blog makeover!!

 

I've been tinkering around with my blog these past few days...I have been wanting to do it for ages but never quite got around to it! I started by writing in my journal what I really wanted my blog to look like, feel like... and inspire. I brainstormed and what I came up with was...heart, authenticity, stories, soul, more art (technique, in progress, completed pieces), larger pics, heart-FULL writing, poetry, light, community...more stories. I'm sure I'm going to make even more (smaller) changes in the next little while. 

I've also been taking tons of pics...trying out new techniques + prompts...seeking light + air + breath. I took this very unconventional mommy/daughter portrait the other day...and I love it!!! Tara and I were making paper hearts when this one fell on the floor...we both went to grab it and then I saw an amazing opportunity in my mind's eye.

Also...can you believe we had a blizzard today??? Yup! It's April!! So we decided to make the best of it...and bake these scrumptious chocolate chip/coconut cookies. Tara loves baking and we've been doing it ever since I can remember; it's one of our fave. things to do. Tara gets so excited...it makes me beam:) All that pouring/measuring/mixing goodness that she can really get her hands into. The best part?? How she's super proud + happy when it's all done.
Happy weekend!!

studio warming, community and heart

(A Heart-full Friendship, archival prints available soon!)

I went to Patty's studio warming this weekend. I had planned on taking all these amazing pics for my blog to show you but...I had such a great time (gabbing and such!) that I completely forgot!! So I will try to describe things as best I can...First of all...her view is simply stunning. Her home is perched up on a hill a gazillion miles above ground and overlooks the whole area. She has lush greenery all around her...bougainvilleas, orange and lemon trees, dark pink peonies (I think) and all in bloom right now! I met the most amazing, fantastic people that were all so kind and warm and just... over the top wonderful. There was an art swap (thanks Jane for the beautiful Rumi art postcard!), delicious goodies and a cute dog named Muffin. I also got to see some of Patty's wonderful photography hanging on her walls gallery-style. Oh! And Patty's studio is a haven. Okay...it's official...I am moving in Patty!!

(3 Women...a painting I did in 2006 SOLD)

All of this got me thinking about community. I think for the very first time in my life, I feel a strong sense of community through my blog and the kindreds I am meeting-either through comments and e-mails or...in real life! There is such acceptance and support...something I have never experienced my whole life.  I met these 2 ladies on Saturday who right upon meeting me said "Oh! I know you, I read your blog!!" Can I just say how amazed and thrilled I was!! It is heartwarming  to meet someone for the very first time and...they already know parts and pieces of your life and heart and...soul. Magic! Crazy, beautiful, wonderful...magic!

(at Patty's studio warming-a wonderful gathering of kindred spirits)

*Patty just e-mailed me this group pic of that wonderful evening..thanks Patty! * you can still read my interview with the wonderful Diana here
* Am going to pick the OWOH winner on Wed!
* Happy Valentines to all of you!
* I am going to do a post this week on juicy journal pages...so please stop back!

confessions...

"Every day is a journey and the journey itself is home." -Matsuo Basho

I would say that most of the time, I am a pretty optimistic person. I mean...I always try to look at the bright side of things and trust that there is a reason that things happen as they do...even if I have no idea why!! But I must confess that sometimes...it all gets very exhausting and...tiresome. Sometimes it's so much easier to indulge in a good dose of self-pity, "what was I thinking???" and a good old freaking out. There!!! I spilled the beans!! Sometimes I can be a total complainer!! This weekend was such blur of activity (again!!). Mundane things like standing in line at Walmart to return a few things (a nightmare on a Saturday!), finally getting a haircut that I am not completely happy with but am too exhausted to pay much attention to, a routine medical appointment. And planning Tara's birthday -which I would normally be over the moon about every little detail but -right now seems overwhelming...on and on. And I really started to feel like "what on earth was I thinking when I agreed to move out here from Va? " I mean...I did agree to move out here!!! So after indulging myself with tears, blame and lemon cake...I sat down with my journal, lit a candle and took a deep breath. There is some lesson to be learned here, some kernel of truth that I have missed...something!!

This is what I realised ...Sometimes.... things just are as they are!!

Okay...no brilliant epiphany...but true nonetheless! All steps on the journey...all...

YES!

" I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width, the depth of it as well" -Diane Ackerman

Things have been ever so hectic over here. In addition to the usual stuff I have also been busy getting stuff done around the house; dealing with contractors, handymen etc (not my favorite thing!) . Also immersing myself in painting...I am so excited with the direction of my art...I feel as if I am getting closer to the core of who I am and it is exciting, vulnerable, scary but...it feels good to say YES to life! To say YES to the fullness of who I am.

                                                              HAPPY WEEKEND!!

Heart and Meaning

I am immersed in a journey of HEART and MEANING! This is part of  a page in my sketchbook for Kelly's class and I am asking mySELF all sorts of questions! I don't know a lot of the answers yet but...I am going to give mySELF permission to evolve, to celebrate the journey of not knowing and to create the SELF I want.

I wish all of you a HAPPY FRIDAY full of HEART!