Looking with Fresh Eyes

 I have returned from my wonderful vacation with my friend Vicki -

I didn't go anywhere special.

I slept in my own bed every night and ate in my own kitchen/dining room - well at least some of the time.

But I did have a total break from my normal routine.

We It was great to have her visit from Canada. I look forward to her visits every year.

When she visits, it just feels so natural and comfortable.

We talk, we laugh, we do art, we solve the world's problems, we solve each other's parenting problems, we inspire and gain ideas for new things. . .

We went to the movies - like in a real theater with a big screen.  In fact we went to movies . . .TWICE!

We ate food at a Parisienne cafe, a Mexican restaurant, a Thai restaurant and even a local fast food place.

We went on field trips and to concerts.

We spent time pampering ourselves with massages and pedicures.

I coudn't have enjoyed myself any better if I had traveled somewhere.

Vicki is a fabulous photographer and I love when she visits-

she takes random pictures of things in my home and my yard.

I look at my house and my yard and I see all of the flaws -

the weeds in the garden, the dirty socks on the floor, the peeling paint on the deck, the places where something bumped against the wall and the paint in the living isn't perfect, the cobwebs . . .

And then she takes photos and shares them with me and I see it with fresh eyes.

I see the charm in the old bike I found at a garage sale years ago for $15 dollars.

I wanted a bike with a basket filled with flowers for a yard piece.

When I saw this bike, it wasn't as "vintage" as I had hoped, but the price was right and I figured it would work. I paid the man and he asked how I was going to restore it.

I told him my plan and he was not impressed . . .he fact, he was a bit disgusted.

It sat on the side of my house for several years, and we finally pulled it out (thanks Cierra), washed off the dirt and planted some flowers.

I love the way it looks.

My moon face man - I acquired him at a sale that we attended in Seattle a few years ago.

The artist makes these beautiful dolls and figures.

Usually when I think of "dolls", I think of . . .well - let's just say most dolls I would not feel a need to purchase and display in my home.

But these dolls . . .Yummy!

They all have enchanting faces and posable arms and legs.

This little guy has a head made out of a poppy-seed pod. His face is molded out of polymer clay.

I love him.

He is sitting on top of the world and looking out planning his next adventure.

OK - maybe not the world, but he is sitting on top of a hand-blown glass ball that looks as if a large tree is growing inside of it.

I saw the glass ball at a local shop and commented on how unique and beautiful it was about 5 years ago.

A little elf must have been listening - or maybe it was my daughter -

because it found it's way under our Christmas tree that year.

Both the ball and moon man are hanging from our light fixture above our dining room table.

Moon man likes to be in the center of the commotion. . .

The last time Vicki visited, we took a trip to the Anthropologie store.

Yes - they have beautiful clothes . . .but more than that - I love the way the store is decorated.

Their window displays and decor are total eye candy.

I snap pictures all over the store.

When we were there in November, they had the coolest garlands and mobiles hanging all over the store. They were made out of recycled colored paper cut in large circles and hanging on a thin string.

I came home and before the night was out I had made my own version. I used pages from vintage magazines and vintage postcards.

I tied the strings to a metal circle - the kind used to make dream catchers.

The mobile hangs in our living room and when the windows are open or the fan is on, it spins and dances.

I find myself staring at it sometimes, mesmerized with how it moves.

There are more adventures that I will post later -

but I have to say "Thank You Vicki" for helping me to look again with fresh eyes.

And now for a moment of personal marketing . . .

We will have a booth next weekend at the West Linn Arts in the Forest at Mary S. Young park in West Linn, Oregon.

It runs August 13th and 14th from 10:00 to 5:00 pm.

Great artists, entertainment, food - this is a good one!

How To Know When You Are Tired . . .

This has been a crazy couple of weeks and we are still moving forward.

We have completed the Sandy Mountain Festival - which was a great success

and the Gresham Art Walk - also a huge success.

