Sometimes we Flutter before we Fly!

I find I like to do butterflies, or I go through phases of doing them. I have to wonder if it coincides with my own personal journey these butterfly references. If they go deeper than the fabric or paint. If they are reflecting my deep feelings of being reborn, of starting something new, maybe the excitement of flying without the fear. They could mean and symbolize something that might be happening within me as I cocoon a new idea. Do you have stages where you feel like something new and exciting is right around the corner. Where maybe tomorrow will be the day that everything breaks open and your wings unfurl and you are set free?!

This is a fiber art piece that I did with a discharging method, lots of fun! I am working on a tutorial for you!

  

A close up and better lighting in my photo.

Another one of my butterflies that was auctioned off for SAQA

This is another fiber art piece, I love this piece, done with stamps and paints and inks and gesso etc. Then I painted it and before I quilted it I photographed it.

I then downloaded the photo into my computer where I opened it up in Photoshop. I went to filters and just started to play. This is a filter, artists, poster edges and I like what it did, I also reversed it and added text. When I wrote out the saying it already felt so true. Now, if I want, I can print as cards, or onto fabric, my choices are endless!

Another Fiber piece I did for The American Quilt Alliance Annual auction last year. 

Even Lil Miss Cutie Patootie got into the butterfly craze a few years back.

I wonder what I will be painting next?? When you look at your creative pieces is there a theme or a reoccurring color? Do you see the same images repeated over and over? Congratulations you are doing a series and maybe, just maybe your inner voice is trying to tell you something. What images or color seems to find its way back into your work time and time again??

A favorite place to just reflect and appreciate things

 I know that most of us live a very busy life these days, filled with kids, grand kids, work, chores, jobs, activities etc. Who would of known that with all these modern conveniences we would end up even busier and more stressed out. I think being able to see how fast things are moving all the time reminds us how fast we might be falling behind. To keep up with all the social media and technology coming out daily is daunting and can be overwhelming.

For me, being able to get away from the technology is critical so I have to go for a walk, run, gardening, anything that takes me outside and helps me refocused. Since I work from home I have to get out of the house so I have an area that I love in my backyard. A mini retreat area that I can go to anytime to just enjoy the breeze and paint or sketch, read, write, pray or nap. When we designed and built the backyard we wanted to create a place where our family could gather together for holidays and special events to assure Jennifer would always be able to attend since not every ones house is wheelchair accessible.  It is an outdoor room that is open and we get a breeze in the summer that cools the area in the late afternoon and a fireplace to warm it in the winter. We did a lot of the work ourselves, Randy and I burned and distressed the wooden beams that support the structure and stained the under side of the roof red to mimic the old tile roofs. We have had many, many parties, holidays and just gatherings here in the 7 years its been since we finished the project. We even had an owl try to take up residence there last year and we have a few bunnies that pass through on their way to different areas of our lawn. There is a ramp so Jennifer can access it anytime she likes and she can watch swimmers in the pool during the summer in the shade. I have always made a special place in each house we have lived that I could just take it all in and thank God for all we had, its never about the money, its always about the relationships, the family and beauty of the things we grew, we are rich in so many ways.

A favorite place doesn't have to be fancy or elaborate, it can be as simple as a chair under the shade of a tree. It is a place to sit and take a deep breath and remind ourselves of how blessed we are to live where we live. A place where I can be quiet and reflect, gathering my thoughts, reminding me to appreciate all that we have created together. I have sketched my yard many times over the years, here is another sketch of my backyard, sitting in my space, watching the dappled sunlight dancing off of the stone floor caused by the wind blowing through the leaves.

I love to come out at dusk and watch the sun go down, the light filters through the trees, casting shadows that dance on the stone floor. It bathes everything in an orange glow in the fall.

Theres nothing like taking a bath and looking out at this!!

Sketching and painting some succulents I am growing

I love keeping my garden journal where I journal and sketch about things in my garden.

Another day, with my coffee and writing pad, writing down my thoughts and ideas.

 Do you have a special area that you call your own? A place where you can escape the rat race and find some peace and quiet. A place where you can journal your thoughts and escape for a moment. It doesn't have to be outside, in many areas of the country these favorite places are overstuffed chairs next to a fireplace with all of your favorite things next to you and your blanket. How about your bathtub, with bubbles and music playing. It could be a reading area where you can find some quiet time to just get lost in a book. I leave my studio so that I don't have any projects or deadlines nagging at me. I go to my favorite place and listen to the wind whispering in my ear and watch as the leaves dancing across the floor. Tell me about your space! If you have sketched it please post a link to your blog so I can see it!

Having one of those days or months!!??

   I feel like I have been struggling to make art this summer. I have never really had an issue of not feeling creative. I allowed myself to just rest after the craziness of getting ready for market at the beginning of the year. I think that just breaking the habit I had of creating art everyday started something, I lost the synergy I had going. I was starting to feel like the baby blues where upon me after the long awaited event is over and you get this let down feeling. I knew I needed a swift kick in the butt to get myself moving again.  I decided to reorganize and as I did I started to remember the how much I love my art supplies, how much I love all that fabric stuck everywhere, how much I love cutting those threads out of my vacuum cleaner roller. I realized how easy it was to slip out of the habit of being creative. How easily it is for other things to crowd their way into my life, screaming their own importance, stopping me from making art happen. Being an artist is a verb, and action word. It isn't going to happen watching art videos or buying art supplies. It only happens when I take that time to get my hands dirty and open myself up to explore.

 I have been back in my studio, working on UFO's, brain storming, and just cleaning and as I mentioned in my last post, finding inspiration in every corner. I love having a space that is mine, messy, cluttered but a buzz of activity! I am thankful everyday that I am able to have an area to shut out the world and make the magic happen. As I look around the room I see half finished projects, fabric lines I have created, my artwork hanging on the walls, my ribbons from shows and I begin to feel that need to get busy with my art. It begins with a pencil or fabric, some fusing, an iron, colored pencils. The ideas begin to swirl around in my head and they force my hands and feet to behave and follow suit. I love the the magic that starts to happen and the joy that follows. Being artistic or creative isn't like taking a magic pill, it isn't going to happen on its own. I have to do my part and show up for the party to begin! Lets Party!!!