things i love... globes

Isn't it funny what makes my heart sing?

globes.

I love to give one a spin and close my eyes,

place my finger on a random place

and dream of going there.

My favorite is the golden globe, 

it is very old and is lit from within. 

The paper is chipped away and utterly stunning.

what makes your heart sing?

the magic of the process

The humble beginnings of my "sing your song"

The bluebird plate is from my grandma, I use it as my palette and inspiration.

I made a sketch in my idea book for this...

 I loved the shape of my plump little bird, that I made a copy and enlarged it.
Click on the image above to get a closer look

Time for color! I cut the bird out of an old music sheet. 

Rich colors, swirls of white and the words 'sing your song'.

The plump little bird is ready to SING!

what's on your desk?

Isn't interesting to really look around at your desk 

and see what "things" you surround yourself with... here are a few "things" that provide inspiration, memories and dreams.

I love my Cookie Castle jar that now holds my paint brushes. I have to be on my best behavior with that cute little solider guarding the stash. Canning jars and tea tins serve as the perfect pencil holders.

My grandpa was a woodworker and made this great toolbox that holds my scissors, punches and pliers. He also made my desk, which a treasure! He would be thrilled to know that I am making a life as an artist too!

This is my dreamy space... small collection of globes that I can remember my travels. And every artist needs a tiara for those rare moments when you want to feel like a queen, okay, maybe not that rare!

What's on your desk? What does it tell about you?

things i love... little bits

bit of old pottery from the ocean

I have a small bowl of bits of old pottery that has washed up from the ocean. 

I have collected these tiny pieces of history from all over the world. 

I view them a gem from the past. 

Perhaps it was once a piece from a very special tea set that broke 

and was thrown away. 

It's purpose over. 

Only to find, once again 

it is a treasure in my hand.

I want to create some piece of artwork 

with these small pieces of color. 

But for now, I love to swirl my finger in the bowl 

and think of all the loveliness these chips once held 

and still do.

chickens on bikes

Here is another painting from start to finish.
I find it so interesting how they start in my mind
and how they change once the painting gets going.

stage one, putting down the map and travel related pieces.

I wanted two chickens riding a bike through Europe... nice bike.

placement of the bike and chickens

added color to the main focus.
it stayed like this for weeks.
i had no idea what the background needed.

of course, some travel stuff!
i used tracing paper to figure out placement and colors.

added blue to the edges and toned down the bottom half of the piece. DONE!

things i love... cookie cutters

Who doesn't love the taste of a buttery cookie in the shape of something fun? 

It wouldn't be complete without the yummy frosting!

Over the years I have been slowing collecting cookie cutters.

I don't have a lot of time to bake. 

I am drawn to the ones that look old and have made a lot of cookies.

 The copper looks so warm and inviting.

Can't you just smell the sweetness in the kitchen that is baking these tasty morsels?

What is it that you LOVE?

healing hand painting

I thought I would document a few of my paintings in progress.
I find it so interesting how they start in my mind
and how they change once the painting gets going.

First an idea of a hand that heals.
Yes, I traced my own hand onto an old dictionary page that defines heart words.
It is fascinating to read the dictionary... I know, weird.

select paper background and using a matte medium,
glue the paper and the hand down and let dry.

I wanted the background to glow with warmth, so why not orange wash of acrylic paint.

In the middle of the hand was a definition of a heart-cam.
What a perfect spot to draw a heart and leaves circling it.
Then each finger got what I would call little doodles of leaves, stars, circles.
I used watercolor pencils to draw/paint on my hand.

Once I had the hand colorized, it just floated.
So I decided to use a organic free flowing border of leaves,
which embraces the idea of healing and growing.
All I have to do is add a bit of green to the leaves
and a blue shadow below the hand for dimension.

This is my final painting.
I love seeing the progress of each painting.
It may take a few days to complete or months.

make the leap

Creative soul sisters
Lannette Ring, Celeste Shaw (owner of Chaps/Pink), Tracy Reddekopp and ME.

A few weeks ago I had a chance to meet two people in a class I am taking called, Hello Business Hello Soul, taught by the talented Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nichols. A wonderful class about growing your business with a different approach. As I was reading through the posts, someone asked if there was any people in Spokane. I instantly said YES! But then thought how hard it is for me to meet new people. I almost thought about not responding, my weekend was already busy. Something inside me said, "Make the leap"....

I can't tell you how much of love large letters like these!

I am so HAPPY I did. 

One person flew all the way from Hawaii and the other right in my backyard of Colfax, WA. We spent part of the day at CHAPS, which is owned by a contributor to the class, Celeste Shaw....

words to live by

inspirational display at pink

We talked, cried, and laughed. We soaked in the creativeness of each other and the amazing store called PINK. We shared our personal stories of struggles and hopes. The bond is strong. It is amazing how small the world really is.. and how important it is to "make that leap", especially when your unsure. So next time you are faced with a opportunity that you hesitating about, why not make the leap. It might just surprise you! 

book as a planter? yep.

This is the coolest idea yet! My husband that loves all things that are books, made this literary planter. Well, he did the hard part. 

1. Which is finding the perfect book. A Used, vintage, sadly discarded book.
2. Then you need to glue the three sides of the book pages together, using mod podge (a waterproof medium or plain white glue. A few coats will do, nothing fancy. If you C-clamp or a book press. Do press/dry it overnight.
3. After that is dry. Use a ruler and pencil to mark out your spot where the plants will go.
4. Use a sharp exacto knife and a metal straight edge and start the time consuming process of cutting the pages out of the middle. Once you get a few pages deep, it will get easier. You may go through a few blades...
5. Once you have the depth that you need. Use E6000 in a well ventilated area and smooth on the inside of the cut square. Let dry. You may want to do another coat, since this is your waterproofer.
6. A final coat of waterproof mod podge on the flat surface of the book, to prevent the paper from buckling when you mist the plants.
7. When dry you can move in!
8. The fun part, the part that I did...plant. I tossed a few pebbles in the bottom to help with drainage and then choose some tiny succulents. Decorated it will sea shells and rocks and a tiny clay mushroom.

Aren't you glad we give this sad abandoned book a new life?

brave little pomegranate

the seeds of a pomegranate are so intensely beautiful... hard to capture.

Did you know that the pomegranate is a symbol of prosperity and ambition?

Of course the Greeks have a sorted past with the fruit... 

from secret poison, death and fertility. 

The pomegranate is still used as a house warming gift, a wish for abundance or compassion in the afterlife.

I feel a connection to the pomegranate. I am in the middle of a transition with the direction of my business. Making tough but exciting changes. It has been hard to share with even the closest of friends or family. 

There is doubt if my new ideas will work or even make money. That doubt seeds itself into my head.

At the heart of the pomegranate is a seed and all around it is a glowing sweet juice. I want to be a brave little pomegranate and show the world of my ambition and abundance will follow.