Tim's Sally

Fireflies

2012-01-25T14:15:00.001-06:00

Fireflies
the small door that wedged me out began to grow.
or was it that i became a mouse on the heels of fireflies
bearing light. allowing me to see, discovering awareness.
my intention was set free to chase dreams
when i turn my eyes inward and quit trying to change
what i cannot control.
i am certain the wings carrying light were
my Creator in disguise.
guiding me through a blanket of darkness.
abundant moon come take me away
as you lay outstretched over the sea.
enlighten. excite. as though from the beginning.
to hold the same spirit from the start
yet see yourself over there at the end
doing exactly as you were destined.
make packets holding treasures.
attempt to make something from nothing
as your 8 year old self.
believe with those young eyes again!

reads: When you put your intention out in the world, the universe rewards you by giving you the awareness to notice the intricacies you might have otherwise overlooked.

i have been reading the Wayne Dyer's Power of Intention. an empowering book and only $.89 for the kindle edition.

Studio Tour

2012-01-16T16:04:00.000-06:00

hello, happy monday! so i'm getting into a groovy groove with filming and editing video for the upcoming e-course.
I kinda like when my studio gets messy. I think its probably the best time to document with photos. Things scattered about. a paul cezzane eraser mingling with the pastels. sometimes the mess is a beautiful thing. i watched a documentary about francis bacon and he took the cameras and interviewer into his studio. it was an absolute whirlwind of oil paint, old rags, piles upon piles. i'm not totally sure that piles of oily rags is quite safe but there was a form of beauty in his studio. he said something to the effect that a messy studio is the sign of a prolific artist. i agree.....(but sometimes i gotta tidy up a bit to get my bearings in order) if you get a chance to watch the documentary i can tell you you will find it interesting. he takes you on this wild tour of the restaurants and bars he used to frequent. very eccentric and just down right cool!!

so here is a tour of my messy studio:

background awaiting more paint

on the easel

inspiration board

where's paul?

background ready to be finished, on my easel

Dreams

2012-01-04T11:21:00.001-06:00

phantom rainbows

letting go of energy that drains

and replacing with my bolts of color

realizing that the phantom rainbows

slam, crashing to the earth

instead of easing off in the distance

to nestle among the mist

fading gently along the horizon

i wake to find myself at a small door

too small to wedge my body

somewhere between the chocolate factory

and alice's dreams of descent

this is a mix between a dream i had the other night and a creative journey i took while trying to go to sleep last night. sometimes these brain synapses send bolts of images to my brain. this particular image was of a girl bent in the shape you see here.....however she was surrounded and dressed all in white.

happy merry dreaming to you!!

Paintings of 2011 and My word

2012-01-02T18:11:00.000-06:00

a sampling of my 2011 paintings.

2012 is here!
what possibilities will this year pose.....?
what adventures will i travel down.....?
what connections will i make.....?
and which ones will i be able to connect with again.....?

there is so much to love, so much to see
so much to ponder
and so much to seek

my word for the year is: SEEK

for me, this word has taught me to not give up. In its verb form, it is hopeful. seek is to be active. it is doing, and doing again. belief in that answer lives, yet not knowing is scary territory. to be willing to seek and ponder. to put the body in motion. this is where my soul resides.

Letting Go

2011-12-30T09:10:00.000-06:00

Wednesday night was a night to release. To let go. Thank you Pixie Campbell.
You have begun a powerful movement for women to entrust what they can control and to let go of what they cannot. A visionary for us all.

goodbye 2011. hello 2012. i am ready to take in what you have to offer. i can't wait to fly above like peter pan. to see the world through the eyes of a child again. there is joy. i believe!

Now to choose my word for the year. Last year was my first year to have a word......"Dreams". do you know what yours will be....? i have some pondering to do.

Happy New Year everyone!

ps. Announcement, dates, details, and all the juicy tidbits about my online course, Paint Your Story will be up at the stroke of midnight. Sunday, January 1st, 2012 - 12AM

Paint Your Story

2011-12-16T14:35:00.000-06:00

"It took me four years to paint like Raphael and a lifetime to paint like a child" -
Pablo Picasso

Announcing my first online workshop:

Paint Your Story!

coming Spring 2012

dates, details and Intro video will be up January 1st

Woodland perfume

2011-12-08T11:12:00.001-06:00

Woodland perfume sample set and larger bottles are coming to the Understory next week. On monday or tuesday of next week I will launch 3 new perfume blends to my shop. Owl, Bird, and Rabbit. If you love Bear or Fawn....you will love Owl.

Owl wears warmly on the skin with earthy patchouli, rosewood and immortelle as the base notes. Frankincense and violet leaf play in the middle. Evergreen slips in to recall the cool mornings as soft sandalwood and musk warm your heart. A brisk note of teakwood and vanilla briefly intervene at moments. A beautiful wearable earthy, musky blend. If you have always wanted to wear an earthy oil but never thought you could, this is the one for you.

Rabbit is one of my new favorites. It is reminiscent of a bunny scurrying through the snowy brush as the dawn breaks. Paws dusted with smoke, fragrant greenery mixed with warm Amber. Hints of vanilla sandalwood offset with patchouli honey and black rose become a resting spot for the hint of smoke.
Douglas fir and wild mint capture the snow and fragrant understory of the rabbit's lair.

Bird is grounded by exquisite Neroli and vetiver. Oakmoss continues to ground the blend as soft notes of peach and white musk play on your nostalgic senses. Black raspberry interlaced with vanilla cream comes in at the end with hints of vanilla and orchid. As the bird nibbles on berries, he is surrounded by leafy green trees. As the sun warms his feathers, he bursts into the sky for his next journey.

They will be available separately as samples, the larger 1/4 oz amber bottles, and as sample sets......

I'm so thrilled with this new series of blends. Thank you to all of you who have tried the oils and left the most awesome feedback. You guys rock!!

ps. the new banner features a photo from the amazing Lisa Parks.........

Shop update TODAY!!

2011-12-05T07:57:00.001-06:00

Today at 10am central time.....i'm doing a big shop update with lots of dolls, original artwork, and a couple of new prints. Here is a sneak peek of some of the stuff.....

get your browser ready!! all the items will list at 10am (central)

Everything will list at once. (all items are in draft mode just ready to go LIVE!!)

I am super stoked about this new line of work! i love the rawness....the sad faces...

and the primitive-ness of the dolls.

go now to get ready!!

Giving Thanks.....

2011-11-23T10:17:00.001-06:00

As we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families, I want you to know how thankful I am to each and every one of you who have supported my art over the past 4-1/2 years. It was back in March of 2007 that I first opened my etsy shop and it has been the most fun and rewarding 4 years of my life. I have you to thank. Because of you I am living my dream.

I'm offering a coupon code in the shop now through Friday 11-25 midnight.......use BLACKFRIDAY2011 to save 20% off everything in the shop.

new ornaments in the shop

and some inspiration winged girl postcards

Understory

2011-11-21T16:06:00.001-06:00

Remember me mentioning working hard on a new venture....? Well, I'm here to announce what I've been working so hard on this last month.

I have just opened my new etsy shop!!! it is fragrance inspired by my artwork and long-time love of oils. i have always had a good nose palette stemming back from my childhood when i adored everything that "smelled-good". I loved collecting candles, smelly erasers, smelly markers, and strawberry shortcake dolls.

Right now, I only have a few fragrances available and a couple of amazing bath salts!! But stay tuned for more fragrances and other surprises!!!

here is my shop announcement: (my little sister helped me name the shop.....i struggled with finding a name that told the story of my shop as well as one that had not already been taken. I think this is perfect)
The Understory is the growth layer lowest on the forest floor mostly underneath tiny twigs, leaves, and small plants. There, closest to the soil, the understory has many complexities and indeed stories to tell. My shop is inspired by the nostalgia of my childhood and the simple everyday pleasures. My blends take shape visually and olfactory.

snow princess - bath salts

Lemon Lime Love - bath salts

snow princess sample

Guides - sample set

something new

2011-11-05T14:42:00.004-05:00

New paintings will be hitting my etsy shop on Monday.

bear

henry

little stitched sally

Shaman bunny

I have been working like mad lately on the new venture and its pretty much taking my every waking moment. I had a bit of a breakthrough yesterday to the point where i said....."i can do this...i can really DO this". I wake up in the middle of the night because i can't sleep. the excitement is taking over. i have been drawing and brainstorming and calculating. yes, a little!

sometimes i find that when i come hear to my art blog....i don't feel i have much to say anymore. i feel like a broken record that keeps repeating itself. i start to type and i say to myself "i've already said this" or touched on this in some way. is it because we are creatures of pattern? I just have this weird feeling that this new batch of paintings will be close to the last of them before the end of the year. its so funny feeling my hands type that. although i will say i have several backgrounds on canvas already waiting to be tackled. i don't know. i feel my focus has shifted just a bit to get this new shop up and running.

its weird because yesterday i received an email from Teesha telling us that 2012 will be the last artfest and i could so relate to the words she wrote.

a shift.

a new direction.

still doing what i love.

but something new.

i can't wait to see what the future holds for Teesha and her retreats.....

and i can't wait to tell you what I've been working on!!!! it feels like when i first started painting.

the newness.

the butterflies.

the beautiful planning.

the organizing.

i hope to have new shop going by sometime in December. but i have so much work to do. and in saying that i may be absent just a bit from this blog until then.

happy creating my friends.

Swimming With Stars

2011-10-30T19:32:00.000-05:00

Swimming with Stars
water crept into her dreams, from the glow of the moon.
speaking beyond the subconscious, yet shouting loudly to be heard.
it is here where freedom began.

from the depths of fluid energy the mind escapes
into realms of mystical worlds.
hypnotized by her majesty, the waves forget their power.
her fullness extends a balance as the veil is lifted.

knowing now what her heart must try,
there is beauty in fear.
now lit with stars
holding her hand as they swim
where darkness once lingered

by me in Kate's class at Serendipity
inspired by my friendship with Jennifer and the moon

Swimming with Stars

for Jennifer

painted on one of our late night painting sessions...

me and jennifer

After the magic muse class, the students wanted to know what poem of Jennifer's first spoke to me a couple years ago. in these words, beauty is realized by hurt. i love you jen. my eyes are now open.......

Eyes open - by Jennifer Beltoff

I bring myself to the table

with my heart on my sleeve

I hug you

Tell you I love you

and try to show you

that life is not perfect

Sometimes it is plain awful

We get dragged through the mud

and we are not sure

how to pick ourselves back up

but we can do it

As human beings we are so strong

So powerful

and so brave

I show you my tears

I laugh with you

I take chances

I put myself out there

I live with my eyes open

In hopes to open yours

a bit of NEWS and some mail art

2011-10-25T16:22:00.000-05:00

I have just returned from teaching at Serendipity and i discovered the beauty of magic moments. (more on this very soon)

fab mail art that i received while i was away:

the pink, the red, the stitches.....

the words peeking from behind tissue and papers.