Now we will be participating in the Estacada Art Days on this Saturday,

and then the West Linn Arts In the Forest in mid-August. 

Whew!

I know that I am tired - but I thought I was covering it up pretty well.

Until my husband pointed a few things out.

So how do you know when you really need a nap???

Well . . .

1. Your husband walks to the other end of you great room and you are totally unaware that he is still in the room.  Let me explain - On Sunday, I was in my kitchen prepping food for a birthday dinner for my mother. My husband had been in the kitchen with me and left.

I thought he had gone outside (in reality he had opened the door to let in some air.)

He instead moved to our couch. Our floor plan is that of a great room and very open. I can see the couch quite easily when I am in the kitchen. I asked my daughter where dad went. Both my daughters played along that they couldn't find dad for over 20 minutes! It took me that long to see him even though I looked in his direction several times.

Maybe I was just focused on what I was doing . . .or maybe I am more tired than I realized.  Hmmmm.

2. Fast forward to a game of dominos. We all know that we play dominos alot at our house. It is a bit of a weekly tradition - in this game, there are several rounds and you begin the round with seven dominos. I drew my seven dominos and organized them. I waited for everyone else and then I drew my seven dominos again. I organized these. 

Then I "woke" up and realized I now had 14! Not a good way to start a game where the ovject is the to be the first to get rid of your dominos.

Over achiever or tired????

3. Yesterday I had the day off. It was spent running errands, working on filling orders, helping my daughter get ready for a camping trip - you know.

We drove around in my sweet little Mustang - and although it wasn't very warm - it was warm enough to take the top down on my car. We came home, went in the house and continued on the various projects. 

This morning I woke up to realize I never put the top back up on the car.

And it rained.

Fortunately the car was mostly undercover and only got a few wet spots. 

But I was even more relieved to realize that the neighborhood bully cat had not "marked" his territory in the interior of my car. 

Whew - dodged that one.

And nothing was missing -

Am I very trusting of my neighbors . . .or tired???

There are many other things that have occured this last week - but I think you get the idea. I am greatly looking forward to next week when I have a vacation -

a week that will be spent with a dear friend of mine.

We will vacation right in my home town - but we will spend our time going to hear live music, thrifting, being creative, laughing and there will definitely be some quality time lying around and watching the clouds drift by.

I can't wait.

In the meantime - have a great week everyone.

Summer Season . . .Here We Come!



New product . . .yard stakes!




In their "natural" habitat.

We are actively gearing up for summer sale season - which begins this weekend! I have been painting plaques, lazy susans and mirrors and  prepping prints, finishing paintings and adding a few new items to the mix.

This year we are adding yard stakes!

Every year I am asked if my art is suitable for outdoor use - so I decided to make some specifically for that purpose.

A little garden zen . . .

I have to admit, that when my husband and I began talking about this, he asked me . . .

"Are you sure these won't be too "country?"

I tried to make it a point to keep the bright, whimsical style with positive affirmations.

Now we wait and see how they are received!

Other than that - life has been moving along just fine.

We have finally started to get some weather that actually resembles summer.

My garden is growing every day.

The slugs have backed off and aren't making a feast of my veggies.

We had a wonderful 4th of July -

we spent it with friends and watched fireworks from their backyard.

Harry Potter comes out in a week -

yes! I am a junkie.

Don't judge me - :)

I just completed an exteded long weekend and was able to spend some time doing daily meditations while watering my garden.

This simple habit is one of my favorite summer time rituals.

A rebalancing of my day and life.

I must say, that since returning to a "full-time" day job, one of the things that I miss the most is my

morning watering routine.

Yes - I can put on a sprinkler and water my garden. But I have always preferred to hand water.

To stand outside, barefooted, hose-in-hand and water each plant and flower pot.

I feel the sun, listen to my windchimes and the local birds.

I pull a weed or two and share the fresh greens with the chickens.

I grab a few berries off of the vines.

