It is Good to Love Many Things

“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” 
― George Bernard Shaw

I have been creating "my" art since I was 42 years old.

The only things I had created up until that point were my beloved

scrapbook pages and the occasional hook rug and fabric wreaths. 

I never considered myself an "artist".

A page from my journal 3 years ago

A 6x6 canvas created 4 years ago for a sale I participated in.

A page from my journal last year

Another 6x6 canvas I painted 4 years ago. It is still one of my favorites!

Another page from my early days of journaling.

Throughout the past 7 years I have stuck primarily to my journals, canvas's, 

acrylic paint and Words. 

It's what I know.

It's what I love.

“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” 
― Vincent van Gogh

But like Van Gogh says it IS good to love many things.

And I do.

One of my favorite things to do is ooooh and awwww over the gorgeous art 

in the Stampington magazines. 

Art Journaling 

Somerset Studio

 and

Somerset Gallery 

are my favorites.

I keep promising myself to try new things,

add fresh techniques to my pages.

I find myself getting into a rut

and getting bored with my work.

My art feels stagnant.

I am ready to spread my wings and try new ideas, new projects 

all the while breathing new life into ME.

I have a few plans in mind that I wanted to share with you today...

I LOVE how Bonita uses such fresh, bright colors in her work along with gorgeous 3-D flowers. 

Note to self: Use my chunky little bits!!

Carolyn Dube just uses EVERYTHING to create so many varieties of projects. She doesn't just stick with journals and canvas's. Because of her I have my eye on a bookcase that is getting renovated by ME!! 

Diane Salter's work has inspired me to really break out of my rut! I spent most of the afternoon painting background papers and collaging them onto an old cigar box. 

I will share the finished product next week:)

And finally I have to tell you about Jodene. Oh my!! She adds her faith, little bits she finds on her walks (think twigs, rocks, flowers, etc) and more to her canvas's. She is one of my FAVORITE artists!! So grateful to be taking her "Consider Birds" on-line class in May!!

I think this quote from an older art journal page of mine sums it up best.

Start Living in the Now

"We can start again countless times in our lives...a new job, a new relationship, a new day. Why does a fresh beginning feel so good, yet at the same time, just a bit scary?" -Flow Magazine

Lately, it seems all I do is say to myself...WHEN. 

When

I

lose

weight.

When 

the 

kids 

are settled

and 

on their own.

When 

we have 

enough 

money and security.

When 

the house 

is 

in 

order.

WHEN.

To be perfectly honest I am sick and tired of the word When.

I want so desperately to be living in the 

NOW.

As the big 5-0 gets closer and my life keeps 

looking more and more different...

I find myself standing still.

Not moving...

at 

all.

I am frightened.

Change can be hard.

But it CAN be exciting, too.

A canvas I created several years ago

Today I took time to sit quietly and write in my journal.

It's what I've always done for as long as I can remember.

In Jr. High my thoughts were printed in a tiny golden diary...the one that had a key  to keep all your secrets safe.

Most of that book is filled with daily weather reports and my crush on Donny Beger.

By High School I was writing volumes in my Garfield and Ziggy notebooks. Everything from 

my dreams of covering a political convention to what was bothering me...my parents, my friends, school...and yes, Donnie filled up more pages in these notebooks than I care to comment!

Today I wrote down my goals as I Journey towards 50.

I know I want more HAPPY in my days. 

It's not that I don't have that now...but I want more.

I want to live in the NOW.

No more living in the WHEN.

There is so much lost in the WHEN.

I am DONE for the next 6 months obsessing about my weight. 

My ENTIRE life I have never felt good enough because I was "fat".

Girls, that is ME on the far left in 1999 at my first Marathon. 

During this time I thought I was so overweight. 

I was constantly obsessing about food and exercise and putting myself down.

Looking at this photo now

I can't believe how healthy and in shape I look!!

I never saw that or felt that while I was living that.

Sad.