JUST DIVINE!

from the talented Vikki

nostalgia at its best.....

layers and layers of sepias and orange

a teeny touch of turquoise in all the right places

mail art from the Fabulous Karen

juicy collage

playful purple

remarkable layering!

this gorgeous atc original

mail art is from the talented Martice

Thank you Martice, Karen and Vikki.......what gorgeous works of art you made. (your mail art pieces from me are going out today or in the morning)

ok.....so for news time.................

a new business opportunity is in the inner-workings of my brain. i am letting it simmer for now. a couple steps in the direction have been made. it has been a passion of mine since i was a little girl and i think the more i visit that child, her heart is telling me to make this leap. i'm not sure where this will end up so i don't want to reveal anything too soon. i'm guessing months will pass until anything is seen of it. but i will tell you that i will continue to make art........and that this new venture will incorporate my art in it. almost like an extension of my art. of me.

so due to this news, I am closing my mail art exchange program for now. i know that i had previously announced that i would resume the exchange in November (so if you've sent things in to me already...don't worry i will honor your mail and you will receive a return mail piece from me.) thank you for everyone that participated. it was a dream of mine inspired by the late Ray Johnson to make mail art and send it into the world.

i heart you all BIG time!

a little mail art and next adventure

2011-10-17T16:53:00.001-05:00

I am in the midst of scurrying around packing and getting ready for Serendipity. I am so excited to see some wonderful friends and to bask in the light of the moon on the beach. I am teaching two workshops called Magic Muse and Full Spectrum Story. I have fallen hard for teaching! It feels natural......i'm not nervous and so far has been the most rewarding practice since i first started painting. I love sharing this bit of myself and the fun techniques that incorporate painting messy with our hands and using words and paper as background patterns. carefree and alive......!!

here are some photos i took last year in nags head....

this is the moon folks!! certainly serendipitous that there

was this huge moon last year over the water....

(a bit of a back story......i had an epiphany that i wanted to

start painting when i saw the moon over the water on

the west coast back in 2005)

it really doesn't get much better than this!!!

I'll post lots of photos when i return. me and this girl have a date with a camera. (we did

a trade of a painting from me for a photo shoot with her...so excited!!)

and perhaps a little margarita too!

also i wanted to leave you with a couple mail art pieces:

mail art from Tina Gilmore

i adore the intricate line drawings on the envelope

and the little pin is to die for....and we haven't even talked

about the painting....wow!!! so so wonderful and even matted too

thank you tina!!

mail art from Rachel Rydel

I have had a huge art crush on rachel for months now

and i received this beautiful little book just in time for halloween.

i just squealed when i saw it wrapped in those darling

glassine bags topped off with a pin. this will

most certainly go under my Nightmare before Christmas Tree.

Thank you Rachel and Tina for your amazing talents. your mail art is headed your way right now.

I will be resuming my mail art exchange in November so get out your pens, paints, thread, or whatever

and send me some art to be featured on my blog.

here is my mailing address again:

Mindy Lacefield

123 Detonti Drive

Maumelle, AR 72113

Create Magic

2011-10-12T07:09:00.001-05:00

Liz has a special thing about her retreats........there is a real connection fostered with the workshops, the people, and Liz herself. She makes you feel at home. (home was a recurring word and theme at this retreat.) and the people i met there connected instantly. it didn't take us long before we were gathered in a circle laughing and sharing stories. it truly was magic.

i was honored to teach for the very first time here at this retreat. and it only seems fitting that this is the retreat i would do it with since i attended my first be present retreat back in 2009. i didn't know what to expect.....but i didn't expect the kindred souls that i would soon call my sisters.

sometimes its hard to articulate in words what the experience holds for me in my heart and how it deeply affected my soul.....

we met at a log cabin filled with..............
heart strings
quilts
cozy tea
bouncy balls
photo props
accessible words
warm spirits
belly laughing
walks in the woods
capturing jumps
laughing more
wine
painting to music downstairs
crying together

these are the things i hold dear.............

words as layers....by JoJo Blondal

i love you Liz, Vivienne, Kelly, Danielle, Jojo, Celina, Melissa, Angel, Eileen, Janna, and Valerie!!!

Mail Art Monday

2011-10-10T13:24:00.001-05:00

I'm still receiving the most beautiful mail art!!!

i have just returned from being filled up with love and teaching at Create Magic (a be present retreat) which by the way, was just featured in Mingle. let me tell you, the people you meet and the magic you create will go on to enrich and change your life forever. i'm a walking testament. (more on Create Magic tomorrow)

here are the lovely, beautiful, amazing pieces of art i received while i was gone:

mail art from the fabulous Tammy McGee

i love the dreamy blues and greens! and the words

showing through make my eyes dance with joy!!

bravo dear girl....

mail art from Mary Ann Mariano

wow!!! just wow. this amazing art quilt is just so exquisite!

and the stitched envelope..... my heart can't take much more goodness.

mail art from Sophie De Cort

coming all the way from Dubai! i love the blue pom poms and

the stitched book tells a story of layered goodness....

happy. ponder. make.

yes!!

mail art from Kathie Vezzani

i love the hand carved flower buds and the

whimsical, loose face. just absolutely breathtaking!!

mail art from Tina Amaro

the envelope is such eye candy with sweet paper collaged pieces.

i am bowled over by the chunky goodness of this canvas.

just so amazing! colors are spot on!!

mail art from Tina Deschenie

i love the textures, the collaged note (be still my heart!)

yes, "support the postal service". i love that you said that!!

i think by doing good for others with this circle of love, we are

helping the very ones who deliver it.

xoxo!!

mail art from Jennifer Taylor

oh these blues and oranges make my heart flutter

with happiness! everything down to the envelope makes

me want to hug the sky! love this.....xo

mail art by Sarah Waterfield

oh my!! what wonderfullness this package holds!

i love the angel. the christmas fellow (or gal)

i am continued to be blown away!!

well, there they are folks. don't they just make your eyes dance with joy?!?! i am so honored to have you all featured here and will send those folks art very soon (for the ones i haven't already done so)

you guys rock!! what an amazing circle of love and life we are sharing. my heart is so full!!

thanks so much for participating!!

min

Mail Art monday

2011-10-02T14:14:00.000-05:00

Monday rolls around so fast! mondays are pretty much my favorite day of the week. It used to be the my worst when i worked at a job i hated. and it gets even better with these lovely mail art offerings i have to share with you today.

here is the awesome lineup:

Mail art from Bonita Rose

i love the delicious red and black envelope

and the textures in this sweet piece delight my heart.

mail art from Brooke Butler

oh wow, what exquisite brush work!

i love the envelope too. just so divine dear girl.

mail art from Cameron Reutzel

i love this little painting! such sweet friends sleeping beside one another

i love how she added a gorgeous ribbon for easy hanging. brilliant!

i may have to start doing this to my canvas panels.

mail art from Ludgera Worms

i adore the shape and size of this mail piece.

she mailed this just like it is presented here with an address

on the other side. i love the colors and the collage elements. beautiful!!

(and Ludgera told me she is taking on of my classes at Artfest. can't wait!!)

mail art from Annie Hooten

i adore the pe work on this amazingly colored

mail piece. just gorgeous soft mixed with bold. wow, wow!!

be still my heart.

Thank you all so very much for participating! i continue to be blown away at all the beautiful work that graces my mailbox!

Brooke and Bonita, I sent your mail art to you a couple days ago. And Annie, Ludgera, and Cameron...yours will be mailed today.

I think for the month of October, I'm going to have to put a "pause" on the project. I think i will have 1 or 2 mail art monday posts because i'm going to be teaching in Seattle oct 4-9.....here. and in NC Oct 19-23.....here. (by the way, there are still spots available at Serendipity. its never too late to join the fun!)

......and then locally i'll be teaching an evening class HERE

I may not be able to return a mail piece to you for the month of October so just wanted all of you to know. Keep sending them in though, and i'll still feature you here on my blog.

thanks again for your lovely words and encouragement for this project. it has been so fun!

here again is my address if you want to participate:

Mindy Lacefield

123 Detonti Drive

Maumelle, AR 72113

Once upon a time

2011-09-28T10:51:00.003-05:00

If you read my last post, then you know that the beautiful Ginnifer Goodwin bought my snow white painting and that she had a request from a certain cast mate to paint Prince Charming. Of course I did a double "squeal" quietly to myself and said YES! yes!!! so as I searched for reference material to paint the Prince, I came across these beautiful stills from the Show. This is Once Upon a Time. and i'm so excited for it to start. set your dvr's folks. i know its gonna be brilliant. Welcome to Storybrooke! (starts oct 24th)

the charming and handsome, Josh Dallas

the kiss that can awaken beauty and release evil spells! (love this)

my rendition of Prince Charming

DisneyLand trip and the fairest of them all!!!

2011-09-24T10:29:00.000-05:00

Thursday night we arrived back home from our LA trip to DisneyLand and the Tim Burton exhibit at Lacma.

We normally go to Disney World every year this time to hit EPCOT's food and wine festival and to see all the amazing Halloween decor. But the Land did NOT disappoint! here are some photos of the trip. if you follow me on facebook....you may have seen these photos.

when we check into our hotel....we open the curtains to this spectacular view.

view of Disney's Califonia Adventure park

we watched the world of Color show from our

window the first night.

the first full day, we visit laguna beach.
a cool, foggy morning but still so breathtaking
(and on this trip Tim and I celebrated our 15th wedding
anniversary. time sure flies!)

when we are strolling through Downtown Disney, we

spot these darling Jack carmel apples being made.

This is the Tim Burton exhibit entrance. this was the
only thing we were able to take photos of.
the exhibit was AWESOME....chock full of Tim's
concept drawings, paintings, little scribbles and some
neat stuff like things he'd written in high school and a funny
letter to Johnny Depp.

famous light post sculpture at Lacma entrance

Pier at Disney's California Adventure Park

Tim and I both did the Disney's Animation Academy class
at California park. of course i had to do my own little
tinker bell drawing off to the side.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle

OMG.....the haunted mansion is all decorated up for Halloween!!!
Jack Skellington greets you atop the entrance. we rode it 3 times
a VAST improvement of the normal mansion. they pulled out ALL the stops.
new vincent price track as you go through the mansion,
lots of snow, presents, and candy canes.

so this is when you sit in your buggy. all blacklit and breathtaking.
this is a must see times 3!!!

a few weeks ago, i received an order from none other than
Ginnifer Goodwin for this snow white painting!!! I even mailed it
to the "Once upon a time" set that is going to air on abc
next month. oct 23rd i believe.

