Today I also signed my contract to publish my children's book. =) There is still alot of work to be done as far as the production process goes but I am very excited. I hope to have the book released sometime around Christmas.
Monday, September 29, 2008
latest work
I have recently completed a custom commissioned piece. This painting is called "Amy speaks of Ireland". It is a 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas frame.
Today I also signed my contract to publish my children's book. =) There is still alot of work to be done as far as the production process goes but I am very excited. I hope to have the book released sometime around Christmas.
Today I also signed my contract to publish my children's book. =) There is still alot of work to be done as far as the production process goes but I am very excited. I hope to have the book released sometime around Christmas.
Friday, September 26, 2008
update on mi vida loca
It's been kind of hectic lately and my computer was temporarily out of commission so I am catching up in internetland. Currently I am working on a commission for my friend Amy and it should be done within the next few days. I will be posting my latest work when it's completed.
With all of the financial chaos around us in the United States, we must not forget that someday everything will get better. It may take years but that does not mean would should completely relinquish hope. There is a huge wake up call in effect on a planetary level...and in order for people to learn and grow~ it will have to get worse before it gets better.
Now is an opportune time to think about why we are here and what we can do to become positive vehicles of change in the midst of all the negativity. We can submit to all the doom and gloom or we can choose to help our neighbors, our community, and our earth. It's not too late.
With all of the financial chaos around us in the United States, we must not forget that someday everything will get better. It may take years but that does not mean would should completely relinquish hope. There is a huge wake up call in effect on a planetary level...and in order for people to learn and grow~ it will have to get worse before it gets better.
Now is an opportune time to think about why we are here and what we can do to become positive vehicles of change in the midst of all the negativity. We can submit to all the doom and gloom or we can choose to help our neighbors, our community, and our earth. It's not too late.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
My Essay on Creativity
I wrote this short essay about a month or so ago. It is deeply personal but I feel like it is meant to be shared:
Creativity is a beacon of light for me in my darkest hour. As a young girl in the midst of family chaos, I snuck away to my little healing box of tools…my pen, blank papers, and an assortment of brightly colored markers and crayons. In my imagination, there was no room left for the pain, the sound of screaming parents fighting, and no room for belittling comments towards me. Creativity allowed me to have the unabashed freedom that every child should have. Children must explore, play, and express themselves in a land that is virtually free of critics.
As far back as I can remember, I created my own comic books, magazines, and fashion catalogs. I had a fake telephone where imaginary people called and ordered from my collection. These were hours of innocent fun. My beloved grandmother would hold my hand as we walked to the grocery store, which was the local “A&P” at the time. She would buy me the latest magazines if I was a good little girl and the images sparked my inspiration daily. I proudly lined up my magazines on my shelf as if they were prize trophies. As the years went by, the fake telephone retired itself and I no longer doodled away. I turned to the mighty sword of my pen.
I had a creative writing teacher in high school. Her name was Mrs. Solomon. She was a beautiful middle-aged woman with a gentle face, round blue eyes, and wavy chestnut hair. She encouraged us to write what our hearts desired. One day I wrote a revealing poem about how I considered taking my own life. As I finished reading my poem, I looked to my teacher and realized tears were streaming down her face. I saw them glisten and realized that the power of my creativity could evoke emotions in others. These were genuine emotions too, because everything I create is true and from my heart. It also dawned upon me that writing this poetry was a healing tool as well, very powerful indeed what we can accomplish with our words.
These days long after many arduous journeys and a ton of healing work, my greatest creations emerged: my two little girls. I still hold creativity as a strong and vital force in my life. It is my center. There is so much simple joy in splashing away with watercolors with my eldest daughter. Together, we are free. She is so proud of her paintings. They are beautiful, full of life and imagination just like her eyes. Whenever she feels any sorrow or life presents obstacles, I teach her that she can retreat to the power that creativity offers like a golden chalice emerging from the sky. “Take it,” I say.
