The Artist Babes

Using Paints That Annoy

2011-03-22T11:46:00.001-05:00

Hey Artist Babes! I hope everyone is busy being creative in all the different ways we know how. I have been busy working on painting 100 paintings for the challenge I took up a little while ago. It's keeping me actively painting rather than procrastinating.

However, the one thing getting my goat lately is my materials. Having the right tools for your job is essential. Comfortable brushes, paper or canvas you can trust, and paints that are reliable every time are the things we, as artists, need to be some what happy with our work.

Dark Apple in the Afternoon, 9x12 Watercolor
©2011 Dora Sislian Themelis

I have not been that happy with the latest paints I've purchased. Needing more paint to keep working I bought MamieriBlu watercolor paints. In the past I have used Grumbacher and Windsor & Newton products. These new paints seemed exciting, even exotic. I thought I would replace my paints with this brand and maybe my art will really make me happy. Well, that didn't happen.

Dark Apple, 9x12 Watercolor
©2011 Dora Sislian Themelis

These are the paintings I did with the new paints. The trouble is the colors are not what I've been accustomed to with other paint companies. Alizarin Crimson is not what I expect the color to look like when I paint with it. Neither does Burnt Sienna, which looks more like Yellow Ochre. While I'm using them, mixing colors, applying the paint to the paper, I am not getting what I'm looking for.

Other Side of Dark Apple, 9x12 Watercolor
©2011 Dora Sislian Themelis

Each painting has been a struggle for my brain to understand what it thinks it's doing is correct. The colors are not there for me to chose. Try as I might, even though the outcome might seem to satisfy, it really doesn't. There's a disconnect. It's disheartening. Another artist/blogger coined the term The Paints That Annoy. It is so true.

Dark Apple Hides Shells, 9x12 Watercolor
©2011 Dora Sislian Themelis

And so I have decided to ditch these paints and buy the tried and true. I must be aware and purchase the professional grades of paints and try to identify the student grades. It's possible that's what I didn't do on the first go-round in the art supply store. The sales person might have told me which was which so I could make the right purchase to begin with. But I don't want to blame the sales people. I needed to keep my eyes open when buying new paint.

Shells and Pebble, 9x12 Watercolor
©2011 Dora Sislian Themelis

Until I go shopping I have eliminated the offending apple with the colors that were giving me grief. Just sticking to anything that won't give me a headache while I paint.

What's your experience with such things? Anyone else having these problems or is it just me?

Visit me at my blog http://CoffeeAndPaintDrips.blogspot.com
(Prices for paintings on request)

Watercolor Painting in Twenty Minutes

2011-02-09T15:29:00.001-06:00

Just checking in with the Artist Babes here to see how everyone is doing. What creative ventures have all you artists been up to?

Me? Well, I've learned I need to paint my watercolor paintings with a time limit. Yup, you heard it right the first time! Twenty minutes to be exact. Why twenty minutes, you say? It seems I do my best work in this time slot. Any longer and I end up belaboring over it, muddying it up, making a mess, generally ruining whatever I was painting. I would get frustrated and decide to ditch my piece. But with twenty minutes running on the clock, I have found success!

Here in cyberspace I had found a blog called The Twenty Minute Challenge. The premise couldn't be any clearer: Paint your work within twenty minutes and stop. For me it's been working. I have been building a nice body of watercolor paintings in that twenty minutes of time. It has helped me in my daily battle with resistance too. Yes, Resistance and I battle it out every day. Before I learned about painting in twenty minutes he would win almost always. Now I win almost always!

I'm painting fast and loose, quick and free, and done! A quick sketch on the paper without alot of water on the brush, painting my subjects with abandon. When I'm done I sit back and look at my work. Most times I'm pleased with the outcome. However, it's been the process that has kept me painting.

If I tell myself I'm going to work on this piece every day for as long as it takes to get it right, I'm fried! But in twenty minutes I can paint and be finished. It's very freeing and gives me just enough motivation to do it all over again the next day, for another twenty minutes!

Here's one of my still life watercolors painted in twenty minutes. Although I have a big palette with plenty of colors to chose from, this little travel set has been my go-to set. It's available when I want it, along with my still life objects. I've been babysitting a new granddaughter so painting in the studio is not happening for now and the dining room table is where I'm at. When the baby takes a quick, twenty minute nap, there I am painting.

Let's say it's been working out for the both of us!

Visit me on my blog for more of my yapping about art and life, and not fitting it all in at Coffee And Paint Drips!

Christmas Printing...

2011-01-05T11:13:00.000-06:00

A few days before Christmas, I was knee deep into making. Ask my family.

The living room was covered in sewing-- fabric and thread. Towels lots of towels. I made 9 hooded towels for nieces and nephews, and little friends. The kitchen covered in embroidery and felt at one end of the table, drawing and painting in the middle of the table, print making on the end of the table... and ironing in the laundry room.

And then there was printing. I wanted to use these wooden printing blocks that my mentor, John had given me years ago. I do drag them out for projects once in a while but I'd wanted to organize them in alphabetical order. So I didn't have to play the "Who can find Mommy an S? Now an R?!" game.

And organizing them gave me so many options. Oooo what if I printed on paper, for cards! Posters! Tea towels!

With a few short lengths of furring strips and hot glue, held everything in place as I printed.

And I used acrylic paint as ink-- so it would dry faster.

I loved how these turned out. And the process was just so fun. I think I will get these out more often.

What have you been working on?

Birch Trees Encased in Wax

2010-12-17T13:07:00.000-06:00

This is the first time I've posted here at The Artist Babes, but I wanted you to see what I've been working on lately!

This technique is century's old, there is nothing new. But this IS new, it's new to me. I've been thinking for years about painting with this golden glaze. I finally took the plunge and using my old candle making supplies from junior high, I melted wax in a double boiler (wait can you call an old Folgers coffee can a double boiler?), and with an old paint brush I began layering my birch trees with vintage sewing patterns. Creating an erethral space between each translucent layer.

Encaustic painting as it's called, uses wax (traditionally bee's wax). It's been used to add texture and intrest, to encase a book page or a painting or when tinted used as paint.

This particular piece was done with melt and pour pellets from Walmart, I don't think century's ago they'd approve of using cheeeeap wax. But I thought I'd use it up before I upgraded to bees wax.

And my brain has been a little dry lately, all of it used up for Spanish, work, family, home or holidays. So this evening of experimentation was just what I needed to feel refreshed and ready to take on all that this December has to offer.

Where has your creativity been lately? Are you crafting up a storm for the holidays?

Eggs!

2010-03-28T00:52:00.005-05:00

I've joined C & C photography for a four-week workshop, and our first assignment was... eggs! Very timely for Easter! I thought I'd share my Spotlight on the White Egg to get you in the mood :-)

If you want to see all the amazing things that can be done with eggs and a camera, check out the blogroll in the sidebar of C & C! There are some very talented photographers and absolutely stunning images out there! Who knew eggs were so photogenic?

Hi from Sedona

2010-03-24T08:43:00.002-05:00

HI Babes, I'm in Sedona teaching and on a retreat. It's been a few months since I posted so I wanted to drop in and say hello. I too soooo enjoyed and was honored to be a part of Shannon's first e-course and I know they are going to be a huge success. I don't have alot of personal art-making time so it was great to be able to do that freely for a month. Thanks Shannon!
Some of you may know from posts I made last summer that I have been teaching workshops in southern France for the last seven years. I am offering an early bird discount for the workshops a year from this summer- in July 2011. If you'd like more info you can visit the France page on my site- www.dayledoroshow.com and email me for the discount info. I would love to share the experience with you! dayledoroshow@hotmail.com
Here's a pic of what I'm inspired by at the moment.

What Better Way to Be, then Love?

2010-03-23T14:10:00.004-05:00

I began my Magical Eyes Tour a little over a month ago, traveling across The United States, staying Pinkies, learning about their lives, sharing what we each had to offer each other.

Though my journey has only been a month long, there was a flame that sparked inside of me. A flame that was put out long ago. Rediscovering these passions and truths has led to a whole new level of art for me.

I know that one stepping stone in getting to where I am was taking Shannon's Inside Out eCourse. It led to a completely new space of self expression. I got back down to the roots of who I was and why I am here.

Thank you for letting me be part of this group of artistic bloggers. I love the space already and feel honored to be here.

Here is my first home-made card: What better way to be, then love?

Premiere of crafts outdoors today!

2010-03-22T09:47:00.003-05:00

Today, it was possible to sit outside in a sunny corner and work again after a looooong winter. I'm learning a new crochet-technique (tunisian) for a course, while I'm surrounded by a dripping from the melting snow. It so unlikely wonderful.

First Sign of Spring!

2010-03-03T09:37:00.000-06:00

What signs of spring do you see where you live?

Back in KC

2010-02-24T12:52:00.009-06:00

It's been over a year since my last post, but I'm back in Kansas City for the time being and wanted to leave you with a few photos to catch up. I spent last year in Bainbridge Island, WA studying permaculture and edible landscape design. It was a beautiful environment to live in. Hooray for Beautiful animals, food, and landscapes! (The last two photos are from my road trip back with my brother from Southern California)...now that I'm back in KC, I'm taking a drawing class at KCAI and I've got big goals for sewing projects. More to come...

