my week

The week started off with sunshine and blue skies...I thought warmer weather  was here to stay and I could pull out some of my spring clothing. Ha!! More on this later! On Tuesday I took Tara to a mall close by (we go there quite often in the Winter because there is an indoor play land for her to meet other kids and jump around). Anyways...as we were walking through the food court to get some lunch...A lady sitting at a table looks at me and says "are you Soraya??". I said yesssss??? A little puzzled because I really don't know a whole lot of people here. But...we know each other through my blog!!!! We both took  a class a while back with Holly Becker and have chatted via FB!!!! OMG!!! She is a polymer clay artist and we just gabbed on and on. We could have chatted forever...but Tara was hungry:) What are the chances of that happening, I wonder. Anyways...I was ever so grateful and of course, we exchanged phone numbers etc and are going to get together soon.What an incredibly small world.

I have been making time to sketch each day...play around with different materials. Getting back to basics.
Drawing hands are still so difficult for me though. I am trying to practice more blind contour drawings and this seems to help. A little:)

I have been experimenting in my studio...using spray paint and paper doilies to create this intricate lacey pattern (love!!). Not sure how much of it I will keep or will show through the final piece. Just experimenting and playing around right now and having so much fun! Also...I have to organize my studio again. Even though I have tons of space...everything is a raving mess and nothing can be found!! I need some sort of a system...all my art materials have taken over!!! I can't even see my studio desk!!!

Friends...I am so happy to share with you that I have an article published in the current Somerset Apprentice!!! I called it Creating Layers of Stories because...that's what I try to do with each of my paintings. It's a gorgeous 6 page spread where I go talk about the inspiration for my work as well as my step by step techniques. I am thrilled and honored to be included in this issue with so many talented artists. A special thank you to Jana Holstein for your patience and hard work and to everyone at Somerset for giving me this opportunity! I feel so privileged to be published by you!

My sweet birdie continues to sprout up like a beanstalk. And she just loves everything colorful + creative + art!!! She is always making projects, writing love letters or drawing. My approach is to let her do whatever she wants without me directing her too much. I make everything available to her (watercolor paints + brushes, markers, crayons, paper, glitter, glue etc) , show her how to use something and then ...just let her create magic. Afterwards...I ask her to tell me about her art...and... the stories that pour out of her!!!! Simply amazing, very detailed + elaborate. Her art is hanging all over our home and I keep the rest in a huge art folder (can't get rid of any of her work!!).

Oh! It's that time of the month, my friends...where I am craving chocolate:) I recently discovered this right here (supposedly more healthy because it's dark chocolate!)...and it is positively sinful.The combination of sweet + salty...with almonds...mmmmm. Also...now that I'm 44, my hormones are all out of whack. For a few days each month, I feel like a complete stranger to myself... I start crying for absolutely no reason, become completely irrational or just completely weird out ( I hate half of  the clothing in my closet, want to rearrange all the furniture and feel as if my nose is getting bigger!!!).  Ladies...is this a precursor for things to come????Hmmmm! More chocolate, please:)

 

This is a sketch I did this morning... remembering how much I love combining graphite pencils with watercolors (rich, lush colors). I am pushing the envelope a bit...using deep blue shadows and ripe red apple cheeks. Love the mark making, the time just slipping away...the challenge.  More than anything...I am enjoying the process...the journey. Without any pressure to produce anything...I am free to simply create. Dear sketchbook: what would I ever do without you? I heart you so! xxx

And of course...spring is definitely not here!! We got a huge dump of snow (6-8 inches!!) and are suddenly in a deep freeze! It's so beautiful to look at but all the icy cold winds, shovelling and other yucky stuff just needs to go away! Like...right now. Even though Feb. is the shortest month...it's also the loooooongest. I am so dreaming of everything spring. Tara and I even bought 10 packets of seeds...luscious mammoth sunflowers, Columbine, hot pink echinaceas...all in the hope of luring sweet lady Spring out of her hibernation. But no...it's still winter!!! The sun shines everyday, though, and that makes a huge difference. So dear friends...it's been an incredible week in so many ways...I sincerely hope yours has been too xxx

