Thankful to "Be"!

There's a lot of sickness going around. My husband got sick a week ago....just a terrible sinus-y cold. I tried reeeeeeally hard not to catch it but....Monday night it came on full blast, no warning. Lots of plans had to be changed. Lots of things had to be "let go". And you know what? It wasn't the end of the world! It may have even been a "good thing" as a certain Martha likes to say. My Artist's Way group is reading a book on slowing down....making some room for your imagination to flourish and to enjoy the sights and sounds and smells all around you. This turned out to be a week (or at least a few days) of most definitely slowing down. I have spent a lot of time sitting or laying on the couch and looking out the window. The weather has been wonderful.....bright sunshine-y days. And the leaves on the trees right now are outstandingly beautiful! I don't know when we have had a fall that could compete with this one for color! So I sat. And I looked. And I noticed. And I observed. And I saw. And I daydreamed. Life will go on next week when everything is back to normal. But I am thankful for the time that I had this week to just "be". I didn't realize how much I needed this!!

Las Vegas Art Retreat

I'm not really on an art retreat. But I did have a lot of very quiet, uninterrupted time to myself while in Vegas taking care of a few necessites. I'm so glad I brought some art supplies with! I decided that I wanted to make a mandala for Ethan and so I went with colors that would fit in well in several areas of his place. I worked on it over the course of two days and am really pleased with the way it turned out. I'd been feeling a little bit "stuck" or bored with mandals recently. The last couple just felt like nothing "new" was happening. I started to think maybe I'd run the course with these. But then I started on this one. And while in many ways it's similar to many of my others, there were new ideas and inspiration popped up in the making. Nothing major but small details that felt like new and inspired ideas. I didn't bring any of the tempermental white gel pens with me so the outlines and details are all gold metallic. I love the way the photo that I took on an angle kind of shows the gleam of the gold. Need to remember this when taking photos in the future! So, just thought I would share as I want to make more of an effort to document what I make. Thanks for looking!

Its Been a LOOOOOOOONG Time!!!

Sorry for my extended absence! It was not intentional! I took a break and then....when I wanted to get back to blogging, I found I couldn't upload photos. And for me, without photos....what's the point??? I am all about the visuals! I think I have found a way around the problem! Mind you I said, "Think"! So anyway, I have been making mandalas. They seem to continue to evolve and grow and I find I am uncomfortable and embarrassed when I see the ones that I gave to people back near the beginning of my journey into mandala making! I need to get over that and just appreciate the fact that I am learning and growing and it's all part of the process! The above photo is the third mandala I have made that is intended for a 20" x 20" frame....the largest I have used so far. The first one was a wedding gift and the second one was donated for an auction to benefit a non-profit organization...The Center in Palos Park, IL. As the printer I use cannot copy things this large, they are gone forever....no prints available. Just photos to remember them by. The one I have just finished I THINK is going to be mine....forever! But I am going to look into getting giclee prints made. Much more expensive that way but, I have had so much positive feedback and encouragement, I'm slowly being convinced that it might be worth it! I also need to set up a web-site where people can see all the work in one place with prices and any other info that might be helpful. Always so much to do! And all I want to do it make art! Haha! Thank you for stopping by after my long absence! Hopefully this will work and you'll be hearing more from me!

Seasonal Love

Let me tell you about my lover. His name is Autumn, and we have just been reunited! I delight in gazing into his cloudless, blue-sky eyes as they entice me to come closer! And his sparkling mane of golden sun-rays makes my heart lurch! He arrived in a coat of many colors, shimmering in the light and constantly changing. With anticipation in every move, he slowly sheds his lovely garb. Day by day becoming more and more exposed to my wanting eyes. And then...just as he has not one stitch left...he is GONE! On a gusting WHOOSH of icy, cold air! Leaving me in the wickedly frigid arms of winter. A lover of an entirely different sort, indeed!!!

A Great New Book to Read!!!

A very good friend of mine has just written and published his very first book!  This is truly a dream come true for him.  I was honored to watch the process as he let his imagination roam freely,  and to watch the incredible personal growth he went through in becoming who he is meant to be.......a writer!!  Below is the link to his website.  Give yourself a wonderful gift and help out a fellow creative being!  Order a book!  You won't be disappointed!

http://www.cabin108book.com/

Love, Lust or Just Plain Lost?

Unloved, Gordon’s hungry heart yearns for life’s magic once more. Beautiful Laraine then enters his world and touches him like none before. Fireworks fly, emotions rollercoaster, and his spirit soars to new heights. Gordon has found his soul mate.

Or has he?

Packing away his low self-esteem and a learned distrust of others, Gordon steps into a world of cow pastures and kindness. His gentle ways, quirky humor, and mastery in the kitchen endear those in his new and safe surroundings, allowing him to hone his talents, self-worth, and aspirations. Exploring both love and lust, these relationships challenge his values as he struggles to rediscover, redefine, and reinvent himself. The path, crooked as llama teeth, leads to no straight answers as he searches to nourish his spirit with truth and tranquility. In the end, a new, stronger, more aware Gordon emerges as the adventure changes him, his morals, and his boundaries. 


Click here to order now.  http://www.cabin108book.com/order.html

Testimonials

Scrumptious words!
Lynn R., Janesville, Wisconsin

My stomach jumped and my heart sank as I read. Yes, I have a vested interested in the characters!
Anne L., Peru, Indiana

I started out totally shocked and outraged, thought it was unbelievable, but I ended up understanding something deeper.
Uta M., Panorama, South Australia

Glenn’s imagination knows no bounds.
Jan B., Clatskanie, Oregon
Love the sweet and tender and hot, hot, hot all combined! No wonder I love it … it’s like my dream come true!
Robin N., Orland Park, Illinois

There is a piece of all of us in this book, one you must read. Find yourself wanting to travel through life with these characters chapter by chapter. You won’t put it down.
Bob R., Adelaide, South Australia

I hate romantic books and yet Glenn has captured my interest with this story.
Elena C., Coal City, Illinois

Glenn’s words … I have to stop, let them sink in, and think before I can move on. That’s the sort of reading I love.
Glenda I., North Adelaide, South Australia

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Just a Little Different

This mandala is different from most of my others in that it has so many geometric shapes in it.  At one point I had the sun-shape in the center, two circles around it and lines shooting out in all different directions and of all different lengths.  And not perfectly symmetrical......HORRORS!  Lol!  I wasn't at all sure how I was going to make it work.  But somehow, it came together and I really like it!  And I had to finish off with more organic shapes  around the outside (of course!).  I just wish the colors would show up more "true".  They lack the intensity of the real thing.

This was done as an exercise.....one of the tasks at the back of Chapter 7 in "The Artist's Way".  It's always been one of my favorite ways to "play"......put on some music and doodle until it's done.  This was maybe 35 minutes or so.  I'm not sure what it's all about but, for some reason it makes me think I have been watching too much of the show "Vikings" on the History channel!

iHanna's Postcard Swap

For the second year in a row I decided to participate in iHanna's spring postcard swap.  I didn't originally intend to make mandalas for all my postcards but, was feeling pressed for time and figured I should do what I know best.

I like some a lot more than others.  They are all about 6" square.

The above is one of my favorites.  Sorry the photos are a bit "wonky".  I took the pictures in a bit of a hurry as I was anxious to get these in the mail today.

This one is my absolute favorite!  I kinda hated to give it away!  When I have received all my postcards from other people I will post them on here.  As well as last years since I didn't have a working camera at that time!