Open Eyes, Open Mind, Open Heart

10 Minutes and a Scrap of Paper

2012-01-30T14:35:00.001-08:00

After a sleepless night, filled with tossing, turning and negative thinking (it creeps in sooooo easily when over-tired!), I spent the day listless, aimless, pointless and frustrated by my own in-action. As I sat at the computer wasting time on Facebook and email and blogs, I suddenly grabbed the nearest pen and a scrap of paper laying on the table. Ten minutes later, I had this! And I felt a whole lot better!! It's not a masterpiece, but it's SOMETHING!! I created SOMETHING!! And while I should know by now that I need to create regularly, even if it's only a 10 minute doodle, I seem to need to learn this lesson over and over and over!!! Guess I need it pounded into my head with a sledgehammer!!! A 10 minute mandala everyday may not be a lot, but it sure beats day after day of NOTHING!!!!

Starting a New Journal

2012-01-23T14:36:00.001-08:00

The first finished page. Or is it? Not sure if it's done!

Happy 85th Mom

2012-01-15T09:24:00.001-08:00

I've always loved this photo of my mom. I guess she did this to make extra money when she was first married. In later years she would marvel over the fact that every day she hitched up this trailer and took it to various locations on the south side of Chicago. In her own very quiet way, my mom was a VERY strong woman. We miss you mom!

This is the view out my bedroom window on the day that winter arrived this past week!

Still playing with my word, I decided to decorate it!

Playing With My Word

2012-01-08T18:49:00.001-08:00

Not done yet!! I wonder what's next?!?!

Inspiration to Live!

2011-12-29T15:31:00.000-08:00

Found this magnet today! It's going someplace where I see it OFTEN!! A good reminder of my word for the year.....LIVE!!

I Love Christmas!!!

2011-12-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

My favorite place to be in my house!! And some of my paper snowflakes.

Something from Julia

2011-12-17T11:08:00.000-08:00

I came across this little prayer/affirmation from Julia's book "Heart Steps" and thought I would share it. I need to read this everyday as so many of these ideas are things that I struggle with. It's hard to relax, let go and see where I end up!

"I am patient. I am able to live with ambiguity. I am able to allow situations to evolve and alter. I am able to await outcomes. I tolerate quiet periods of not knowing while solutions emerge and present themselves. I do not force solutions. I expect the successful working out of differences and difficulties. My heart is wise. It knows when to act and when non-action is the action to take. I trust my patient heart. I trust the power of containment."

Piano Recital

2011-12-14T10:36:00.000-08:00

Just found another ancient newpaper article with my picture in it on the Worth Historical Society FB page! You know you're old when you're part of "history"!!
I'm in the front row, right next to the piano. I must've been smiling because I was happy it was over!! I remember how much I hated doing this!! Just about passed out from nerves!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

Lies vs. Truth

2011-12-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

I copied this off the wall of one of the booths at the One of a Kind show last weekend.

The Lie:
You are dirty. You have no worth. You have a past.
You have nothing to offer. You are trash.

The Truth:
You are beautiful because of where you have come
from, not in spite of it. You have unsurpassable
worth. You are good. You are made with a
purpose. You are valuable. You are loved.

'TEN' by Nic Askew

2011-11-30T12:05:00.000-08:00

In a dream more real than his daytime
A grown man meets himself.

Himself at just ten. With the light
In his eyes. And the world in his heart.

But he can't.

And in the deafening silence he shakes
Uncontrollably. As the years
Of an unconsidered life spill over.

And in that silence everything changes.

Forever.

Perhaps the ten year old
Had been his
Very soul in disguise.

Come to shake him
From the prison of his daytime.

This is Me Today!

2011-11-27T09:50:00.000-08:00

I hope to be looking different by tomorrow!!!

Misc. Art

2011-11-23T07:47:00.000-08:00

Awhile ago Motherbear mentioned that I should surround myself with art that I had done in the past to help inspire me. Well, I came across this old sketchbook and thought I would post a few things. All were done in classes at the Center and some are still unfinished.