Hostess With The Mostess

2010-02-21T12:30:00.017-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, my friend and I made this all-in-one apron for an auction to benefit NAG, a group who brings artists and workshops to kids who live in a very rural part of Montana. The benefit dinner and auction of aprons made by artists was the perfect venue for my friend Michelle Lambson and I to collaborate. We first found the yellow dress at an "upscale" thrift store... (We were there to find a jacket to make into an apron... a kind of MichaelJacksonesque number), but this yellow dress screamed at us from the rack... and thus was the beginning of the "Hostess With The Mostess."
Our ideas started flying... I immediately thought of the fabulous gloves in the Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines book by Anne Shayne and Kay Gardner. Chelle found the fabulous Kate Spade bag... the perfect accessory for our Perfect Hostess. P.H. really started coming together when we found the exact yarns for the gloves (made longer and more elegant) and the pocket (which is the famous ballband warshcloth pattern from same said book.) We were stunned when all the parts and pieces made themselves manifest on our 8-hour shopping spree. I even had the exact dyes we needed in my dye stash for the apron!
Chelle did all of the fabulous hand-stitching of all of the trim (hours and hours of it). She also split the dress and made the straps for the back. It was a labor of love and we were both rather sad to pack P.H. and send her off to Montana. We were told she went to a wonderful home.
Good-bye Hostess With the Mostess! Have fun in Montana. We will miss you.
p.s. you might want to put on some panties before the auction. Just sayin'.

Art Every Day

2009-10-31T08:50:00.008-05:00

Are you up for the challenge? For one month, starting tomorrow, the "Art Every Day" challenge begins. Read about it here. This is an opportunity to create something, ANYTHING, everyday. No need for it to be a "finished" project, just let yourself have fun, get your hands dirty and make some stuff. Let's all unite together and let our creativity really take flight!
So start, today, everyday and make art. If you want to join the group who's up for the "Art Everyday Challenge", visit this blog: Creative Every Day, and leave a comment on a blog post, letting them know you want to sign up.

Happy creating!

Creating Cupcakes

2009-10-27T19:37:00.002-05:00

My friend Barb, and several of Lindsay's friends helped decorate cupcakes for Lindsay's wedding. 200 cupcakes, and 4 hrs. later we were finished. Barb and I had taken a cake decorating class in the spring, and were able to create roses, varigated swirls, and mums. We all had a blast, and the cupcakes were a big hit at the wedding!

Your Creative Challenge

2009-10-22T13:51:00.004-05:00

Take a photo that visually answers this question:
"What inspires your creativity?"

Then, post your photo here!

The Beauty of Change

2009-10-12T13:29:00.004-05:00

I absolutely love this time of year. The trees are simply breathtaking right now. The vibrant colors offer us a visual reminder of how everything around us, and within us, is constantly changing. As we see the golden, auburn, and rust colored leaves turn before us, we can be reminded that the beauty we see, is also a reflection of the beauty that comes from change, and the beauty that lives within each of us.

So as you breath in the season and enjoy the festivities of Fall, celebrate the changes that are happening within you, and ask yourself, "What new beauty will these changes bring?"

Just a little note!

2009-10-03T05:37:00.003-05:00

Hello every one!

I just want to let you know that today I will be attending a speach from the Dalaï Lama, and I will bring you all in my heart! :)

I'll soon come back on my last post, funny how it turned out to be so beneficial for me!

And by the way, who is willing to do this one with us?

Have a super great week-end and take good care of you all, and those around you!
xxni

Interview of Jane Burgermeister reguarding The Swine Flu.

2009-09-27T07:58:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone!
Something a bit heavy in this post this morning.

http://dotsub.com/view/b0fb7146-8477-4851-910d-d68fc90b6f6d

Take the hour it takes to watch this video, I think it is important,
then let us all know what you think.
Personnally, I always refused the vaccination, because my intuition always told me so.
But now, I don't really know what to think.

I'd really like it if we talked about it together.

Until then,
have great day!!!
ni

Setting Intentions to Create

2009-09-25T11:52:00.007-05:00

Last Friday I was home with no car, no baby, no husband, and no agenda. It was pouring rain. And I'm mean, pouring, ALL day. I have to admit, this is some of my favorite kind of weather. Especially when I'm at home with no where to go!

It could have been very easy for me to scatter about the day - running a few loads of laundry, and cleaning the kitchen, and reorganizing my closet (again!), and getting lost in email land. So I immediately wrote out my "intention" for the day - "to play with art materials" and "try something new". Posting my intentions gave me complete permission to do nothing else but have fun playing, (rather than thinking, "I should be doing this or that...").

Ahhh...what a relief! I pulled my art supplies out to the screened-in-porch so I could be surrounded by the rain. And there I was - quilt, coffee, and a white journal page staring blankly at me.

While I played, I remembered a fun idea that I learned from Aimee at Artsyville. (She is super creative!) She calls it "Mindless Word Fun." She cuts out words from magazines and then randomly picks out a few and rearranges them.

Here is the one I made that day:

"Discover inspiration, creamy dream. Good-bye shock."

What creative intentions will you set for yourself this week?

The Beauty Around Us

2009-09-17T13:42:00.008-05:00

I've been listening to Oprah's "Soul Series" on my Ipod. It is such a special treat every time I find a moment where I can sit quietly, close my eyes, and listen to the spiritual teachings of the amazing people she interviews. Teachers like Eckhart Tolle, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Elizabeth Lesser, Rev. Ed Bacon and so many others, discuss topics like being more present, becoming an observer of your thoughts, connecting more deeply to your life, and awakening to your beauty and the beauty in all those you meet.

Today, I practice living more presently, letting go of this idea that I have to "get" or "go" somewhere. I will walk slower. I will breathe deeper. I will play bigger. I will listen better. I will stop and see, and appreciate, and be grateful for all that IS in my life. Right here. Now. In this moment.

If you are looking for an enriching way to restore and renew, take some time for yourself and enjoy Oprah's soulful webcasts.

For any fans of the show, "The Office", the actor who plays Dwight (Rainn Wilson) has started a really inspiring community called "Soul Pancake", and Oprah has a great interview with him, where he talks about art and creativity as a spiritual practice.

Free Spirit T's

2009-09-16T16:33:00.006-05:00

Here's my first Free Spirit T based off a funky, cool, kid drawing found in the trash. I added the "K" for Kestan. Screen printing is super-fly fun.

Staying Focused?

2009-09-11T11:47:00.010-05:00

Man, I'm all over the place these days. The more focused I try to become, the more ideas and inspiration flow through me. I'm SO grateful for yoga, because I think my mind would eat me up if I didn't practice stillness and try slowing down from time-to-time!

Anyway, as I bounce from yoga, to my e-course, to art with Kestan, I've been playing with a few t-shirt ideas (sparked by a recent screen printing class I took - so fun!). I'm doing some preliminary research on eco-friendly screen printing companies and organic wholesale t-shirts to print on for mama's and kids. Does anyone have experience in this area? Would love some feedback.
I'm excited about this project because drawing, especially on the computer, is very scary and uncomfortable for me. And since I am practicing doing more things that scare me and make me feel vulnerable, then I guess I should continue onward.
Question of the day: How do you stay focused and what creative project is whispering or YELLING at you?

Warhol Time Capsules

2009-09-03T14:49:00.002-05:00

I heard an interesting piece the other time on Warhol's "time capsules" basically a bunch of boxes that he put things away in. I thought a few of you time enjoy these pieces. I can't find the interview online - here are a few related links:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112015712
http://www.artonpaper.com/bi/v11n02/unpacking_andy.php
http://edu.warhol.org/app_aw_tc.html

As I've been struggling to find time for art with my daughter now in my life it makes we wonder how I can look at the clutter in my office and everyday things more as a piece of art that I'm nurturing into existence and how can I make the pieces I want to work on more a part of my everyday.

The Flow Continues

2009-08-30T21:08:00.008-05:00

Here I am with my first I-Phone. I have to say I am quite excited about it. This new handful of beautiful technology is such a great compliment to my huge desire to have a more flexible work schedule around Kestan. I can now check my email, send a tweet, update Facebook or do some research while on the go and it has totally opened my creative world!

I have been caught in a whirlwind of creative flow over the past few months. It has been quite exciting, challenging, scary, wonderful, real, overwhelming and happy. I have two more days at my job before I have the entire month of September off. I'm dedicating my work time towards the continued development of my first creative e-course. I've been blogging a little about it on my Free Spirit Knits.

(Speaking of e-courses...check out this upcoming Fiber Arts Telesummit led by a wonderful creativity coach, Eric Maisel.)
In the midst of all my personal creating I wanted to share with you my little artist. Kestan loves to paint and he's very serious about it. For those interested, check out a short video of him in action.

Don't Forget National Dog Day!

2009-08-25T16:13:00.005-05:00

Stella's fun treat for National Dog Day! It's a cookie in the shape of board shorts
(perfect for the beach bum dog) decorated with pink and green icing.
She picked it out at Critter Beach ~ a local store!