I also sent her this pendant so that she could carry her
painting around with her. She has since emailed me
wondering about a Prince Charming painting. and of course
i did another ^squeal^......how much fun. i love doing disney characters
and to do them for these actors has me really blushing. (and doing back flips!!)

Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White

Mail art love

2011-09-23T12:41:00.001-05:00

I just returned from a trip to Anaheim and LA after visiting DisneyLand and the awesome Tim Burton exhibit. it was all so very inspiring!!

well i arrived home last night with a mailbox full of beautiful mail art!!! you guys,,,,,!! you are continuing to blow me away! yes indeed.....

here are the latest pieces:

art by Tammy McGee

wow!! a little owl sculpture. so intricate and colorful

with matching tissue paper and darling little note.

you have totally outdone yourself dear girl!

a closeup shot of the owl......precious!!

mail art by Dani Harvey

oh these sweet,awesome bunnies. they make my heart go pitter.patter

and yes Dani, YOU ARE an ARTIST. go girl!

this is beautiful work. I am so proud to be an owner of your work!

mail art by Sabrina Luna

I love that they are made on recycled materials.

just awesome textures and so much love put into these.

bravo sweet girl!

mail art by Sandra Granthon

what a beautiful girl atc....and such words to live by..."my mind danced with great spirit"

and i adore the cupcake envelope. just absolutely stunning dear girl!

mail art earrings by Jennifer Valentine of Sacred Cake

the packaging, the note, the box, the earrings.....

my heart just skipped a beat...!!! such eye candy.

thank you dear girl.

Mail art by MaryAnn McNicholas
I love the girls and the beautiful textures and colors.
great job MaryAnn!!

mail art by Sunshine Barlowe
I LOVE love birds and these yellows and aquas
combined with soft grays are to die for!! awesome

Thanks again for another beautiful mailbox filled with art!!!

I will send out my mail art to Sandra, Tammy, Dani, MaryAnn, and Sabrina in a few short days.

MAIL Art monday comes early!

2011-09-16T15:03:00.001-05:00

Mail art monday has come early......because i am leaving town on sunday morning headed for DisneyLand and to see the Tim Burton exhibit. i know that i will come back all inspired and ready to paint again....

my mailbox has been so so happy you guys.....and SO HAVE i!!! i am still being blown away at the creativity and beautiful art that has graced the old tattered mailbox lately (the mailbox door has broken off...yikes)

you guys have out done yourselves again!!! (and no, .....no complaints from me)

here are last weeks gatherings:

mail art by Tonya Turvold

I love the crimsons, browns, and pinks.

those little wings and face are so darn cute!!

Mail art by Jonna Barnett

oh how i love birds and he has truly captured my heart!!

beautiful

mail art by Susana Tavares

this stitched wonderfulness has textures

abounding. absolutely stunning!

mail art by Linda Abbott

my heart goes pitter.patter over aquas and yellows

and these featured friends are going to send me over the edge!!

love. love.

Hey, did you guys notice a theme here......?!? birds and/or wings. so so amazing isn't it. the universe is saying something i think!

Linda, your mail art is going out today....

and the other ladies, i believe you should all be getting or have yours very soon (they have been sent)

more mail art

2011-09-14T14:37:00.002-05:00

Ok guys......my mailbox has been filled to the brim with beautiful art. I am so excited and thrilled with all the amazing art i'm getting. I decided to do another post because i have lots of art to feature here. so fun!!

love these warm colors

mail art by Magda Polakow

gorgeous layers and imagery!!

mail art by Katie Cisek

I love how Kathie just painted on a canvas

board and then just addressed the back....brilliant!!

awesome expressive mail art and painted envelope.

gorgeous textures and color!!

by Micki Wilde

stitched goodness - mail art by Kim Dubay

beautifully tactile and lots of yummy handwriting on the envelope.

just so lovely!!

i'm a huge fan! i love the pastel colors

mixed with the "magic crown" in black.

breathtaking!!
mail art by Harmony Lenasbunt

Micki and Kim, i sent your mail art out to you yesterday so keep an eye out in your mailbox..... :-)

Magda and Katie, i will send yours out to you tomorrow.....

(and christy, i believe you already have yours.)

thanks so much ladies......!!! these pieces of art are so beautiful and inspiring. I am so proud and honored that you participated in this little project.

If you haven't sent yours in yet, do not fret......there is no cutoff time (as of yet). just know that i will be sending sporadically MY mail art back out to you in the month of October. I have a craft show, 2 retreats, and one local workshop that i'm doing all next month. i foresee my favorite month of the year will past fast.

here again is my mailing address:

Mindy Lacefield

123 Detonti Drive

Maumelle, AR 72113

Mail Art Monday!

2011-09-12T11:26:00.001-05:00

So, I've decided to feature the mail art I receive on mondays on my Blog. I'm so so excited about this little project because what i'm seeing so far has blown me away. Here are the first pieces of work that landed in my mailbox over the past week..................

from Nina Cunningham

by Renee Stien

from Gail Stoughton

created with business envelope, paper, arcylic, and stabilo

Thank you 3 for playing and participating in my project. Gail and Renee, I will post your mail art to you very soon.

and if you want to participate just send a piece of mail art to me at:

Mindy Lacefield

123 Detonti Drive

Maumelle, AR 72113

and if you want to be featured here on my blog please included your website so i can link back to you.

Work in progress

2011-09-07T09:40:00.003-05:00

I have been working on some paintings to take to Gallery 26. I haven't worked this big in a while. and by big i mean 14"x18" which is not huge but quiet a nice diversion from the tiny canvas i normally work on.

These are the paintings at a couple different stages. Its only about 1/2 complete at this point:

Call for mail art!!

2011-09-02T11:24:00.000-05:00

I put a call out to the Magically Mixed media fan page on facebook to participate in a little trading of mail art. I'm so so excited about this. I am asking anyone who is interested in sending me your mail art. you can send it to:

Mindy Lacefield

123 Detonti Drive

Maumelle, AR 72113

and i'll send you one back!

the premise is very easy. there are no rules. only to have fun, no stress, and be yourself.

the mail art pieces that i'm sending out are simple paintings made on a cheap substrate - chipboard. nothing special, just quick and easy. this is the fun about mail art to do quick sketches, drawings, paintings, or collage and not have to worry about messing up an expensive canvas. just let LOOSE!!

you can send small standard envelopes with a little collage or painting or drawing (whatever you want and feel most comfortable doing) or you can do something on one side of a postcard and send it along. your options are limitless. if you work with fabric, you can stitch till your heart is content. just do what you LOVE. this is not a competition nor does it have to be elaborate. just a fun, relaxed quick piece of art.

i may be featuring the mail art i receive in a blog post sometime in the near future.

here are some wonderful places to get inspiration:

How to draw a bunny

Good mail day

here are some examples of the mail art i'll be sending out:

Envelopes:

small chipboard paintings

everything together

my studio floor yesterday!!!

and my sleeping assistant at my feet, this is Dudley

I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!!! have fun

Giveaway!!!

2011-08-30T09:56:00.000-05:00

I am over at Talk2thetrees doing a giveaway. Head over there now to see how you can enter.

Check out Rachael's esty shops. She makes these beautiful amazing hats, art, jewelry, paintings.

hats Jewelry art

Hold a moment.

2011-08-28T13:59:00.000-05:00

Streams of fish trickle over toes
eyes raise sun-ward and sounds of quiet fill my heart.
red rock towers humbly complimenting the blue sky.
Air and water unite as i stretch to embrace,
receiving,
saying yes to life

fluid hearts stacked in unison holding the energy.
kinetic, yet powerful
ending with an impromptu urge to leap
yes jump!
the cold water applauding a visiting light
Holding, believing and sending rushes
there to hold a moment.

dedicated to my scarf sister and "kick-ass" friend, Serena, and all my other lovelies from SPACE who knows a little more to this story of jumping. i love you all so much. you inspire me to the ends of the earth.

holding close

2011-08-24T16:32:00.003-05:00

In 2009, i found my tribe. the people who i connect with. the folks that i've felt i've known forever even after just meeting them. from that point forward i started to know and feel what a real friendship is even though we live hundreds or even thousands of miles apart. you know who you are. what a remarkable transition in my life. these women. they are there for me.

funny thing, since that fall and the couple years since.... the meaning of true friendship as really put in perspective those relationships that i've held onto and who i thought were friends. i believe we go through transitions and people move in and out of your life. but i've got to say i know exactly who is in my corner now. and i'm blessed to know you!

Bluebird, you know my deepest dreams.........

photo by - Kate Daniel

photo credit - carissa paige

photo - Lisa Parks

photo credit - Jinny

photo credit - Jennifer Belthoff

photo credit - Donna Wynn

(my girl Kolleen told me her fav ryan bingham song is bluebird and if you listen to the lyrics what a beautiful message it holds) my blue bird can fly as far as I can seeMy bluebird has everything I need

my bluebird knows my deepest desires,my bluebird will catch me just before the fire.
my bluebird wing can fly above it all,
My bluebird will help me stand and be strong,
my bluebird will never beg upon a knee,
my bluebird knows I need to believe You are all my bluebirds, my sweet friends. and i hold you so close to my heart!

Shop Update!

2011-08-22T12:13:00.000-05:00

Shop update begins tomorrow (TUES) - 11:00 am central time

New work and kid paint time

2011-08-18T15:36:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share with you some new pretties that i've been working on:

And i wanted to tell you what fun i had painting with my two nieces, Mackenzie (7) and Morgan (10). here are some photos of the wonderful time i had with them.

mackenzie grace

Morgan Dawn

painting table mess

Oh what fun we had. this little painting session with them was so fun and i think i learned more from them than they learned from me. they really make me proud!

Create Magic

2011-08-14T15:54:00.001-05:00

Create Magic - click here to register. we still have a few spots left!

My most creative days when I was a kid were those days that it rained. Forts were built, games were made up from scratch and books got filled with color and drawings. Those days allowed me to be creative in whole new realms. We will touch on that nostalgia of creating by working with collage, paint, and words in our journal. It is here that you are free to create without limits....to expose what inspires us most. Are you inspired by poems?......by the full moon?......words from a book.....or certain feelings toward a friend? We will lay it all out while working quickly and without stress. To simply do, rather than think too much. Throw away the plans and paint from the heart!

