Fourteen on the 14th

KJ put out the sweetest challenge the other day when she walked around her house taking pictures of things with hearts. She asked us to do the same thing, promising we'd be amazed at how many we have! During my little stroll around the abode I noticed I also have a couple of "Love" items that are important to me so I've included them as well. Ready? Let's go for a walk.

Every day I wake up to my wonderful birth mandala made by my dear friend Marianne in the Netherlands.

This has 33 hearts of gold on it!

This is the sign on my studio door. No grumpy people are allowed in there. Only positive energy!

Still in my studio, I walk over to my memo board and zoom in on a card from my dear 75 year old second cousin whom I've never met. We've been writing for 10 years!

The wonderful raven ATC is from Marianne. Her presence is everywhere :)

Next up is a valentine present I bought for myself on Etsy. I just wish he came with my initial!

The people made a mistake and sent me another one but they told me to keep it and enjoy it when I offered to send it back.

 

Here's the other one. I should send it to my sister Pam :)

Speaking of my sister Pam, she bought this limited edition sculpture for me years ago.

She sits in my studio making sure I choose my colors right!

Lastly in my studio I happen to have a few heart items on my messy table.

Stickers for Valentines that never got sent out, and postage stamps of my Bloggy Doggy!

Let's pop into the kitchen on the way upstairs. Oh look! Healthy cereal! My husband must eat at least a box a day. I'm not a big cereal fan but I do like this one.

This sweet drawing was done by my 7 year old Great Niece, Alexandra who loves to draw with me ;)

I love to draw and color with her too!

My new workout socks and the cute (blurry) tag.

From my bedroom bookshelf. I recommend it!

This little pillow was given to me by my niece when I had to put one of my old kitties to sleep.

He was her favorite. His name was Forehead and he was a sweet boy ;)

This painting was given to me on my birthday by my dear friend Mary Helen. It's one of Rebecca Emanuel's "100 Pieces of Love" inspired in part by Dr. Masaru Emoto's research and photographs of water. He discovered that our thoughts, words and feelings have an effect on the water's molecules.

Rebecca's feeling is if we add the visual word "love" to our everyday space then it will have a significant impact on our consciousness. Her intention is to look at these 100 paintings as one piece scattered in many different directions, carrying with it the "chi" of love.

And finally, this tiny little wooden angel who hangs from my kitchen window reminding me that angels are everywhere;)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. Thanks for visiting!

Illustration Friday: Adrift 1 and 2

Awww, I know what you're thinking. How sweet! He's reaching out to her.

Here's how it's really playing out.

"Hon, toss me the sunscreen would ya?"

"Whaaaaaat?? I thought you brought it!"

Being adrift at sea can make you just a little pink.

Just a little ;)

 

This is an ATC I did for my friend Mim in our trading group, ABC ATC's Around the World.

This is "D" is for Dinghys.

Adrift, of course!

Happy Weekend everyone!

Skywatch Friday: Good Morning Sunshine

The sun greets me every morning through the bare winter trees.

This is my favorite window in this old house, only shown partially here because it's dirty ;)

I love the way the light plays of the old apothecary bottles. It makes me smile every day.

For more sky shots around the globe, click on Skywatch Friday!

http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Thankful Thursday: Catching Up

I've missed a couple of Thankful Thursday posts lately so today I'm here to catch up!

A couple of weeks ago Mim sent this adorable ATC because she said it reminded her of my dog Emma who is pretty much a reddish color. I just love the punched-out bone shape, the torn edge, and of course the MIM dog card it came in! Thanks Mim! Emma is waiting by the door ;)

Then Julie of "A Succulent Garden" totally surprised me with this wonderful owl atc sitting on a "Lolo" branch! It's hand-stitched and made if bright felt colors and it came in a matching card! Thanks Julie, I love it ;)

Miss Margaret of Waterblossoms sent me a sweet Valentine with one of her wonderful Heartangles. The message was "May your new roots allow your artistic muse to flourish!" What a treasure. Thanks Margaret! ;)

And finally Marianne sent me my "G" abc/atc which I can't show yet but she also sent me this exquisitely rich paper and envelopes with real flower petals and leaves which she brought back from Bangkok. I'll have to try to come up with something special to make from these! Thanks Marianne, wow! ;)

Thank you all for your wonderful, thoughtful gifts! May your blessings be many!

Global Greetings Mail Art blog

Hi There...yes, eleven friends from around the globe have started another blog!
This time we're doing mail art in the form of postcards with an inspirational quote or saying written somewhere on the card. It can be incorporated into the art or just simply be the written message. As we receive them, we'll post them. The fun will begin soon so stay tuned! I'll try to do a sidebar link thingy.
Marianne designed the header for us which I think is awesome!
I hope you follow us. This should be lots of fun!
See you at Global Greetings!