In fact - I often find myself spending longer than necessary because it so relaxing and meditative.

Ahhhh - summer.

I am glad that you are here!

What Is Your Heart Trying To Tell You?...

A new painting completed! Yeah -

I have been so busy with other things that it has been a long time since I have worked on a "painting".

It felt oh-so-good to complete this yesterday.

I am going to go out on a limb here and be really honest . . .and I hope I don't offend anyone. If I do - that is not my intention, I am just venting my personal frustration  -

Recently, I have been engaging in a discussion with a variety of artists on Facebook about how difficult it is to find time to create when you have a full-time job as well.It really helped to follow this particular discussion, but it is an issue I struggle with every single day. As I have said before, many, many times - I would like nothing more than to do art full time. However - things like health insurance make it a necessity to work at my day job.

And I am ok with that.

Most days I am finding ways to negotiate through the balance.

But on days when things are particularly stressful or I am exceptionally tired,

I find myself resentful.

And when I escape to places like fellow-artist blogs or Facebook,

I read about how many hours other people are spending on their craft and their business accomplishments and I begin to feel a whole rush of emotions.

Envy, resentment, frustration, anger, sadness . . .

And then the proverbial question "why?" starts to haunt me.

But here is the thing -

I know that every artist struggles with finding that balance.

Every person! - no matter what their passionate direction is - struggles with that.

I know that for me - I am very grateful for my studio space.

I waited for years to have a whole room to myself.

With four children, spare rooms were not available.

I remember the first time I carved out an official space of my own that was not on the dining room table.

My husband installed a small work table in my laundry room. It was 2ft x 4ft.

Now if you could see my laundry room, you would understand just how ridiculous that was. My laundry room can hardly be called a room - I know people with larger walk-in closets! But - it worked.

That space gives me permission and the gentle probe needed to keep at it.

It truly is my space of refuge.

As a creative of any type, I have learned a few very important lessons that I try to live by every day.

1. Do NOT compare yourself to others - especially when it comes to timelines or age or abilities. We are all on our own journey and there will always be someone who is younger, or better or further along than we are. To compare is very damaging to our journey.

2. Remember that the little steps matter - even it is just a simple phone call or email. If it is in relation to the creative progress, it was not a step wasted and it takes you closer to your goal.

3. Recognize what it is you do well and leave the rest to someone else.

 I paint.

 Others do mosaic or glass or pottery. I love those crafts and would love to learn them - but I can't afford to diversify that much. So I will perfect what I do and love appreciate the work of others who do other forms of art.

4. Create a space that you can call your own - no matter how small it is - where your supplies can be gathered together and at your disposal.

When I step into my studio space, my creative side is ready to come out and play.

Before I created a space for myself, I needed large blocks of time to paint because I needed to get everything out, prep the table and then set up my supplies before I could start. And then I had to clean up and put it away . . .

now I walk in the room and I am painting within minutes.

5. Touch your art EVERY SINGLE DAY! Even if it is only for a few minutes. This keeps the creative brain awake and engaged.

6. Enjoy the inspiration of others - look at blogs, attend art festivals, read books, take part in a retreat, etc.

7. When someone asks for something, invites you somewhere or wants you to participate in something, ask yourself - "Will this take me closer or farther away from my goal?" If not - "is it worth the diversion?"

If the answer to both of those questions is "no" - then I feel no guilt in declining.

8. When you think you have no time for your creative endeavors - then it is time to take a hard look at how you spend your time.

Children and family will not wait.

My day job is non-negotiable.

But television and playing on the computer and games on my phone are not a productive use of my very precious time.

9. No project is ever wasted - even if it didn't turn out the way I had hoped.

10. Give yourself permission to take a break.

I am always working on this one! Sometimes I do need to watch a mindless television show or read a great novel or do something that has nothing to do with the creative business.

And in the end - to quote Mr. Abe Lincoln -

"it's not about the years in your life, but the life in your years."