I WILL be taking long walks, eating healthy and watching myself...

but I am DONE saying WHEN I get thin. When I can wear a size 10.

I am 49.5 years old.

I wear a size 14.

I 

am

happy

with

that.

In the next 6 months I will 

write more

be kinder

enjoy coffee while I read a favorite book.

I will wear what brings me JOY.

I will be kind to 

ME.

I will be the best version of myself!

In Six Months can it BE?!

 “I enjoy the spring more than the autumn now. One does, I think, as one gets older.” 

― Virginia Woolf, Jacob's Room

This was me back in 1982.

I was 16 years old.

I remember the day this photo was taken...

one of my best girl friends, Chella took it in my room.

It was the days of 

sleep-overs with friends,

867-5309,

Journey,

school dances,

cruising with friends,

PYT,

 and 

getting the be-jeebers scared out of me by the clown from "Poltergeist".

Fast forward to today...

I am just 6 months away from turning the 

Big 5-0.

Fifty.

I have been anticipating this day for awhile now.

Somehow it scares me.

Life seems to be changing so fast...

yet I can't seem to figure out how to keep up.

This sweet, little gal is my favorite vintage image 

at the moment.

She best represents me at that age.

So full of hope

and dreams

and possibilities.

When I was a kid people that we were FIFTY were OLD.

Like Dead in the ground old.

This is what 49 and half looks like on me...

I don't THINK I look old.

But it's a question I have been asking myself often these days.

Should I REALLY where that?

Isn't it too young?

And let's not forget I am not young anymore...

I 

am 

old.

Or am I?

How old is old?

Is the saying really true...?

"You are only as old as you feel."

For the next 6 months I hope you will join me as I have hi-jacked myArt blog and turned it into my Art/Journey to 50 Blog.

We all get older.

And with age comes...

fear.

Right?

Or is it wisdom?

Is it possible that 50 and up can be even better than 50 and below?

I 

think 

so.

I still have Big Dreams.

I still have goals

and wishes

and aspirations.

I want to LIVE MY BEST LIFE...

starting

TODAY.

Here's to Life at 50...

well, almost.

The ABC's of Inspiration

"Tell the negativity committee that meets inside your head to sit down and shut up."

I know that not only creating Art heals...

But looking at the Art you have created

can Uplift and Encourage you

to keep on going 

through life's struggles.

Keeping an Art Journal has been one of the 

most rewarding artistic endeavors

I have ever undertook.

If you have no idea of 

what an Art Journal is 

or are thinking about starting one

or just want some ideas...

Go here for lots of  journaling inspiration!

It's time for a Brand New Challenge in our Facebook Group...

Mind.Body.Soul.

I LOVE coming up with ideas for our challenges

and am just so grateful for 

everyone who participates and shares their Art!!

Thank you!!

"The ABC's of Inspiration" Challenge begins

Wednesday March 23rd...

yep, that's tomorrow!

This Challenge is meant to Energize and Refresh your Spirit 

by creating 26 tags, index cards or journal pages with ONE Word

for each letter of the Alphabet.

Here is my "A" example...

ABLE

I chose the Word ABLE for several reasons...

First and foremost I want to remind myself

that no matter what the circumstance I am quite ABLE to 

persevere and do what I set out to do.

Synonyms for my Word include...

capable

apt

competent

smart 

strong

My Word for the letter "B" is

 BEAUTY.

Sometimes I need reminding

that there truly is BEAUTY in all things. 

I chose two of my symbols...

the butterfly 

and

heart

to further get my message across to myself.

Each week I will post TWO letters of the Alphabet long with my 

projects and thoughts on the Words I chose.

As always I would LOVE to see YOUR work...be sure and share in our FB group!!

Mind.Body.Soul.

Step by Step Journal Process

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.” 
― Walt Disney Company, Mulan

Most times when working in my journal I just start spreading down paint...not really having a direction...just letting my mind wander...waiting to see where it takes me. 

This page started out a bit different.

