Giving Abundantly

This morning I can't seem to shake this word off my brain:

I looked it up in the dictionary to be sure I had the meaning right, and it says this about abundance....
1:  ample or overflowing quantity  2:  affluence or wealth  3:  relative degree of plentifullness.

Have you ever thought about what you have an abundance of?  I can tell you on the surface I have an abundance of clothing, nick-nacs, art supplies, patterned papers, and junk jewelry...just to name a few.  I am not so sure I have an abundance of monetary wealth.....actually I know I don't.  But we are working on that!  The 3rd definition, on being plentiful, I think this has to do with being fruitful.  And to me that translates into giving.  And that is where my abundance lies.  You see, my entire life I've enjoyed the act of giving.  Giving of gifts, giving of time, and giving of my talents.  Sometimes joyfully these things are given, sometimes out of obligation, but nonetheless, they are the fruits that I can give in abundance.

I know that's why I like to talk here in this blog to you about my life as an artist.  It's one of those gifts I've been given, the gift of gab some may say, and one that I fruitfully give.  Just in case you are wondering, it's definitely not out of obligation that I share but rather in joy that I openly discuss my creative self.  You see, when you have an overflowing abundance of something, you can not help but share it.  I know you have something like that inside of you, something that bubbles inside and just about bursts out.  Something that brings joy to your very core of being.  One does not have to have wealth in terms of money to live abundantly, just a willingness to seek what lies abundantly within you.  Being open to share this abundance is what will make you stronger, and less vulnerable to those sneaky insecurities that also lie within you.  So start digging folks and find the abundance within......I can guarantee it's not hanging on hangers in your closet.

Living In My Creative Life

I've been thinking about creativity a lot lately.  I think it's because I started reading Scoutie Girl's Blog.  And she's a big thinker.....I like that she's a big thinker.  Because she asks big questions and answers big questions that make me think.  Not that I have any problemo asking questions or thinking for that matter.  If you've ever been around me in person I can ask and talk with the best of them.  Asking questions about creativity gets my juices flowing and my passions rising though.  And I don't always have an audience for this platform of question asking.  For instance, while waiting for the Redbox video to release my chosen flick for the night, it's not uncommon for me to speak to the husband behind me who's obviously on a "Honey will you pick up a ....." run at the grocery and decided to get a movie as well, is not the person to ask, "so are you left or right brained?"  Yep.  Sometimes you gotta harness this topic for other venues.  And blogging has been just that platform.

I think too this whole e-course I'm knee deep into has got me thinking as well.  You know, about being the creative type.  Have I ever told you that in High School my Who's Who was "Most Creative".  Funny at the time because I was a musician.  But I always had the grand plan for the homecoming float, decoration themes for the dances, etc.  I was the outside of the box big creative thinker of the group.  I like that they believed this of me....because it planted a seed that has continued to grow inside my little heart for 20 years.  (Yes, that 20 reunion is around the corner for me.)  A few friends came over recently and I just flat out apologized for all the stuff.  I said you know, I try to simplify, edit and take away.  But I simply can't.  All the stuff on the walls, on the shelves, on the floor.....it stimulates my creativity.  It's who we are as a family.  They giggled and said they love coming to my house because there is so much to see.  That there is!  I think by layering my life so densely with friends, family, things and art I am building this amazing creative life.  And honestly I can't imagine it any other way. 

The painting above, it's an oldie....literally.  It's called "Mattie and Her Social Circle".  And it was the start of my finally acknowledging that being a creative type was OK.  It was one of my first true paintings.  Of course I'd painted this and that, but never put real price tags on anything.  It's sitting in the windowsill of my studio as a reminder that being on this path I will always find a circle of friends to embrace and enjoy the journey with me.  And as long as I'm not afraid to keep asking questions, the path will continue to widen and allow room for more creativity to ride along side.

Keep Looking Up

I am a regular reader of Kelly Rae Robert's Blog.  Have you ever been on her site?  A few years back when I decided to take this leap of faith into the world of being an artist I went to Barnes and Noble and bought a bunch of creative books.  One being hers, Taking Flight.  And now she is offering an e-course.  And I am totally, totally excited.  This morning I read the first few postings and now just have to share some thoughts. 

