy, tired, rushed....but they do it anyway...so why not me...

Until next time,

Ophelia

Happy Friday!!

Good Morning Bloggers!!
Thank goodness, I made it to Friday.
Not alot of art this week, and I can't believe how time flew by since my last post. We are still recovering around here from having 12 BOYS sleep over last week!!! TWELVE of them! My son had an amazing time,but boy was I tired!!
I will post pictures over the weekend of the little art that I have done.
Have a great Friday!!
Until next time,
Ophelia

Ready for some ART!!

We are on round 2 of the flu here at my house, and I'm ready for something different...I've been in my sickbed all weekend, and I can truly hear my paint brushes calling me...could be all the Nyquil, but I'm certain that I hear them.
With that being said, I am ready for some art...not in my "sick house" art, but a good ole' fashion workshop.
I love, love, love taking workshops...LOVE them. You know, that feeling you get when you pack all of your supplies, and acxiously await the possibilities of what the day will bring. I just love being amongst other creative beings....and just playing. Out of my house with no laundry or dirty dishes calling me, but just PLAY!
Well, my time is a-coming....ART OF THE CAROLINAS is just around the corner...and I've been counting the days...
The lineup this year is just incredible...so many choices....so little time. I honestly spend the entire weekend there..taking workshops, hanging out at the trade show...shopping yes, but also meeting and learning from the most incredible artists on the planet.
So, join me...I'll be there...all weekend long, like a kid at Christmas...or in a candy store..but I'm sure to be dirty in paint, with lots of shopping bags, my camera, and my handy dandy notebook.
Oh, the joy...and anticipation..
Until next time,
Ophelia