DEPTH

2011-11-21T07:52:00.001-08:00

I am not deep.

But I do......
feel deeply
love deeply
yearn deeply
grieve deeply
hurt deeply
care deeply
desire deeply

I want to be...
deeply motivated
deeply loved
deeply desired
deeply involved
deeply commited
looking deeply into your eyes
dreaming deeply

I can be...
deeply vulnerable
deeply sensitive
deeply inspired
deeply dedicated
deeply loyal
deeply passionate
deeply saddened
deeply dense
deeply disturbed
deeply scared
deeply depressed
in too deep
in deep shit
or deep asleep

But I am not deep.

2011-11-19T07:24:00.000-08:00

What the Hell is it???

2011-11-17T09:03:00.001-08:00

I've been going thru massive avoidance of getting started on holiday prep. Feeling a lot of resentment about it all. Partly I'm just mad at myself for letting things go and falling so far behind. So, I gave myself permission to just doodle for a little bit before I start cleaning 2 bathrooms (my least favorite chore!). This is what came out. What is it??? Horrendously ugly, that's what!! I think it's my inner anger and resentment, wanting to just fly away and say "Screw it"!! Hee hee! I'm feeling better already!!!

First Snow of 2011

2011-11-10T15:29:00.001-08:00

I don't know about you but, it seems mighty early for this to me!!

Missing Mom

2011-11-09T07:32:00.001-08:00

Eleanor June Peterson
1-15-1927 to 11-9-2009

Some Family

2011-11-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

Just couldn't resist posting these Halloween photos of my niece, her boyfriend and their baby. Wesley will be 2 in January.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T10:42:00.001-07:00

This photo turned up recently on the Worth Historical Society's FB page. Worth is the town I grew up in. That's me in the back, 2nd from the left. I was supposed to be a "Space Girl". I was wearing a silver skirt and cape that my mom made and some kind of goofy silver boots. I remember that I hated not getting to be something "cuter". And what's that farmer doing with his arm around me?!?! Anyway, this was a Christmas program but, since we're in costume, thought I would post it for Halloween!!

Dr. Seuss

2011-10-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

We weren't allowed to take pictures at the Dr. Seuss exhibit but I found a few on the web from his secret, personal collection. These were paintings he didn't want displayed until after he was dead. What an imagination he had!!!!

Art Therapy

2011-10-26T15:10:00.001-07:00

BLUE
One of my favorite colors.
One of my least favorite moods.

Begin Now

2011-10-17T10:44:00.000-07:00

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand----and melting like a snowflake."

---Marie Beynon Ray---

A Beach "Fix"

2011-10-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful time in Green Bay this weekend. It was great reconnecting with a friend I hadn't seen in an embarassingly long time!! Since I last saw her she has gotten divorced, remarried, had MAJOR health issues and almost died. It was amazing the way we were able to just pick up where we left off, like no time had passed at all. We just seem to click in so many ways and I am extremely glad that I went!! But I missed my "glimpse" of Lake Michigan on the way up!! I don't know if I was lost in thought, distracted by semis, too into the music coming out of my CD player or WHAT?!?!? I was quite bummed when I realized I had passed it without noticing. So, on Sunday when I left GB, instead of heading south out of the city, I drove the 23 miles east that take you to the shore of the great lake. I went to the beach in Algoma. I have been craving a beach "fix" for a long time anyway----have been meaning to get to the dunes forever!!! So I really soaked it all in!! Took off my shoes and socks, rolled up my pants and went wading. I'd been dying to dig my toes in some sand!! It was a bit icy but it felt good!!! I wandered down the beach for awhile and then just sat in the sand for a long time just "being"----watching the waves and the sand and the sun and the rocks and the geese and the bugs crawling on the rocks---feeling the wind ruffling my hair and the goosebumps that ALMOST wanted to pop up on my arms. Everything else in life just drained away----time was suspended-----nothing else mattered except sitting in the sand reconnecting with Mother Earth in all her gorgeous and unpredictable glory. I forgot how good it feels to get away----to leave behind thoughts of paying the bills, doing the laundry, buying the groceries, cleaning the house. I don't know how long I would have sat there if I didn't have to drive home to Chicago. I think I would like to have stayed until it got too cold and dark!! Maybe someday I'll get that chance. I left behind some "rock art" for someone to find, collected some rocks for myself (CANNOT go to the beach without collecting something!!) but had nothing to put them in. So I filled up my shoes. Now they are laying in the backseat of my car----a little piece of the beach. I can't believe I forgot to add "Beach Bum" to my list of imaginary lives!!!