Have you ever really thought about taking on a creative career?  Well, I know first hand that making that decision to leap into being a creative entrepreneur full-time is not an easy decision.  I think back on that time in my life I realize how full of fear I was.  Fear of disappointing so many people on so many levels.    I had a successful business with a partner at the time, two small children to raise, a very busy husband,  family and friends who counted on me.  Who was I to think that anyone would embrace my life changing decision toward my dream?  Well most did.  My husband, sweet Billy, he gets me.  Which is of course important to a marriage, but he also gets that creativity is what motivates my every being.  And being the husband of someone who needs this creative outlet to remain sane is not always easy.  And although most of my family and friends were like "good for you, that sounds fun". I know there were rumblings about what in the world was I doing.  Comments like, She'snevergoingtomakeit.  Were always in the back of my head.

That was the first obstacle to overcome in order to realize this dream.....the acknowledging that this was what I wanted to do with my life and then the telling.  I knew in my heart that I was an artist.  And honestly I am quite confident in my skills and in my work.  Yep.   And yet confidence can also become a fear.   I am human and can easily allow my vulnerability to creep in and take over.  Especially when I start peeking into other artists lives via blogging.   Why must I compare myself  to others?  There is plenty of room for everyone out there in the creative circle.  Really there is.  In fact I go through periods where I just don't read blogs because I know that the fear is looming over me.  And honestly that is a time I need to be practicing courage and embracing my own art.  Of course some fear is quite healthy, it helps us grow, it means we are invested in what we are doing and don't want it taken away.  And truly in the end it opens doors when we are ready.

I am an optimist, a glass is half full kind of gal.  It's a nice trait to have.  And I really love the quote in the painting above, "keep looking up.  You are already becoming the person you want to be".  I am on that path and am really looking forward to the questions and opportunities this e-course will bring.  So readers, are you becoming who you want to be?

Going Where I Never Thought I Would

2 years ago when I started this journey as a full-time artist and you asked me, "so when is your next show?"  Never in a MILLION years would  I have thought that this time the response would be....."Well, I have a Solo Show Opening in August."  Yep.  That's right.....all by myself.  Solo.  Hanging on the walls, just me.  Wow.  I am a little more than excited right now that it's finally close on the horizon.  She asked me exactly one year ago this weekend.  So I've had time to process, but now it's HERE!

So here's the nitty on the show.  It's being held at the Naked Art Gallery in Birmingham, Alabama.  It is meaningful in more ways than one having it here because Vero was the first gallery to believe in me.  And boy, we've come along way since my first mailing.

Here's what the show will look like:  40 paintings at least and 30 functional pieces.  I can get the paintings done right away.  The ideas are kind of swimmy right now.  But the functional pieces, well that is Vero's thing.  And kind of what the gallery is known for....functional art.  I can send jewelry, but it counts as 1 item because it will all be in a case together.  So 29 other items.....yikes.  I have some frames I can paint up, and my new jewelry can count as another because I plan to make stands for those.  So I have some thinking to do right now.  All the pieces are due August 1st.  That gives me about 8.5 weeks.  I can do it.  This summer is devoted to it really.  And I am so ready to get started.  And you know me, I've made a timeline of projects and what has to get done.  I've got two large custom orders to finish first.....and then I am hoping the ideas will explode!  I'll be sharing the journey of course.....so get ready.  And I almost forgot, the opening reception is Friday, August 20th 6-9PM and Saturday, August, 21st 1-6PM.  Hope I can see you then!

Whatcha Think?

