around here lately...

This is my latest Painted Paper Doll in the making and you guys, I simply can't explain how absolutely wonderful this class is...not only for my creativity and painting...but for my soul. I can just see myself making so many of these beautiful dolls because each one has her very own personality...her very own story to share. And I have no idea how they are going to turn out...only that each one is just so special. This lady right here is coming together in the most delightful way...swoon. I can't thank the wonderful Danielle Daniel enough for sharing her gifts with us in this class.

And we've been making time for play, self care and reflection over here. Reading, journaling, photowalks, tea drinking and practicing mindfulness are priorities. That and exercise, drinking water + going to bed early:) I find that when I fit in 15-20 mins. throughout the day for self care...everything just goes more smoothly. And the best part??? I don't feel guilty for taking some time for myself anymore!

I love to cook! I adore cookbooks, shopping for exotic spices and international cuisine. Just the thought of saffron, cardamom and smoked serrano chilli power make me a little giddy with joy. But after becoming a mom...I just didn't have as much time to devote to cooking . But now that Tara is in school...I prepare the difficult stuff and then get her to help me with the easier parts when she gets home. Not only does she love being my little kitchen helper...but she's also more likely to want to eat the food she cooks!!! Win/win. And I recently read up on everyday gourmet...where just a few unexpected items (lime, Saigon cinnamon or a splash of vanilla) can turn ordinary into...zing! Everyday gourmet is really a mindset...where even the most simple dish can be turned into something fab. Loving this concept!

The outdoors is simply spectacular this time of year over here...the trees are ablaze in washes of orange, reds and golds. The mountains stand guard around us lofty...and grand. And the skies are ever moody in dark grays and smoky blues. Colorado in the fall is gorgeous  and reminds me so much of Alberta...especially Banff. 

This is Tara's reading nook...and if I could fit in this cozy space...I would pretty much live here!! She loves perusing through her books or writing me or Tim love notes...swoon. A lot of big girl changes to her bedroom...gone are the days when I could decorate to my heart's content. She has very definite ideas of the way she wants things. All part of her growing up, gaining some independence and wanting to make her space her own. So proud of my girl.  

Tim and I have been making time for date nights once or twice a week. Just some time when we can get out of mommy/daddy mode and connect about our days and dreams. Where we can chat and laugh and have a glass of wine. So look forward to these evenings.

Tara loves these Feelings Flashcards by Todd Parr right here. There are so many new (and often overwhelming) experiences for her since starting school...and these cards are so helpful in getting her to open up about her emotional world. We love the simple, delightful and colorful illustrations; they have made such a huge difference! Can't recommend them enough.

And this is my sweet girl the other day...early in the morning right before going off to school. She is full of sass and pizazz and giggles. She loves to do math, tell stories and oh!...simply be adorable:)  I can't believe that she will turn 6 in a few months...savoring these moments. All of them. And that's some of our life around here lately. xxx

synchronocity, painted paper dolls and a life made by hand: some ramblings

 "When women reassert their relationship with the wildish nature, they are gifted with a permanent and internal watcher, a knower, a visionary, an oracle, an inspiratrice, an intuitive, a maker, a creator, an inventor, and a listener who guide, suggest and urge vibrant life in the inner and outer life."        -Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes

 When the awesome + talented Danielle Daniel offered her Painted Paper Doll class I immediately knew that I had to take it; it simply spoke to my soul. It wasn't because it would help my art or creativity or any of that...it simply called out to my soul and I listened. It was a little intimidating to think of venturing into papier mache...I had never done it before and it's totally out of my realm of experience. I had seen her impossibly sweet + precious little dolls and swooned over them but thought...impossible!!! I can't do that! But I signed up anyway. Okay...so here's the story of what happened. Her class started last Monday and just the day before I had picked up Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes audio tape of The Red Shoes from the library. As I sat to make my doll at my studio table...I listened to Dr. Estes talk about recovery of the soul and a "life made by hand". It seemed quite extraordinary but totally normal all at once...but everything she was talking about completely and utterly echoed what I was doing with my doll. I felt caught in that magical space of synchronicity where everything feels free and easy and flows from a place that is vast and untouchable. A space that is all at once scared yet accessible to us all once we let go and trust our intuition; our wiser all knowing self that speaks to us in myriad ways both large and small. I was riding this huge wave of absolute joy...making my paper doll and knowing that the Universe was affirming me; it felt so good!! 