Join us near Puget sound this fall!

I'm back!

2011-08-11T23:10:00.002-05:00

goodbye squarespace. i'm sorry, i've missed blogger too darn much. I will update the site with workshop links very soon....so stay tuned!

back to blogger? and some new drawings......

2011-07-19T10:16:00.001-05:00

I am thinking of returning to blogger to house my blog again. I feel like squarespace is good for web hosting but seems to get lost in the blog world. what do you guys think?

I've been pondering this for months now......

btw here are some drawings that have been keeping me busy over the past week or so. inspired by the amazing Tim Burton. go here to get your awesome Tim Burton art book.

photo credit - steele publishing

here are some new drawings:

yesterday, we booked a trip to LA to go to Disney Land and visit the new Tim Burton exhibit. Our initial plan was to go to Disney World like we always do in the fall, but since i found out about the burton exhibit i could not stay away.

have a great week you guys. stay cool! (even the northern states are in sauna-like temps)

xo, mindy

Come follow me!

2010-07-01T14:07:00.000-05:00

on my new website

book news is here! and a sneak peek of the cover.

New blog. new website

2010-06-21T13:44:00.001-05:00

happy summer everyone!

i just launched my website and my blog has moved.
follow me here:

this is my new website
www.timssally.com

love ya'll!!

Shop update

2010-06-16T11:16:00.000-05:00

go ahead, fly.....available here

Happy Wednesday guys! wow, what a last couple of weeks. I wanted to let you know that I have updated the shop with some small fun paintings.

And to tell you i'm almost finished with the book......I have decided on Hinkle's Hunch for the title. After I let my mom read it to me out loud as I flipped through the illustrations for her, I realized that I needed one more illustration towards the beginning. I am so loving the process! I still have not decided on the publisher.....blurb or lulu.....my quandary is this.....i believe lulu is the one that you can use to sell your book on amazon. but i have heard so many good things about blurb. does anyone know if blurb will publish it for you to sell on amazon? I LOVE blurb's book layout software and have been tinkering with it for the last few days. its awesome!

I have also been working on a website and its pretty much finished. I still need to work it out a little. I am also considering using big cartel as my shop. I am certainly not ready to give up my etsy shop yet so I may put this on hold. I will "launch" my website in a week or two. I am so excited and have been so inspired on KRR's flying lessons.... this is just what I needed to get my butt in gear.

I just found out that 2 of my favorite artist's are holding e-courses of their own: mati rose and claudine hellmuth....OMG.....cannot wait!!!

take care guys....!

xoxo

lift

2010-06-11T09:51:00.004-05:00

So I have been totally immersed in Kelly Rae's flying lessons e-course.....gobbling up every juicy tidbit. The first thing she said was to get the journal out and begin stating fears, goals, etc. I did just that and when i opened it up, i saw a poem i wrote several months back. i think it was written around february right after i returned from An Artful Journey. at that moment i had looked out my window at our large post oak tree ....bare from the harsh winter and noticed a limb. something special, vulnerable, and unsuspecting.....

I immediately saw the support structure in my life and i dedicate this poem to my unearth and artful journey sisters.

I would like to preface this by saying that right after i wrote this poem and read it back, i wasn't very pleased. but after letting it sit and almost forgetting about it.....i read it with new eyes, without being as judgemental. i was fearful about posting this but feel its time to face that fear and persist.

Lift

A limb dangles from a branch

She is blowing in the wind

unaware that she is not one with the tree

the other branches are there

supporting her

holding tight

a bird alights, and leaves again

once holding birds of her own,

the limb longs for the connection

her weary bark wears down

yet they hold onto her

buds appear

she realizes she is different

then leaves grow

and they continue to nurture her

they dig down

rooted from the trunk

and the soil beneath

the fragrance of sunshine warms the air

the tree breathes it in

and once more they lift her up

photo by Rachael

check out her blog

I found Rachael by going to etsy's shop locator and typed in Little Rock. She makes these adorable hats, headbands, and legwarmers. We are already making plans for visiting exhibits and other fun arty things. I challenge you to reach out to an artist near you...

I'm hoping to build a local community of arty friends in hopes to capture some of the magic that happened at the amazing art retreats.

5 things you may not know about me......

2010-06-08T11:52:00.000-05:00

Kelly Rae has been inspiring me so much lately over on her flying lessons e-course. one of the things she suggested was to have fun things like giveaways, challenges, and lists on our blogs and thought i'd do a "5 things you may not know about me"....... and i thought i'd do it in pictures.

1.)

I am completely obsessed with dolls! esp strawberry shortcake.

(thankfully, i have since moved these into what i call my "doll closet")

2.)

My favorite pixar movie is "Monster's inc"

3.)

I got my MBA in 2002

(never used it but hey....got it nevertheless)

4.)

I worked at MAC

(me and a fellow artist at MAC basic training in Austin, TX)

5.)

I played college baskeball at Harding University

(this is actually a high school state tourney pic circa 1992)

......look at those bangs!! #13

the book

2010-06-04T14:37:00.000-05:00

i have been working on some things for my book this week. i can't really believe i'm saying that!! its going to be a children's book but readability for adults or young adults 10 and older. i found it very difficult to have simple words with a deep meaning. this book is based on a bunny we used to have.....we called him rare-bit....weird and a little funny, i know! that was what my step-dad called him. one day he went missing and we found out that he had went through a little door underneath our house. so its definitely, semi-based on a true story. my little story embellishes his adventures and what he learns about himself through them.

I have decided to publish the book myself through Lulu. i haven't the foggiest of how to contact publishers and even which ones to approach. i want to do this so badly that i can't handle rejection right now. maybe later on, i'll approach someone or publisher but for now, i want the experience and joy of this first book to be on my own time and terms.....

here is an excerpt:
"it was much cooler inside the little door and very damp. as he scanned the dark floor he saw a tiny light off in the distance. he lifted up to his hind feet with the help of his full, fluffy tail for balance and he writhed his little front feet in eager anticipation. his nose twitched, and he set off towards the light."

i am at a loss for a title. i don't know if i want to call the bunny rarebit or hinkle.....
i definitely have some kinks to work out but the writing is 99% done....now the editing....and even more fun part, painting.

I wanted to share with you some of the painted backgrounds for the book. they were fun and spontaneous and FAST....i enjoyed that part a bit....working quickly and haphazardly.....

have a great weekend everyone! i will share bits and pieces of this project along the way.

Bunnies and a video

2010-06-01T19:22:00.000-05:00

well after being totally inspired by Kelly Rae's flight lessons....i finally dusted off the journal. i wrote some fears. i wrote some goals. one is huge and i don't know if it will ever happen and i'm not quite ready to share the big one yet....BUT....

i did start writing my story.....you see my goal has been to start writing and illustrating a children's book. i think the hardest part is just saying "i'm starting this!!!" its about a bunny that aspires to more than his life in an abandoned, run-down chicken coop and the many adventures that come after his owner leaves the door open to his tiny, cramped cage.

i've also been spending time doing these videos and adding music by larkin poe. it just makes me smile when i put the 2 together....my paint, their music.

a trade with harmony

2010-06-01T14:54:00.000-05:00

The most wonderful package came today!!! i traded with Harmony for this beautiful necklace and AMAZING original journal. go check out her stuff. she is a true delight and am so glad that our paths crossed.....

the packaging was so darn cute...
thank you so much sweet harmony.....
love ya!!

Assessing fears, pushing the perimeter, and kelly rae's ecourse

2010-05-31T21:17:00.001-05:00

speaking of fears is really a fear in itself....no?

i am taking Kelly Rae's e-course for the next 5 weeks. and already she has given me courage to even talk about my fears and stating my goals out loud. i tend to keep my goals in the under dwellings of my soul. they are there but who am i to share them with the world? i fear if i do, i will most certainly not obtain them. why does my psyche operate this way? i'm sure others feel this too.....and its got a powerful hold over me.

kelly rae has so gently led us push the perimeter further and toe the line with our fears one at a time. she also stated that this may take some time and i can appreciate that. it doesn't happen overnight. she is so wise. i admire her openness and nurturing spirit.

something about that girl in me long ago, is struggling to be freed. i always felt, as a child, i was a big dreamer. maybe that is why i am revisiting that child as often as i can to gain access to being fearless once again. over the weekend, i had the opportunity to visit with family and they shared something i had never seen.......me on 8mm film. i was 8 or 9. we were in my granny's backyard next to the clothesline. she had bought a watermelon and everyone was anxiously awaiting a visit from our relatives during the summer. and all of a sudden....there was that girl. someone in the group said there you are!! and i was like wait...."what?!?" i entered the screen riding on my banana seat big-handle-bar bike, dismounted like a pro without stopping the bike and gave the camera a huge cheesy grin. i had on red and yellow sneakers to go with my red shorts, and black tube socks. i thought i was something!!...ha! i then proceeded to take a bite of watermelon and spit the seeds at my cousin, Shawn who was a couple years older than me.......

i then thought to myself, i sure was a go-getter and not afraid of anything!!! i then began to think, why can't i be as fearless as i once was? is it because real life gets in the way? is it because, "you can't get a job majoring in art, so you better major in something practical so that you can get a real job"...??

after graduating college my gears started to shift....i felt like there was something that i would be doing, a business that i would lead myself, but i didn't know what it was. were they not there all along? i think so. i remembering visiting the art gallery in college and thinking "i would so do this if i could make a living doing it" i was afraid of course. afraid of failure.

and here i am today, living my dream of being a full-time artist for the past 2 years. i am content, yet i'm afraid to share with you my goals and new fears as an artist. they are personal. kelly rae says that once you say them out loud, they aren't as hard to face. and i will do it but it will take a bit of time. and it isn't that i'm not happy, but striving for more has always been in blood. i think i'll take baby steps (as she suggested) and continue on from there.

me at five (and my cheesy grin)

you, the blues, and finding light again

2010-05-27T08:58:00.000-05:00

I have not posted here in a while. I struggle when it comes to finding the right words when things are not rosy. My grandpa has been in the hospital the couple of weeks. He had a five bypass heart surgery and has been in rehab the last couple of days to gain his strength. He actually isn't my grandpa but he's been married to my grandma for the past 11 years. His name is Noal Cranford. And he's been really the only grandpa figure in my life besides my grandma's 2nd husband, Dwayne who passed away 13 years ago. Isn't it amazing who you consider family? Sometimes family is not by blood, indeed.

I am once inspired by Jennifer's words of late. To be you!