Today I decided it was time.....time to step it up a bit right here in cyberland.  After talking today to my buddy Tiffin, and finding out a few new tricks that were literally under my nose for who knows how long, I now have what I've been seeking for a very long time in a website.  This blog is so fun for me.  I love telling you my adventures as an artist, mommy, teacher, wife, you name it I talk about it.  But I wanted to have some more serious pages too.  Turns out you can do that in bloggerland.   Yep.  Seriously I think since getting the I-Pod touch I am literally sizzling with techno geekness.  Hehe...Slowly the pages will be appearing right under the blog banner area.  Right now there are 4, and they are rough.  VERY rough, so peek and don't critique just yet.  I just had to get something in there to see.  And now that the hinge has been released from this little box, I'm afraid of what else I'll be finding. 

So "believe in yourself" is what I placed with this post.   Let me tell you, right now I am doing some serious believing and it is really paying off.  I suppose that sometimes just being willing to open your heart and mind up to new ideas can lead you down the most unexpected paths. 

New on the Horizon

Sometimes things just come together so nicely. While cleaning out the studio I found this little silver bezel that Valerie gave me to try with my porcelain pendants months ago. I never really liked the shiny silver patina, so I never pursued finishing off my pendants in this manner. But now, I have potions....fabulous potions that make shiny things very dingy, very quick. And now, well let's just say I am anxiously waiting for my round and square bezels to arrive from China!! Here's the sample of what's to come:

Today I headed to my new favorite bead shop and stocked up on all the beads and shiny silver findings I need to complete the necklaces. I have about 20 shiny bezels (see below) I've ordered and received already. Now I need to cut wire and chain, magic potion the parts then wire the beads together for the chain. The bezel will also be darkened and my artwork carefully placed into the bezel for a very new look with my jewelry. I am just about beside myself with the outcome and can't wait to start putting them all together! Hopefully I'll have some available by mid-June in my Etsy shop. But really they are the icing on the cake for my SOLO ART SHOW. Yep. A very big thingy I've been wanting to share with you bloggers for a year now. And now, it's almost HERE! Yahooo!!! More details very soon on the show. For now, let's just drool over the candy drop beads in this jar why don't we?

Houseful

I know I've mentioned it before, but we do have a houseful here in Newnan. I always put in my art bio that I am inspired by 4 cats, 2 hamsters, one turtle and a silly little dog. Oh yeah, I also have a sweet husband and two very clever children. Whew. It's fun here in this 1200 square foot house sometimes. But about 2 weeks ago we noticed some uninvited guests on our sweet Lily. And despite the dish soap baths, flea combing AND Frontline (that stuff seriously did not work on my 12 pd dog) she has a flea issue. And since I am a freak about the fleas, we are having the house and yard treated today. I've yet to see them anywhere but her, but she is seriously going to itch herself to death.

So why am I telling you this? Well, you gotta get this picture in your head for a little giggle. Because that's what I'm doing at this point. So the bug man calls last night and reminds me that all animals have to be out of the house and away from the yard for 2 hours. Um. Ok. So my 4 cats, 2 hamsters, turtle (although as my daughter reminded me this morning he is NOT a mammal, he still has to go), and silly little dog I guess will all pile up in the van and go.......where the heck are we gong to go? Seriously. Oh my. Good thing they all get along.

I am itching just thinking about it now. I'll be sure to tell you how it goes later. For now, I suppose I'll go wrangle everyone for a little road trip. hehehehe......

By the way pictured from top to bottom are the following: William and Lily, a rather robust Ellie, Old lady Saily (she's 16), William and Etsy and finally AJ (and yes, he has been in as many fights as his ears look). Not pictured are Dash the turtle, Jackson a rather large tabby cat, and Candy Corn the red-eyed dwarf hamster.

A Few Obstacles

"Success isn't measured by the position you reach in life; it's measured by the obstacles you overcome." -Booker T Washington So right now, my obstacles are not the ideas because they are coming so fast that I am having trouble sleeping. I've got plenty of canvases ready, wire to weave and beads to wire. My obstacle right now is this:

Yep. Everyone has a skeleton in their closet. And mine is actually an entire garage. I am a freak about having order before a new surge of creativity. And today the garage MUST be done. I can't even find my canvases. Literally. How the heck do I let this space get to this point? Urgh. I spent a good two days cleaning out the studio and re-arranging last week. So it's ready to be used. Hopefully by Monday I'll be back at the desk I so want to be at right now. For now, Ellie is keeping in warm for me. ;)

UPDATE: 5 LARGE black bags of trash and bins of overflowing items have lead me to this conclusion...... I may be a hoarder. Yikes. So we are having an impromptu Friday ONLY yard sale. 8-2. COME on. Seriously come. Oh and BTW, I have only purged a tiny portion of the garage. There is an entire attic above the garage and a rather large storage unit as well. sigh. I may need to go buy more beer. Later.......

