One Little Word...

Happy Monday Blog Friends..

Hope your holidays were amazing...filled with everything that you wished for.

For us here, we spent time surrounded by family in the hospital with my mom, where her journey with this cancer began a full year ago.  The fact that it has been a year since her diagnosis is a blessing in itself, and the fact that we were able to spend time with her is a miracle.

I sat in my studio a bit ago, and mulled over words that I wanted to go into the New Year with, one word just would not go away...

Flourish-verb

Grow, Thrive, Prosper, Increase, Multiply.

Yesss!

Until next time,

The Art of Showing Up!

Good morning blog friends!  I hope that todays post finds all of you well with many, many things to be grateful for.

Today, instead of heading off to work, I headed to my studio for some alone time.  I realized a few days ago via my daily journal, that it has been month since I have been here to do anything.  Other than to pack or unpack for classes and demos, I have done not a thing!

It almost feels daunting--showing up after being away for so long, so todays quest is just to spend some time in my space.

Like playing around with my Prismacolor pencils and watercolor pencils....

 



Or filling up my trusty Lukas watercolor palette.

Or gluing down a random bit in an open journal on my table...

Than, making a mark with my favorite pencil!

I find that there is loads of inspiration in my studio....magic doesn't always happen...

But, I sure love being in this space!  And today, I am honestly grateful to have this little corner in my world to call my own!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Until next time,

What A Feeling!!!

Good morning blog friends!

I did a demo this past week at Jerrys...as usual, I had a blast!

Then...

I got to play with my friend Jodi for a day of painting!

Oh...how we laughed, painted, laughed and played some more...

I realized in the midst of it all...that I absolutely LOVE the feeling of playing in paint...LOVE it!

Just starting out by slapping some paint around.

And....just go with the flow....

Push...pull...play...

Just playing...seeing where it takes you...such a great feeling!

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Until next time,

Summer of Color...

I LOVE a good art challenge...and this weeks Summer of Color did not let me down...

The challenge...orange, orange and blue!

Hmmm...

I pulled out every orange paint that I owned- I definitely lacking in the orange department...but I started!!!

A closeup of this WIP...I will get to work at finishing it soon....but I kinda like where its going.

If you are looking for a fun challenge this summer...I encourage you to head over to Summer of Color 5...

Enjoy your week everyone...

Until next time,

How Many Times...sigh...

Good Morning blog friends and Happy July!

How many times shall I fall off of this blogging horse...how many???  I honestly have the best intentions, and well...sigh...

A few updates...

My mom-from my last post was diagnosed on Christmas Day with State 4 Pancreatic Cancer... She is doing incredibly well...like miracle status!  In fact, as I write this, they. My parents and all of the grandkids are on the way to Florida for the week...

That being said...this gal is Kidless!!!  What to do...what to do???

On to other happenings...

I recently did a lecture/demo over at the Art Bar in Raleigh using the mixed media line by Pebeo.

Loads and Loads of fun!

Here is the finished piece from the demo.

I just absolutely LOVE working with these paints!

The Art Bar is such a great to hang out...

Last night, I decided to attend a sketching meet up there...remember, I'm Kidless!!

We did torn image sketching.  Again...loads and loads of fun!

In the studio, I continue to create in my journal...seems like such a long time since I have been able to do so..

I can not thank you all enough for hanging around with me!

Until next time,

Finally A Break!!

It is officially Spring Break!!!  Thank goodness as sometimes I feel as though I can not take another moment of the madness!!!  Its nice to have a break from the craziness of our schedules.

With a break from school I get to have some much needed studio time.

Yep...it completely looks like a bomb went off!

Busy on a few projects I have going on...

Its an exciting opportunity....

I have also been working hard to get ready for hanging a show in Wake Forest this weekend...

Its a nice feeling to just paint!  My studio takes me away from all the worries this world offers... 

When my palette looks like this, my manicure is like this...

And I am a happy girl!!!

On another note...my mom is doing very well with her treatments...total reason to be very happy!!!  Today is her first CT scan since ahe started chemo, so fingers crossed that there is progress!

And...as I type this, this gal is on the way in to the Orthodontist to get her braces!!

Nervously excited..she says..

Enjoy your day everyone!

Until next time,

Where the Heck Ya Been???

Good Morning Blog Friends!!!

I can not believe its been almost a month since I have paid this blog a visit...sigh!!  So much has been going on, and I can't seem to catch a break!!!

Christmas day, was spent in the ER with my mom where she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer---and life has just been turned upside down!  My parents live about 4ish hours away, so I spend a great deal of time on the road!!!

My art bag is always packed and ready to go as it is my only sanity!!!

It's amazing how creating takes me away from all of my troubles...so I do...alot!!!

In the midst of it all...I am still demoing a lot- which also helps me keep my sanity!!  ---and, Jerrysartarama in Raleigh FINALLY stocked Gelli Plates!!!

I am also preparing for a show in Wake Forest!!!!  Lots and lots more to do there!!!

A lot of time is just spent plain and simple- me and my journal--a few pens, and markers...

Just passing the time...

Although....yesterday was absolutely glorious here in NC...so I set up my studio outside for a bit!!!

Felt good!!!!

Until next time,

A Snow Day....

Creates the perfect opportunity for me to head off to my studio!!!!

I have been playing a lot with the Mixed Media line by Pebeo as I prepare for the Artists Materials Expo this weekend in Atlanta!!!  If you are in the area...please stop by the Pebeo booth and experience these bottles of pure joy for yourself.  I will be there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday demoing in the booth....and I can not wait!

 

I did this piece on Ampersand Gessoboard...and I just am addicted to creating with the Fantasy Moon and Prisme paints!!  Addicted, I say!!

 

 

Liquid art panels, canvas, even journals are great to play with these guys!!!  Addicted!!

 

 

The tough part is knowing when to quit....walk away, Ophelia...just walk away!!

 

 

I just can't get enough of pouring and letting go to watch the magic happen!!!

 

 

I did this color chart in my journal using black gesso and I absolutely love how the colors pop on black!!!

Walk away, Ophelia...walk away!!

Until next time,

Finding Comfort...

In my studio...of all places.  Just passing through the door seems to make everything right in the world.

Mind you...it definitely needs a good cleaning...things need to be put in their proper places---or trashed...but these days, its where I run to when I need an escape.

 

Seems I have only been starting things....just doing mindless backgrounds....creating space for words that I am sure will come later...

 

Randomly selecting colors from my shelves and finding a blank spot to deposit them...

 

Making marks with whatever my hand seems to grab on my oh so cluttered work table.

Until next time,

Hello 2015 and Goodbye Break!!!

Happy New Year Blog Friends!

I hope that this first few days of 2015 have been good to you all....

Its back to school today for us...and well...sigh....
 

 

After a lot of travel this break for the holidays....my word for

the year--several of them played out in my head until I could get back to my studio to let it out.....

 

There were lots of candidates....maybe I will revisit this word later....but for now...Clarity seems to stick out at the front.  

 



 

I hope that you all have the greatest day ever!!

Until next time,