Illustration Friday: Stretch

Arms reaching, I stretch towards the sky

giving thanks for all that I have in my life.

acrylic on canvas from my archives.

Happy Monday!!

xo

Lo

Offerings and Gratitude

With all my traditional holiday touches, it seems I left an important feature unadorned. This beautiful statue of Buddha once sat in my zen garden in California. I don't dare place him outside here because a hard freeze could cause him to split, and I can't keep moving him because he weighs over 100 pounds. So here he has sat in a corner of my dining room for the past year.

He's a bit out of place, really. But I get to walk past him every day and when I pause to dust him off a feeling of gratitude always washes over me.

So today I gave him an offering. I was looking for a place to put my dollar store snowflakes and then said, "Aha! A perfect mandala!"

And as for gratitude, much of it stems from my blog relationships that have formed over the years. Some of you I have met in person where hugs sealed special bonds. Some of us have spoken on the phone, shared laughter and tears, exchanged gifts, and sent cards for no reason other than to let the other know they're loved and thought of.

I'm truly grateful for all of you, even occasional visitors and art critics.

May your Christmas, Kwaanza, Hannukah, Buddhist or non-religious winter celebration be all you need it to be.

As for me, I'm just going to continue to appreciate the magic around me and try to keep myself open for an inspiring new year.

~Winter Blessings and Love~

Lolo♥

  

Thankful Thursday: My Morning Walk

Today I'm keeping my post short and sweet.

I woke up to the most glorious, crisp fresh air and wispy clouds which made for a perfect walk. I thought I'd share a bit of my view with you today.

I'm thankful for the hint of Autumn in the air. It has put the spring back in my step!

Here are a few more pictures of this morning's walk.

 

I hope your day is as lovely as mine is turning out to be ♥

Thankful Thursday: Smatterings

This week I'm starting with gratitude at home. My landlord asked if I had any use for this counter. I knew right away it would be perfect for the studio so I could have a place to sit with friends and draw or paint. I recently bought comfy stools in chili-pepper red (not shown here) and they give the studio a little pizzaz! Come on over!

Here's the view from the dining room doorway.

I have to tell you I'm in the studio all the time. I just love it and feel very lucky to have stumbled upon this place after the first fiasco we lived in. Things happen for a reason!

This is my memory board where I keep treasures from all of you. I have to constantly change it because I can't fit everything on it!

Right now it has things from the following friends: Soulbrush, Renee, Marianne, KJ, Mim, Teri C, Debra Kay, and Lynn. Can you find your art? (click to enlarge)

Beieve me, all of you who have ever given me anything has been represented here and will be again. Thanks so much!

Many of you recognize this beauty by Marianne! She sent it to me recently with my amazing letter "P" from our abc/atc swap. I can't show it yet because it's not time. Besides, I don't usually show things from the other blogs I participate in on this blog. 

I probably should because not everyone goes to the other places.

Thank you Marianne! You know I love this dragonfly in my colors ;) ♥ 

I was lucky to get a popsicle stick bookmark from Teri C! She even put crows on it. And she also sent me this cute puppy! I love his wonky ears! Thanks Teri! I love them. ♥

 And finally, Miss KJ sent this Easter raven to me from Babs etsy shop! It was a real surprise! It hangs from my paper storage cabinet which is right where I can see it all the time. Thanks KJ! You're always so thoughtful and generous! ♥

One last note, I entered 3 paintings in a local art guild show which I recently became a member of. Not one of them was accepted! Funny, they raved about my work when I posted it on their site, but for some reason none of them were selected.

That doesn't make me feel too welcome. Still, I'll continue to paint in this wonderful studio and have my own damn shows! ;)

Today I'll pick up my rejected works and hold my head high and thank them for their consideration. It's a tight knit group there. I'm sure no one knew my name and that was that. As long as I know who I am, that's what matters ♥

Thankful Thursday: Mellow Yellow

This post has taken a turn from my original plans. I was going to post some goodies I was lucky to receive from some of you wonderful ladies, but now that I opened my mail not fifteen minutes ago I knew I had to make this post about Renee.

I promised myself to always keep fresh yellow flowers in my studio as a way of always having her spirit with me. Yellow was her favorite color and she adored fresh flowers.

So after putting the flowers in water I go to the mailbox and there's a package from Margaret at Waterblossoms. Most of you already know her and love her as I do.

She did a post about Renee (here) on March 15th. Margaret really picked up on the essence of Renee's spirit immediately and conveyed it beautifully in her post and in the beautiful ATC she painted.