Here is Stella getting Evie to chase her for a fun romp at the beach! Yay!

Tomorrow ~ Wed. Aug. 26th, is National Dog Day! It's an opportunity to acknowledge the priceless contribution dogs make to our lives and to remember and help those canines who aren't quite as lucky.

How will you celebrate and honor your pooch or pooches? Maybe a special trip to the park or a favorite treat? Our dogs will definitely be voting for both! See some more ideas on my blog.

Our dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole! ~ Roger Caras

Hug A Dog!
~ Cindi

Summer of Intentions

2009-08-24T16:24:00.005-05:00

This summer I had set some goals for myself to knit and design like a mad woman, to post on my blog like a mad woman, and to list items in my Etsy shop like a mad woman. Well..... life found its way into my mad intentions and many of my plans are still on the planning table. Today I realized that I could either get mad that my intentions fell short, or be grateful for the little things that did get accomplished and even more grateful that I had time to even dream about some of the things that I will one day get to! I decided to be grateful... and today I posted on my blog and this very blog, plus I listed on Etsy the first of many of my little knitted designs for Blythe dolls.... YIPPPEEEEE! THE PLANETS ALIGNED!!

Flowers

2009-08-20T08:51:00.004-05:00

Hi All ~ wanted to share two of my photos. One is a photo I took of two beautiful hot pink flowers in my sister's garden. The other is the same photo, but altered on the computer.... something I am having more and more fun doing!

I recently attended a celebration of the life of an amazing woman who taught me art when I was a child. Her spirit was like no other. She was a fearless creator, filled with joy and passion and love. I will never forget her and she has inspired me to keep striving for the same fearless, carefree, trusting approach to creating artistic works and to creating my life! As I played with the image of the flowers on the computer, I realized... there were no mistakes!

Peace ~ Cindi Saadi

2009-07-28T12:52:00.003-05:00

Wildflowers by Tom Petty

2009-07-23T17:20:00.006-05:00

The flowers are so amazingly abundant and beautiful right now and every time I see a field like this one I suddenly start singing the song, "Wildflowers" by Tom Petty. So considering "feeling free" has been a theme of mine lately, I thought you might enjoy the message of the song as well.
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
Sail away, kill off the hours
You belong somewhere you feel free

Run away, find you a lover
Go away somewhere all bright and new
I have seen no other
Who compares with you

You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
You belong with your love on your arm
You belong somewhere you feel free

Run away, go find a lover
Run away, let your heart be your guide
You deserve the deepest of cover
You belong in that home by and by

You belong among the wildflowers
You belong somewhere close to me
Far away from your trouble and worries
You belong somewhere you feel free
You belong somewhere you feel free

My question to you: When do you feel the most free?

And the winner is...

2009-07-19T09:14:00.004-05:00

Thanks so much to all of you for sharing your stories and comments over the past few weeks. It is so enriching for me, (and I know all of you as well), to see your work, hear your struggles, enjoy your celebrations and laugh together along the way.

I believe creating community, especially with creative, AMAZING women is an important part to our personal growth and self-discovery, and it's also just FUN to see what everyone is up to.

As you can see, I had a very special guest help me this morning with our raffle!
And the winner is...Cindi! Kestan pulled your name first, which is awesome, considering this celebrates your first post! Cindi - email me your mailing address and you'll be receiving a Free Spirit Knits original piece of jewelry.
But as you can see, Kestan, had fun pulling out all the names! So all of you that commented and shared stories over the last two weeks also wins a prize! (That's Dayle, Mary, Cindi, Emily and Katia) You each get one FREE spot in my new creativity on-line class that I'll be offering in September. More details to come.

Thanks for sharing and let the sharing continue...

2009-07-15T22:55:00.002-05:00

Bonjour Babes! My second group is about to leave (tomorrow) and I will so miss sharing this special part of France, but "knock on wood" (or toucher le bois as they say here) I hope to do it all again next year.

Yesterday we went to Albi- a small city about an hour away. We drove thru sunflower fields that you can walk right into and photograph the bees that have landed on the face of the flower.

In Albi is a magnificent cathedral (1300's) with painted walls that are amazingly contemporary designs like modern quilt patterns and the Toulouse Lautrec Museum.

Creative Growth....

2009-07-15T15:47:00.009-05:00

Hello! As the ocean here in Delaware has finally been warm enough to venture into... I am finally stepping out of the shadows of this amazing blog and sharing my first post with you all. Shannon's urgent call for posts helped light a fire under me! I am a life coach, freelance writer and photographer, and budding artist! I am also passionate about music. First though, before sharing my post, I want to say how much I enjoy and am inspired by all the talented and passionate women in this community! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful gifts!

Below are photos of some recent creative projects and a funny photo of my dogs thrown in for good measure! Thank you for looking!

Cheers ~ Cindi

My homemade self-acknowledgment journal ~ my first venture into mixed media! I had a blast making these journals and look forward to improving upon them!

Greeting card with a photo I took of bob houses on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH.

Bookmarks I made using my photos, natural hemp cord, and beads. I have 20 different photos for these and 4 are included here.

Some of my most favorite photos to take are of the ocean ~ especially when she is in a WILD mood! It's a little hard to tell in this photo, but the sea spray here was quite impressive!

This was an old pillar jetty at our favorite beach that has since been replaced by a rock jetty. This jetty was fun to walk around underneath when the tide when out and look for sea treasures.

This is a favorite photo of mine of an old abandoned tractor by the side of the road in West Virginia. The colors of this card are much more bold and vivid, but somehow I could not capture this when taking the photo of the card. Any advice on better ways to display these?

And finally, a photo, for fun, of my favorite dogs. The smaller gray and white dog is my silly girl, Stella and her black and tan pal is my sister's dog, Evie. They are sweethearts who love the beach and have become quite comfortable lounging for hours under the umbrella. On especially hot days, we make sure to take some wet cloths in the cooler so they can get some chilly relief! What a life!

Thanks for letting me share! Cheers ~ Cindi

Finally some pics

2009-07-11T22:50:00.002-05:00

Plastic, Hitchcock and Yarn

2009-07-11T11:04:00.007-05:00

What motivates me creatively this week? Plastic, Hitchcock and Yarn. About a month ago, I committed to making 3 squares for two different projects… both were a community effort, a “fiber hug” to two people I have never met. Both had gone through some crummy challenges, and so the chance to make these people’s lives a little brighter sounded great. I had my yarns picked out, my patterns…everything was ready. I even had the patterns in sheet protectors so I could knit at the pool. I got started and screamed through the first square and then I am not sure what happened… Life? Laundry? Three birthday celebrations for 4 of my kids (yes … twins, more about that later). Anyway, I found myself scrambling to meet the deadline. Thank God for Turner Classic Movie Channel and the Hitchcock marathon! I finished them all on time PLUS got obsessed with the dresses worn by Grace Kelley in “Rear Window” and “To Catch A Thief”. I kept thinking about how to construct an amazing dress like the ones she wore but out of yarn (keep in mind, I was knee-deep in the yarn stuff at the time)… I thought…”yeah right, like I could ever wear a Grace Kelley dress!” and no sooner did that thought cross my mind when I realized who would look smashing in one… Bonnie B.C., my (plastic) Blythe doll! I am so excited with my designing that I had to stop and take a picture and write a post. I am hoping to write up the pattern and perhaps sell the PDF in my Etsy store…which, by the way, I sold my first two sets of stitch markers from my Etsy store this week!!! I feel like I am on a roll, though the laundry is piling high!
If you want to learn more about Blythe dolls, go here. If you want to see my Etsy shop, go here. If you want to see my squares, go here.

I hope to soon post about another inspiration… the birth of my identical twins 18 years ago.

France Workshop

2009-07-07T22:52:00.002-05:00

Hi Ya'll or I guess I should say Bonjour. My first workshop ends today and my lovely ladies will be departing either to fly home to the US or to continue on their journey here in France. Robin (from Australia) will stay on and be with me for the second workshop which starts on Friday.
Besides having lost of studio time to create art, we had a full week of amazing experiences. A great flea market (called vide greniers which means Empty the Attic) was a treasure trove of inexpensive goodies for home and art. The renowned Revel Saturday market was a feast for the eyes and soul. We also got to go to a small museum- the Museum of Kitsch - a delight for the senses-(created by a dear French friend of mine), invites to local artist studios, a trip to Albi, a trip to the nearby monastery....... so a full week of joy and inspiration. I'll post more pics soon! ********** Not able to upload a pic- hope to later

Where Are You, Babes?

2009-07-07T20:05:00.004-05:00

Yo, I'm missin' my babes.

I hope all of you are enjoying a fun, wonderfully relaxing, exciting, chill kind of summer! I want to hear what you've been up to, so get back here and post, would ya?

What's a better way to get ya back than a nice, friendly contest? I have prizes. Seriously. I do! Prizes for blog posts and even for those who add comments. We are also nearing our 1ooth post...so we gotta have prizes for that, too.

So...for the next two weeks, who ever writes a post or adds a comment, will be added to my super cool, glass container and names will be pulled randomly for super cool prizes. I'll post the winners here, too.