Illustration Friday: Muddy Start

In Egyptian art, many royal representatives were depicted holding sacred lotuses, members of the water lily family, and the gods were also associated with water lilies. In Buddhism, the lotus is an important symbol of enlightenment because it illustrates beauty rising through mud and water to bloom. Because many species tightly furl their blossoms at light, the lotus is also a symbol of opening to the light.

The roots of water lilies are embedded in the mud, well below the water line. The mud keeps the roots moist and provides a source of nutrition, while richly oxygenated water seeps into the roots.

I love the analogy of rising above muddy beginnings and blooming in spite of it all!

The lillies and stems were painted a base color and then finished with colored pencils. The lily pads are exposed patterned paper.

Birthday Wishes to Jossie!

Well typical me, late to the party!!

It took me a while to find my party hat and my raven's party hat so we could throw a big bash for our dear friend Joss, aka Soulbrush!

She has been my true blogger friend longer than anyone else I believe. We've laughed and cried and shared private things through letters and over the phone.

She brightens my days with her sweet smile, her colorful and vibrant art and her warm heart.

Happiest of birthdays to you my dear friend. I know we'll meet one day! Love you lots! xoxo

Cactus Monday: Kaleidoscope

Often times I have a picture in my head of what I'd like to draw or paint.

And often times it comes out nothing at all like the image in my head.

I guess at the very least I could call today's attempt 'a day of coloring!'

I just couldn't for the life of me get this one right.

Happy Cactus Monday anyhoodle!

Six Word Saturday # 4

Nature

nurtures,

balances,

restores

my soul.

For more Six Words, please visit the folks here ;)

acrylic, modeling paste and gold leaf on canvas. (sold)

Illustration Friday: Focused

Seeing Eye Dogs go through rigorous testing.

Who knew?

brown sharpie, watercolor, weird fiber paper, 30 second sketch ;)

Skywatch Friday: Passing Storm

This shot was taken at my sister's house in Pueblo, Colorado. One minute the sun was shining and then this wind and rain storm swept through. It was over as fast as it started!

Happy Skywatch Friday my friends! Don't forget to pop on over to SWF to see some amazing shots. And keep on lookin' up!

Marianne's back pages by Lolo

What I love about this patterned paper is often times it can be as it is. For instance, this little bluebird is sitting in the middle of a mandala shaped design. All I did was write this in the middle..."This little birdie brings a message of love from lolo in Rhode Island to Marianne in the Netherlands."

The larger piece of paper (because it overlaps the first) is filled with these wonderful organic shapes like flowering branches. I wanted to put a raven in there but I think a Red-Winged Blackbird is quite a better choice this time. Besides, he's such a hopeful sign of Spring!

I colored in some shapes here and there to give this side more color.

There you have it. Now tomorrow it will go to Joss!

Illustration Friday: Clumsy

There are at least a million artists painting birds on wires these days. I thought I'd go crazy if I saw one more! Well, ha! here's one more because it really fits the word for "IF" this week!

I had this odd piece of scrapbook paper left over from my pages for Marianne's journal. I just wanted to do a quick little painted doodle and scumble in colors all over the place. I had fun and it momentarily took my mind off my horrible, nagging sciatica.

If you're also sick of birds on a wire I hope at the very least these colors will make you happy!

acrylic paint and colored pencil in patterned paper

Six Word Saturday #3

My faithful

studio companion

in repose.

;)

For more creative and enlightening "six word saturdays" click here!

My pages for Marianne's Journal: part one

Have any of you been following the ArtySoulSister's Journals? What a blast this has been!

Marianne has asked that her sleek black cat, Sjimmie be featured on all of our pages for her journal. I've been waiting for him and apparantly so has my cat, Bliss!

Who's that behind the stained glass window? It's a kitty out in the cold snow. Wait...it's Sjimmie!!

He finally made his long journey from the Netherlands to Rhode Island!

After we brought him in from the cold he ate a good meal, groomed himself and snuggled up to Bliss. Even Emma the crazy dog was enjoying his company!

The three new pals spent a lot of time in the studio because they love the sunlight in there.

Sjimmie kept looking at the beautiful birth mandala his mother Marianne made for me.

I could tell he was getting homesick.

It was hard saying goodbye to him but he knows he can come back anytime.

Please bring your mother next time Sjimmie!

Now he's on his way with a first class ticket to London to see Joss. Once she adds her pages he'll be going home to tell Marianne about his many adventures!

Bye-bye Sjimmie!! It's been so much fun spending time with you ;)

Hopefully I'll get the back pages done soon!! Stay tuned...

Sharing and Sending Love

Laure over at Painted Thoughts has developed a terrific idea to help the people of Haiti through art.
We are all going to make hearts in the ATC size - 2.5 x 3.5 and send the image to Laure where she will make a design out of all of them.