Today, as part of the package she sent me is the original ATC and printouts of the post and all the comments and a beautiful card thanking me for introducing her to Renee.

This is the original ATC in all its glory. It's a sight to behold in person, really.

Peg said that as she painted it it was as if she had a butterfly on her shoulder telling her muse what to do, line by line, brushful by brushful. She went on to write,

"It sang of renewal and light and rebirth...it sang of the lessons I personally gleaned from Renee...it sang of a free spirit and serenity. This original belongs to you~I will have it no other way...thanks for sharing Renee with me!" Peg ♥

Thanks so much Peg. You have no idea how much that moved me.

This is the stunning card and envelope it came in. Sorry for the shadows, I was just trying to find some natural light and the kitchen was the only sunny spot.

More goodies from her (and more shadows!)

This wonderful tin box really intrigued me. I opened it up and saw a string hanging out which contained this little pink package with a tag that read: "Handmade bookmark~I use mine in my sketchbook. The beads on yours reminded me of your clarity and focus and spirituality. Notice one bead is for your life in California too!"

I wish the pictures were better, but I think you get the idea of the beauty!

And look what was inside the box besides the little bookmark. Another stunning ATC of one of her amazing hearts. This one is called 'Rhapsody in Blue.'

It reads : Thinking of you and the love and positive energy you give to all. Thanks for your insights and freshness. I always feel a warm wave of serenity from your art." 

Ditto Ms. Margaret (Peg) Waterblossom! ♥♥♥

Here is the stunning original!

And here is a wonderful ATC print that was in the butterfly card saying "May your artistic muse continue to flourish and grow in this season of renewal."

I can tell you it flourishes because of all of you and your continued support ;)

On a closing note, KJ is putting together a chapbook of what Renee meant to all of us. If you'd like to know more about it and would like to be included no matter how briefly you knew her, please let KJ know on her blog. The book is "Renee's Book of Love."

I haven't been too well for some time now and one of the gifts Renee gave to me is when she said she wished she had taken better care of herself. I've heard those words from so many people, myself included, but it was just lip-service. This time I heard them loud and clear and decided to do what it takes to get back in the race and be healthy. I've had a lot of tests lately, some results are not so great but I can turn all of it around.

I'm on a good pace and I'm not looking back. I'm looking ahead to at least 40 more years!

In her dying words she gave me the gift of life. Maybe because I was ready. Or maybe I was just waiting for the right messenger. Either way, I'm on my way to good health and I'm grateful.

Please run over to KJ's!! Thank you, and lots of love from me. xoxo ♥ 

Two Awards to start my weekend

The first award I received is from Susan. She's a newcomer to Animal Wednesday and a new friend to my blog. We share a deep love for animals and a passion for art. She has a wonderful rescue Beagle named Cosmo who is also a therapy dog. Please pay her a visit at her studio!

I'm supposed to pass this along to 12 friends I think are deserving, but all of you know I don't play by the rules when it comes to awards :)

Every one of you is important and meaningful to me. Your continued support is immeasurable.

Please take this award and consider yourself loved and appreciated by me.

Thank you Susan!

The second award is from Deepa in Dubai. She's a soft-spoken, quiet little artist with a huge heart. She takes the time to visit everyone and her words are a ray of sunshine. I don't get to her blog as often as I should and yet she still gives me this award. Thank you Deepa! My heart is grateful ;)

Again, dear friends, please help yourself to this award. Your comments keep me buoyed and encouraged to post my art attempts. You are deeply appreciated.

Please visit these two ladies. You'll be glad you did!

Thankful Thursday: Catching up with gratitude

I have a huge list this week because I've fallen behind. Stay with me, it's worth it!

This smiling face is a hand drawn card from Mim with a little note about the collage below, saying she thought of me and had to send it to me! You know I love this raven collage!! I'll have to let the artist know how much I 'adore' it!

Thank you Mim!!! xoxo

Up next is this happy yellow ginham bag adorned with a sparkly butterfly in a brown package from the Netherlands.

It was filled with goodies from Marianne and her friend Marja's  from their trip to Hong Kong.

It has a wonderful smelling sachet and a lovely silken drawstring bag with butterflies... 

And this gorgeous pashmina from Marja which matches my eyes! You should see the pattern. Click to enlarge it! The photographs don't do it justice because I took them in terrible lighting.

I gasped when I opened the gift!

And did you see this card they had made for me at the Chinese New Year celebration?

They had it made while they waited. See the artist creating it on this video on Marianne's blog!

The dragon is for power, the fish is for prosperity, the butterfly is for beauty, the bird is for happiness and the heart is for love ;)

Thank you so much M & M!!!