So come on! Share some stuff. Anything! We want to hear from you. Let your creativity shine and be seen.

It's the little things

2009-06-29T12:55:00.002-05:00

I have this special silver tray that belonged to my mother. I seem to remember her serving iced teas on this. I like to prepare my breakfast on this, with coffee, my newspaper and morning readings and take this to my patio. There is something special in taking this time to nurture myself with the little things. I don't do this everyday, but love when I take the time to do so.

Feeling Free and Loving It

2009-06-27T21:22:00.006-05:00

I've had quite a productive and super-fly fun week of being on a more relaxed schedule. I've had several days off to play in my studio and work on my on-line class. I'm really excited about this class and I've learned so much during my "artist retreat week!" I studied and stayed with some technical things that I haven't had time for, like learning how to make Podcasts and publish on Itunes. I started a You Tube channel for my guided meditations and creativity classes. I started a Flickr group for my on-line class. I learned how to save Illustrator designs for the web. Whoa, my head is spinning. And, yet, I have had SO much fun!

And most of all, I learned that "living free" to me means - doing what I love, every single day, surrounded by the people I love the most, while connecting to others in deep ways and celebrating each moment as an authentic, compassionate, mindful being.

So, as we've been contemplating what it means to "live freely", that leads me to another question. "What is your mission in life and what are you doing today to make that mission more vividly alive?

My Artist Retreat Week

2009-06-20T09:12:00.004-05:00

Today marks the official start to my vacation. I'm calling it my "Artist Retreat Week" - doesn't that just make you go "ahhhh". I can not remember the last time I had several days in a row to simply be on my own schedule, take my own time, and explore my creative projects.

I do have one intention for the week, which is to focus primarily on developing my on-line creativity class. I'm really excited about taking the doodles and scraps of paper ideas and making them more concrete. (Thanks to those of you who are helping me out!)

Another reason, though, for this much needed retreat is simply to create SPACE. I need a break from routine. I need to honor my natural rhythm. I need spontaneity. I need stillness.

I am embarking on new creative territory and I know that as I make some greater shifts in my life, staying centered and connected to my inner wisdom is essential, especially during moments where self-doubt wants to creep in.

So today, at the start of my "retreat week", I embrace this open space before me, and I remember what it feels like to live freely.

What does "living freely" mean to you?

HOME

2009-06-13T07:31:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone!
I am taking 2 minutes to invite you to watch this important film, released on june 5th and available for free on the web 'til june 14th. Just clic on this message's title and it'll get you there!
Have a magical week-end every one!
xxni

Discover Your Creative Calling (...or something like that)

2009-06-09T21:59:00.005-05:00

I am in the beginning stages of creating my first on-line class. This class will be designed to help people discover their life purpose and offer tips and techniques on how to set goals and make an action plan that will help make their creative dreams real! (What a mouthful!) We'll explore a vibrant world of possibilities that will ignite a creative spark that so many of us need to live more fuller, bolder, freer lives.

I need your help! While I'm developing this class, I'd like to share some of my ideas/exercises so that you can offer feedback and creative wisdom to help bring this class to life.

If any of you are interested in joining my email creative focus group, please email me (livefreely@mac.com) or comment here. If you agree, I'll be sending you an email every so often for the next few weeks, with parts and pieces from my class. It's a great way for you to enjoy some creative inspiration (for free) and at the same time you'll be helping me out immensely!

My Beagle Boy!

2009-06-04T09:18:00.003-05:00

I went to a quilting workshop a few weeks ago, and learned the art of fusing fabric. I really like it because it is faster than quilting, where you are sewing all your pieces. With this, I can design my piece, fuse my fabrics, and iron on! I'm excited to try more whimsical pieces this summer. And remember my new goal??? Complete my work!

Smaller Pile!

2009-06-01T20:06:00.004-05:00

Progress was made on finishing some of the partial projects! More to come...

Looking for Logo

2009-05-31T10:24:00.003-05:00

Hey babes-
We need a logo for this website. Is anyone interested in designing one? If so, please comment here or send me an email with your design by June 7th. OR, if you don't want to do the actual design but have ideas on what it should look like, let me know that, too!

Also, I'd like to redesign the look of this site. All ideas are welcome.

Partial Pile of Project Parts

2009-05-29T10:55:00.004-05:00

Perhaps this pile of project parts is why I feel so scattered. Everything is only partly ... partly sewn up, partly knitted, partly stuffed, partly embroidered. My plants are only partly potted. The laundry, partly folded. The house is fully filthy... hey wait! That's one thing to feel complete about! Yippppeeee!!!
Okay... so I am making a "goalette" for myself (a goalette is a small goal that if not met, should not impart guilt on the goalettee.) Back to the goalette... by the end of the weekend, I am hoping to be able to post a picture of a pile of complete projects. If the goalette is met, I will be happy... if not, no worries.

Involvement

2009-05-23T15:04:00.003-05:00

I've been away from the blog for abit. With all this new media I've been reflecting on both what I'd like to share and receive in these spaces. What I'm longing for is connection and inspiration. I've already have enjoyed reading many of your posts and love seeing your work online. I hope and look forward to reading and seeing more. I recently made some time to create a piece for a friend of mine. This piece is titled 'involvement' part of a small group of paintings I call 'poetry pieces'.

La Cascade

2009-05-21T16:05:00.004-05:00

For the last five summer I have taught workshops at the beautiful artists retreat house in southern France, La Cascade. Last summer I was already there when I started working with Shannon as my creativity coach. I spent the summer in deep thinking- prodded by her inspiring questions and suggestions- while teaching the workshops and also camping for several weeks in the Pyrenees and Provence.
I'd think about my answers to her questions and ideas while at the campground at night or in the studio at La Cascade- and then find an Internet cafe to send my replies to her. It was a very fruitful time even tho I wasn't actually making my art.
I recently wrote a short article for Somerset Studio magazine on La Cascade which is in the current May/June issue. And I'll be leaving next week to be there again.
If you'd like to follow my journey there and the workshop experience- I plan to post once a week on my own site-http://www.dayledoroshow.com Then hit the Journal button. And I have more info there on the France page about my workshops there for 2010. ***Unfortunately I can't get a picture to load- I invite you to click on my Dayle's Flickr link on the sidebar at my site and there are lots of pics there.

Looking for Recipes!

2009-05-21T10:44:00.004-05:00

Ni had the fabulous idea to share recipes on this site. In particular, she's looking for yummy breakfast ideas...so let's start there. Does anyone have fun and yummy breakfast recipes and inspiration you can share with us here? If so, tag your post "breakfast recipes" so we can get a collection going.

I've added a link to the side bar for vegetarian recipes. If you have other links to share, let me know!

Here's one that I have yet to try but I think it sounds very yummy.

This recipe was borrowed from www.vegancoach.com.

Vegan Blueberry-Banana Walnut Pancakes

1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup unbleached flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 banana, mashed
1 1/4 cups non-dairy milk (I soy, rice or almond milk.)
1 Tablespoon granulated sweetener
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup blueberries, fresh or (defrosted) frozen

1. In a large bowl, sift the flour and baking powder together. In a small bowl, mash the banana with a fork and add 1/4 cup of the milk, mixing together until there are no lumps. Add the banana, sweetener, walnuts, blueberries, and remaining milk to the dry mix and stir together until "just mixed".

2. Heat a nonstick pan or a lightly-oiled frying pan. Let sit on medium heat until the bottom turns golden brown. Flip and cook other side. Repeat process until all the batter is gone. Makes 2 or more servings.

Taking Flight

2009-05-15T22:15:00.003-05:00

Wow...I'm truly inspired. I've been receiving a lot of messages to paint, to collage and to explore art journaling more deeply. I've kept a journal for as long as I can remember - and for some reason recently I've had so many visual, powerful journal books, collage and mixed media artists, and other bits of inspiration keep entering my life.

I'm following it. I don't know where it will lead....

Kelly Rae Roberts is an artist I recently discovered and I spent the afternoon reading her beautiful book Taking Flight: Inspiration & Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings.

So much of what I read sounds like something I would have written. It's great to find other artists living their authentic life. I'm reminded that I'm living a creative life, yet my wings are needing to expand...fuller. I'm ready to fly higher.

I love the magic and power of kindred spirits.

Spring Clean and Let Go

2009-05-11T11:48:00.008-05:00

The other day I followed my intuition to walk into the bookstore. I'm usually drawn to the magazines when I'm in need of inspiration. I happened across a new "Cloth, Paper, Scissors - Studios" magazine that had the most scrumptious photos about 25 different artists and their amazingly organized art studios. If you are feeling a deep desire to reinvigorate your workspace, I highly recommend this issue! There are so many creative ideas on how to rethink your space, including an article entitled "Clutter Out, Creativity In", that offers great suggestions.

One tip that I found especially helpful is when you are wanting to clear out some of your old work, take a digital photo, so you can keep a record of it, then you won't feel the need to hang on to the piece.

That simple reminder helped me feel good about my decision to let this piece go:

I've never really had a spot for it in my home, however, I couldn't bare to let it go because it is my one and only welded creation - an amazing accomplishment for someone who doesn't really like using big "power tools", let alone working with a flame! I'm usually more drawn to "softer, warmer" kinds of medium, so I was surprised to learn how much I enjoyed welding.