Boy, Would I Like to Go to This!!

2011-10-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

New Doors

2011-10-04T06:04:00.000-07:00

I have a kundalini yoga dvd that I started doing earlier this year. And then, for some reason I forgot about it and didn't do any yoga for weeks! Yesterday I started again and it feels sooooo good! When I get done I just know that I have done something really good for myself! And at the end they say,"You have opened new doors. Your homework is to walk through them." Lets all walk through some new doors today!!!

I Need to Read this Everyday!

2011-10-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

Wake-Up Call!

2011-09-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

Once in awhile you NEED one of these!!!

2011-09-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

colaboration

2011-09-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

First of all I have to tell you that this is basically an ad but I have a reason for wanting to share it with you. I have recently found myself having an intense love affair with music---I can't get enough of it!! There is a young man named Ramin Niroomand who has some piano solos on YouTube and I think he is incredibly inspiring. So I was watching this trailer and when I saw the word collaboration and the definition I thought WOW!! That's what all of us in the AW tribe are---a collaboration and we are creating something beautiful!! We seem to have created this place where love just overflows all over the place and it is has been so incredible!! And then I had a mini-epiphany.....I realized that you have ALL managed to wrench my heart WIDE OPEN and everything I have inside of me is pouring out! The REAL me!! The me who has always been held in check by fear, expectations and social "norms". I SO want you to know me and I SO want to be known!!! THANK YOU!!

The Screaming Censor

2011-09-19T07:46:00.000-07:00

I didn't give my censor a name when we started on the AW journey----I foolishly thought that she wasn't enough of a concern to bother. Silly me!!! I have a challenge this week and she is literally screaming in my ear---it's deafening!!! She is one nasty *itch!!! You see, the Make Your Mark Journals go on display today and for the rest of the week. On Saturday there is a reception. It is finally sinking in that MY journal will be there will all those other journals by other artists. My censor is screaming that mine will be compared with the others. And of course she says, "Yours doesn't measure up!". She is asking WHY I didn't pass it around---now almost all the work is mine---there to be judged. Why didn't I do this and why DID I do that? she wants to know. I will try to strangle her. I will slash her with an x-acto knife!! I will bludgeon her!! So many ways to silence her. Maybe the simplest would just be a piece of duct tape over her huge mouth!!! I need my affirmations! I need to look at all the positives that came out of doing that journal. First of all I FINISHED it!! That alone is a big accompishment--I am famous for unfinished projects. I also made a promise to myself to NOT tear any pages out, no matter how much I hated them, and I didn't!! I learned something from every single page I did! I learned the positive affects of the DAILY PRACTICE of making art. But most of all, I fell in love with the book and what it contained. I fell in love with myself a little bit. That book contains some of what is the very essence of who I am! And I must continue to love ME!!!! So censor, whatever your name is.....I don't give a *bleep* what you say!!!! I did my best!!! It will be fine!