Happy Chinese New Year to you too!

(This is the fun card they sent with a note!)

This is a wonderful bookmark sent to me by Lisa. What a wonderful quote by Van Gogh!

I need to silence that voice more often ;)

Thanks so much Lisa!!

These wonderful cards came from Joss! I love her drawing of the 4 cacti, one of my faves!

Inside was this adorable vintage postcard asking if I'd like kissing lessons from a dandy teacher!

What a hoot!

These wonderful, exotic atc's were inside too! "Mask" and "Market Day." Thank you dear friend. We're all in love with your African style art! xoxo

Is this not one of the prettiest cards you've ever seen? I love the layers of cut paper and the color combos.

It's from my dear friend KJ who now lives just over to hours away from me!

Inside was a little pocket with a tag for a secret message.

It says "Happy Spring, my terrific friend!"

Thank you KJ. Ditto! xoxo

Heartfelt thanks to all of you. Wow, how does this happen?

My gratitude is bursting forth!

Thankful Thursday 2010 #1

I've been remiss in posting my Thankful Thursdays since just before Christmas. I was in a tailspin and had a hard time seeing my way out of it, but here I am, finally ready to embrace this new year! For all of you wonderful friends out there who sent me things over the holidays, thank you so much! I appreciate the thoughts and gifts more than you'll know. Because I've fallen so very far behind I won't even try to post them. I did write or email all of you individually though, and if I somehow missed even doing that I apologize deeply.

Now I start anew with my first post of gratitude for things that came in the mail so far this year, and thoughts that came from the heart.

First there is this amazingly wonderful children's book from KJ. She bought it for herself last year when she was going through a rough patch and she knew she would pass it on one day to the next person who needed it. I think this book had a part in making me embrace my new life out here. This sweet book will help anyone who's feeling stuck, whether creatively or in your heart. This book is a gem with a wonderful metaphor for pushing through whatever life deals you. It is now my favorite book!! Thank you sweet friend. xo

She also gave me this very mushy card. Look whose ears are poking out from behind the tree!!

I think Emily had to stick her pink nose into everything ;)

Yesterday this beautiful note came in a silver envelope. It was from Suki and it's one of her own designs. I just love it! She was thanking me for my part in her ArtySoulSister's journal, as well as wishing me lots of creative days in my new studio. Suki's page was the first one I did and I had such fun! It was my pleasure Suki. ~Namaste~

Speaking of ArtySoulSisters, Jossie started the whole, wonderful project! There are nine of us ladies around the world each doing a page in the other's journal. Jossie sent a sweet note thanking me for being a part of it. She included this atc of the logo for our group. Thanks Jossie!

The project was and still is my pleasure to participate in with so many talented ladies! xoxo

And finally, this delightful package of goodies came from Margaret at Waterblossoms. She always knows what will make me smile and pretty little notes always do the trick! I also have the very sparkly, glittering postcard from Arizona. I wish you could see the glitz!

Thank you Margaret, you're so thoughtful always! xo

Animal Wednesday : Gratitude

I created this couple a while ago, probably to market as notecards or some such thing. One thing I tried to keep in mind while creating them was their gratitude for their simple pleasures in life. For one another. For their meal, albeit pears. Simply put, just grateful for another day. When did we get away from that?

Thank goodness the Universe gives us wake up calls to bring us back to reality.

Lordy, I for one get so lost!

Happy Animal Wednesday, dear friends.

IF : Soar

As I look back on 2007, I realize there's baggage I need to leave behind. It's filled mostly with broken promises to myself. As I went about my hurried life I was forgetting to take care of my main goal, to replenish my spirit. Some of you remember that from last year. I got caught up in my wonderful new studio until opening after opening consumed me. I became part of the downtown artwalks, which are wonderful, but

I was forgetting the real reason I needed to be there. I needed it to be my sacred space where I made art, period. No agenda other than to fulfill my need to paint from my heart. In all of this racing to be part of something, I lost a part of myself. It wasn't all bad, believe me! I sold a lot of paintings and made a ton of new friends who love art. But still, in the end I feel empty.

So, what I've decided I need to do as I soar into the new year is leave a lot of bad habits and distractions behind. I'll keep the stuff that was working for me and leave the other stuff. And yes, Illustration Friday is a keeper, so you can bet you'll see me here each week. I'm looking forward to it!

New Year's blessings to all of my friends who have supported me each week. May we all soar into 2008 with good health, an abundance of friends, and gratitude for even the smallest things.

acrylic on canvas done for Illustration Friday, "soar."