Then...because there are stage to making the doll with allowing the glue to dry etc...I had a whole story planned out for this girl. But when I woke up on October 10...I heard that Malala Yousafzai had won the Nobel!!! Okay...after I cried my eyes out...my doll took on a life of her own...meet Girl Rising. Totally inspired by girls all over the world who are denied their basic rights (to food,medicine, education) and sometimes...their very lives (gendercide). These children are sold into prostitution, child labor or child marriage and their very lives are disposable. Entire childhoods are eradicated and souls are destroyed all because the overculture deems that girls are not equal to boys.How many of these children are lost...we will never know. Yet still...out of all this muck and violence...there are girls who rise. Girls who defeat the odds and follow their hearts...who speak up and remain true to themselves and their calling. There are girls who say "NO!!! I will not be silenced and reduced"... they rise.

 I am seriously loving this class you guys...and absolutely and wholeheartedly recommend you taking it if you feel it calling to your soul...if it speaks to you in some way. Daniel's videos are so easy to follow and her class materials are so minimal you could actually find most of it at home! I am totally loving my dolls and the entire process...and the best part?? It's simply so much fun!!

standing in the heart of who I am

 

Can I gush?? It's week three of my class with Danielle Daniel and...I just can't go on enough about how amazing this space has been for me. You know...I kind of stopped taking e-courses for awhile because, besides the time factor, I have been so disappointed in taking classes where so much was promised and so little delivered. But I instantly knew that taking this class was the real deal. I have always known that a really good teacher doesn't teach you how to paint/draw/write etc like them but is someone who leads you to your own creative well...someone who gives you the tools and inspires you to tell your own true stories. Danielle is like that!!! Plus...she's just so darn cute!!

This is the palette I'm using...very simple...Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson,  Payne's Gray and a teal blue. I'll probably add more colors later...this is the base.

Still a work in progress but already I am loving the looser style and the raw, spontaneous quality.  
Truth: For quite some time I have been feeling  a deep deep need to create more deeply from my heart. To tell my stories the way only I can...to push myself further creatively. To let go of my fears and step into my deeper truths. Thank you Danielle...for propelling me in that direction...closer and closer to the heart of who I am.
P.S. The studio is still quite a mess but...it's coming together!

searching for my style

Things have been super hectic over here...but in such a great way!! I have been using my sketches from Herstory while I paint...as inspiration. and speaking of inspiration...I was a little apprehensive about signing up for Danielle's class because of the time factor...but I am so glad I did!!! Her videos are amazing, inspiring and are allowing me to define my art in a very personal way. You guys...if you are struggling with finding your style, are stuck in a creative rut or simply want to take an amazing class ...this is it!!! She speaks to me in a way I understand...straight to my heart and soul. I am ever so grateful to be able to learn from her.

One of the things I am finding my way back to is incorporating Indian text into my work. It's very personal to me, very important to me because, you see, I have completely lost my mother tongue. English is my first and only language and it pains me greatly that I have lost this part of mySELF...so..using Indian text in this way allows me to reclaim a small part of it in some way.

This background was created using a few of the new techniques I'm learning from Danielle...I have absolutely no idea where this painting will lead. That's so much of the fun, isn't it??

In other news...over the weekend I helped Tara bake her very first apple pie!!! It was cinnamon-ey goodness all over the place! Tara was so proud and happy! I finally feel as if we are settling into a school routine over here. I have so much more to share...be back soon!!

herstory

 The truth is that for the past...I can't even tell you how long (!!)...I have been creatively stuck!! Seriously stuck as in "I need to grow past this and push myself into a new phase" stuck. But...the truth is also this: I just haven't had the time to get into my studio as much as I used to. So...imagine how over the top happy I was to see this super amazing (Canadian) girl offering up a class that just struck  a chord in my heart. It's called Herstory!!!! And it sang out to me!! Happy day!!! It just started today and already I have an arsenal of tools to push me creatively. Danielle showed us so many different ways to free ourselves up, tap into the deep reservoir of creativity that each of us have  and kick that pesky inner critic straight to the curb!!! It's different types of sketching and drawings that can really propel us to find our own true creative voice. And I can carry my sketchbook with me anywhere, right??

Already I feel as if something is clicking!!! Something is being allowed to unleash itself...stories are opening up to me ...some that have been locked away for most of my life. Feelings of vulnerability and connection and...even fears. But stretching mySELF in all directions over here and it feels so good!!! If you think you may be interested...registration is still open!!

The other stuff that has been going on around here...enjoying the still hot (but short) summery days...settling Tara into school routines and reading up a storm. I picked up a whole bunch on books that I simply can't wait to lose myself (and find myself!!) in. More to share soon. xxx