Joy

Today I was reminded that life should be all about this one little word....joy.  And this word, well it keeps appearing in my paintings.  My heart leads me to put it there.  Like a sticky note on the mirror, a gentle reminder to feel joy, to create joy and to share joy.  Yep.  And like the joy embedded on the outside of the birdcage, it is definately not meant to be captured for a few but rather for us all.

Subtlle Simplicity

Subtle.  I have a hard time with this act......of being subtle.  Just being around me once you'd understand.  I have a very LOUD voice, loud laugh and tend to talk with my hands.  Yeah.  But I can't imagine being any other way.  It's me.  And like I said on Wednesday I want you to know me.  So there's another tid bit about me, that I know, recognize and embrace. 

I joked with our BB gun coach recently that I was pretty sure I knew most of my faults (he was btw getting on to me for being too LOUD in the holding tent).  He replied, those faults you want to recognize that is......and then he went on to say usually those are your strongest traits as well.  I suppose those traits do come in handy while teaching a room full of excited young artists.  And well, these traits do help in a room full of people I don't know.   I can literally strike up a conversation with anyone.  To many people's annoyance sometimes!  hehehe....Yeah, I'll take my not being subtle personality.  It fits me just fine.

Little Corsage Cuffs

So here's how it went down yesterday.  I was finishing up all my little pieces for The Vintage-Flea booth.  Pricing this, signs for that.  And then I got the itch to work on something totally new to add to the mix.  So I pulled out the ceramic robins behind the cuffs below and attempted to embellish them.  Yeah....didn't work out like I wanted.  Bummer.  And then I remembered the wreaths I saw in blogland Monday.  This artist had fallen in love with the $40 cone wreath at Target that I too had drooled over (it's in that section by the books and stationary...you know that expensive section with the door mats?).  She had made her own using a wreath form and 2 Reader's Digest books.  It was genius....and gorgeous.  So into the garage I went looking for a wreath form.  Dang, packed all that up in my purging for the selling of our house.  So I glanced around and thought, "I wonder if I can make those swirly flowers out of all the fabric scraps I have?  Well that was a yes.  So then I set out to find something to glue them to.  And that's when I unearthed these brassish cuffs that had been tucked away for a "rainy day" project.

And that's when it ALL came together.  Yes, I am so loving these "rainy day projects" that I didn't have to buy a thing to make!!  Little wrist corsages.  Just in time for Mother's Day.  I mean, who doesn't love a little wrist corsage!

Seriously, I puffy heart them.  I am going to buy a headband today and see how they look on that base.  I am thinking Mailey is going to have a new hair accessory!  So they are available at the Flea, but if you want one just email me and I'll send one your way!  They are $22 each.

know me

When I placed the words gently into this painting I remember exactly what was on my mind.  Lately I've had a deep desire for those that I surround myself with to really know me.  Not just the bubbly, silly talking, stick-her-foot-in-mouth, art teaching, artsy, Mom, Wife kind of know me.  Know me.  I find the heart on the sleeve thing can be most annoying.  The constant noise and opinions of other's, well sometimes it can overhwhelm me to the point of breaking.  I have loads of courage though.  And good intuition.  I also have my feet firmly planted in the direction my heart and head are telling me to go.    My creativity is overflowing and so inspiring that I can not help but be positive.  Amazing things are around the corner....I feel it in my heart.  So.....I suppose that heart on the sleeve thing can be good for something afterall, right?

Sweetwater420 Fest 2011

Show weekends.  Man I love them.  Like big puffy heart love them.  Now there are down sides to doing show, no doubt.  But driving home last night with a car a lot less loaded down than when I left at 7am Friday morning, I was all smiles.  Because this is one of the best jobs ever.  Ever I tell ya.

With a tent full of new products and paintings I was full of anticipation those early Friday morning hours.  The show started at 4:20 Friday PM with visitors coming in herds.  Literally.  It was unbelievable the number of attendees.  And I just have to tell ya, I felt old.  It was a very young crowd.  Young married, young college, that kind of young.  The weather was a little unpredictable that night so I cut my losses and headed out early.  And I am super glad I did because just as I got the last painting in the van it started to storm.  And it stormed ALL night long.  I stayed with some artsy buddies Julie and Gail in Buckhead.  Yes, another reason to love show weekends.  It's like one continuous stream of happiness.

