Nuture your friends

Nurture your Friends

What is a Friend?

Someone who accepts you for who you are. They REALLY know you and they still want to be with you!
Someone that is with you in times of need when they would rather be somewhere else.
They are with you through happiness and sorrow.

They are husbands, I believe you should marry your friend(and lover) If you don't marry a friend you have nothing when the euphoria goes away. Believe me that New Love stuff will die. People spend there whole life chasing that feeling. It never stays. After that is over that is when the REAL LOVE happens. The good stuff, the friendship, respect, acceptance.

Also Sister Friends. I am so lucky to have 2 of those. We have managed to stay close all these years. It makes me sad to see other people say they don't speak to there siblings. I couldn't imagine my life without them. Don't get me wrong we have our issues but we always get over it. We accept each other for our imperfect selves.

I believe in making new friends and keeping the old. (One is silver and the other gold, Do you remember that song from Girl Scouts? Anyway, I got off track!)

But I also believe in letting go of friends.  Not because you don't still love that person but because they are going in a different direction then yourself. It's OK to let go. 
I have had many friends come and go.
 
I have a friend that I have had since I was 15.  We were very close. We both had our babies together. Remember the last post I had about the village, Well she was part of that village. We let go of each other at one point.  She started her journey as a 2nd time mother and I started making a career.  We both were into two different things.  We drifted. Not too far that we were out of reach but not the everyday kind of thing we had before. We are back into the swing of things now. I love her and this post came about because of listening to her the other day on the phone.  Just listening. Not fixing it.(like I tend to do, I always want to fix it)  She needed someone to listen.  I know she would be there if I needed someone to listen. 

Anyway, I hope everyone doesn't mind my ramblings.
I will leave you with this quote and a song.

In every one's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flames by an encounter with another human being. We should be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.

~Albert Schweitzer~

Wait Till The Sunshines Nelly

 

Just a quick post!!

 If you are reading this I am in Pittsburgh with my daughter Nelly.

At her Sabika Conference. They are presenting the new collection.

And Nelly could take a guest and I am it!

I am her Champion!!! Taaaa Daaaa!!!

It is Nelly's 40th Birthday!!!

(How did that happened I don't know??!!!)

Time has drifted away.
I was very young when I had Nelly.
She was the best thing that happened to me.
She saved me.
I was a child raising a child.
I am so grateful that I had my parents and my sisters to help me.
I had no clue what I was doing.
She was truly raised by a village.
I am thankful everyday for my girl.
I remember the day she was born. The nurses asked me when they were prepping me to deliver her "what names do you have picked out? I said "I think I will name her Katie or Sarah and if a boy Brandon(I don't know what I was thinking there??"
But when she was handed to me in the delivery room I knew exactly what her name was...."Nelly" I said and everyone looked at me like I was crazy. My father even sent my Sister in to speak to me about the name.(Now he understands it could be no other) I don't know where the name came from but as soon as I saw her I knew that is who she was.

Happy Birthday Nelly!!!

I made Nelly a box for her Birthday to put her earrings in.

Around the box are the words for the song that we sang to her when she was little. 

 

I choose this version because it reminds me of my father rocking her in his arms and singing this.

 Happy Birthday Nelly!!!

 

Open your eyes and live

 

Mandala (Open your eyes and live)

 Been really busy this week.

I am taking 2 classes this year.

I am taking Misty Mawn's "Full Circle"

And Lifeclass 2014

Well I am having a blast!

I love Misty Mawn. 

I have had the pleasure of taking 2 live classes with her in Port Townsend WA at Artfest.

Something about her Vulnerability that I love.

You can see it in her Photographs and her paintings.

If you ever get a chance to take her class DO IT!

Also Lifeclass 2014 I had to take it this year so many fun teachers.

With different styles and perspectives.

Lovin it!! Carla Sonheim was last week.

I didn't get to look this week because I was busy with Misty's but I will get to it!!

I really think that you should continually take classes and surround yourself with artists.

Every Artists has new way of looking at things. 

You keep it fresh.

There is always something new that you can learn.

I will never stop learning until the day I die!

Mandala (That's My Desire)

Just wanted to remind people in my area if you are looking for the Somerset Studio and you can't find it.  I know they sold out at the Barnes and Noble in Wyomissing. Someone told me that they are ordering more copies. And also there was one copy at the AC Moore in Wyomissing.  Someone tell them to order more!!! If not you can order it on line. Click on Somerset Studio.

