quote of the day

"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influences of each.".....Henry David Thoreau

For the Love of Lotus treasury

My "Namaste Blue Lotus" Has been featured in a beautiful treasury called "for the love of lotus" and can be found at the following link.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTAxNjY1Mjd8MjcyMzAyOTQ3MA/for-the-love-of-lotus

This piece is a watercolor that started out with drops of my morning coffee...that's right...coffee...i love painting with coffee and tea. The rich browns that come from the liquid are very spiritual for me. After the coffee dies, i used  water soluble graphite to draw the lotus, and then applied water and a touch of blue watercolor.

The Lotus is a form or strength and hope. A symbol of beauty that pushes through the muddy waters to face the sun above. When the world seems harsh, i just think of the lotus...and it gives me the reminder, the inspiration, to push through the mud and face the sun.

you can find other works of inspiration in my etsy shop

red, white and blue

I'm not really the type to have a lot of cutesy decorations around. I appreciate those who do and always have the appropriate seasonal decor. So, instead of going with the traditional Stars and Stripes that most artblogs will display...I decided to show you what I see when i look for Red, White and Blue in my studio today.... And today, as you enjoy your day off, and the end of the summer fireworks, take a moment and smile, and be grateful.

Everyday

This is something I try to remember every single day... It helps me to be creative...It helps me to be happy...It helps me in all aspects of life...

Domesticity

Right now the house is filled with the wonderful aroma of peppers being dehydrated...homina homina homina

Lotus Healing Hand

This morning I had a lovely surprise. My piece "Lotus Healing Hands" was included in a beautiful treasure on Etsy. It always makes my heart leap a little when my artwork is included in a treasury on Etsy. This morning, is no different. 

(the treasury can be found at this link!) http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTA2MTA5OTR8MjcyMzAxNTIwNg/just-you

https://www.etsy.com/listing/68702296/yoga-lotus-healing-hand?ref=tre-2723015206-10

This pieces was included in a lovely treasury named "Just You...."

I love the warmth and comfort of the collection. It is almost like you are looking at a melancholy indie film. (redundant description I suppose lol)

The story behind "Lotus Healing Hand":  In the last year i have been on a journey. (like so many people at midlife) In the spring of 2011, i just felt 'compelled', for lack of a better word, to start painting a collection of Lotuses. There is something very meditative about the process for me. The lotus is a simple form to create, but it's simplicity is was makes it so beautiful to me. I really had no connection with the imagery of the Lotus until that spring. It seemed that it was a symbol that i needed to investigate more. AS i read about the lotus, the idea of how it symbolizes resilience, courage, enlightenment, and the triumph of purpose  really struck a chord with me. In nature, the lotus, pushes through the muddy water to eventually rise above it and open up to the sun. I love this. I love the idea of rising above the darkness to choose to face the sun. The inclusion of the hand is also a symbol I have felt compelled to use for several years. The hand is a symbol of connection, of healing, of giving.  

When i look at this piece,my thought is that this will connect with someone who is also in transition in their lives and that this artwork will be a reminder that they too can rise above any muddy waters they  might be trudging through to reach their bright shiny place in the sun.

"lotus healing hand"
https://www.etsy.com/listing/68702296/yoga-lotus-healing-hand?ref=tre-2723015206-10 https://www.etsy.com/listing/68702296/yoga-lotus-healing-hand?ref=tre-2723015206-10  

summer art journal challenge

Back in the day, when my schedule was determined by the public school calender, the only time I had to attempt my own artwork was during Summer. I would start a new art journal every summer. This practice gave me an outlet for my own ideas, but it also kept my creativity flowing. Now, that I am FINALLY acclimated to being a 'normal' person again, I actually still keep this practice.  I think keeping an art journal is simply a good practice to help keep the creativity flowing.

So here is a list of subjects i have compiled if you would like some inspiration for your summer art journal. (you can also find  the art journal list for spring here and a post about Creative MoJo)

1. Picnics
2. cold beverages
3. corn on the cob
4. red white and blue
5. fireworks
6. family
7. smiles
8. swimming
9. water
10. ocean
11. sandy beaches
12. swimsuits
13. ponytails
14. sunglasses
15. fishing
16. boats
17. floppy hats
18. seashells
19. stars
20. starfish
21. ferris wheels
22. picnic baskets
23. lounge chairs
24. sunflowers
25. wildflowers
26. cool breezes
27. drive in movies
28. snow cones
29. ice cream
30. drives down country roads
31. memories