So on the main stage there were bands all weekend long.  The artist market made the perimeter of the lawn area for the main stage.  I'd say there were about 100 vendors.  From gourmet doggie treats, handmade clothing, soaps, candles, jewelry to me and all my goodies there was a little something handmade for everyone.  Even Lily got a handmade goody from this show!  There was a smaller stage with smaller name bands, a comedy tent, children's area, food area, swag bag area and of course tons of beer trucks.  It was sponsored by Sweetwater ya know!  Chandler Park I do believe was "the" place to be this weekend.  Woohooo!

Since this show went into the late night hours lighting your tent was a must if you wanted night shoppers.  I opted for outdoor strung lights and hung them from the center all around the perimeter of my tent.  It was super magical in there!!

 I made some amazing new friends this weekend.  Something about the vendors at this show.....well they were all real happy and easy going.  Debra below who made unbelievable batik dyed clothing I was immediately smitten with.  She called herself and team of peeps helping her the "festival fairies".  And yes they wore wings all weekend, blew bubbles and hula hooped.  Her spirit you were so drawn to......I know we'll be friends forever.

And of course, what's a show weekend without old friends to hang with all day!!  I loved having my Dad and Barbara with me Friday and Saturday,  Sunday Tiffin hung with me and I had surprise visits from Laura, Becky, Michelle, Audrey, Leigh, Heather, Debi, Allison and more!!  It truly was one of the funnest festivals I've ever been a part of.  And for some reason I did not ever feel exhausted or ready to go home(maybe it was the Sweetwater and cupcakes?). 

Now today.......well it's taking all I can to not crawl back under the warm sheets and nap with Lily!  But alas, I've got about 60+ credit cards to call in and some other book work to close out the weekend's sales.  Yes, it was a great weekend for selling!!  And really, not one thing sold better than another. 

New to the display was this amazing Amy Butler fabric.  I loveeeee it!  And how it ties in with the whole look.   I also now have a wonderful mirror, new hanging mannequins and new magnet holder.  More pics here of displays if you want to peek!

So what's next??  I've got some fluffing to do at my booth at The Vintage-Flea and painting to do before Dunwoody Arts Festival which is in 3 weeks!

Aspire to Be More

I am not the biggest fan of the saying, "when life gives you lemons make lemonade!".  Instead I think we should say, "aspire to be more".  Same thing, different words. 

I saw a facebook link to this U-tube yesterday.  Something told me to go there....to see it....to pass it forward.  It changed me.  My words are not always chosen carefully.  But I am just like this yummy bowl of lemons....aspiring to be more.



If you are in the Atlanta are this weekend, please come by and see me at the Sweetwater420 Festival.  I am listed under Mattie's Social Circle.  You'll recognize the work though I am sure!!  Hours are Saturday:  12-10PM and Sunday:  12-7PM.    The skies have broken, clear thanks goodness, and looks like it's going to be a great day!!

What We are Capable Of

I am always in awe of what one can accomplish in a given day.  Yesterday I was overwhelmed, completely.  But after a very, very productive list checking off kind of day, I was able to stand back and and truly absorb what was right in front of my eyes.  Sometimes being right in the thick of the creative process I completely loose sight of what should be an enjoyable journey.  The technique I use does not reveal its true beauty until the very last step.  But once the journey is over the reveal is well worth the wait.

If you read this blog on a regular basis then you've seen the willow tree sneaking its' way into the mix of compositions.  Their natural beauty mesmerizes me.   And combined with Ernestine.....well I am amazed at what sometimes I am capable of capturing through a paint brush.  It's so simple....this composition.  And yet it it has gravity.  It is entitled "embracing the journey home."

Below the willows  become almost like wintry whispers.  I wrote this sometime back to incorporate into a painting, and this was the one....but words stamped into this particular composition I think would have been distracting.  Here are the inspirational words behind the painting:

"how beautiful is the breeze as it carries your song to me"

The way the colors illuminate off one another well,  it's like they are dancing a romantic waltz around the canvas.   It takes my breath away.  And reminds me once again that this studio is truly an amazing place to create.