SOMERSET STUDIO

Hang on to it. I will be having a Spring/Summer open house this year.

I can sign it for you, Just bring it along!

I have been listening to this album

Kodaline

It was so hard to pick one song to put on here.

I hope Everyone is doing well!! I wanted to thank everyone for all your kind words!

Hugssssssss!!! 

I Feel So Much Gratitude to all the people that support me!!

It is a great way to start my new year off!

Find It Within the Stillness

Find it within the stillness

Find it within the stillness

Sometimes when you sit real still you will feel it. 

It will become clear.

Whatever you were trying to figure out. 

Call it prayer, Call it wishing, Call it meditation.

Call it whatever.

Be Still

Let the thoughts come.

Listen to them.

Let them go. 

Behind the thoughts is the answer.

Some people are afraid of what is going on in there own heads. 

They are frightened of it. 

They have to be connected to someone other then themselves all the time.

You can see it all the time. People walking around on cell phones all the time. 

I know a few people like that. 

They just can not be alone with there thoughts.

They are just thoughts.

If you don't like them change them.

Listen to what you are saying to yourself.

Just one day do it. Listen.

Is it negative?? If it is change it around.

Say some good stuff. 

Start with "I am Worthy" 

We are all worthy!

Change your thoughts Change your life!

This is my favorite part of the painting. 

All the spontaneous imperfections.

I just wanted to Thank everyone this week for all the Well Wishes about my article in the Reading Eagle. It was so nice to hear from people I haven't heard from since high school. People are good.

Thank you everyone!

You can click on Reading Eagle Below and read it.

READING EAGLE LINK 

Like I said my Dad is so excited about it.  Got to Love him!!

They have it hanging in the Ranch House were he has breakfast.

My little niece Maddie asked if she can interview me for her school newspaper.

My other niece Maeve did a little video for me to tell me "So Happy" (She's only 22 months)

So sweet!

I was told by some people that the Somerset Studio Magazine has sold out at the Barnes and Noble in Wyomissing. Yeah!!!!

If you want to buy one just click on the link below and you can order on line. They also have it at AC Moore and Michaels.

SOMERSET STUDIO LINK 

 I also did a journal page this week. 

Keeping with the Meditation Theme......

Also I revisited an Unfinished Painting.

You might recognize it from a prior post.

 Toned down the background and added some doodles.

Thanks again Everyone for a wonderful week and all your kind words!!

Find Your Balance

FIND YOUR BALANCE

This year my main focus will be on finding my balance.

Ever since I quit my corporate job I have been having trouble finding my balance. 

Getting up and doing the work. 

How do I balance my life. When right now I feel like it is all a blur.

It all runs in to one. Work and Play.

When I was working it was easy to get up in the morning, get ready for work, go to work, do my job, come home, make dinner and then go to my studio work for a few hours and then to bed.

Start all over again.

I had a routine. There was balance.

It seemed like I got a whole lot more done.

Now it seems like it takes me 2 hours just to take a shower and get ready for the day.

Believe me I am not complaining.

But I need to find my balance again.

Some how I have to create a routine.

Balance the work with the play.

I believe there has been too much play this year. Not enough work.

Maybe I was so burnt out that all I could do was play.

Nothing wrong with that!

I must have needed it!

I love to Play!!

So to start my year out "I will find my balance"

Balance between work and play.

And I guess if I have to pick a word for the year it would be  

"BALANCE"

Taaa Daaaa!!!

Wanted everyone to know that

there will be an article in the "Reading Eagle" about my art.

I am so thrilled!!!

It will be in on Monday Morning. 

My 86 year old Father is so excited about this.

He has been reading the Reading Eagle every morning for the last 60 years. He is more excited about this then Somerset Studio and Hallmark! Every morning I make him coffee and he goes in my Library and reads his paper from front to back. I love my Daddy!!

Also don't forget to get your issue of Somerset Studio!!!

Click on the button on the side bar or click on the above link to get yourself a copy. 

 I will give you another sneek peek!

 

 They really did a wonderful job!!

Sooooo Happy!!!!

I will leave you with this quote.

"I always try to balance the light with the heavy - a few tears of human spirit in the sequins and the fringes"

~ Bette Midler~

 

Happy New Year!!! She hides her dreams inside her head - Somerset Studio

 She hides her dreams inside her head

How many times have I told you that I always hid my dreams inside my head. Never told anyone.