Yet, ever since I cleaned out my basement this spring, letting go of things that no longer serve a purpose in my life, has become a whole lot easier. And making space for new things has become an exciting new hobby of mine. The more I let go - the simpler my life is becoming. That feels so much better to me these days than hanging on to things just "because".

So, thanks for allowing me this opportunity to share photos of my welded shelf. I love it and it's time to say goodbye.

What are you ready to let go of to make more space for your creativity?

Completing Work

2009-04-26T11:44:00.005-05:00

I find beauty and inspiration in every season, and have to grab snippets of time for production. This piece, has some stamped leaves, and fabric I dyed. I enjoy including textural qualities. Even tho we are past my favorite season of autumn, I felt satisfied in completing this piece. I've got a few other pieces in process, and look forward to making the time to add to them and complete them!!

mpkinney

Spring is in the Air

2009-04-16T16:29:00.004-05:00

This is a work in progress - a hand and needle felted wall hanging made of wool. The spring flowers blooming all around inspired me to pull it out today.

Is anyone else inspired by the beauty that comes with this change of season?

art day

2009-04-13T12:50:00.002-05:00

I have officially made today my art day... first one in a long time. I was "supposed" to run a few errands and visit a girl that I mentor, but I was feeling drained. Feeling like I had hit a wall, and I think this is the perfect way to move past that wall. I can't feel guilty for changing plans, or taking time for me. There is a list of other things I could be doing, and I won't let it get in the way, maybe other days, but not today. This is a piece I made a while ago, trying new stitches sewing and a half printed picture on fabric.

Tweet, Tweet.

2009-04-06T09:02:00.004-05:00

Wow, this "social network" thing is exploding and I'm trying my best to keep up with it all. Blogs, Facebook, Ravelry, Flickr, YouTube, Etsy and now...Twitter! My goal is to not get overwhelmed by all of this and to simply have fun connecting in new ways.

Is anyone else on Twitter, yet? If not, check it out and see if you are interested in "twitting". The more I learn about it the more potential I see with it. Once you're on, let me know, and I'll share some cool sites that teach you how to post little 12 second videos, pictures and more.

Come tweet with me. My user name is: FreeSpiritKnits.

Also, I wanted to share that in addition to this site, I've restarted my own personal blog:
http://freespiritknits.blogspot.com/

How do you feel about all of these new ways of connecting to people across the globe?

p.s. I have to thank my hubbie, Chris, for all the cool photographs. This is a sculpture he made for our local Children's Mercy Hospital. It hangs in their lobby and is 9 x 11 feet.

Brooch and Folk School

2009-04-03T08:28:00.003-05:00

Hi y'all. This will be a quick post but at least there will be a pic of what I have been working on. I'll write more about the process later.

Right now I am in overwhelm getting ready for a class tomorrow and then I soon leave for two weeks of teaching at the Folk School in NC. If you want to check out this magical place- you will not believe the classes they offer - click here!

Spring into Action

2009-03-26T23:45:00.004-05:00

Present Magazine is a great online publication that just published one of my articles. Click on "Spring into Action" to take a look. Happy spring!

Going in Circles?

2009-03-25T21:11:00.003-05:00

So I had a conversation with a trusted friend tonight who told me that I don't have any goals - but that I live in "tangent land". Whoa...pretty hard to hear.

I have this impression of myself that I'm very goal-oriented, planned, organized, responsible - all those descriptive words they use to describe Capricorns. In fact, my main practice lately has been to be less rigid, more relaxed, less planned, more spontaneous.

I took a powerful visual journal class last night with Lisa Sonora, author of "The Creative Entrepreneur. (We mentioned her in previous posts.) She prompted us to think about our intentions for taking the class. The main thing that came up for me is my desire to stay focused on my creative business ideas and dreams so I can make them real.

A goal is an investment in yourself; it clearly identifies what you want, how you will get it, and when you will get it.
When reading this statement about goals, I can absolutely say that I do put a lot of investment in myself and I have clearly identified what I want. Maybe what my friend is pointing out is that I haven't put the step-by-step action in place of how and when I will get it. This is a hard one for me because I feel like if I know what I want and flow in that direction, that the universe will open the pathways for me.

So as I journal about my specific goals and this reflective conversation, I ask you this:
Have you invested in yourself, identified clearly what you want, and determined how and when you'll get there?
OR
Do you have a different process when manifesting your dreams?

Stuck?

2009-03-20T08:48:00.002-05:00

I'm stuck a bit inspiration-wise! One of the first things I do in that case is start flipping through books and magazines and look for colors that excite me. Color is one of the first ways that gets my juices going.

I'm still plugging along on this new work- jewelry and collages- inspired by Versailles. I visited last summer for a day, having not been there for exactly twenty years. The Hall of Mirrors has been newly renovated. The palace and the gardens are just a feast for the eyes.

bought a small book that focuses on closeups of items around the palace and gardens- statues, fabric, furniture, etc. This is a piece of upholstery on a chair that I hope will lead to something creative today!

What are some ways you get yourself going inspiration wise?

The Little Red School House

2009-03-17T09:12:00.011-05:00

In response to Ni's post...thanks for sharing the Montessori links!! I am in the process of visiting area schools so that I can make sure to get Kestan on a waiting list. I believe so deeply in the Montessori philosophy and it's wonderful to hear that you have had such positive experiences.

The photo of the colored pencils was actually taken at a Montessori school called "The Little Red School House". This is a darling, one-room school house that my sister-in-law started on a 20-acre plot of land in a small town called Hayward, Wisconsin. Click on the title link of this post to see a short video that shows the family coming together to make her sweet dream a reality.

Also, I so appreciate "The Creative Entrepreneur" link you shared! In fact, it was so inspiring that I've ordered the book and I'm going to take the on-line "PowerFULL Visual Journal" class this coming Tuesday. Would anyone else like to take it with me? See the link:

http://www.thecreativeentrepreneur.biz

Sharing...

2009-03-15T15:40:00.004-05:00

This picture that is linking us to a creativity article on Wikipedia made me want to talk to you about Montessori schools. (Because we have those kind of pencil holders in the school!)My three girls went to preschool in a Montessori school and the youngest one will have the chance to do her elementary years there too. I am putting a link so you can have an idea but if you have a chance to visit one of those schools, go for it! It is so respectful of the children's ways and rythms of learning...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2A3-z0qdCw
I suggest you also take a look all this website:
http://www.amshq.org/
I now teach yoga and body consciousness at my daughter's school and soon will be the Cosmic education teacher. I am very happy about this... happy that my children had the chance to go to a school were I would have wished to attend when I was their age!

Also,
I would like to suggest another website visit:
http://thecreativeentrepreneur.biz/
I bought this book a little more than a week ago and I am so grateful I found this!
I won't tell you more about it and let you find by yourselves...

So, leaving you with a wish of magic, balance and happiness for the week to come!
xx
ni

Relationships

2009-03-15T12:32:00.009-05:00

The Mastery of Love

I wanted to share with everyone this most amazing book. It is life altering for me. I first read it 10 years ago and I refer to it over and over again. It is a book that has become, for me, a bible. Don Miguel Ruiz speaks of relationships with yourself, family, friends...... Here is Amazon's description:

Product Description
In The Mastery of Love, don Miguel illuminates the fear-based beliefs and assumptions that undermine love and lead to suffering and drama in our relationships. Using insightful stories to bring his message to life, he shows us how to heal our emotional wounds, recover the freedom and joy that are our birthright, and restore the spirit of playfulness that is vital to loving relationships. Using teachings from the three Toltec Masteries (Awareness, Transformation, and Love) as a foundation, don Miguel brings to light the fallacies and misplaced expectations about love that permeate most relationships. He gracefully shares his wisdom through delightful and engaging stories that clarify each point and bring his message to life.

It is a small book that can be read in just a few evenings, but it will change your life. I wish for everyone to be spell bound by this book as I have been and still am after all these years. Enjoy.

Time to get your felt-on!

2009-03-08T12:58:00.005-05:00

Chris and I just recently celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary. Our tradition has been that he makes me something with a butterfly theme (I love butterflies) and I give him some type of time-piece (He loves watches).

Well this year I got creative with some left-over wool and decided rather than buy him a new watch, it was more personal and eco-friendly to make him one!

I love how this turned out and I'm inspired to make more. In fact, I really like the idea of wearing a watch that doesn't tell time at all. We all feel like there's never enough time, but with a watch like this the time is NOW.

Anyway...I'm going to continue playing with this concept - watches that don't tell time. If you have any ideas or suggestions on either designs, or especially words to describe them...please pass them my way!

Sweet Potato Fries

2009-03-04T21:38:00.002-06:00

I haven't had much time making art these days, but I've had some fun in the kitchen!
Since sweet potatoes have become a favorite in our house, I'm always looking for new ways to use them. My friend, Shirley, gave me this recipe and these were some of the best fries we've had.