Interview with Lis-part 2: the Creative Process

                                                                    ("red hand") 
I am so very excited to post part 2 of my interview with Lis...juicy, insightful, honest!!! It's all about creativity; the path, the process, the practicalities, the passion. I deeply believe that creating takes big huge courage and in the true sharing of our journey (the failures, joy, pain and successes)-we inspire others. Since most of us are interested in the creative life, there are such gems and germs of truth in her answers. She's a mamma (to one super adorable Cowgirl!), yogini, creative soul...amazing woman! And I am just loving these pics BTW-aren't they just superbly...delicious??
* Oh! and you can read part 1 of my interview with Lis right here!

                                                                    ("thriving")

 I understand that you are in the process of "birthing your artistic self"-how fascinating! I think so many of us are on that very same journey. *Can you share what led you to begin this journey?  

This notion of “birthing” my artistic self came about during the second course of Fearless Painting by Connie Hozvicka called Deep.  It is a process where we are in continual dialogue with the painting  and with our Intuitive Self.  It requires a constant letting go of any sense of control and surrendering to the process and seeing where it takes you.  You keep digging deeper and deeper into yourself and it is both exhilarating and nerve wracking.  I had no idea where I was going and I had to learn to trust in myself, trust in the process, in creativity and in Connie.  Out of that experience, a new sense of myself started to emerge and it was then that I felt like I was in the midst of birthing my creative self.   I’m not sure I made the conscious decision to embark upon this path! And it may be an epic labour!  I do know I yearned to reconnect with the little girl within me who loved making art and believed she could be an artist.  She got lost and one day I realized I needed to find her.  

                                                              ("work in progress")

* what are some practical things you do to facilitate this process?

I have been fortunate to have stumbled upon the right teachers at the right time.  I think it is essential to find others who inspire and support this process and who can guide you – if only by their example – on how to nurture your creative self.  I have taken a wide range of online courses.  It is a tricky thing because there is so much out there, I could do nothing but take ecourses and be busy creating.  But I try to balance out developing my interests and skills with appropriate courses.  I have become more selective in what I take as I now have a number of projects and ideas I want to explore. 

                                                              ("me and Goddess")

*  what are some of  the events that led you to declare this journey to yourSELF and the world?

Essential for me is routine and accountability.  Blogging has been a great way to keep myself accountable and creating.  For example, I had this idea to paint 49 paintings by my 49^th birthday later this year. As soon as the idea popped into my head, I declared my intention on my blog.  Even if no one else remembers it, I know I committed to this project and I am posting updates on my progress.  So what I blog about is more for me and my own growth.  

                                                                    ("strength")

 I also have set routines I try to follow.  Fridays are my sacred creating days.  I know that day is set aside for me and my creativity and there is no compromising on that agreement.  I just finished The Artist’s Way and I am a total convert to writing Morning Pages and the Artist’s date (which I like to think of as a random act of self-kindness.)  And I cannot forget the best support for my creativity – my daughter.  This whole journey began from making art together and she continues to inspire me while helping me remain light and playful. We are now embracing our mission to find, celebrate and create joy everyday.  We are Joy Warriors and we accept all who want to join us!  This is how I keep the birthing process moving along.  It can be intense, painful, a struggle but always always it must be joyful. If it isn’t, then I have made a wrong turn. 

 * all photos in this post courtesy of Lis (just gorgeous pics!!)

dear Lis-thank you so much for granting me this interview and giving us insight into your creative journey .

a creativity picnic!!

                                                   (Creative Soul...in Flight, mixed media)

A few days ago we had a creativity picnic! I took a blanket and spread it out on the grass. There were crayons and coloring books, Playdoh and puppets, stickers and stamps, markers...a glue stick, watercolors and finger paints...and collage!! We sang and read. There was dancing and all sorts of silliness.Tara was beside herself with magical amazement and joy. As she gets older, I really want to have a special creativity date each week...But I also want to incorporate creativity into her everyday life...music, art, scrapbooking, painting, writing...oh! So many things. Does anyone have any ideas...things you have read about or done with your own children? Please share as I would love to know so I can do them with Tara!