A Little Simplicity

So last night it hit me like a brick wall.....the exhaustion that is. Yes, I do run down folks. I may sound like the energizer bunny in this blog most of the time, but after the 25 hours of art show in one weekend and this busy week, my body said "slow down Nelly". I had like one two many people ask me yesterday if I felt ok. Yikes. Do I look that bad? So today marks the last of the "obligations". I spoke at career day this morning, which was so, so much fun! I think they all want to be artists now! hehehe.... And tonight we have baseball and our Girl Scout end of year program. I can't WAIT to give Mrs. Holly her gift from the girls. She's gonna cry.... After that, I am seriously taking my own advice painted so sweetly here:

So what's on the simple agenda? I plan to visit the "redneck" swimming pool in our backyard (photos are sure to be posted soon), have a few lites, eat cheesy burgers and homeade fries, and listen to the giggles of the kids as I spray them with the hose on the swingset (a family favorite!). And that's it! Yep. Seriously. Well, I may have to like shower or something. But the garage piles, messy house and sticky floor in the den (seriously where does sticky on the floor come from?) will wait until Monday. See you then!!

Explore, Dream, Discover

Since taking on this new role as full-time artist I have been doing a lot of this:And man am I glad I have. Right now things are really moving along well here in the studio. The summer is on the horizon and I can see clear to Christmas my shows, new product ideas and tons of painting themes. I'll be back later this week to show off the booth at Dunwoody. It was an amazing show for me. Seriously I love you guys. All the blog peeps that came out to say "Hi", I don't know who was more excited, me or you really. And those of you who now own my precious artwork or have inspirational jewelry around your wrist and necks, thanks. I look forward to seeing you all again!

Dunwoody Art Festival 2010

Here's where I'll be this weekend! So if you are in the area, or want a road trip this weekend please come by and see me. I don't know my booth number yet, but I'm sure you'll recognize my stuff! And boy am I in good company. When looking over the list of vendors I flipped. Just hoping I can find a few minutes to walk around and say hi to all my art show peeps.

Fireflies and Love

So the past month has been a little hard for us as a family with our daughter. Really. I won't go into it all, but let's just say that daily tummy aches, no desire to play with anyone, or eat out are just a few of her new behaviors (on top of the others we lovingly embrace). Thus why I was tickled when she actually wanted to attend the Serenbe event with me. Even though she didn't last long, it was the longest she'd been out in awhile AND she ate in a restaurant. I think she forgot that it made her tummy hurt because she was so excited about her jewelry. Anyhoo, we also have recently found out that two married couple friends are not doing so well. sigh. So these are two of the paintings that sold this weekend. As they were passing my hands and into the new owners it hit me that maybe, just maybe, finally more of me is entering into my art than just my hands. And that maybe I have something to say. And maybe someone will really listen. The top painting says how to grow love....the bottom says let nothing dim the light that shines within.

I think I've already shared these with you, but now that they are gone, the words kind of stand out to me. And the message is loud and clear. Standing firm in what I believe is good and right for our family is of top priority right now. And that little light well, just like in the fireflies little hinney, I am not going to let anything dim what is shining so bright inside me right now. And I am hoping that maybe, just maybe, you can see the light too and are not afraid to let it shine.