Confession

2011-09-13T21:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, I confess---I love reality TV shows. Well...at least SOME reality TV shows. I don't really watch very much TV and, when I do, it tends to be HGTV, The History Channel (love those American Pickers and Pawn Stars!!) or the Science Channel (Through the Wormhole is awesome!!). But the one show that I am totally addicted to (and I'm so excited---it starts tomorrow!!) is SURVIVOR!!! I NEVER get tired of it!! To me, it's like a sociology lesson. A group of people all start out determined to be ruthless and just play to win that million bucks. But as time goes on, they form relationships, whether they want to or not and it gets harder and harder for them to base their decisions strictly on smart game-play. It's hard to stab someone in the back when they have "had your back" for awhile. My son gets so frustrated because he is SURE he could play the game ruthlessly. I am quite sure that if he were in that situation he would find out it ain't so easy. I guess what this all means to me is that there is hope for the human race. That we can talk a good game but, when we are put in a postion of living and working with people for a period of time, we create bonds and we find it very hard to think with our heads and not our hearts. And I think that's a GOOD thing!!

@#$%@&!!$#@!!! Camera!!

2011-09-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

Based on some thinking about my AW check-in, some of the comments, an email from Elena (I will respond soon!), I spent a good part of the afternoon doodling away on a goofy "split personality" self portrait. I really wanted to take a picture of it in progress but my camera has decided it doesn't want to take pictures the last couple days! It's done this before and, somehow, has recovered on it's own---very mysterious. I hope that happens again soon!!!

The Patterns in Nature are Infinite!!!

2011-09-07T10:38:00.001-07:00

I had a wonderfully inspiring walk this morning!! I wish I lived closer to the woods! I never tire of seeing Mother Natures artwork!!!

Trying to Keep up the Daily Practice

2011-08-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

While working on the Make Your Mark journal project I really started to feel the positive effects of creating on a daily basis. A combination of discipline and practice which I usually think of as "dirty words" and a feeling of being more fearless were what I feel I gained from the whole experience. Now that it's done, I'm TRYING to continue that discipline and daily practice. I bought a small brown sketchbook with brown paper pages and have been doing these pen and ink mandalas. Any small thing I do, as long as I do SOMETHING is progress in the right direction. You know, I used to go for days and weeks intending to get into the studio and create without ever actually getting it done. Nowdays, I can hardly keep myself out of there, even if it's just to clean or organize things!!! I LOVE the shift that I'm feeling!!!

The Virtue Trap

2011-08-23T15:18:00.000-07:00

"An artist must have downtime, time to do nothing. Defending our right to such time takes courage, conviction, and resiliency. Such time, space, and quiet will strike our family and friends as a withdrawal from them. It is. For an artist withdrawal is necessary. Without it, the artist in us feels vexed, angry, out of sorts. If such deprivation continues, our artist becomes sullen, depressed, hostile. We eventually become like cornered animals, snarling at our family and friends to leave us alone and stop making unreasonable demands. We are the ones making unreasonable demands. We expect our artist to be able to function without giving it what it needs to do so. An artist requires the upkeep of creative solitude. An artist requires the healing of time alone. Without this period of recharging, our artist becomes depleted. Over time, it becomes something worse than out of sorts Death threats are issued."

This is just one of the reasons why I LOVE Julia Cameron and The Artist's Way!! She is just sheer genius (in my humble opinion!).

Illustration Love!!!

2011-08-19T09:23:00.001-07:00

My whole life I have had a love affair with children's picture books. Some of the illustrations I remember from my childhood have had a profound impact on me and my love of art. When I was much, much younger I thought I would grow up to write and illustrate children's books but, somewhere along the way, I realized that I cannot draw people and figured that that wouldn't work too well!!! NOW, I realize that it would take some intensive life-drawing classes and lots of practice and then, I probably could draw people!! But, in the meantime, I thought I would share a few illustrations from some of the books that my son and I loved to read when he was small. These are from Eric Carle, Jan Brett, Jane Hissey, Chris Van Allsburg, Tasha Tudor and Constanza Droop. ENJOY!!!!

A Wonderful Movie!!