4 cups water, for par-boiling
6 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into fries
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbs fresh sage, minced
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp cracked pepper
2 Tbs olive oil

Pre-heat oven to 425. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add fries, let par-boil for about 5 minutes. Drain fries and place in a large bowl. Add the garlic, sage, salt and pepper and toss to coat evenly. Arrange fries evenly on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes or until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Turn half-way through the cooking time.

Yum yum. Or as Kestan says, "num num".

The practice

2009-02-28T15:59:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago I struggled with Shannon's call to find time that week to do some creative/studio work. The thought of going into my studio just for me felt like stress, work and overwhelm. I was longing for something nurturing and fun. Doing art for its own sake somehow didn't feel nurturing. That week we had our annual snow storm. I took Natalie out for our first winter hike. The birds, lake, trees and footsteps in the snow provided for some amazing visual stimulus. It occurred to me that I really would like my artistic time to be something I do with Natalie in my presence. Before her I was working in encaustic on a series of dictionary pages - not exactly baby friendly. Maybe it's time to take up photography again? Maybe some new journal work? Maybe I need to focus on my poetry pieces? No answers yet. Grateful to realize I'm walking a new path. In the meantime I've find myself constantly arranging Natalie's toys into little vignettes. Here's one from today. I've also been moving my office/studio from one part of the house to another over the last few weeks. Time to get thing organized streamlined and find my practice.

Make Room For a Pot

2009-02-26T09:09:00.003-06:00

Hi Ya'll,

It's another rainy day here in No Cal but we desperately need the rain so I shouldn't whine. Besides it's conducive to a studio day! I continue in my art class and it is good for me even tho alot of pressure.

This a painting from the most recent assignment. I did a small book called Pot-Pourri. It consists of pots in different sizes and in different environments ( blooming garden, flying in space, exploding, etc). I've done six paintings so far and have to do seven more before the course is done.

Hope you all are having good creative time!

Do you journal?

2009-02-23T09:26:00.003-06:00

As I sit here this brisk Monday morning with my coffee in hand, and Kestan peacefully napping, I've been given some unexpected quiet time to reflect on a transformational weekend I just had. The thoughts are still swirling around which tells me it's time to journal. As much as I love typing, nothing beats putting pencil to paper. I guess it's like knitting - feeling the needles, the yarn, the texture - and getting the opportunity to watch my hands create something concrete while my mind settles and finds stillness.

Do any of you journal? If so, I'd love to hear about it. Why do you write? What do you write about? Do you share your journal entries with others? Do you save your journals? How has writing your thoughts and feelings helped you in your life?

I'll do some reflecting on these questions, too, and share more soon.

Happy writing, knitting or whatever you are doing today to express the full you!

Forecast for 2009 - Link

2009-02-19T20:24:00.005-06:00

For any of you who like to read your horoscope, or have an interest in astrology, you might like this new site I just recently discovered.

Astrologer, Terrance Guardino, offers a really in-depth, rich description of a forecast for 2009 for each sign. Grab a cup of coffee and a journal as his podcasts are a good 10 minutes full of information you may find helpful and especially relevant for this particularly challenging year.

Enjoy!

Creating in the Middle of Things

2009-02-12T23:44:00.007-06:00

I've so enjoyed the posts. Keep them coming and thanks for sharing! You all are so talented and awesome.

Well, still trying to get a hold of things in my life. Just when I feel like I'm "balanced" and "in control" another day comes of racing out the door, running around at work, making sure baby is fed, dogs are fed, house is cleaned up, oh..uh...what to make for dinner when there's no food in the house, and then all of a sudden it's 9 p.m. again and all I have energy or brain cells for is to watch the start of another season of "Survivor".

As I'm living my own version of "Survivor" these days, faced with new challenges that test my mental and physical strength, I am finally starting to learn what it means to "create in the middle of things". The evenings where I used to have time to work in my studio are now filled with bath and bedtime routine, and although I wouldn't change it for the world, I am accepting that I just don't have that kind of time anymore (or energy!). So, instead, I am practicing creating in the middle of things. Whether that's reading my art magazine for a few minutes at work, or knitting a few stitches while Kestan's stacking blocks, I can still make art and create a little here and there, throughout the day, while I balance and juggle the other parts of my life. I will continue to set time aside for myself so I can get some longer, quality time in my art room, and I can also rest a little easier knowing that I don't have to have something to show as a final product or make a huge production out of my art-making at this time. I can go slower. I can enjoy being. I can let go of expectations. And while I embrace all that I have to be grateful for in my life, I can actually enjoy being able to "create in the middle of things."

In the middle of everything, we enjoyed making Kestan's hand-print - our first art project together.

gratitude...

2009-02-10T10:23:00.002-06:00

hello all. i have enjoyed each and every post that i have seen thus far. keep 'em coming. this is a picture i created a while ago. it is simple but i love it. partly because i would like to see it in the mixture of pages i am currently trying to combine for a book (if nothing else just to keep an organized version of my combustion of art pieces together), and mostly because it's a nice image to remind me of the bike season that lies ahead. i am trying to take advantage of my somewhat flexible schedule until the end of this month to dive back into my artwork. i am also sticking with gratitude with most things, where i am at today, where my art is today, and the fact that i get a chance to play with my art when other errands don't get in the way (which doesn't always happen). i hope to share more yet even that is an interesting process i am finding myself a bit uncomfortable with but still really wanting to attempt.

Bunny Hat For My Rubber Chicken

2009-02-08T19:51:00.005-06:00

2/08/09

I wanted to share my inspiration of late. This is my chicken friend who is kind enough to wear the garments that I make for him without complaining even for a second, although having his picture taken is rather painful for him. Actually, I have only made him this one hat... but have plans for so many more creations. It is really nice to have someone to knit for who really appreciates all that goes into the finished piece... he seems to get that my heart and soul have been poured into it. Truly an artist's best friend!

emily sloan, (taffyyarn) designer of rubber chicken wear

Fairies!

2009-02-06T10:58:00.003-06:00

Hello ladies!
Well, I finally take some time to write! Yeah!!!
I want to show you what I am working on these days...
somethings that look like this:

I am very happy to show you... you will be able to see more on my blog at this address: http://lesmainsreveuses.blogspot.com/search/label/ (start with the last message!)
I have translated all my new messages so you can understand me!!! :-)

About being an artist...
How do you deal with this?
What I mean is... I've been fighting all my life to become what I thought was a normal person. With a normal job... And now I find myself back in my studio creating and having a lot of fun while doing this... with my 2 feet jammed in an uncomfortable fear of finally making a real living on this... But now I know I can't do anything else than being my own artistic self! No other choice! And you, how is it, being an artist in this world, for you?

Have a beautiful day, fellow artist babes!

xoxox
ni

Iowa fiber arts retreat

2009-02-05T20:12:00.003-06:00

Fellow artists babes, Sounds like several of us have been expressing ourselves either by creating visions, works, or retreats. Laura Cater-Woods was the artist at my retreat. I was a little intimated at first, as there were authors and speakers there! I dug in with my fabric and sewing machine, and loved the energy around me. This is a work in progress, with my usual nature and texture theme. Laura talked about that uncomfortable feeling...is recognizing you're getting out of your comfort zone. Do it anyway. I also want to be more committed to finishing works I start.

Pots

2009-02-01T17:32:00.003-06:00

Hi ladies,

Yes I worked hard this AM. I signed up for what I thought was a monoprint class and found out it is a water-media painting class (with a little bit of monoprinting). In a class of 30 I think there are two of us who do not paint. So altho I am scared I am going to stick with it as long as I can. This week's assignment was to produce two painting 11x15" Abstracting a Form. We have to choose a theme for the semester- mine is vessels-(all forms of receptacles). So here are the first two. I couldn't get them all in the scan but it will give you an idea. We are allowed some collage so the black /white one is done with fabric and paint. Wish me luck on my first critique on Wed- YIKES!!! Dayle

Knitting Retreat at the Elms

2009-02-01T15:40:00.003-06:00

Here I am having a "moment" with my knitting at the Elms in Excelsior Springs, Mo. I had a lovely time and almost completed the "Mind Fire Bag" from the cool book, "KnitKnit" by Sabrina Gschwandtner. The book was given to me by my friend Deb who came all the way from L.A. to be at the knitting retreat. We both worked on the same bag over the weekend.... I forgot to take a picture of Deb with her bag, but I'll get one tomorrow!
Anyone else get to work on a project this weekend?

Pick a Day - Come and Play!

2009-01-27T14:12:00.003-06:00

To follow-up on my last post...

Let's take time to work in our studios, finish that creative project we've been wanting to get to, or start something new.

This weekend - pick a day and time and do something creative for yourself.

Take a photo of your experience and write about it next week.

HAVE FUN!

Yo...Let's Play!

2009-01-22T20:16:00.003-06:00

I wanted to write to extend an invitation to everyone in response to Dayle's last post about "finding studio time". Honestly, if I don't either do the same thing at the same time everyday (which is really against my nature) or put it on a list in my calendar than I just can't find time for those things. And "those things" are usually what matter the me most to me...like yoga, taking a bath, or working in my studio.

SOOO...since my days seem to continually fill up with daily tasks that really impose on my creative time, I wanted to see if anyone was interested in planning an evening when we all work in our studios or on a creative project...AT THE SAME TIME!?