This is the last week of our Mind.Body.Soul "Take Three Challenge" and Sherry's challenge this week was to use stencils and paint and the Word FRAGILE. 

Stencils and paint are my art journal staples so I was excited!

I began with four stencil and three colors, using a make-up sponge to apply. I did swipe my pages with gesso before starting.

The Word Fragile, however was not a word I felt very inspired by.

I was equating the Word with being weak and scared...topics I don't usually cover in my journals.

Next I added some book pages, pattern paper and neon pink paint around the edges. I also added one more stencil:)

But the more I built my background the more my mind let go. 

I began thinking about my vintage girls...the angels in particular.

I use wings with my "girls" more times than not so I grabbed these and glued them down.

As I cut each image out I thought about my sweet, kind and very talented daughter, Emma.

She had said something to me just a week ago that was beautiful...

"Mom, you know I have two angels that watch over me and one of them 

is Grandma A."

After I laid the girls down I took my black and white gel pens and added a few doodles/outlines.

I then thought about ALL my sweet daughter has been through the past four years and how HARD she has worked to HEAl and then it came to me...

"My fragile heart is given strength by the wings of others."

My thoughts were pouring out of me as I stamped a few images

on the background for depth and shaded each angel-girl.

I have always been inspired by this gorgeous girl...this time around I put wings on her.  She represents Emma.

I first stenciled the wings with gold then used a stabilo pencil and white gel pen to highlight

Here are my finished pages.

I am linking up with Anything But Cute, Mixed Media Monthly and Stamps & Stencils!

Stop by my FB group for MORE fun challenges!! Mind.Body. Soul. 

Start Where You Are

I was overweight most of my childhood, did not participate in 

any kinds of sports, was always picked last for 

gym class and had the self-esteem of Charlie Brown.

I didn't feel like people believed in me so I didn't believe in myself.

In spite of all my insecurities I became quite successful with my high school speech team, was president of FBLA and landed all the leads in my high school play. Heck I even

landed the child lead in a traveling production my Sophomore year. 

Acting gave me confidence like I had never known.

Still...

I wasn't happy with 

ME.

I constantly obsessed about my weight...

my hair...

ME.

I never felt good enough.

When my Dad was dying in June 1996 I made him and ME a promise.

I was going to set a goal and RUN a marathon and dedicate it to HIM.

I had never ran a day in my life.

Not only did I REACH my goal...but I raised $4,000 dollars for the Leukemia Society...the awful disease that took my father from me...and I gained respect for MYSELF. I had a confidence I had 

never known in MYSELF.

It was a beautiful thing.

At the finish line in 1999. I ran the Mayor's Midnight Sun in Anchorage, Alaska.

But somewhere along the line

I have lost my way.

The confidence I once knew has gone.

I find myself self-conscious and fixated on my body flaws.

When I look in the mirror I see an aging, frumpy-looking woman.

I FEEL like an aging, frumpy-looking woman!

But that's changing...

slowly, but surely.

And it feels so good.

This quote is such a wonderful reminder for me...

when I was training for my first marathon (i have ran two)...

I never, ever focused on the finish line. 

I took each day and focused on the run THAT DAY.

It was a powerful thing to see myself grow stronger and stronger each day.

And it can be today.

If you have lost your way...

If you feel bad about yourself...

your body...

where you are in your fitness life I have the book for YOU!

I have followed Tosca for over 10 years. She is AMAZING!!

This book is life-changing in soooo many ways! She shares HER journey and the

way she went about getting back in shape in her 40's is nothing less than motivational and inspirational!

I turn 50 this year.

It is my intention to set a goal, make a plan, get to work, stick to it and

REACH MY GOAL!

If you would like information on Tosca's book you can go here.

Work Hard/Inspire Others

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” 
― Eleanor Roosevelt

The past few weeks I have been creating in our family computer room. With a few baskets here and there, words and phrase sheets scattered across the floor and minimal supplies I have tried to recreate my studio...without success! I miss my beautiful sun-filled space soooo much but it's all been worth the time away. You see my incredibly talented daughter, Emma has been busy as a bee...working day and night (literally) on her art portfolio for her college application.

