Putting it out there...

I simply struggle with who I am, and honestly what my purpose is on this planet....
I have read so many amazing stories from other artists who have stated that they have been artists for as long as they can remember....drawing and painting since childhood.
I can't actually remember when I became so infatuated with art, but I know that it is a gigantic part of my life. I am completely in love with color...and well, creating. What I have to now realize is that I too am an artist, and, well, if I don't believe in me and my ability...no one else will. I have become way too comfortable sitting on the sidelines cheering others on, and not actually believing that I could ever get into this game called "artist". So, today I am putting it out there..an affirmation of sorts...(Say it with me!!)
I am an artist! I love to create! I truly enjoy what I do in my studio!

It is now time to believe in me. I have to get back to the goals that I have set for myself...time passes way too quickly and I want to get alot of things done. I am finding that I am not checking off things quickly enough on my "things to do before I die" list...live a little girlie!
Fear however sneaks into my studio more often than it is invited, and good old fashioned "excuses" come right in behind it (you know..I really should be doing ______, or whatever it is)...its time to put them both in their proper places so that I can get on with things that I have "dreamed" about.
The beautiful part is that today is Friday, and the "almost" beginnings of a nice long weekend.
Ummm...lets see here....8 more days til summer vacation!!
Wow, I am rambling this morning...Enjoy your weekend!
Until next time,
Ophelia

Look What I Got!!!

Oh, there's nothing like some mail love after a blah day!!! And that is exactly what I received today from my friend Lisa!

I met Lisa at one of my Demo's at Jerry's and we have kept in touch and she has inspired me in ways that you would truly not imagine...

This beautiful journal arrived today at my door and it is truly far more beautiful that my crummie photography skills will show!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Lisa for this amazing gift!

Until next time,

Ophelia

My Journey...

Ok...first, I have a bit of a confession...

I am learning this "blog thing" and have found that I have been messing up all this time.

You see, when someone leaves me a comment, I get an email and hit reply to send them a message of some sort in response to their reply....

I didn't realize until recently...like Sunday, that some bloggers have a "non-reply blogger" address, so, my reply emails have been going out to blog universe somewhere and not to the actual person...ooops...

So, I truly apologize that you all might be thinking that Ihave not been sending thoughts right back to you, but...well, I'm learning....I now see why some people actually reply back at their original blog comment...live and learn!!!

I got an email from a wonderfully kind blog friend, Mary over at A Splendid Adventure, and was just completely inspired. She helped me understand that we all feel that our art just may not stack up to others....but, its our own journey...and just that little snippet from her completely helped me see that I don't have to compare myself to others (as I am oh so guilty of doing)....so guilty!

I am the world's worse at thinking that I will never be good enough, or noone will ever like this, or this is not at all what I wanted it to be...so I stop...and whatever it is usually finds its way into the garbage...but you know what....this is my journey....mine alone.... and each of us is creating our own...so Mary, my dear...thank you!!!

Blinders on, I shall create...art for me and my journey...you know what...it feels GOOD!!! I will enjoy this! I'm 40, remember!!

So, to you my blog friends....enjoy your journey as well, and it is so very nice to be able to share mine with you all!!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

A Bit of Retail Therapy...

Kind of long overdue...

I haven't bought anything in a while!! So on yesterday after spending the day on the baseball field, I decided to take myself on a little date....

First stop....a little antique store that I have been eyeing for a while...oh gosh, I could get lost in a good antique store....and found this gigantic ledger...full of interesting pages and beautiful writings...

Next...our local Archivers.....where I treated myself to a few Tim Holtz distress inks...

Here are a few of my online purchase that arrived....love my stamps from Stampotique...

and.....I just absolutely love Teesha Moore...and her collage sheets are just amazing...

I don't know about you all, but I am always so inspired by other peoples work spaces....one of these days, I will post mine, only after it gets a GOOD cleaning!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

I've Been Busy..

and its a good thing! I'm finally feeling comfortable again in my studio. So, back to artmaking it is....
I've been getting my journal ready for the Art Journal Round Robin put together by Erin that I'm participating in with 11 other artists and it seems to be just what I needed to get back in my groove.

This is my first page followed by a few sign in pages for the other artists.....



I apologize for the not so good photos......
I can't wait to begin! I'm loving my studio these days!
Thank you all for your encouragement and support as I went through my dry spell/funk....that was an ugly time, and I appreciate all of your inspiration and encouraging words.
Until next time,
Ophelia

Time Simply Flies By....

Good Morning Bloggers...

As fast as April flew by, so are the days of May. I can't believe it has been a week since my last post. Whew...time just flies by.

My funk seems to continue to trap me, until I was given an assignment...

Erin Kenepp is offering an Art Journal Round Robin, and I signed up to play.

Here is a picture of my journal beginnings....as I get it ready to go off into the world!



This is the cover and the first page so far....still have alot to do before I get it in the mail. But, at least I'm feeling a bit more inspired when I walk into my studio these days (whenever I can actually get there...its just been so busy around here...
I'll keep you all posted! Thanks for all of the encouragement as I have been dealing with this funk!
Until next time,
Ophelia

In A Blur...

April came and went just that quickly.....wow, time is flying, as another month bites the dust....

For me, that means a serious countdown to summer vacation!!!

Here is my May calendar, ready to go....a bit late, but ready none the less! I finished it this morning as I have been on a serious dry spell, and was bound and determined to finish this!

Around here, April was soooo dry...a few showers, but nothing major....that's how I'm feeling in the studio....dry, dry, dry!!! I need a good shower of inspiration! A good soaking of the soul. The bum part, is that I have time to actually get to the studio, and then...well, nothing! Its maddening!

Until next time,

Ophelia