Could this be possible? It would be awesome to know that as I'm felting that some of my babes are enjoying their art at the same time. And...how cool would it be to post a photo of our work, or us creating in the studio the very next day?

When and what time? A Monday night is my first choice but I can also do Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Saturday or Sunday mornings. Who's in???

"I'm sooooo excited!!!"

2009-01-20T20:51:00.001-06:00

Baby Got Barack

2009-01-20T16:04:00.003-06:00

Since I could not add an image to a comment, I thought I'd just add this as a new posting in response to Shannon's posting today. Funny enough every time I took her picture she just started to laugh and laugh. I think she's pretty excited about the change in administration.

Today is my first day this year of having some space to move forward. I started the new year jumping into a quick design phase for a youth journal for a literacy exchange program (I'm pretty excited about this oppty and will share more later) and have been swamped since the holidays ended. Today feels like a great space for new beginnings everywhere. I am very grateful for what lies ahead.

GO OBAMA!

2009-01-20T11:35:00.006-06:00

We ARE one.

Let this be the beginning of a deep shift in our global consciousness. Let us come together and celebrate our ability to make great change through awareness, compassion and hope.

I feel blessed to be witnessing an extraordinary piece of our history today. I commit to being an active participant in the work towards peace in our world. I truly believe in Mahatma Gandhi's quote, "Be the change you want to see in the world." I know that in order to truly support the incredible amount of work that President Obama has before him, I must do my part. So I will commit to taking healthy risks, challenging injustice and living an authentic, truthful life. Let's keep growing!

How do you feel on this most amazing day?

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-01-18T18:00:00.004-06:00

We had friends over Saturday night for dessert, so there was my incentive to make something creative! From a Betty Crocker Cookbook:

Raspberry-Fudge Fantasy Torte

1 pkg. Betty Crocker SuperMoist chocolate fudge cake mix

1 1/3 c water

1/2 c butter or marg., softened

3 eggs

2/3 c miniature semisweet chocolate chips

3 c whipping(heavy)cream

1/3 c powdered sugar

1 1/2 c fresh raspberries

1/3 c seedless raspberry preserves

1 1/2 c miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350. Grease bottoms and sides of 2 round pans. (I used heart shape pans!)with shortening; lightly flour. Beat cake mix, water, butter and eggs in lg. bowl w/electric mixer on low speed 1 min., scrapping bowl constantly. Stir in 2/3 c choc. chips; our into pans. Bake 8" rounds 35-40 min.; 9" rounds 3-35 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 min. Run knife around side of pans to loosen cakes; remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hr. Beat whipping cream and powdered sugar in chilled lg. bowl w/electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Gently stir together 1c of the raspberries and the preserves in med. bowl; fold in 1 1/2c of the whipped cream. Cut each cake layer horizontally to make 2 layers. Place 1 layer, cut side up, on serving plate, spread w/about 3/4c raspberry-cream mixture. Repeat w/second and third layers. Top w/remaining layer. Frost side and top of cake w/remaining whipped cream. Arrange remaining 1/2 c raspberries over top of cake. Press 11/2 c choc. chips into side of cake. Store loosely covered in refrigerator. Decadent!

Happy BIRTH Day!

2009-01-16T22:24:00.005-06:00

One year ago, at this very moment, my sweet Kestan took his first breath. This is a photo of the affirmation board I created as I started labor. It was something I looked at often to keep me focused during the 32 hours before Kestan decided he was ready to come into the world!

All day I've had memories flood in of the first time our eyes met. The day he was born is a moment that is fresh in my mind and I will never forget those details. I was changed that day, forever.

My friend Emily called me to wish Kestan a happy birthday, but especially to wish me a happy "birthing" day. Wow...that was powerful for me. Before being a mother I really didn't understand the great importance of a birthing day. And tonight, as I celebrate the life of my child, I have also taken time to celebrate something else "being born" in me. Not a baby this time... (which I'm ok about 'cause I'm really not ready for maternity clothes, heart burn and swollen ankles again). Today, I feel a quiet confidence, as though for the first time the self-doubt that usually lingers around has faded and I'm actually allowing life's greater purpose to be born.

So regardless if you are a mother or not, my question tonight is this...

What, in you, is ready to be born?

Life Is Good

2009-01-15T13:04:00.007-06:00

It's funny when you have kids, you want to do so many things with them, but then schedules get in the way and before you know it they are too old to make half the stuff you had planned. Well, luckily I have three boys and what I didn't get to with the first, I had a another chance with my second and now with my third and I KNOW my last.....I am not wasting a minute on anything. It's funny how when I am on the floor making a lego castle with my youngest or we have the paper and scissors and all of our art supplies spread out on the table, I think "He will be the last to WANT to sit and create with me". It's a little sad, but mostly fun. Especially when the older boys sometimes get involved. My youngest loves dress-up, and so Tess, our dog, gets to play dress-up, too. I'm not quite sure if she enjoys sailing the seven seas or playing with sock dogs that we made, but she never seems to mind and that's good enough for us!

How is 2009 so far?

2009-01-14T14:05:00.002-06:00

Hi you all! I myself am having some trouble following my own advice about getting in the studio on a regular basis. I shared a couple ideas for establishing a Studio routine on my Journal page at my website and am not being very good about following my own advice! How do you all get yourself started in the studio? Once I'm going I'm usually okay but right now.....hmmmnnnn.... I could list a bunch of excuses why(several of them legitimate) but won't.

Love to hear your ideas, Dayle

Kestan Turns One

2009-01-10T15:41:00.006-06:00

I am spending the day finishing a movie of Kestan's first year as we approach his birthday (Jan. 16th). It has been a treasure looking through all of our digital photographs and videos of our special moments together. I really can't believe how fast my sweet newborn turned into a little boy. What a true JOY and complete blessing this past year has been with him in our lives.

I feel that my heart has exploded. Chris gave me this picture framed for my birthday - Kestan is signing my card.

This is how I feel today.

2009-01-06T14:15:00.004-06:00

Tend to the Garden to Get What You Want

2009-01-01T09:51:00.006-06:00

As I sit here contemplating the beginning of a new year I feel completely grateful for all of you!
Thank you for being honest and real and for valuing the vibrant energy that comes from *communing together.

As Dayle mentioned, the subject of balance seems to be an underlying theme in most of our lives. I know for me, that in order to gain more clarity and simplicity in this next year, I must focus my energy to regain the "balance" I so desperately need to feel spiritually alive! As I meditated this morning (while rocking Kestan to sleep!) the image of a garden kept coming up and I reminded myself that the only way to truly live the life I imagine, I must treat my dreams as I would a garden. We have to put attention to the seeds in order for them to grow and what do they need to grow? Dirt, water, sunlight, love, daily attention, space to blossom... If I neglect the "garden" - my dreams - then they wilt, they stop growing, or worse yet...they die.

What else keeps my garden from growing? Having too many gardens to tend to! So my intention for this year is to focus my energy and attention on fewer gardens, rather than doing a lot of many things and watching them grow only slightly, I'm ready to choose which of the many gardens I will tend to the most.

Now as I say this there is still fear within me and I know the fear of my garden not thriving can halt me from doing anything at all! I also know that the flip side of passion is fear and as a life coach said to me recently - "When you follow your passions you will always have fear. It's the ego pulling you back. So just accept that the fear will be there and go for it anyway."

Yes. For me...this is what resonates most for 2009...
1) Tend to my main garden with mindful, attentive, focused action
2) Do the things that scare me most - accept the fear and DO IT ANYWAY!

Peace, love and growth to you in the new year!

*to commune with: share one's intimate thoughts or feelings with someone or something, esp. when the exchange is on a spiritual level, to feel in close spiritual contact with.

Happy 2009

2008-12-30T12:41:00.002-06:00

A day or two early but wanted to wish you all a great start to 2009. Or as I have heard recently- 2009 is gonna be fine! Let's all hope that there is truth in that!

Seems like we all have in common trying to find Balance in our lives- I know this is an ongoing and ongoing issue for me!

I'm trying something new starting this week. As soon as I get up (5:30-ish) and have a bit of coffee, I do my daily speed walk (for exercise and reflection time). I decided this morning that as I am walking each day I will state out loud three "intentions" for the day- and try to make the three "creative" intentions (in a broad way), not just practical stuff.
So my three for today are:

put my new small lanterns up in my studio- the colors make me happy and inspire me

Take four photographs of new work with my new backdrop

start on my wirework, fabic brooches- at leats bend a little wire for them

Happiest of New Years! Dayle

Greetings, Babes!

2008-12-28T22:42:00.005-06:00

My name is Jenny, and I met Shannon a few years ago through a painting group. I am honored to be an official Artist Babe!

I'm also very excited to meet people who live/have lived in Boulder, as I'm getting ready to apply to Naropa University to the Transpersonal Psychology in Art Therapy program. The painting I posted is an "intention" for my new year...seeing myself in Colorado by the end of '09.

