it's all about trying new things...

Since the summer has hit (it's already summer if you live in Arizona) I have felt a sense of new beginnings. I'd like to step outside the box and have some adventures. An adventure can be large or small...it can mean taking a risk, doing something you swore you would never do before, engaging in a new hobby, or taking a trip to a place you've never laid eyes on. I went to San Francisco for the first time in mid May and I fell in love with the city and the nearby ocean. I also got to see the Muirwoods and touch a redwood tree which has been a lifelong dream for me.


My latest piece of art is an animal portrait. This is the first time I have painted a picture of someone's pet and it was really fun to do. The painting is 11 x 14.


If anyone would like a pet portrait please email me at hrbrabant@yahoo.com and send me a hard copy photo of your animal. I can give a quote based on the size of the painting.

purification

Tomorrow is the last day of my diet. Freedom lies in disciplining yourself and practicing moderation. Overall I have learned the importance of drinking alot of water & caring for my body. I would rather take preventative measures than wait until I am ill and there is no turning back. I love this quote that I found today. "Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage." — Thucydides

Here are some of my latest works that I have created. This painting called "Surrender" is on a little 5 x 7 canvas in acrylic adorned with 3 feathers.


Also, I created a chakra mandala...the fire colors red, orange, and yellow represent the 3 lower chakras. It is framed and ready to hang.

finding wisdom in setbacks...

I hit a temporary roadblock...well actually a few roadblocks. For a brief moment, I thought all would be well with my book. I received the final proof copy & there is a huge issue with the color. It's way darker than the original artwork to the point where some pages lost alot of detail. The case may be that I will have to have the images color corrected and re-formatted which could take several weeks. I wouldn't want to settle for a final product that wasn't true to the artwork that I have created.

Through my frustrations I am learning that it is better to be patient and get what you really want rather than blazing through everything but settling for something less. This can be applied to all areas of life.

I've also have had horrendous allergies which have rendered me incapable of doing much these past few days. This is a wake up call that my immune system is weak and that I need to go back to the original vows I made to take better care of my health. Tomorrow I am going to do a cleanse & detox along with a raw foods diet for 7 days. I need to rid my body of it's attachment to caffeine & comfort foods. I usually can't seem to get along without caffeine so now I am going to swap coffee for water.

Please feel free to hold me accountable. I may be grumpy over the next week but it's all for the best. I challenge you to take a look at your health and see what needs improvement. The healthier you are, the more you increase your chances of being on the planet longer with the people that you love!

fabulous news!

I found out today that my book The Moon Princess will be ready for purchase in about 3 weeks. I will post the website where you can place an order as soon as it's ready!

Here is a preview of the cover:

new painting...The Two Of Cups

Here is my latest painting called the Two of Cups which comes from the Tarot. This symbolizes union, harmony, and love. I have always loved this image and what it represents so I finally decided to paint it! The infinity symbol above the chalices represents everlasting love that holds a steady flame. It is a 12 x 12 acrylic on canvas frame.

every day gifts

My new job requires that I am out & about, on my feet around 7 hours a day or more. I have come to realize that there are parts of my neighborhood that I never even knew existed which is rather absurd.

I am finally realizing why I came to Arizona over 7 years ago. It's because the desert has a unique, mystical beauty to it. It reminds me of solitude...steady and quiet, full of mystery.

I'm careful not to miss a beat in my surroundings. I literally stopped to smell the roses a few times last week. I felt the sunshine on my face, the wind in my hair, and heard the bees with their hypnotic hum. For once I looked into the cactus flower and said, "Ahhhh....home."

True home to me is nature. I need to be outside and to be with the earth just as much as I need food and water.

I love what naturalist writer Terry Tempest Williams says in a story called Undressing the Bear. "As women connected to the earth, we are nurturing and we are fierce. We are wicked and sublime. The full range is ours. We hold the moon in our bellies and fire in our hearts."

Let the fire burn and illuminate our passion for living.