2011-08-15T20:52:00.000-07:00

I coerced my husband into going to see "The Help" on Sunday. He didn't know anything about it and I knew just a little. I actually thought it had come out several weeks ago but this was the first weekend! The theater was totally sold out and we had to sit in the third row but it didn't matter a bit. This was such a great movie!! Waaaay better than what I was expecting!! And my husband actually said it might be the best movie he's seen in about the last 10 yrs.!! This movie is such an intimate look into the early civil rights movement---every highschool kid in America should have to watch this!!! We laughed, we cried and everything in between!! I truly cannot recommend it enough!!!!

Kids with Passion

2011-08-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

Last night I surprised my husband with tickets to a Drum Corps International event in Michigan City, IN. He belonged to a drum corps for several years when he was a teenager and LOVED it!! These kids are so dedicated and work so hard perfecting their performances---I can't even imagine the effort that goes into it. And drum corps as a whole has really evolved over the years. It's become MUCH more artistic and is, in fact more like performance art!!! Taking pictures was frustrating because the photos just don't do justice to the real thing. But here are a few anyway!!!

29 Years Ago Today

2011-08-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

I have never been fond of our wedding pictures---it was 98 degrees and humid that day and in most photos we LOOK it---totally melted!! I was skinnier(that's one good thing!), hubby was chubbier, I should have changed my hairstyle, yada yada yada!! But we had a great ride the last 29 years (not without some bumps in the road!) and we are still here, still together!! Sometimes I think it's a miracle!! Anyway, this has always been one photo I DO like!!

Paul McCartney Concert and the Lurie Garden

2011-08-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

I spent a very hot and humid weekend downtown with my best friend from Green Bay. We had a wonderful time in spite of the heat and humidity. I feel like we walked 100 miles!!!

A Few More Pages and a Fairy That Just "Appeared"

2011-07-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

Watercolor progress

2011-07-27T08:21:00.001-07:00

The watercolor is coming along! I'm at that stage where I don't know if I should be finished or not! Opinions would be welcome! And the little Make Your Mark journal page----I don't know WHY but I absolutely love this little piece!! I'm calling it "Growing Pains".

More MYM Pages

2011-07-22T14:31:00.001-07:00

I'm still plugging away! I really wish I hadn't procrastinated so much!! This has been an interesting process. I'm trying to be very diverse in the type of art work I include and am feeling surpisingly fearless!!! I like it!!

Tattoo Artist???

2011-07-21T13:44:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I made a small mandala and turned it into a card for my sister-in-law who lost her mother to cancer earlier this year and is having a hard time. She really loved it. Unfortunately it's the only one I didn't think to take a picture of. Her daughter (my niece) also saw it and LOVED it so much she wants it to be her next tattoo!!!! Not quite sure whether I should be honored or horrified as she already has plenty of tattoos!! But truly----I AM honored!! I just wish I could remember what it looked like!! Do you think I could have a future as a tattoo artist?!?!??! tee hee!!

Work in Progress

2011-07-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

We finally had our first watercolor class with Alla Jablokow at the LaGrange Art League this morning. She is such a sweet, talented and tiny, Russian lady!! I'm really looking forward to next week!

A Few Make Your Mark Journal Pages

2011-07-19T13:09:00.001-07:00

Watercolor Class----NOT!!!

2011-07-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

I was supposed to start a watercolor class today at the Lagrange Art League with Alla Jablokow. But when we all arrived we found no electricity!!! So no air cond. and no lites. We will try again next week!!!

Make Your Mark Journal Project

2011-07-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

I have been scrambling lately (as are many others I suspect!) to get my Make Your Mark Journal done by the deadline on July 31st. I suspect I will be gluing a lot of mandalas in the book as that is what I have the most of! I did not get to pass it around to other people as much as I would have liked but....maybe we will do this again sometime?? I'm doing the best I can while I navigate the ups and downs of life!! I hope to have more pictures soon!