As I sit here today, I am renewed by her words. I have been feeling a bit of the blahs (or the blues as i like to call it). I couldn't pin-point it. I don't know what happened the last few days....i don't know if it was all the hospital visits that left me drained, recently getting sick myself, or if its a feeling of not being able to get out and run as much as I'm used to.......but something was there. the thought of getting in the studio felt like "work".....i wasn't looking forward to it. it was as if it was too tasking of a thought to create. Thankfully, the blahs only lasted about a week. Yesterday, i had a bit of resurgence and today even more magic was sent rushing through me with the uplifting words by Jennifer. Its not the first time that she has touched my soul and sent light just when darkness was starting to cloud me.

other bursts of light that seemed to brighten me up were seeing my grandpa walk and ride the bike today and doing an encaustic demo last night. funny how the universe has a way of balancing you. and yesterday.....well yesterday i "forced" myself to go into the studio. and i said i would just sit there if that was all that i did. well i didn't just sit there.....i painted, i felt renewed. and today i feel i've "snapped out of it". i feel normal again. back to my bubbly "wanttopaint" self.

here is my first painting video. i did this painting in roughly 15 minutes. a learning experience.....most definitely. i am still trying to find the perfect video editing software that can "speed up" the video......

15min painting from mindy lacefield on Vimeo.

the music is by larkin poe. they are brillant. and i have had the awesome opportunity to paint their spring, summer, and upcoming fall and winter cd covers.....holy moses, that makes me happy. if i could put music to my paintings, it would be them. I guess they felt the same way...vice/versa.....:-) but it totally works....yeah?!?

and i am so excited to show you the image of the spring cd cover art!!!

from larkinpoe.com "Larkin Poe: the name of our great-great-great-grandfather; a man who survives in the memories and hearts of succeeding generations; a legend, a tall tale, a truly everlasting story. Just the thing that we hope to become."

Family

2010-05-14T11:27:00.001-05:00

my unearth/unfurl family -

I just found out that a reunion is in order for november!!! i'm so darn happy and excited. i feel i have drawn even closer to everyone so much even after we said our tear-filled goodbyes. i think a wonderful seed was planted there on that oregon coast. and that's really all it took, didn't it? connections so strong i most certainly call them my family. There was so much love (thanks viv for the photo)

....words cannot describe.

photo by kelly barton

so now lets

photo by kate daniel

and let that seed unfurl

Photo credit: Jennifer Belthoff

A huge special thanks to Danielle

photo by Valerie Tookes

and Liz

photo by Kirsten Mead

for getting us back together. I love the message of unfurl and i love you guys!!!

photo by: Patty Waite

Sara's Snowbird

2010-05-03T13:46:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, someone sent me a photo of the cutest baby snowbird and i immediately had the desire to paint him. he spoke to me of innocence and charm. after i finished the painting, i kept going back and re-visiting this little guy and adding simple touches and a little wax for texture. i knew that he was special and that i was so drawn to this bird not only because i was inspired by the photo but that it brought me something that i could not yet put my finger on. one day, as i strolled into my studio after a run, i immediately thought of Sara.

Sara was a flight attendant on flight 11 on 9-11. This was the first plane to crash into the north tower.

Sara and I ran track together in our hometown of Batesville, AR and we ran on the same relay team together (the 800 meter relay) I remember how brilliantly fast she was and totally admired her quiet confidence and poise. She was a cheerleader and I a basketball player........i had a friend describe Sara as one of those cheerleaders that didn't run out of the way when a loose basketball came hurdling in at her. Sara was an amazing runner and the most beautiful person inside and out. I will never forget the time when Sara and I were warming up for a race in the infield of the track and i expressed how nervous and unsure i was of myself and she looked me straight in the eye and simply said, "Mindy, there is no reason you should be nervous! you are gonna do awesome!" It was a simple statement, but when i saw that look in her eye of the confidence she saw in me, i started to believe it myself. I remember her smile and that day like it was yesterday.

50 percent of the proceeds of this print will go to the Independence county humane society (in batesville). you see Sara had a real love of all animals, as do i so i found it only fitting to give to those animals that are in need.

The Sara Low Pin came about in 2004 through the Family Assistance Foundation and is worn all over the world by military, flight attendants, and other people that want to remember.

That day upon returning from that run, in that snowbird painting, i saw this pin. The soft blues and whites and knew that the Low family would own the original. I had been wanting to paint something for them for a while, but I didn't know how to express my feelings of sympathy to them through paint. keep your hearts open. you never know where inspiration will take you. i didn't realize or expect it....i just knew that i was drawn to him.

A lovely sweet customer of mine, Melanie sent me this photo. Thank you Melanie!
(source of the photo is here)

Sara Elizabeth Low - American Airlines flight attendant

Every September, we run for and in memory at the Sara Low Memorial 5k. Click on the link if you are interested in participating in the 4th annual 5k. This year it will be held on Sat, September 11th at the Batesville High School. A memorial is held at 7:40 promptly followed by the starting gun of the race. The 5k course is much of what Sara and I trained on as a precursor to track season and is a challenging, hilly course full of character......one that exemplifies Sara's tenacity, charm, and wit. The course ends with an ascent of a most challenging hill and then to cross the finish line on the track while BHS cheerleaders and awesome Band cheer you to the finish. One aspect i love about this race is that as you climb that last hill, you can hear the band in the distance and it gives you new wings.........................................................and i suspect i know the reason why.

I love you Sara.

Somerset Studios

2010-04-28T13:47:00.002-05:00

Well, it arrived in my mailbox last week and I have been ecstatic ever since. Thank you so much Chrissy for showing so much love on your blog! You have totally captured my heart. I'm sitting here envisioning how you found it at your local shop and I can imagine the smiles, cheers, and squeals. you captured that moment for me and i am so truly grateful that you shared that with me and everyone else.

I also want to thank Gloria and Lori.......as we sat at our little cottage in manzanita, oregon.....we decided to paint. (you see, we had free time on our hands and Lori suggested we grab some of the paint Kelly Rae so generously let us use during the retreat and have a mini paint party) We covered the kitchen table and began to paint. That time with them was some of the most memorable and magical moments......we laughed, we had tea, and we got a little messy. As we were painting, I remember Gloria talking about Somerset and how she adored the publication and she looked at me and it you could see that light bulb reflex.....she said "oh my gosh, mindy you have to send them your stuff".....she said when you send it in even paint the outside of the box with one of your girls or birds.

And Lori said, yes the world needs to see your stuff....(which totally made me blush because i never thought of my work in this way)

Of course, I was apprehensive and nervous about sending in my work, but i thought what the heck......and when i returned from oregon i got busy and decided to send them 4 paintings, a wristlet, and a rag doll. (news on the doll coming soon!)

After sending it in and waiting, I got the word and they had asked me to write this article.......and Lori was so graciously willing to proof my writing and give me some very helpful pointers. thank you so much!!!
I never, ever would of even considered sending in my work but with the support and love of others, your dreams can seem more attainable. thank you gloria and lori! love you both :-)

and Chrissy!! i love you to pieces. She is speaking on contentment at a womens conference and i'm so flippin' excited for her. its coming soon in may go here to see more about Chrissy's journey through art, love, motherhood, friends, and contentment. i so wish i could be there to see the women's faces when Chrissy walks in that room and the light that she will shine on them.

if you have ever thought or are thinking about going to a retreat, whether it be art or photography or whatever your interests, do it! you will be glad. the direction my life is going now after going to two retreats and meeting the most wonderful community who i now call my closest friends, has deeply enriched my life. there are people out there like you. There are people from Canada who you wish were closer (that's you viv and danielle) who could make your heart pitter.patter over liquid candy paint colors.......(and you missy munday).......and there are people who live one state over in south texas (and you Amy!) that you know will be lifetime friends. and those that touch you deeply with a poem and you begin to open up and become inspired by your childhood all over again (my talented writer friend, Jennifer)

Yes, I have found you and i know there will be more relationships develop because of this artistic route i've chosen.....and its a true gift and blessing to have each one of you in my life.

My family and nwa boutique show

2010-04-19T10:31:00.001-05:00

This past Saturday, I attended the northwest arkansas boutique show. We had a lovely time with the best part of it was seeing my family. My cousins, Dallas (red shirt) and Jesse and his wife Sarah.....and their boys Caleb and Evan. I'm holding Evan. I used to spend a couple of weeks each summer in springdale when i was a kid. I'm so thankful for those times and the memories that was shared with dal and jess. We laughed about old times......

i remember distinctly getting stuck in the dryer when we played hide and seek. unfortunately, i had to give away my spot when i realized i needed help getting out!!!....lol.....we played endless atari and nintendo games and slept till noon every day. i remember one night jesse and i stayed up ALL night watching the fletch series. on one of our trips we went to a wilderness drive through safari. the kids had to ride in the back of dad's truck which had a camper hutch. we through open the back door and watched the animals as we drove by. as we drove by slowly there out in amidst all the wild animals was a donkey and it started nay-ing really loud at the camper and jesse flipped out. we tried telling him it wasn't a wild animal and that it surely wouldn't hurt him but that didn't seem to soothe his mind. we couldn't help but get tickled at his new found fear of donkey's (and of course he still has to hear about it today)

I really appreciate joan and david, my aunt and uncle for welcoming me into their home every summer. we went camping together, swimming, vacationing in destin, fl. I will always cherish those moments. Springdale has a special place in my heart and really brings back a certain nostalgia.
I love you Dallas, Jesse, Joan, David, Sarah and the 6 boys they have: riley, cooper, sutton, jake (Dal's boys), caleb and evan (jess's boys seen in the photo)!!!!!!

hawaiian love.....

2010-04-14T08:40:00.002-05:00

i had the opportunity to "meet" Karen from Hawaii through etsy. She bought some original paintings and other goodies after seeing me on the featured seller. she is one of the sweetest people ever!!! i had asked her if she would send me a photo of her. for some reason, i just love to connect and actually "see" my customers. it gives me so much joy ;-) i feel the connection and see who is holding my art. I'm so thankful for Karen and people like her. you make this job of mine so rewarding!!!

she sent me this huge box of Hawaiian loot!! complete with chocolate covered macadamia nuts, carmels, luggage tag, a keychain, fridge magnet, t-shirt......so many goodies to even count......!!!!.....and a lovely photo of her and dr. rey! i loved seeing this...... :-)

thank you karen for sending me some hawaiian love!!! you are truly appreciated.

for the love of mondays...........................