May Day and Mailey

So here she is at "her first Art Show" (that's what it became once I said yep to her selling with me). When I got home from Wesleyan Saturday night we worked together on finishing up her little charms, adding sparkly beads, and placing them on the chains. And of course since it was going in my booth, it had to have a fabulous display stand. So we made a miniature version of my jewelry stands. Which worked great. She wanted them priced at $10 each and hoped to make $75.00. (math is not her strong suit)We got there early, I like to be first to this show, it gets you the best spot. After unloading and a yummy breakfast at the Blue Eyed Daisy, we set out to get our booth ready. And she was a trooper. The wind was knocking EVERYTHING down. I mean everything. It was terrible. Finally we had to literally tie everything down with rope. Even my mannequin had to be tied up to the tent. The wind was unbelievable all day. But it was a beautiful day, so we could handle the gusts of wind every once in awhile.

She made it until around 1pm, then called her Daddy to come get her. She was "bored". I wasn't of course. People to visit with, sales to make. And sales we had!! Mailey sold 8 necklaces (woohoo!) and I sold paintings and jewelry like crazy. In fact, this is a 4 hour event and our sales were about as good as the very slow 3 days at Wesleyan! People were in a spending mood! And I as happy to sell to them!

Here's my end booth. Love the end because you get them coming and going. Thousands of people came out for the day. It truly is a great event. Thanks you Serenbe!! And thanks to all of you who came out for the day.

By the way, remember my statement about the wind???? You see the bird head sculptures above? Yep. They all tasted the pavement. I nearly lost my cool. But what's an artist to do? I mean the hours I put into making those.....I'll never get that back. Fix them? I can't even look at them yet. I just may cry. For now they are in a box in the storage unit. I've way too much to do this week to worry myself. The Dunwoody Show is this weekend, and with the success of the past few days, I've got to turn to and replenish some stock! So back to the painting I go. Yipee!

Spreading Love

I firmly believe that spreading love and kindness on your relationships lead to long lasting ones. And today, I'm spreading a little your way. I finished up the last of the new paintings today. Whew. It's been a very exciting time in the studio with my brushes. I drew most of them out last Tuesday so I could keep momentum going. But then along the way I got inspired to do one of these and one of those, and the next thing you know I now have 30 new paintings already packed in my car for the Wesleyan Show this weekend. Yep. I said 30. Now, many are ittle bitty for me. Like the top flower for instance, the image size is like 3" x 15". Lots are under $200.

And lots with hearts. I noticed this trend as I was photographing them all today.

This last one is a new favorite (It's about 12"x16"). The colors in person just "wham" ya. The bottom corner (which I cropped out by accident I see) says, "How to grow love". And the jars say, "Patience, trust, joy and kindness." I showed my husband and he said, "I like it, but you need a lot more than just those four things to grow love." Huh. Maybe he needs some hearts thrown his way? I have been a little absent this past week. Now that the paintings are done and I can CLEAN this place up I can throw hearts all over the place. For starters, I am going to throw a little magic into the pot of homemade spaghetti sauce on the stove. Nothing like hot garlic bread and homemade spaghetti sauce to make my family big puffy heart me again.;)

Maybe I'll Paint Later...

Ok. I was about to paint and then I was like, "I wonder how my new camera would do with my colorful art supplies?" And here you go: And what about my little camper and Jenni letters.......

Oh man, I've got a PINK bike I could use too and prop it in front of the playhouse........can you tell I got really excited? My kids came home fom school and I showed them my contraption (actually William was like Mom, what are you doing with that pringles can on top of that old camera? And why is your camera on top of it all?). They were like, "Mom that is sooooo cool. Can we take some?" Not yet. I'm on a roll kids!

Yep. On a roll. Now I wonder where I can find an old truck parked? Gotta go!!

I Should be Painting but....

A new toy came in the mail and well....this is what I've been doing all afternoon. I really can't even express in words how excited I am about this new toy. Seriously I am in awe. These pictures are so mysterious, so soft, so.....well, perfect.

Now I am off to paint in my very cool sunroom studio. Lily is already nestled in my lap and snoring. The life of an artist. I think I like it right now. Yep, ginormous smile running across my face right now.

Where Are You Going Tonight?