Creativity can bring the silent peace to a mind at war with itself. In the midst of creating, we can surrender to the divine, to peace, and open ourselves to more love. It is all worth it in the end.
Creativity is a beacon of light for me in my darkest hour. As a young girl in the midst of family chaos, I snuck away to my little healing box of tools…my pen, blank papers, and an assortment of brightly colored markers and crayons. In my imagination, there was no room left for the pain, the sound of screaming parents fighting, and no room for belittling comments towards me. Creativity allowed me to have the unabashed freedom that every child should have. Children must explore, play, and express themselves in a land that is virtually free of critics.
As far back as I can remember, I created my own comic books, magazines, and fashion catalogs. I had a fake telephone where imaginary people called and ordered from my collection. These were hours of innocent fun. My beloved grandmother would hold my hand as we walked to the grocery store, which was the local “A&P” at the time. She would buy me the latest magazines if I was a good little girl and the images sparked my inspiration daily. I proudly lined up my magazines on my shelf as if they were prize trophies. As the years went by, the fake telephone retired itself and I no longer doodled away. I turned to the mighty sword of my pen.
I had a creative writing teacher in high school. Her name was Mrs. Solomon. She was a beautiful middle-aged woman with a gentle face, round blue eyes, and wavy chestnut hair. She encouraged us to write what our hearts desired. One day I wrote a revealing poem about how I considered taking my own life. As I finished reading my poem, I looked to my teacher and realized tears were streaming down her face. I saw them glisten and realized that the power of my creativity could evoke emotions in others. These were genuine emotions too, because everything I create is true and from my heart. It also dawned upon me that writing this poetry was a healing tool as well, very powerful indeed what we can accomplish with our words.
These days long after many arduous journeys and a ton of healing work, my greatest creations emerged: my two little girls. I still hold creativity as a strong and vital force in my life. It is my center. There is so much simple joy in splashing away with watercolors with my eldest daughter. Together, we are free. She is so proud of her paintings. They are beautiful, full of life and imagination just like her eyes. Whenever she feels any sorrow or life presents obstacles, I teach her that she can retreat to the power that creativity offers like a golden chalice emerging from the sky. “Take it,” I say.
Creativity can bring the silent peace to a mind at war with itself. In the midst of creating, we can surrender to the divine, to peace, and open ourselves to more love. It is all worth it in the end.
Friday, September 12, 2008
My Magical Meeting with SARK!
Last night, I met the very lovely SARK. She was doing a booksigning at a local bookshop called Changing Hands in Tempe. SARK has been such a wonderful influence in my life. I have most of her books, been a fan for many years, and am a loyal member of her Marvelous Message Board. She bestowed "purple crayon blessings" upon us and discussed her new book, Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper. What a blessing as I am discovering how to get into publishing my work! Timing is everything. Maybe it's time to dig out the binders of poetry I have written... they are hidden away, collecting dust. SARK's message is that we all have something very valuable to share with each other: our stories. Our stories swirl together in the collective energy of the world. They want to be heard.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Phoenix First Fridays
This past weekend, my family and I went to First Fridays at the Phoenix Art Museum. Every first Friday of the month, the gallery admission is free. There were quite a few interesting pieces there.
Alot of the feedback I have been receiving from the website indicates that I should devote my energies to possibly publishing a children's book someday, so I am looking into it. It will take a lot of time, effort, and research but may be well worth it in the end.
I sewed 2 new pillows which proves I am becoming all to domesticated, huh? ;)
Alot of the feedback I have been receiving from the website indicates that I should devote my energies to possibly publishing a children's book someday, so I am looking into it. It will take a lot of time, effort, and research but may be well worth it in the end.
I sewed 2 new pillows which proves I am becoming all to domesticated, huh? ;)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Ready to go!
The website is ready to go...Special thanks to my friend Jeff Hafford who guided me through this process. Currently I am burning the midnight oil and working on a few new projects including my Mini-Inspiration Cards. Over the next few months, there will be alot of changes, more products, and paintings. I am just getting started!
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