Check out this great MSN video: The Arctic Light

2011-07-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

Check out this great MSN video: The Arctic Light
Such a beautiful video!!!!

One More!

2011-06-27T08:46:00.001-07:00

And Another One!!

2011-06-24T16:11:00.001-07:00

I really do like other types of art---REALLY!!! But for some reason these mandalas are satisfying something inside me. Everytime I finish one I feel happy!! Nothin' wrong with that!!

Just Another Doodle

2011-06-21T10:54:00.001-07:00

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-18T10:40:00.001-07:00

I was very lucky to have the very best of Dads. I wish everyone had a dad like mine was!!!

Going Celestial!!

2011-06-03T07:42:00.000-07:00

In Search of Nature, Peace and Serenity

2011-05-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

The Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center is well known and loved by most people who have grown up in the Southwest Suburbs of Chicago. It's a wonderful place to walk and commune with nature and, since those were both things that I desperately needed yesterday, I headed out there. It was an absolutely glorious day---sunny, breezy and not hot or humid!! My favorite weather!! I walked the trail and then just spent some time sitting on a big rock looking out over Long John Slough. And all was right with the world!! Thank goodness for the foresight of the people who made the decision to have "Forest Preserves" around Chicago!!!

My Recent "Doodling"s

2011-05-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

The small mandala on gold is a birthday card for a friend who is turning 70 and going to Alaska to celebrate!!
The circle/heart mandala was done to try and lift a heavy heart on a bad day---it worked!!
And the Einstein quote is something I just doodled on over a period of at least a year. It's one of my favorite questions and I think my doodling answers the question (at least for me!). I guess I got a little carried away!!

Happy Mothers Day!!!

2011-05-08T09:57:00.001-07:00

A Spur of the Moment Mandala

2011-05-03T11:32:00.000-07:00

I grabbed a scrap of paper to doodle for a bit before I went to bed last night and this is what I ended up with! I'm turning it into a card for a friend. Or should I put it in my "Make Your Mark" journal? Hmmmmm.......

A Blessed Easter to All!!

2011-04-24T10:16:00.001-07:00

Easter Egg Decorating!!!

2011-04-21T12:50:00.000-07:00

All done!!

The Newberry Library Exhibit

2011-04-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

Today my son wasn't feeling well so I drove him into the city to school and saved him from a long train ride. Since I was down there I decided to go see the Chicago Calligraphy Collective's annual exhibit at the Newberry Library. I took some photos and they aren't the greatest because ny camera isn't the greatest, but at least you can see some of what was there. It was INSPIRING!!! As usual!!

Favorite Things on a Dreary Friday!

2011-04-08T07:39:00.001-07:00

Emma Bridgewater pottery!!
Some favorite childhood books!
Door County wildflowers print by Karsten Toppelman!!
A Carl Larsson print framed by my dad!!

Back in the Mood for Mandalas!

2011-04-01T11:37:00.001-07:00

I was inspired to create a very "springy" mandala the other day. There are some things about this one that I really love. I'm driven to keep experimenting with the colored pencils on black. Something about that combination really grabs me!!

The Reward for Getting Up Early!!

2011-03-14T04:57:00.001-07:00

I Spy Beauty Around the House!

2011-03-07T08:58:00.001-08:00

Quote of the Day

2011-02-25T08:45:00.000-08:00

"If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you."
---The Gnostic Gospel of St. Thomas---

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

2011-02-14T10:41:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is feeling loved today!! We all deserve to be loved and treated well!! And most of all, we need to love ourselves....just as we are!!!

Almost Valentine's Day!!

2011-02-13T08:05:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would post some more of the antique Valentine's I have that were sent to my grandparents in the early 1900's. I just love these old postcards!!!

The Valentine

2011-02-07T07:41:00.000-08:00

Here is the front and inside of the Valentine I made (30 of them!)

A Lovely Time Was Had by All!!!