2010-04-12T10:15:00.000-05:00

i remember the days of old...... when waking up on monday meant sheer misery. schlepping to the office......driving 30 minutes mind you to the "industrial" side of town. only to sit in a cubicle and face some of the most un-interesting people you've ever met. they got excited about steel. STEEL!!! the only form of enjoyment i got out of the day was taking "smoke" breaks with the smokers. (i didn't smoke, i just took the breaks.....!!) i stared at spreadsheets all day and was frequently called by the salesmen that I "was shutting down their clients business".....uh excuse me.....i don't have the power to do that. i was simply giving flat rolled steel prices.....bleh. to even say that makes my stomach turn. well, i told them to take this job and shove it back in 2002. its been 8 years and i'm thankful everyday that i don't have to darken the door any longer. i will have to say that i admire the fellows that loved steel. they loved their job. i was envious and to be honest i told them when i left that i needed to make this move so that I can wake up and get excited about going to work. i left the company to go work in makeup for 6 years.

now, i look forward to my monday's. i get up, stretch and look outside and say what shall i paint today!

this weekend was a working weekend. I painted and planned till 8 pm friday. painted more on saturday.......yesterday i spent time getting ready for the NWA boutique show.
friday when i woke up, i had received an email showing me inspirations for booth setups.....i froze! i was looking at some of the most elaborate setups and booths i've ever seen. i immediately thought "what the hell have i gotten myself into"....."can i do this?"...."i'm way out of my league".........after some much needed research and planning, i feel i'm starting to get there. the show is this saturday in northwest arkansas.....about 3 hours from where i live. it shall be an experience i'm sure. photos will most certainly follow next monday ;-) (of which i'll probably take the day off!!)

in other fun, arty news.............Larkin Poe
emailed me right after seeing me on etsy's featured seller interview and asked me to paint 4 cd covers for them. one for each season. the photo with at the top is for their "spring" cd! i simply adore their music and immediately bought their cd upon visiting their site. i new at that very moment that I wanted to work with them. our styles mesh very well i think.....

pssssttttttttt......i have other exciting news happening on may 1st......and it has to do with Somerset studio.................

get out there and love your monday !!!!!

haute handbags.......

2010-04-02T10:15:00.000-05:00

I sent my work into somerset with the advice of Gloria and Lori and the Be Present Retreat
last october. i never ever would have thought or had the courage to do this with out a gentle nudge from these lovely, awesome ladies. I love you guys! and miss you dearly.

This magazine launched April 1st and when i got it in the mail (a couple weeks ago).....i literally squealed when i saw my little wristlet in the table of contents :-D

When i started going to retreats, i know what kelly rae says (in her book) that it can be life changing. These kindred sisters can be so supportive and so inspiring. Thanks to each and every one of you! and i'm so thankful I met you.

happy easter everyone.

featured seller!!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-29T12:05:00.003-05:00

photo by jonny meyer

Thank you Etsy for making me featured seller! see the interview here.........

I remember when I found etsy. it was 3 years ago and i stumbled across it while reading an artist's blog and from then on, my life has changed. I've met the most wonderful, inspiring artists and people i call my friends.......people like Christina Romeo, Amy Huddleston, Missy Munday (aka boopsie daisy), Anke Weckman, Kelly Rae Roberts, and Mati Rose. You guys have been the reason I'm excited to get up every morning and create. Love you all!!

ps. the dolls in the tea party are from simplijessi and boopsie daisy ....

Strawberry shortcake and friends

2010-03-25T11:28:00.000-05:00

I'm ready quite smitten with these little paintings right now :-) I was totally head over heels in love with Strawberry shortcake dolls when i was a young-en. i remember getting $2.50 a week from my dad for allowance and i'd save up 3 weeks to buy a doll. looking back on it, i really appreciate my dolls more and i had to wait till i had enough money to get them. simple times! that brought me so much joy. i have actually painted strawberry and plum puddin before but not in this style....my style.

i also loved the dolls little pets. i guess deep down this is one of the reasons i'm inspired to paint my "girlies" with bunnies or birdies or kitties.

These will be for sale in my shop this weekend or sometime next week....although i'm having a hard time parting with these.

more fun pretties to come soon....!

little childhood obsessions......

2010-03-23T16:50:00.000-05:00

ha!! seeing these all together are really making me smile. it brings back memories. :-)

as i said in yesterday's post, these are NOT my original childhood drawings but i tried to re-create them from memory. the last image is a new "grouping" i did specially for this post. i drew and re-drew these all the time, and my best friend jayme recalls and said yes!,......all the time. we got a laugh out of it..... :-)

now as far as the inspirations, i'm doing a series of paintings based on these little drawings. i've got one finished and i'll update again once i've got a couple more finished. i'm also working on a series of strawberry shortcake paintings (again inspired by my childhood doll collecting). i've got four ready to post. i'll do that tomorrow after they dry....so cute!!!

Weekend and happy monday!

2010-03-22T13:45:00.000-05:00

well our plans changed on friday. we ended up not going to the track because of my poodle, cosmo was quite pekid and gettin around real slow. we did go to the track on sunday, but it was cold and rainy. we still had a great time. and cosmo is feeling back to his normal self.....

Sloppy Track!!

I've got a couple bits of awesome news coming at the end of the month. I'll let you in on the fun on monday! i'm so, so, so excited.

Also, i've been thinking about the little drawings I did as a child.....of course i didn't keep everything, but i was obsessed with drawing little groupings of fruit, desserts, and junk food. pretty funny! i'll share those drawings tomorrow (i recreated them on scratch paper) and my plans for paintings based on those. it's kinda cracking me up right now.

take care and happy monday

Pretty day at the track......

2010-03-19T10:45:00.000-05:00

Tim is taking a half day off today and we are going to hot springs to the horse track. its supposed to be 72 degrees and bright sun-shiney!!! they have the best corned-beef and reuben sandwiches around.

on an arty note, i've got some new 5x7 prints in the shop. I've been wanting to offer the 5x7 size for a while now but haven't been able to find that perfect paper until this week. i found it at This wonderful site. its inkpress fine art matte paper. and its so great. i also got the 4x6 size too.

enjoy the weekend!!
its supposed to be rainy and cold here this weekend so that's why we're taking advantage of today's pretty weather.

love you all!!

once a gambler

2010-03-16T14:00:00.001-05:00

i got my paint jeans on and back in the studio. feels good!!

oh and listening to the crazy heart soundtrack....i love this bluesy song. yes.

thanks kolleen for helping me make the decision to purchase this soundtrack. i knew i wanted it but i always seem to drag my feet when buying music lately. i went straight to amazon after seeing kolleen's music post about this album. i am in love!

My stars.....inspiration continued

2010-03-12T15:38:00.002-06:00

Something funny happened when I began to open up. it really surprised me. i wasn't expecting for ideas for paintings to come to me. but they did. thank you jennifer! This is the first painting and is inspired by jen's poem "my stars".

The other couple of ideas I have relates directly to my childhood....the clubhouse log and one a girl wearing Dollar General clothes....(what me and jayme called D&G....and kept in on the downlow...!!!....no, we didn't have a clue about the REAL D&G.....)

Thank you Jennifer......Here is her poem

"My Stars"

When I look up

I see

All these sparkling stars

Shining down on me

In my darkest nights

They guide me home

Lead me to saftey

And tuck me in tight

These glistening stars

Hold my hand

Dry my tears

And make sure everything is alright

Spread all across the sky

These stars shine down on me

Always reminding me I am not alone

They shine so brilliantly

Making me smile

Bringing laughter to my heart

And lifting me up

Thank you stars

for looking down on me

For knowing when I needed you

Even though I never said a word

Thank you for holding the space

Letting me just be

And thank you for not letting me lose my way

I do not know what I would do without all of you!

Jennifer, this painting is for you. I'll send it to you next week! ((((many hugs))))

Unearthed

2010-03-11T08:36:00.000-06:00

This is dedicated to Jennifer and all my other sisters I met on an Oregon beach in October. Love you all.

I remember the day I read your words
It was a Sunday
And the next day I read them again
They were beckoning me

Words that you wrote struck a cord
Powerful
Now I am different
And I read them again

They make me strong enough to fear less
To let go
I was meant to meet you
Beach, Rain

I saw myself in you
Being vulnerable
but so much braver
than I was willing to be

You taught me
Its ok
We were there to unearth
To be present

13th birthday

2010-03-10T12:37:00.000-06:00

These last couple of days has brought me much peace and its really opened up some ideas for paintings strangely enough.

I wanted to share with you a photo of my 13th birthday. remember alf!!! omg!!! The tiny girl to my right is Jayme, my best friend. As you can tell, i had hit a growth spurt. dad like to call me a grasshopper because of my long legs. i went through years of this awkward stage .....as most of us do. bad perms. 80's clothes. oh the 80's! ya gotta love 'em!

Its looking like Spring...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-03T17:59:00.000-06:00

Today was just one of those days....the kind where you walk outside and the sun hits your face and you breathe it all in.

The last few days I've had a sinus cold but today I woke up and felt so much better and thank goodness. I would've hated to be sick on such a beautiful day. Tim and I went for a walk and just talked. I love that time together with him. We talked about the things coming up for my art.......(i'll let you in on some exciting things happening over the next month and into april and may)!! i'm so excited and a little nervous to be quite honest.

Last weekend I attended the 2nd annual Delta Visual Arts show. Its near my hometown and I got to see my wonderful high school art teacher....Ms. McCraken! She and I had so much fun talking about high school back in the day and the funny things that happened in class. Then we talked about art and what she's doing now. Love that lady!!!

ok....i'm keeping things short....i gotta run and cook a little dinner before idol tonight :-)

New creative friends

2010-02-26T16:40:00.000-06:00

Cathy

Amy

amy, me, and danielle

Louise

Chrissy

Danielle

I met these extraordinary ladies at An Artful Journey last weekend and my creative world as I know it has been deeply enriched. Thank you Louise, Danielle, Amy, Cathy, and Chrissy for the making this retreat more than just being creative. We listened to each others stories, we joked, we cried, we laughed, and we got inspired. oh yeah....and throw in a little red wine to boot. (thanks lorrie!)

funny story.........Amy and I had arranged to meet at the San Jose airport the thursday that we flew in and low-and-behold Danielle just happened to be sitting across from us at baggage claim. That sweet Canadian!!! anywhooo...she said would you guys happen to be going to the art retreat....and we did a little squeal. Then we called our buddy Peter (the shuttle driver)....i say our buddy. we didn't know him. but he did a great job and accommodated us. he even gave us all kisses on the cheek when he dropped us off at the presentation center.....hehehe!! yikes.... a little weird but at least he was dependable........

Also, Anne-Marie, Lorrie, and Monica......i loved our conversations.....and your light that you brought to my creative soul.