Her work is stunning.

Heartfelt.

Thoughtful.

I am so proud of her!

A quick sketch with gel pens

My sweet girl has been creating since she was old enough to hold a crayon in her hand. Always drawing, coloring and having "art shows" for her family.

A sketch using Prism color pencils along with a sweet cup of chocolate chips to keep up her energy!

Her dream is to attend MECA...The Maine College of Art.

A sketch in progress

Last fall we drove to Portland for a campus visit and portfolio review...the college is amazing!

This is the city of Portland!

  All of us fell in love with the charm and beauty of Portland...it's breathtaking!

MECA

One of the unique aspects of MECA is every Junior and Senior gets their OWN small studio!

One of the many large studios at MECA

To watch my girl work so hard for her BIG DREAM has been one of the most inspiring things I've ever witnessed.

One of her many oil paintings

 “Everything you can imagine is real.” 

― Pablo Picasso

This one is my favorite!

So yeah...I haven't been in my studio for the past 20 days...but no complaints here. For instead of spending time in my space, painting, journaling, dreaming....I have been able to rejoice with my daughter each time she yells..."Mom, come here! I want to show you my latest piece!" I get to hear her sweet voice as she sings merrily away, paintbrush in hand, eagerly creating her latest masterpiece. My greatest JOY has come from her happiness. 

My girl. 

The artist. 

Throughout her life Em has always been inspired by one of her favorite artists...Leonardo Da Vinci. This past June we were blessed to travel to Europe and see Da Vinci's home, his tomb and of course his magnificent paintings including his most famous...The Mona Lisa.

Here is my girl...her beautiful light shining...at his home.

Emma has always put 100% into whatever she is doing. And when it comes to her art...well, I think her work speaks for itself. I believe this Da Vinci quote fits her perfectly!

Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art. 

Leonardo da Vinci

What she has taught me these past few weeks is to go after MY Big Dreams! No more excuses! When your heart speaks you can do nothing else but listen...then get to work...and do your VERY best. 

Focus.

Be Diligent.

Be positive.

Take care of your body.

Listen to the Spirit.

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. Leonardo da Vinci

Take Three Challenge: Week One

 Creativity is always a leap of faith. You're faced with a blank page, blank easel, or an empty stage.

Julia Cameron

Our Take Three Challenge began on Monday in our Mind.Body.Soul Facebook group.

Each week for the next five weeks join us for weekly inspiration as we take TWO products and ONE word and create something wonderful! This week our products were alphabet stickers...

I don't know about you but I have oodles of them and don't know what to do with them all!!

  And washi tape.

I LOVE washi tape for it's versatility...you can use it for soooo many things!

Our Word this week is BLOOM.

Now to show you my take on the challenge.

I have had these Thickers from American Crafts for YEARS. They have really lost their "stick-a-bility"...but this font is just so COOL I wanted to use them!

They worked perfectly as a mask! Since they don't stick I just laid them on my page in my art journal and sprayed over with my favorite Dylusions spray ink "London Blue".

I wanted to add just a POP of color to my page...
the washi tape was just the thing!

At first I thought I would only add it to the top right corner...but I liked it so much I thought the bottom left needed a burst of brightness, too:)

Before I even began this challenge I knew where I wanted to go with this page...when I think of BLOOM I think of what we are capable of when we finally stop listening to all the negative nonsense in our heads and replace it with positive words and phrases.

I chose one of my favorite vintage girls and made a speech "bubble" with white cardstock.

Doesn't she just look so authentically HAPPY?!

After cutting out the speech bubble I took my letter stickers (along with a few word and phrase stickers) and began filling it up with goodness!! I then used black ink to outline the bubble to add dimension.

I hope you like my take on this week's challenge! If you haven't found our Facebook group yet be sure and join here!!