2011-02-05T20:49:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful time today at April's Valentine Party!! This is one of the prohects we did. Valentine photos to come later!!!!

A Sneak Peak

2011-01-31T09:37:00.001-08:00

Plugging away in the art room on my Valentine's and having a WONDERFUL time!! It's so nice when something comes together the way you envisioned it in your head!! Finished inking, watercoloring and photocopying a bunch of bears. You'll have to wait to see the finished product!

MYM Journal

2011-01-28T07:22:00.000-08:00

One page that is finished and one that is not. I really struggle when I try to do something mixed media. I guess all the possible choices for what to use just overwhelms me!! I will keep trying!!! AND, last of all, a mandala done for a friend's MYM journal.

2011-01-27T09:48:00.000-08:00

Guess who turns 1 today?!?!?!? My grand-nephew, Wesley!!! Ain't he cute?!?!? And a photo of this beautiful, barren winter day!!

My Art Room---The Ugly Truth

2011-01-25T11:53:00.001-08:00

This is the print that greets me every time I walk into the doorway of my art room. The rest of the photos show what utter chaos and mess has over taken the room!! It's no wonder I have such a hard time getting anything done in there!! And in spite of all that, it IS my favorite room in the house!! Once I go in I don't want to come out!! So, a goal for 2011 is to get it cleaned up and organized!! To purge everything in the room that is not art-related or inspiring!! I always love to see other people's studios so I thought I would give you a glimpse into mine!

Need Some Cheer?

2011-01-24T10:06:00.001-08:00

I'm feeling in need of some cheer on this dark and dreary January day!! This is a get well card that was sent to me when I was 10 yrs. old. I was in the hospital for 10 days having leg surgery and I was flooded with cards! My dad glued them all in scrapbook for me but over the years they have all fallen out. But I still have them all and really do enjoy looking thru them once in awhile. So many wonderful people who are no longer with us sent them....

Daydreaming

2011-01-22T09:07:00.001-08:00

Yellowstone National Park is a place that is very dear to my heart and I'm thinking it may soon be time to go back!! The Feb. 1st luncheon at The Center is about Yellowstone and I am definitely going!!

Just Goofing Around...

2011-01-19T07:14:00.000-08:00

I was just goofing around with the cover of my Make Your Mark journal the other night. Playing with metallic markers---they're so fun! Not sure if this is done but I think I like it----don't know what it is though!!

I'm a Little Late But....

2011-01-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Mom!!! We sure do miss you!!!

Miracles

2011-01-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

"People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think that the real miracle is to walk on earth. Everyday we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black curious eyes of a child--our own two eyes. All is a miracle."
---Thich Nhat Hanh---

MUSIC PAINTING - Glocal Sound - Matteo Negrin

2011-01-15T11:12:00.000-08:00

A Mandala

2011-01-05T11:47:00.000-08:00

I started this mandala in Lois Hresja's drawing class last spring with no idea whatsoever where it was going or what it would be. I was feeling very excited and inspired at the time and had soooooo many ideas for more! I ended up having a few prints of this made and gave one to my best friend for her birthday. I really need to get back in the groove and MAKE MORE ART!!! Why is it so hard?!?!?

2011-01-01T12:41:00.000-08:00

This postcard was sent to my grandma back in 1909!

2011

2010-12-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

Wishing all of my blogging friends a new year filled with peace, abundance, good health and LOTS of creativity!!!

A New Book!

2010-12-27T09:00:00.001-08:00

These photos show the cover and a few of the inside pages from a wonderful book I received for Christmas!!! There are many more amazing photos inside! I have really become fascinated by mandalas this year and the more I learn about them the more interested I become!!! And I hope to be creating a few of my own VERY SOON!!!

A Gift from Elena!!!

2010-12-26T09:36:00.000-08:00

This is what I won in Elena's giveaway!!! Isn't it beautiful?!?!? I'm going to hang it somewhere where I will constantly be reminded to take that giant LEAP!!!!
Thank you Elena!!!

