Magical Makerie

Me painting in the lovely Flora Bowley's class.

Getting in the flow.

Peaceful morning walk.

Ah the Makerie retreat....so magical. I am still trying to ground my soul after the experience. Everything about the retreat was great!  Ali DeJohn did a fantastic job of organizing the whole weekend. She has a heart of gold, and I am truly inspired by her dedication to help others follow their heart. 

I had the good fortune of taking Flora Bowley's two day workshop. Her approach to teaching is so spiritual, soulful, and fun. She made me not to be afraid to paint on such a big canvas, and to share my work with the class. There were times when what she said to us pulled on my heart strings. It was hard not to cry at moments in the class.

Lastly, I did renew some friendships and made new ones. I had the coolest cottage mates, and we would stay up late drinking wine and laughing. The Makerie retreat enriched my life on so many levels, and plan to be back next year!

April 2012 Art Goals

Lanvande

It's been almost year since I posted my April Art goals, and it's time I hunker down and write my list.

Keeping it simple, and here we go:

• Finish three to four encuastic paintings
• Launch my new bicycle poster series

The painting above was one of my very first encuastics, and it's a very fun and interesting material to work with. Yeah to hot wax!

Spring Bloom

Poppys

Soaking up all my free time doing fun, fun projects. Last week I had the good fortune to attend an encaustic workshop with Mary Beth Shaw and Julie Snidle, and what a blast I had!! Two days of hanging out with some cool ladies, making art, and laughing! I made four encaustic paintings, and will those images later. Big thanks to Mary Beth and Julie for a great workshop.

Spring is here in the mid-west. Lots of trees, flowers in bloom, and wonderful thunderstorms. I missed thunderstorms in San Diego. Glad to live in a city that has the seasons.

Enjoy the weekend!

Unemployment

This is what being unemployed looks like. Not too bad....

Numbers

On my second week of being unemployed, and still adjusting to the fact I don't have job. Last week did anything but work in the studio. Just wasn't in the mood to paint. The blues were my friend last monday, but am on the road to feeling better. What amazes me is how much energy and time I put into work, and how much idenity I put into my job, despite the fact my job was not my passion. Thought a lot lately what it means to have a job. Is it something that provides just money, health insurance, and a 401K? I am not interested (at least for the time) working for corporations. Am putting my time towards getting my Missouri State massage license, which will take about a month or so. Much longer than I anticipated. So in the mean time, taking advantage of the freeness I feel lately.

The painting above I used a technique from Mary Beth Shaw's book, where I paint with pastels and not paint. I love this technique! Thanks Mary Beth!

New Beginning

Spring Blossom

Yesterday I was laid off at my job where I work in graphics for a publishing company. I was relieved about the news, because I was thinking about leaving in the fall to concentrate on other rewarding projects. Such as starting my own massage business, and my artwork. The nice thing about getting laid off, is I have no guilt, where as if I left on my job on my own terms I would have some small ounce of guilt.

So today, I feel free. Kinda like I dropped some suitcases, and am walking towards something great, beautiful and peaceful. I did the encuastic painting above last week, and feel in love with the image of the cheery blossom picture. Spring blossom to symbolize a new beginning.

Excited about all the endless possibilities, and living my life on my terms!!!

Ah 2012 Is Here

Pink Label

Happy New Year everyone! Glad the holidays are over, and now I can think about what I would like to bring into my life for 2012. The year was off to a rough start with a very bad sinus infection/cold. No fun.

On the mend, and this Sunday I will be hosting my first vision board party, with a two of my new friends in St. Louis. I got the vision board party idea from Louise Gale. Thanks Louise! I haven't done a vision board in years, and feel it's just what I need to help ground and focus me. Needless to say just feel like I am free floating, which does not sit well with me.

Loving this painting that I did last month. I got the french label from Marisa of Creative Thursday, when I attended one of her workshops at Squam of fall '10. It was a great class on book making, and Marisa was kind enough to share some of her paper scraps. Think I want create more paintings with the french label theme.

Hope everyone is happy and healthy!