Just waiting for it to come to me. 

I don't know when the shift happened but I think it was when I realized I control my own destiny.

No one but myself.

We can be who or whatever we want to be.

Just need to do it!!!

Get off our F..... Butts!

(I wanted to say the other word but I told myself,  my new years resolution is that I am not going to talk like a drunken sailor anymore or should I say as much)

One step in front of the other.  

Let them out!!!!

Whatever that may be for you. 

My dreams are coming true!!! Eeeeeeee!!!!

As soon as I let them out.

So excited!

I was just contacted by the Reading Eagle. They want to do an article on my art. 

It will be in the Lifestyle Section on Saturday in 2 weeks.

What a way to start the New Year. 

Also don't forget Somerset Studio

Featured Artist in the Jan/Feb Issue

 7 Whole Pages!!!

Just a bit excited!!!

Dreams doooo come true!

Here is a bit of a progression of a new painting

 I painted this on top of an old painting. 

 

I started not liking the face and where the eyes positioned. 

 

 

So I painted over it!!!  This is when my sisters freak out!!

Why would you do that!!! I can hear them.

Hey you just don't get attached.

I can fix it!

Her expression wasn't showing me what I need to see.

Her eyes where not dreamy enough for me.

 

So I start all over.

 

 A little undercoat.

 Coming along

 

 She is emerging

   Her hat has been completed

This song sums up how I am feeling right now.

I love this song and this movie. This clip is first of Ruth Gordon singing it in a scene from "Harold and Maude" and then Cat Stevens. Equally wonderful! One of my favorite movies. If you ever get a chance to see it please do. It is so worth. Has a wonderful message.

"If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out"

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are

And if you want to live high, live high
And if you want to live low, live low
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

[Chorus:]
You can do what you want
The opportunity's on
And if you can find a new way
You can do it today
You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
you see ah ah ah
its easy ah ah ah
You only need to know

Well if you want to say yes, say yes
And if you want to say no, say no
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

And if you want to be me, be me
And if you want to be you, be you
'Cause there's a million things to do
You know that there are

[Chorus]

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

You can live however you want to.....Its all up to you!!

Figure out what you want to do this year!!!

And just DO IT!!

Scenes of the Holiday

 

Oh Christmas Tree!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Lights on the House

 

Christmas Paintings Everywhere

 

My favorite things. My Metal Poinsettia 

 

Love my Christmas Present from my Cleaning Man.

Beautiful Easel!

He knows me so well!

Thank you Patrick!

 

Stockings Hung by the Chimney

Studio crazy messy! Busy Busy!

My Sister's Beautiful House on Christmas Eve!

(Before the Frenzy)

Loud Beautiful Family!!

 

This is what it is all about!

 

Handmade Gifts by Heidi my sister.

 

 What a clever idea!

 

Waiting for the Ball to drop!!

 Happy New Year!!!

 

Also I got my copy of Somerset Studio

7 Whole Pages!! I am sooooo honored!!!! 

Don't forget to pick up your copy Jan 1st. At any AC Moore, Michaels and Barnes and Noble.

Or buy it on the Stampington website.

My Mother would be so proud. She is why I am who I am. I miss her so.  My childhood was full of art.

My Mother was always creating and she showed us how to look at things in a different ways. Family was everything.  She gave me her values. 

And now Family is everything to me.

I love my Family.

Every part of my family,  The Good.  The Bad.  The LOUD!

Here's to you and all your families!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

See you in 2014!!

WIP, Progression

 

Working on a New Painting.

Not finished yet.

But it is coming along.

Not sure how she will turn out. 

I am not liking the flowers in the back...

Hmmmm Not sure...

Any way here is some of the progression shots

 

Sketching on the Canvas

 

Painted the face and some of the flowers.

Always starts with the face.

Soul of the painting

 

Glued some scrapbook paper for the scarf

Adding some texture.

This is where I am so far. Still have more to go.  I believe the flowers will go and I will do something else.

There will most likely be some words written.  They haven't come yet. I have to sit with it for a while.

Also did some more work on my Big painting.

See my prior post here from prior week to see what it looked like then.

This is one of my favorite things to do.

Just make a lot of marks on the canvas.

What was there before ???

Nothing, A Blank Canvas!

I find that so interesting. 

Were does it come from?

A mark! That is how it starts, Just one little mark.

You can not worry what it is just let it fly!!

Fascinating!

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.” 

~Martha Graham~