I am currently a web artist and painter living in Kansas City and working at the Unity world headquarters, where I've been for almost 10 years (hard to believe.) I host a painting-for-process group, Breathing Color Studio, and am looking to make this kind of work a bigger part of my life and am ready to go back to school. Plus I absolutely LOVE Colorado, mountains, nature, etc.

Look forward to getting to know each of you through this blog, and I wish you a happy and creative new year!

Intentions for the New Year

2008-12-27T18:16:00.005-06:00

This is my daughter Natalie and I. I always love this time of year. A time to reflect, make changes, make new choices and really re-focus on what is it that I'm creating with my life. One of my choices for this upcoming year is to be more connected in creative cmty. Shannon, I so appreciate your invitation to all of us to connect and thanks to all of the rest of you for being willing to share and connect. I'm Katia and I live in Prescott, AZ. I met Shannon and Amy in Boulder as we took on a 10 week commitment to do the Artist Way. I feel like a lot of that process seeded my path to where I am today. There are so many ways I could introduce myself and I think for now I'll keep it simple with a recent reflection on creativity and motherhood. My daughter Natatlie just turned 6 months this December. Over the past 6 months I've had little time for my journals, for my artwork (AcaciaArts.etsy.com) or some of my creative projects that I would like to develop to be a source of income in the future. Not only have not had time for creativity, I've struggled with finding time to get on email, clean the showers and just plain old 'making a living'. It's been hard find a new structure and pattern for work and have worked less than I had expected to for the past few months(I mostly work from home). A dear artist friend Laura Tyler reflected to me that for some new mothers work no longer is focused on meaningful work it becomes a way to support your family. This is still a fulfilling purpose. What keeps coming to me as I've been trying to 'figure this all out' is what do I want to create for my daughter? What do I want her to learn from the choices I make in my life? For me part of showing my love for her is to create the beauty that I enjoy, to listen to radio shows I love (Studio 360 and This American Life), to ride and race my bike in the woods and to share all of this with her. I can imagine a time in the future where we'll sit down together for 'painting time'. I look forward to those days and feel gratitude for the inspiration Natalie invokes in me to be creative, connected and playful.

Your Essence

2008-12-26T16:06:00.003-06:00

I read this today after my painting class and it just spoke to me.

Eckhart Tolle says:

"Once there is a certain degree of Presence, of still and alert attention in human beings' perceptions, they can sense the divine life essence -- the one in dwelling consciousness or spirit in every creature, every life-form -- recognize it as one with their own essence, and so love it as themselves."

Merry Christmas and Happy Festivous!

2008-12-23T14:22:00.004-06:00

Baking Day!

2008-12-21T12:37:00.003-06:00

Today Shan, Lindsay, and I are baking in my kitchen. Fun, great aromas, and love filling the air. Busy wrapping sweets for holiday gifts. Amy Grant's Christmas album playing in the background... what could be better than this?

Happiest of Holidays

2008-12-18T08:26:00.002-06:00

Hi Artist Babes! I am finally home to CA where we are having a cold snap too but no snow here on the coast- (beautiful picture, Shannon- is that your house?) I'm looking forward to sharing stories- creative and life journey stories- with you all in 2009. Have a wonderful holiday season! Dayle PS This is a page from my large new journal to document my new artwork- Yikes!

Let it snow!

2008-12-16T10:38:00.003-06:00

It's snowing today and that really gets me in the Christmas spirit. I decided to start wrapping presents this morning but didn't get very far. Wrapping paper, ribbon, scissors, crawling baby and crazy kitty...well...you get the idea.

EnJOY the season.

Gotta Dance

2008-12-14T17:37:00.002-06:00

I met Shannon Kinney back in Boulder. During my life in Boulder I started to dance because I loved it not for a recital or my mom or even exercise.

I need that again. I am beginning my search for a dance class that will keep me moving body, mind and spirit. If I say I'm going to do it, then I have to. Keep me to my word.

picture to go with post

2008-12-10T11:35:00.000-06:00

Finding A Way

2008-12-10T11:17:00.003-06:00

Hi, Lindsey McCoy, FOS (friend of Shannon) from her Boulder days. Currently I live on a small island in the northern Bahamas with my husband and our little boy...I'm sure about me will come, but here's my current "need to blog" post.

Prior to having a child, most of my career work (in the nonprofit world) and creative work was done on my own...as a writer I could hole up and spend hours with the characters I was creating. As the Executive Director, I worked with lots of people, but got to make the call. Now life has evolved such that I am more of a full time Mom than ever expected and my husband and I have a video production company that is the perfect outlet for creativity, as long as I can find a way to express that creativity in the shared process that is video production, working with camera man and editor, my husband, whom I adore in all things but have never worked with in this way. Also finding ways to have more time for myself, and for doing this work, both of which means less time with my son, which I have mixed feelings about. Relief of not being a care-giver 24/7, guilt about that relief, stress at having to work at finding a situation with which i am comfortable and anxiety about this new creative future where it is a shared vision that will be the end result, one that I am not solely responsible for.

Life Long Learner

2008-12-09T20:58:00.007-06:00

I am delighted to introduce myself and be a part of the Artist Babes group, along with my creative daughters, Shannon and Lindsay. I really must be a babe, as I'm also in a golf group called "Golfer Babes" and "Babes in the Woods". This is a group of four dear friends who meet for a long weekend once a year, at a cabin. This photo depicts my nature as a life long learner. I've been an art teacher for over 30 years, and have been on several wonderful workshops including Arrowmont School of Art, in Tennessee; and a Georgia O'Keefe workshop in Santa Fe. This past summer on my vacation through Door County, I was able to take a watercolor workshop from an artist. In January, I plan to go to Iowa for a 4-day fiber arts workshop. I think this blog affords us all the opportunity to share ideas, struggles and accomplishments! - Mary Pat

Embracing Motherhood

2008-12-07T20:53:00.006-06:00

First off - thanks to all of you who have been sharing your posts. It has been such a wonderful treat to see the energy slowly percolating on this blog. You all are beautiful and I truly believe that the support, compassion and enthusiasm born from a community such as this one is a small, yet important step in our self-discovery journeys. I just love knowing I have a place where I can share my thoughts with like-minded, kind souls.

This picture spoke to me today as I've been contemplating my role as a mother. Never before have I known the joys that come from loving and raising a little human being. I am in a place in my life where I'm questioning where I put my energy - the energy I put towards work, towards art, towards yoga, towards my family.... My priorities are shifting and I sense that I'm ready for and needing some big change. This change has to do with work, with financial security, with creative freedom, with taking bold steps towards my dreams, and fully embracing the greatest job of my life - being a mother.

Whatever decisions I make in the next several weeks - this much I know for sure - I have made the commitment to myself to live more of a spirit-driven life, rather than an ego-driven life, and as long as I keep this as my intention, then all else will unfold.

Yes, It's Time

2008-12-05T11:37:00.008-06:00

Hi there Artist Babes! I have been so busy with the Holidays coming that I have not had time to sit and write on this blog. And yes, as Lindsay said....It's Time. Having three boys, ages 15,12 and almost 7, is definitely a balancing act. One that I absolutely love and would never trade for anything in the world, but some days I am just frazzled. I work 25 hours a week for an attorney and I teach knitting at the after school art programs for grades 2-6. I love teaching and one of the best parts about teaching knitting is they are all girls. Oh, the things we talk about! No, it's their enthusiasm and spirit. They wholeheartedly put themselves into their knitting. The girls are happy with the results of their labor with each new stitch they make. It is so satisfying to see this, but it especially makes me realize that as each new stitch they make is a treasure for them, so is each and every moment that we make a treasure to us and in that I find balance. Oh, it is still hard to come home and have my children and our dog and cat and bird wanting or needing me, but I find comfort in knowing that each moment that passes, each "MA" that I hear, each time that I clean and every meal that I make for us will be done with intention and purpose and because it makes us happy...it's the little things. I hope you all enjoy your holidays.

Re-Energizing...again.

2008-12-05T10:51:00.007-06:00

Hello everyone. I am here to introduce myself! My name is Angela Hoffman, and I know Shannon, Lindsay, and Mary Pat from growing up with them (but mostly from younger, observational, admirable eyes). My mother and Mary Pat are two of four 'Babes in the Woods'.
I graduated in May 2007 with a BFA in Painting and have worked on starting up a small retail shop [with the help of my older siblings] ever since. I have a rudimentary blog for the store: artemisinweston.blogspot.com so feel free to check it out.

The store has been filled with mixed blessings for me. I have knowledge about herbs and teas (and health) that I never thought I'd know, and I have learned an exquisite amount of information about starting and running a business. I've gotten to meet a variety of great people, reconnect with my family, and work on civic committees to organize festivals. But...it's not necessarily my 'dream' to stay in Weston forever (my creativity and energy struggle here), and I'm starting to look outward at new opportunities. Over the next few months, I'll be 'training' my new sister-in-law to run the shop and be finding a new place to call home. Besides painting and pottery, I'm interested in pursuing learning opportunities with permaculture gardening/ecosystems, massage and reflexology, philosophy/politics, and wood-working/home construction. It's wonderful to have the opportunity to connect with people who are working with their creativity in such a variety of ways. I look forward to sharing and reading and possibilities!