Please consider yourself invited to join in!! Just follow the link to her blog.

Every little bit helps. Thank you!

I've sent my lotus heart design for the cause.

Illustration Friday: Wilderness

Well, for this coyote it's more like 'lost wilderness.'

No worries, there's lots of conservation land behind him!

(You know I like happy tales...and happy tails!)

watercolor and ink for Illustration Friday's prompt: wilderness

Six Word Saturday # 2

My

sacred space

for creating

peace.

I love sitting at my drawing table flanked by two of my best friends in their fluffy beds. I know I'm very lucky to have this.

For more six words, click here!

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: Big Bad Bruin

Okay. Here's the story behind this portrait of my dog Emma in a Bruin's get-up.

My nephew Jamie lives in New Hampshire and he's a huge, die-hard Boston Bruins hockey fan. I used to be obsessed with them when I lived here before but other things have taken over my life. He asked that I paint a birthday card for him but I couldn't think of what to do.

I digress. Jamie came to visit us just before Christmas and he gave us a fleece throw with the Bruin's logo on it. It unnerved my sense of decor in a huge way. I came unglued (in my mind) about having that black, yellow and white thing on my sofa in my tasteful red and grey living room. No ugly sports crap on my couch!!!

That's until Emma fell in love with it. If you want her to move, just move her Bruins blankie. She will faithfully follow. She could care less if it 'matches the decor' or not. It comforts her. It makes her feel soft and nestled. I look at her under that blanket heap and I quickly 'get over myself.'

Gifts come in many packages. So do life's lessons ;)

Thank you Jamie. Here's your birthday card from your number one fans, Me, Bri and Emma.

Happy Animal Wednesday!!

Cactus Monday: Spines and shadows

I've been on such a creative roll this weekend doing lots of my atc's ahead of time for our ABC group that I thought I'd wake up on that same roll and paint a cactus. Well, I think my roll has shifted slightly because I'm not too happy with this one! I've missed being a part of CM though, so here's my little offering this week, spines and shadows. And I used a bit of gouache in the spines just for Teri! But then I couldn't leave it alone. I just had to go over them with colored pencils. HCM everyone!

Six Word Saturday

It's January.

My buns are frozen!

For more SSW, please click here ;)

Animal Wednesday: The Catbird Seat

I was going through my images to find something fresh for Animal Wednesday and I found this collage that makes me smile! I also thought I'd give you the meaning and the origin behind this phrase. Meanwhile, my bets are on that BIG pigeon!

Meaning
In a superior or advantageous position.

Origin
This is an American phrase - which is unsurprising as the grey catbird which is the probable source of the phrase is a North American species (there's also an Australian catbird). It's one of a group of birds called the mimic thrushes. They include mockingbirds and, as you might expect, they are adept mimics. The catbird is named for its ability to mimic the sound of a cat's miaow.

Catbirds seek out the highest perches in trees to sing and display. The allusion to that is most likely to be the derivation of the term. It may also be the source of an earlier term with much the same meaning - 'sitting pretty'.
The phrase appears to have originated in the American south, although the date and circumstances are uncertain. There's certainly an association with the sport of baseball, and most of the early citations of the phrase mention the game. That includes the first mention of it in print, in James Thurber's 55 Short Stories from New Yorker, November 1942:
"She must be a Dodger fan. Red Barber announces the Dodger games over the radio and he uses those expressions... 'sitting in the catbird seat' means sitting pretty, like a batter with three balls and no strikes on him."

Happy Animal Wednesday!!

Illustration Friday: Renewal

Hmmm, another struggle for the right image again this week. I'm not sure this thrills me but I'm sticking with it anyway. I do feel the Lotus is a sign of renewal. Maybe that's why so many spas use it as their logo and on their brochures.

I'm deeply feeling the need for renewal. I haven't been taking very good care of myself since this move. I can't seem to get out of my own way and I hardly ever feel well anymore.

Well, time to change the old attitude and bad habits that keep me stuck. I know that if I keep doing the same things I'll get the same results. From this day forward I'll work on renewing my body, mind and spirit and become more of who I want to be.

I can't wait for the transformation but at the same time I know I must practice patience because that's where I keep falling down. I want results yesterday.

I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing. This is the year. It really is!

acrylic on 6"x6" canvas

Six Word Saturday

Snow softly falls

white wolf

howls

for more six words...click here!

Skywatch Friday: Day one of 2010

As I peered out my kitchen window this morning this is what I saw.

Light grey skies peering through snow-covered trees.

The only indication this isn't a black and white photo is the blown glass piece on my windowsill.

Let's go see other Skywatch Friday pics to see what the fist day of the year looked like around the world!

The happiest of New Years to all of my dear friends in blogland!