WHAT COLOR AM I, or another way to define who I am.

FAR AWAY LANDS

Far away Lands  24″ X 24″ ON Gallery Wrap Canvas

Any of you who use Facebook are familiar with those quizzes that alway pop up on your feed.  One in particular is what color are you.  As if they can really tell you this with a five question quiz.  Then in an artists group that I belong to we were asked to describe ourselves by color, scent, taste, and sound in other words by our senses. But it did get me thinking that there are many ways to describe oneself, and to better understand oneself.

So here goes… I am going to describe myself in a way that you may see me, understand me, and see what feeds the inspiration for my art.

I am the color Turquoise, grounded in the Southwest, calm in spirit but full of positive energy. A bit wild like a mustang, yet solid as the mesas that watch over this land. My soul is deep and those that meet me can feel it. Purple is my secondary color, I am deeply spiritual, a friend of justice. Mother Earth is where my energy comes from; in nature is where I would rather be. I am a loner at times, a deep thinker, a true friend, and honest to the fault. I am not to everyone’s liking, but loyal to those who are my tribe. I am spicy with lots of warmth, kind of like the spice Cumin. My scent is sage after a rain, earthy, friendly, someone who makes you feel at home. My melody would be an anthem, ringing out the praises of God. Lastly my touch is soft and free flowing like my art.

So there you have it. Can you see me now?  Creating beauty one painting at a time…

MY WHY, how I came to be the artist I am.

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River Bank  30″ X 30″ Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Here is a flash back from 2014 when I began to paint bigger and bolder with Color, Energy and Movement. At that time I was in an experimental stage with my art and not knowing where it would lead me. Little did I know that 2014 would be the pivotal year in defining my work and finding my voice.

It certainly didn’t happen all at once but with a conscious effort to dig deep into my inner self I discovered my “WHY” ( why do I paint).  It took an extensive and intense workshop in North Carolina, and much soul-searching to find the Why of my art.  Slowly my work became more cohesive, more me, and I was able to speak to its depth of meaning. It now defines who I am, and who my audience is. It has made all the difference in how successful I have become.  As an artist who struggled I can only say you must know where your WHY comes from in order to be great at what you do. Art now defines my life, gives me a voice to speak about a future of abundance, and helps others find the happiness that I have found.

Finding my WHY one painting at a time…

REFLECTIONS

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Reflecting Home  30″ X 30″ Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Today I am feeling quite melancholy, I think I am coming off the high of a great Open Studio Tour, some unexpected sales and a successful talk.  Exhaustion has settled in and I am sharing my vulnerable self.  The studio has become a working place more than a creative space. I have several pet portraits in various stages of development for customers, but I have not found time to create for me.

When I begin to feel overloaded like I do today I turn toward reflection. A time to look back and ponder how I got to this place. It is not always easy to consistently be up to the task of growing a business. Especially at my age, people say why haven’t you retired. The answer to that is simply, I like what I do. I find purpose in my mission of spreading joy and happiness to those who stumble upon my work. I love spreading positive energy through my workshops, talks, and paintings.  I love collaborating with other positive people and bringing something new and different into the world. I thrive on that spark of creativity.

It becomes more difficult each year as my energy drains faster than my ideas. So I have learned to pace myself, say NO when I have to, and pick what is important and let the rest slide.  Now is the time to nurture my soul and talk to my kids and let them know how much I love them and go on a much-needed date with my husband.

Journeying  through the ups and downs of life one painting at a time…

ASPENS

ASPENS

Aspens 14″ X 11″  Acrylic on 1 1/2″ gallery wrap canvas

Just down the street is a beautiful clump of Aspens, they are the first in the neighborhood to turn brilliant yellow. They herald in the passage of time and the dance of Autumn. The riotous colors of the pears and ash were cued to bring forth there graduar and I got a quick step to my gait. Yes Fall is my favorite season of the year; no wonder that my first demo of the Artist Studio Tour was this little gem.

This is nowhere in particular but it was nestled in my heart and spewed out on Friday last. Reminicent of Granite Mountain and the meadows of Aspen that grow in Flagstaff.  It appears to be a composite of beautiful memories of Northern Arizona.  God’s tapestry that brings me joy.

Enjoying the beauty of Autumn on painting at a time…

ASPENS 14″T X 11″W, Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Beautiful fall scene. Original one of a kind art, sides painted, and ready to hang. UV coating to protect the colors from fading. Shipping Free in the United States

$230.00

FAR AWAY LANDS

FAR AWAY LANDS

“Far Away Lands”  24″ X 24″ Acrylic on 1 1/2″ gallery wrap canvas

This last weekend was the Prescott Area Artists Studio Tour which I was honored to have participated in. This was my demo for Saturday and Sunday.  It is so full of energy brought in by all the visitors to the studio. The positive vibes along with feelings of love, swelled my heart and I created some place different and new, a far away place sheltered by everyone’s love and good wishes.

I love the chance to meet new friends and fellow travelers of life. It is an opportunity to share my story and to hear theirs. It is amazing how often we have things in common, or from the same area; It seems like a divine introduction, with God saying you will really like this person.  I always do and the circle keeps getting bigger and better.

Thanks to all who shared my studio this weekend, you brought a piece of happiness and blessed this place with abundance.

Meeting new friends one painting at a time…