Merry Christmas!!

2010-12-25T07:39:00.000-08:00

"I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year."

Christmas Around the House

2010-12-23T07:49:00.000-08:00

Just a few of my favorite Christmas things!! I cross-stitched the mouse picture for my mom back in 1982. The group of 4 Santas was made for my by my sister-in-law. and the "Birds" sign is something I made back in the days when I did a few craft shows!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

2010-12-21T08:01:00.000-08:00

The next few days will be might busy so I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas before I start to go crazy with last minute stuff!!! I am so thankful for all the bloggers out there sharing their lives, thoughts, ideas and infinite creativity!! I am inspired by all of you every day and I am so happy to be on this journey with you!! Thank you!!

2010-12-18T08:26:00.000-08:00

I received this little ornament from one of my Sunday School teachers when I was VERY young, so it has been around a long time! Probably about 50 years! I have always loved and treasured it and it hangs on the tree every single year. The glitter has discolored and it's just cheap plastic but it has a lot of meaning for me. And it's only about 2 inches tall!! Sorry for the blurriness.

2010-12-17T06:59:00.000-08:00

This is the Christmas stocking my mom made me when I was a very young child. It is definitely one of my most prized posessions! By the way, the photo I posted yesterday of Mary, Jesus and camel were all cut out of wood (by me) and painted by me! Back in my folk art painting days. I miss working with wood. Have to think about that after Christmas!

The Reason for the Season!

2010-12-16T09:25:00.001-08:00

It's Coming!!!!!

2010-12-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

Finally!

2010-12-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

I am finally figuring out this whole uploading of photos deal. Just thought I would post a photo of my favorite Kankakee barn quilt. This was done by a group of homeschooled teenagers. The detail is amazing!! I only saw 10 of the 30 barn quilts in Kankakee county but hope to see the rest in 2011!!!

Christmas Past

2010-12-02T11:15:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's me with the camera! Christmas of 1962 I believe. Boy do I feel old! I'm the only one in the photo who is still living!! Time flies and life changes quickly! I need to focus more on appreciating NOW!

I Can't Stop Scanning!!!

2010-11-28T08:15:00.000-08:00

This is so cool now that I'm able to add images to the blog!! I can't stop!!
The first image is something I did over a year ago when I was reeeeeally feeling sort of "in the zone" and inspired in a very intuitive way. The other 2 are the inside and outside of a birthday card I made for my son last year. It was a take-off on a CD cover from one of his favorite bands called Breathe Carolina. Now....what can I scan next?!?!?!??!

Wow!! This is fun!!

2010-11-27T08:50:00.000-08:00

This is the first finished page in my Make Your Mark Journal. Hopefully will have more to come soon!!!

OMG!

2010-11-27T08:07:00.000-08:00

I think it worked!!! This is one of my favorite pictures of my mom and I. I wish I had more pictures of myself with both of my parents but, as my dad was the photography nut in the family, he is rarely in a photo! I'm just experimenting a little with my new pc and printer/scanner!! Can't believe this worked!!

Thankful

2010-11-25T09:26:00.000-08:00

Someone gave me a card recently that said, "There are years that ask questions and there are years that give answers." I love that quote and I have to say that this has been a year of questions. I am thankful for the questions and for the opportunity to find the answers. I am thankful for all the wonderfully creative bloggers who share of themselves so freely and inspire me daily to keep plugging along. And I am thankful for soooooooooo much more!! Family, friends and the chance to be alive and awake and experiencing this life!!!! My heart overflows with gratitude!!

11's

2010-11-11T10:14:00.000-08:00

My paternal grandmother was born on 11-11-00. She would have been 110 years old today. Next year, on 11-11-11 she would've turned 111. And I wonder what it means when,so many times during the course of a week or month I glance at a clock and it says 11:11!!! I think Grandma is just saying "Hi!".