I can't wait till we have hot tea in the mountains again. we will meet again. i just know it. i love each one of you! I am so tempted to go back in July :-)

Journey to the misty mountains

2010-02-24T15:03:00.005-06:00

This past weekend I had the opportunity to paint and learn from the incredible Kelly Rae and finally got to meet another inspiration of mine......Mati Rose! They totally blew my socks off......

Not only was I inspired creatively, I met some friends I know I keep in touch with for a lifetime. You know those kind of friends......the ones that get how excited you are over little stacks of buttons, papers, and ribbons. and oh those buttery copic markers (amy!!!)

We stayed in the most surreal atmosphere......a little grouping of cottages nestled in the misty mountains of Los Gatos, CA. I never saw the deer but others mentioned that they were walking about closely and munching on the fresh clover covered in dew. Everything was green. it was lush and the flowers were blooming.

I will be back to tell you more about the lovely friendships I made. they deserve a post all their own.

Away to California

2010-02-17T15:54:00.004-06:00

whew....what a week!!! The article caused a definite stir.....and oh what fun it was :-) The best part was all the wonderful, sweet comments. It's so refreshing that so many people are in the same boat as me and are living their dream and/or striving to the point not giving up their passion. Many folks said that it inspired them, but one thing I do know is that all of these wonderful souls who took time out to leave their touching words, left me emotional at times. We are both tackling it everyday....staying persistent....keep on keeping on. go get that dream of yours! I love you all...............

I'm leaving in the morning to go to an art retreat in California and am taking a class with the lovely kelly rae roberts and mati rose. I'm so excited. I also get to see Chrissy again!! double yay!!! I cannot wait to see that smile of hers.
I need this breath now. A time to reflect and let the paint flow. I need the smile of other kindred souls. I need to breathe in nature and take in a bit of sunshine.

Quit your day job

2010-02-15T10:14:00.003-06:00

photo by jonny meyer

Thank you Etsy for featuring me in the Quit your day job article series. It was so fun to answer the questions given to me by Mary with Etsy. I love my new art friends that I've found through various ways online through flickr, facebook, twitter, and of course etsy. I just wish I could bundle you all up and bring you to arkansas for a cup of hot tea.

And thank you all for words of encouragement and cyber-hugs that you flourish me with everyday. You make this awesome job of mine even richer.

T-shirts are finally here

2010-02-11T11:28:00.004-06:00

After some snags in getting my t-shirt order, they are finally here! Go to the shop
for more info and sizing. They are printed using a direct process on a women's cut shirt.

There is still snow on the ground here but the roads are clear so at least I can get out of the house for mexican food if need be.....thank goodness!

next week...i can't wait....i have some fun news.

love to all of you. :-)

Big Flakes

2010-02-08T17:41:00.004-06:00

We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning. And the last thing I heard the weatherman say around 10:30 last night was "you may hear a little sleet on your window, but don't be alarmed it will turn to rain soon after". They totally missed it!! We ended up getting around 6" of snow....which is a big snow for us here in central Arkansas.

I didn't get much work done today but I worked on some cute pillows that I'll be listing tomorrow. :-) I'm hoping to paint more tomorrow too.

I've got some fun news to share on the 16th so check back. I'll be sending out a newsletter.

ps. still keeping the post short. the headaches come and go still and its making it difficult to get motivated to work. I'm still doing yoga.......and hoping that it subsides soon. (they are daily, but somewhat dull and sporadic so I'm able to function)

Jack and Sally love

2010-02-04T12:35:00.003-06:00

I'm quite smitten with this new painting. I guess mainly because I ADORE the creations of Tim Burton. (this is actually where the name "Tim's Sally" originated) Its a little different than what I normally do. the only texture being that of acrylic paint :-)

I'm keeping this post short........I've been having these recurring headaches almost on a daily basis for about 3 weeks now. I can't for the life of me figure out what's going on. They aren't migrains.....just enough pain to be annoying really. I had been taking ibuprofen with no help and I read online that continual usage of ibuprofen can actually be a cause. So I stopped that a week ago. I'm trying to drink more water.
....................but if any of you have suggestions or tricks to stop headaches, lay them on me. I'm ready to do anything.

Scrap Artist collaboration

2010-02-02T14:24:00.002-06:00

Today, Scrapartist.com launched the new artist-to-artist collaboration today. I had the lucky opportunity to work with some uber talented artists and designers. It is so neat to see my work in this type of digital scrapbooking media. Here are some little birdies I painted and Danielle turned them into little "rub ons".....so darn cute!! Thank you to everyone who put their touches and designed work inspired by the work I do. I am completely honored.

Stuff i made today

2010-02-01T17:01:00.003-06:00

I got into the studio after yoga today and put on elton john. he is my absolute favorite artist of all time. He was the first rock concert I went to back in 2000 I believe...crazy i know. Oh i had been to many other concerts....but all country.

I'm having fun with some new paintings. here are some i finished today. short post. more tomorrow.

Cabin Fever.......

2010-01-30T12:06:00.004-06:00

Yesterday and Today we have been couped up inside because of a layer of freezing rain, layer of sleet, then a layer of snow. Very small amounts of each accumulated but the streets are nasty. (its like a wintry mix lasagna out there)

There's just something about not being able to get out that makes me want to get out more. Why is that?!? I'm normally home all day anyways with only small outings to the craft store or the post office. But right now, I'd kill for some mexican food and the biggest margarita they have.

I have been able to get into the studio a bit and did a pretty intense yoga burn dvd with rodney yee this morning....so i'm feeling pretty good. But there IS something about January. Why does it always seem so darn long? I'm so ready for February. There's just something about pinks and reds and the promise of spring a' coming i guess that I just love about february. Love is in the air.

My goal for february is to post more often. Hopefully every other day. Lots of things are a' coming in the months to come. so very excited. Check back Feb. 2nd. - news to be told.:-)

Painting and cooking

2010-01-15T13:06:00.004-06:00

Ok....so I've been hooked on the food network as of late. I simply cannot get enough food competitions and cooking shows. My very favorite food network chef is hands down Ina Garten. (the barefoot contessa) She made these yummy pears with bleu cheese, dried cranberries, and roasted walnuts. (btw...this is the foodnetworks photo.....her's was much prettier than mine). I had to give it a shot. Here is the recipe if you are interested in trying it yourself....oh my you won't be disappointed. Well, I printed out the recipe wednesday before heading to the grocery. I came back and made the easy roasted shrimp cocktail and decided i would make this later this week. Which I did today. I had to. I was dreaming of it all night. And it did not disappoint. So yummy and spicy and sweet all in one bite.

And that got me to thinking how I think my new interest in cooking (or at least trying to) is somewhat related to painting. The movie Julie and Julia enlightened me to the fact that inspiration can come from anywhere.....food, photos, experiences. the list could go on. In cooking as is in painting...... its the melding together of like or unlike substances (ingredients/mixed media) and working with many textures to create something new and yummy. I shall continue this new love affair with cooking and hope to be inspired in new ways. Next on the agenda is Emeril's Shrimp and Pasta in a tomato-chile cream sauce. Oh how I love shrimp.

IN the STUDIO

I've been focusing on these cute, little mini portraits. They are made using acrylic paint, (loving the golden heavy body paint), encaustic, paper, graphite, and shiva oil sticks.

I've also been working on things for a show next month. Its near my hometown in Newport, AR. This is only the 2nd year for the show. I was blown away at the support and love of the locals and the overrall experience I had there. Cannot wait!!

happy weekend my sweets :-)

Deep Freeze

2010-01-09T10:15:00.004-06:00

The south has been in a deep freeze this week with lows in the teens at night. But heck, i much prefer this cold than our humid 90 degree weather anyday!! I wanted to make a short blog post to show you what i've been working on. As you may know I have been painting these cute kokeshi dolls usually in girl form but was in a definite birdie mode yesterday due to some collaboration work with Scrap Artist.

I also got some great news which will reveal itself in May!!! I can't wait to tell everyone.

.....in other randomness, i've been getting back into yoga of late due to recurring running injuries and did the "biggest loser, yoga for weight loss" yesterday.....and man am i sore today. but in a good way. I'm feeling muscles right now I have never felt. Right now i'm testing out which yoga dvds i like using netflix and will purchase the ones I like best.

Happy Weekend everyone. much love in 2010!!!

new schtuff!

2009-12-29T11:55:00.004-06:00

Today I woke up to a renewed spirit of sorts. I've gotten out of the after christmas funk and am ready to dive right into 2010. I can't wait to see what this year holds. I've got new things in the works that you will see in the shop very soon. yes, that 2nd photo is a t-shirt. I've wanted to do them for some time but wanted to get them right and I wanted them to be fabulous quality and under 20 bucks.

In other fun happenings....my sailor's valentine has been published in jan/feb issue of cloth.paper.scissors.....I also found a fab artist, Sarah Wyman, in the same issue. check her out!such inspiring faces and texture.

I heart Anke!

2009-12-18T15:40:00.006-06:00

yeah....i'm pretty smitten with Anke Weckmann right now. Every time I wear this little t-shirt, i get so many compliments :-) It makes me happy and I save it for only the best days ....such as this painting on arms party in Manzanita, OR. You should visit her flickr site too.

Ok this is squeal worthy....and take it from a former makeup artist this is big...BIG!!! .....illustrating for a very cool makeup line.....ok anke, can i please be YOU when I grow up?!?!?

Her work is such a delight. It makes my little heart smile.

Blog winner announced

2009-12-13T13:36:00.003-06:00

Congrats MysticArtGirl...., you are the winner of the blog giveaway which includes a coaster set and pocket mirror of your choice from my etsy shop.

please let me know your address and choices for your prize.

thanks so everyone for participating. i was touched with finding out which disney character inspires you.

much love!!

dreams

2009-12-02T09:21:00.010-06:00

I'm celebrating 1000 sales this week. I dreamed I would get there one day. I dreamed that I could make art for a living. I dreamed I could sell a piece of something I made. Its been over 2 years since first joining etsy. Yes, this is happening to me...I'm quiet sure that i'm asleep.

"All dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them."......Walt Disney

I think the key words here are "courage" and "pursue".....They are always active....they never fear.....they are consistent.....and unrelenting. Realizing your dreams is not something that just "happens" to you....but in a way I'm glad. That means we have control over our lives AND our dreams. Its refreshing to know and to never forget.

after all.

it all started with a mouse..........

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I guess you can tell, its that time of year again. We are headed to Disney world and I get so overwhelmingly inspired by the man that dared to dream. What we see today by far surpasses what I believe Walt had dreamt. He passed on his dream and it scattered into millions of minds and it flourishes in his cast members, his imagineers, his animators.....his admirers that grew up with watching him on tv. Walt Disney left a legacy.....of which a little part dwells in a special place in my heart.