I'd like to take a drive at night somewhere where the stars are so bright they sparkle like millions of diamonds. Then I'd lay down the tailgate, spread out a cozy blanket and gaze upwards. Of course a nice glass of red wine would accompany me during this gazing. And I'd watch for shooting stars. My wish should I see one? Well now, wishes don't come true if you share them!

So I Did Get My Brushes Out

After a yummy lunch with our family, a little napping, watching the movie Blind Side with William and an icy cold mug of brew, I started to paint. And paint, and paint. I just could not stop! It was liberating and fun and exciting! I was able to get 5 smaller paintings finished last night. My goal was to be looser with my paint brush. And since I had not started any with texture and was too impatient to layer the texture, sleep and then paint, I just kept layering and layering the paint onto the wood surface to obtain these really exciting new compositions:

I am headed to Hobby Lobby to buy some black gesso. I am thinking I may like the outlines left behind from the black gesso. I've also started a tandem bike, some funky lollipop flowers and some more back yard birds. I bought this great Georgia Backyard bird field guide which is where the inspiration for all the little tweets have come from. Off I go!!

Company's Coming!

When you invite a bunch of people over for dinner, are you like me and feel like you've gotta transform your house? You know, like re-do something or do a massive clean out or your know maybe paint something? No? Ok. I thought I was a little impulsive crazy and now I know! Ha! But seriously, I do have this urge when I know company's coming. I suppose since we never entertain, I get so excited when we do that my nervous energy turns on the house and I do things I'd had on the "honey do list" for months. So Saturday night we were supposed to have a bunch of our baseball team over for a cook out and flash light Easter egg hunt. We all agreed that our boys were not too old for egg hunting, but the church egg hunt did. So a flash light hunt seemed the perfect plan! Except, the boys played in a baseball shoot out and guess what, they of COURSE made it to the championship game, which was played at 8:00PM last night. And we lost, and no one got to come over. Yep. Total bummer on many, many levels. Good news though, my little house got a much needed face lift and now I am motivated to do more!So here's my spicey front door. I've been wanting to fill holes in the trim from decorations and give the door a fresh lighter look. Whatcha think? I just love it! Really lightens up the little front door nook. I am on the look now for this front door mat I saw at out Target with blue birds on it. Of course when I went to buy it the other day it was gone. Surely I can find it at another store.

Always the store owner, I had to put a vignette in the yard to represent spring. So I unearthed the old red wagon, painted it blue and planted it with white inpatients and some yellow flowers. Love the chick I found at Scott's awhile back. This is at the front right as you walk to the door. I had to do something with the negative space where the GIANT bushes once laid. Yep, the other crazy project I started.
So here's my little cottage. With 14 year old boxwoods all across the front. We don't believe in "grooming" them into crazy little shapes. We like free form. And so they have free formed for 14 years into these massive forms. Practically covering the house. So Thursday afternoon I decided to trim them back, and clean out the beds, etc. Since we were having an egg hunt I figured the yard needed a little sprucing up as well. Well, you see I started where the circle is drawn above with hedge clippers (which during this time I hedge clipped the extension cord right in half ! Yikes!). During which I said to myself, "I really don't like these bushes any more. I think I'll dig them up." Yep. That's what I said, and what I started at 3 o'clock on Thursday afternoon. I gave out on bush #3. 14 year old roots I do believe grow to China. Geesh. So the arrow points to the ones that still need to go. A friend suggested tying it to the truck and gunning it. I'm afraid that the roots are attached to the house and that if I do that the house will follow suit! So, it's Easter morning and my body after almost three days of company coming work is exhausted. I am really looking forward to lunch with my wonderful family, a little egg hunting, and later some painting. Yes, I am getting the paints back out. whooohoooo. I have a this whole new idea series in my head. And well, just like with the yard, my impulsive gotta do it behavior crosses over into all aspects of my little life. Hope you have a blessed day!!

Etsy Shop Update!

Tonight I updated my etsy shop with some of my new jewelry goodies! But hurry....there aren't many! I can also do custom orders for Mother's Day. Just send me an email.