Be Happy, Be Peace- painted rock tutorial

Inspiration Friday: East Texas

East Texas is where I grew up. I don't get to visit nearly enough. But, when I do, a walk in nature, or a drive down country roads, brings peace to my spirit.

My husband grew up in East Texas as well. (a few counties over) We both grew up walking the fields and woods and anytime we get a chance to visit, we enjoy this time in nature again. On our last visit, Hubs came upon the mimosa above and took me to see it. Mimosas remind me of my grandmother. She had a Mimosa tree in her yard that we kids claimed for our tree house and location for our tire swing.

Baby Pines are breaking through right now. The processes that take place for a tree to randomly decide to grow are nothing short of miracles. 

Barbwire...memories of crawling through fences, holding the wires apart with a foot and a hand...something every kid that grows up in the country understands...

This tree...all the changes it has weathered...

In the city this would be called compost....in the country, this is simply called life...leaves fall,things pile up, eventually, life happens again in its' own time...

My husband found one snake skeleton, and when we went on our walk together, I found another...neither had the skull...I love that my husband knows that I would not be freaked out by this...and that in fact, I would love this...

Paperbead: art as meditation

I'm a firm believer that creating is one of the closest paths to Spirit. I'm also a firm believer in the idea that art, and creating things, whether it is paintings, drawing, sewing, sculpting, cooking, or anything that involves a focused creative process....it is a meditation....Making paper beads is high up on that list for me.

Lately I have been making paper beads. This project falls under "one of those things I taught everyone else to do but never had time to do it myself"... and there are a LOT of those projects I hope to get to...p.s. if you are an art teacher, this is a cool project  to do with your kids. I always noticed a calm that would come over my students as they started the process of making the beads...their minds would quiet, their spirits would calm, and before they knew it, class was over and we had filled a bucket with beaded potential to use in future projects...(mostly altered books).

Making paper beads is simple.  

Supplies:

Magazine

scissors

glue

skewers

bags for storage

Inspiration friday

Starry Inspiration

 I was asked to donate a piece of artwork for a charity event in my hometown to support their art organization. The event's theme is Starry Starry Night. As a child Starry night was one of my favorite paintings before I even knew who created it or what it was about.  

I just knew that it was a work of amazing beauty. I was completely fascinated by the lines, the texture,and the movement. I would stare at it in the Childcraft Encyclopedia for ages.

 I was always intrigued with  Van Gogh's Sky... The curves as the the wind could be seen. There is comfort in the wind.

Swirls, Curving lines, have always brought a meditative comfort while drawing.

This is the piece I sent off this week. It is my hope that whoever, if anyone, purchases it, that is bring them peace, comfort...and as with all lotuses...a reminder to rise above...push through the muddy waters...face the sun.... 

Sources of Wonder: Teeny Tiny Flowers

It is the season of flowers. Our yard is covered in these lovelies.  

Everyday, i get a "bouquet" of these teeny tiny flowers...so tiny that the "bouquet" might fit on my thumbnail...

We often have to get down on our tummies to even see them.

The purple ones are may favorites...

I am inspired by the impact such a small thing can have.

These little gifts are often overlooked or scoffed as weeds. 

But, to me, and to my youngest, they are a source of amazement, wonder, and peaceful beauty.

In the sketchbook: peace, hope, & trust