______________________________________________________________

I'm doing a blog giveaway to celebrate a milestone for Tim's Sally. Leave a comment on this "dreams" blog post and let me know what your favorite Disney character is and why......and you'll be entered into a drawing for a free coaster set and pocket mirror of your choice from my shop. I will announce the winner on the 13th of Dec. so you have until then to leave your comment.

Tim's Sally pocket mirrors featured on a gift blog

2009-11-28T17:42:00.002-06:00

This oh so cool blog featured some of my pocket mirrors. They look so cute all grouped together. many , many thanks!!!

not yo mamma's craft fair

2009-11-18T08:30:00.007-06:00

Much fun was had at the 1st annual "handmade for the holidays" craft show (not yo mamma's craft show). wow! i was pretty blown away with all the crafters. so much great art and fun jewelry, and paper crafts. I actually ran into one of my all-time favorite local artists Suzi Dennis. I was giddy and almost a little nervous that she was there standing where i normally stand....visiting her at a craft show. I bought one of her original painintgs, Come on In, a few years ago, and I cherish it dearly.

Did i mention i met some pretty fantastic crafters in hot springs?!?!

Dawonna

Kevin .....and many more.

here are some photos of the show:

my dogs

2009-11-10T15:10:00.002-06:00

Oh how my dogs make me happy. I just had to share this video of us about to head out for a walk. my sweet yorkie, dudley is apparently camera shy....... :-)

Cosmo is my poodle. He is such a lovely dog who just loves to snuggle. dudley on the other hand is a little weird one who doesn't like to be held but follows me around the house, studio, kitchen all day. he makes every step i make.

encaustic, wine, fun

2009-11-09T12:03:00.007-06:00

Last thursday night, I had the wonderful opportunity to paint and demo encaustic at the gallery that represents me.....gallery26

On my way to the gallery, which is about 30 minutes from my house located in the lovely hillcrest area, I began to feel nervous. and I wondered why....i have painted in many classes with other people looking on and then I realized that I have never painted with my own style in front of anyone....out on display for all passers by. But i will say after I got started how much fun and liberating it was. :-)

here are some photos of me painting away. my friend Larry was snapping away and laughing at my little camera. we all (me, my hubby, larry, mandy) went out afterwards and ate turkey burgers and drank wine. much fun was had.

Ornaments

2009-10-30T11:25:00.007-05:00

"I heart candy canes" and "Snow bird" These will go to gallery26 to hang on their tree full of artists. I can't wait to see what everyone did :-) The holiday extravaganza show will be November 14th and feature some of Little Rocks finest artists. I'm so lucky to be a part of this wonderful gallery. They have been so good to me. I truly cherish my friendship with the owner, Renee and her gallery manager, Daniel. yeah, they pretty much rock!!!

holidaze!

2009-10-27T09:38:00.004-05:00

I'm getting ready and painting away for the holiday sale at the local gallery that represents me: Gallery26. Oh my studio is such a mess but that means productivity I suppose..... :-)

I'm having a great time making a couple of christmas ornaments.....it will be my first time to take them to gallery 26. they always do a lovely tree that holds the most beautiful and wonderful handmade ornaments. i wanted to be a part of that magic.

On November 5th, i'll be doing a painting demonstration at gallery26 that will incorporating collage and encaustic. Should be fun....but a little nervous. this is my first demo......

I'm already getting into the christmas spirit which is weird for me. I guess after working retail for over 5 years it just puts you in that "bah humbug" mode. but no more. bring it on!!! I think I may even start putting my christmas tree up again. (For those retail years, I couldn't bring myself to put up a tree and its so not like me) That should have been a sign that that job was not the right one for me.

This post seems so random. I guess because of all the stuff thats going on. I just finished a new painting and a cute purse for my mom (x-mas gift). Also a new little tike t'shirt. handpainted :-)

just breathe......

2009-10-19T22:37:00.007-05:00

Perfect words. just breathe. I heard them many times the past four days.....and seriously, it helps. My wonderful teacher, Liz Lamoreux directed the most wonderful group of ladies in this universe. It was an experience like no other and am thankful and blessed for all the ones that are now part of my life. You guys give me inspiration. you make me brave. thanks for bringing your light to me.

My sweet roommate, Gloria is the kindess and most inspirational soul i've ever met. I kid you not, if she lived in arkansas i'm sure we'd be close as sisters. we run. we create. we love life. I love you gloria.

Sunshine!

2009-10-07T10:31:00.004-05:00

The last few days have been a bit melancholy for me....i'm not quite sure if its been all the rainy weather we've been having or if i was in a creative funk for a spell. Well, i'm here to tell ya the funk is over and i woke this morning to the sun shining :-) I went for a run and there's just something about running that gives me a whole new perspective. my mind clears. my creativity flows. i like to think that running purges my brain from all the toxicity that I allow to sometimes enter...."am i a good enough person"...."i can always work more"....."i've gained a little weight"

My mind is clearer today and am most certain that today will be a good day.

I guess all artists go through a spell like I had, and I'm sure you guys all know what I'm talking about.....I sit in my studio looking around and can't honestly think what i'm going to do. I sit some more. and still more. Luckily this funk only lasted for a few days, and I know they'll be more to come......but I will...... run. purge. create --------------oh yeah and I'll RETREAT!!! i'm going to manzanita, Oregon next week to gather with like-minded gals to meditate, purge, and create. I simply cannot wait. I'll definitely give you guys an overview of the week (well 4 days) of fun fellowship and painting. here is a photo of manzanita and a view from where we'll be staying.

Newsletter sale starts today

2009-09-17T12:46:00.004-05:00

Here is a clue to what the sale involves. sign up for my newsletter ---->>>

I run for Sara Low - AA FA flight 11, sept 11, 2001

2009-09-16T12:40:00.003-05:00

Sara Low was a flight attendant on flight 11 on 9-11-01 that crashed into the north tower. I also ran track with Sara and my oh my....she was FAST! I looked up to Sara and she continues to be my role model still today. I love you Sara, and miss you dearly. We will never forget....and each September Batesville will run for our Sara. Click here to find out more about the Sara Low memorial 5k or to make donations and register for next years race. Here is a video about Sara and the race held in her memory.

Commissions

2009-09-15T13:06:00.003-05:00

I had the opportunity to meet a really sweet lady at a local market where i set up and sell my pretties. She contacted me friday to paint a portrait of her and her son and then her 2 nieces as a birthday gift to her sister. Oh my ...!!...the sweetest angels you ever saw! I'm totally thrilled to have the opportunity to paint these precious girls.

This painting measures 5"x5" chunky canvas and i used acrylic, encaustic, and shiva oil paint sticks to give a wonderful texture.

Join my mailing list.....

2009-08-23T22:41:00.001-05:00

finally....i have started doing newsletters....

sign up today :-)

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Life is Berry Delicious!

2009-08-23T14:10:00.003-05:00

What to my wondering eyes did appear!!!....why its boopsie daisy sweetness...all my dolls gave a cheer.

well, well my dear miss you have truely outdone yourself this time! look at that sweet berry sitting atop those glitter sprinkled toes.

i seriously cannot get enough of the rush of sweet smells that erupt when i open up one of her packages....yes. i kid you not, her dolls are dipped into a cotton candy bin and sent with so much love.

here is my face ;-D ^^biggest grin you ever saw^^

Printer woes - Damn it feels good to be a gangsta!!!

2009-08-09T08:22:00.003-05:00

Oh the woes of malfunctioning printers.....make me wanna start goin' gangsta on some office equipment. This is exactly what i'd like to do to my last epson r1800 printer that only lasted a little over a year and my new hp that just went ca-put after 5 months of printing beautiful prints. Thankfully my little hp is under warranty and will be replaced or repaired by hp. I'm hoping they replace it cuz i wanna take a ball bat to my old one and release years of struggle and anxiety just like my office space buddies. if so i'll post pics..... :-)

T.O.P featured on 3maries blog

2009-08-07T08:22:00.001-05:00

go here to see what 3maries thoughts on some of trunk of prettys "neat stuff" (that's what I called all things neat when i was a kid)

she has a pretty awesome vintage shop herself

thank you, thank you!!!

Sunset friendship

2009-08-07T08:14:00.003-05:00

ahhhh my dear boops has me blushing again. She dedicated this sweet, awesome, lovie dovie, strawberry sunset to me.....me? little ole me!?! well as you might be able to tell, i have a thing for my artist friend missy. I love her to pieces and she has been far beyond inspirational.....if you can get far beyond that! and yes i think you can :-)

Drip, drip --Drop

2009-07-31T15:44:00.004-05:00

Lately it has been cool and rainy....although humid, its been in the 70's and 80's this week. It inspired me to paint this new painting called Drip, drip drop. I swear, i have been singing that tune from the Bambi soundtrack ......"drip, drip, drop.....little april showers"....i can't get it out of my head!

In sharp contrast, the Pacific NW has had some sweltering heat in the upper 100's which is where we (arkansas) should be at this time of year.

my sweet art friend, Tara and I, have officially switched climates for the week.....sorry to say....i got the good end :-)
nevertheless.....i think they are normalizing again and we are warming up.

I'm so ready for fall.
It can't get here soon enough.......
pumpkin pie, halloween, cool mornings, hot tea, a good book on the back porch, cute hand-made scarves, back to school, ............is i can think about in the summers.

Splashey!

2009-07-27T12:56:00.005-05:00

Look at this darling mermaid one-of-a-kind doll from Boopsie Daisy.

pretty much made my day :-)

Sometimes Life Just Stinks

2009-07-27T12:47:00.008-05:00

I found out a few days ago that i'm sidelined from running for 3 weeks because of feet problems and when i saw this little doodle from boopsie daisy it made me smile. The little girl just made me think that even though life is good, it can throw you a stinker your way when you least expect it.......:) so then.....i began looking on the bright side! i have my health....i am able to do other excercises,,,,,just not running...big deal. thanks boops for showing me that silver lining like you always do.

Be Happy

2009-07-26T12:54:00.003-05:00

be happy!

how simple a phrase.

once you say it, you are.

to me this phrase signifies that happiness can be a verb.

you choose.

I think my struggle for happiness with my career finally lead me to painting and the arts. I was very UNhappy in several jobs before finding makeup artistry hence leading me into the world of art; painting, brushes, wonderful color. it opened my eyes. i encourage you, if you aren't happy with your career, do something about it, take a class, go to a retreat, take an inspirational walk to clear your mind.
I found this wooden phrase and two little quilt houses in Eureka and it inspired me to think about happiness as an action not simply a state.
BE HAPPY, my friends.......... :-D