giving.

I am a giver. if I see something for someone that I know they’ll love, it’s hard for me not to get it for them! I don’t believe in giving gifts simply for birthdays & at christmas time… everyday of a person should be celebrated!
during the month of november, my family & I have decided to bless someone weekly… I love the smiles & happiness it evokes when we show up & say “just because...”
there was such a huge response to last week’s art piece “my cup overflows” that I picked a “winner” to receive a custom 8X10 original! I really hope when she opens her package she has a huge smile on her face!=)



my cup is still overflowing with blessings! [& a studio full of paper & paint!]
now, off to create another piece! <3

overflowing.

hello! so glad you could drop by…
for the last month or so, I have been in a dry place. feeling as if I forgot how to create…
my aunt recently died of cancer… the day after my mom had surgery for breast cancer. when emotions are thick, I usually process with some art. melanie testa of http://melanietesta.com/ had put out the word about a project called “breast pockets” bringing awareness to breast cancer & “flatties” [women who chose not to have reconstructive surgery]. this was just what I needed to get creating. I made 2 pockets, one in memory of my aunt [tia josie] & one for my mom, who is being so brave through her whole ordeal with cancer.

[the red one is my aunt’s & the pink one is my mom’s].


[my mom, a week after her surgery].

we’re coming up on thanksgiving & my heart has been full. I just feel so blessed… that my mom made it through surgery; that the doctors are optimistic about her recovery; that I have an awesome husband; healthy, happy, little girls; a baby growing inside; an amazing, supportive, family; & a place to spread out & create!
yesterday, I cranked out this piece that summed up my feelings:



indeed it does…
have a lovely week! =)

free.

I’m writing to you today from my cozy chair…
we got a great response on brian’s workout video on youtube & facebook. that was really awesome!=) thanks to everyone for supporting our endeavors!
today, I am featured on the Right Brain Planner’s blog. I am super excited to have my art featured! teresa has an awesome site so go check it!
 hover for link --->  http://www.rightbrainplanner.com/a-way-to-let-go-be-free-in-the-moment-art-and-quotations-by-sammie/

above, is my small art journal. it is getting swollen from paint & ink! held together by binder clips & love… this is my first art journal. it contains the most painful & the most joyous contents! I was grieving the loss of my first husband, & my second husband was introduced into my life…
I hope you will visit teresa’s blog & find a bit of joy in art today.
love & peace.

exercise.

for this week’s blog post, I had brian [my hubs/ personal trainer] do an exercise video.=) have fun watching it… we hope it motivates you! oh! & don't forget to drink chocolate milk afterwards! it's an excellent recovery drink!;)

productive.

the day started a lovely shade of gray. the sun hidden behind the hazy clouds…perfect for a walk with a friend. so off we went with a baby & dog in tow. it was nice time.
zona [my dog] has been tuckered out since the walk...


I felt a little lost today… wondering what to do with the rest of my day. the studio is tore up [again] as we are getting shelves hung…

it’s been hard to find supplies & climb over things. I needed some gratitude & contentment, so I started snapping picts of some of my favorite things that make me smile.
glitter in tiny bottles with corks…

bright ribbons…

favorite pencil containers…

patterned papers…

& the reminder that creativity is for daily use!=)

also, I ran into these words “being happy is productive.” =)
so, I have had a productive day indeed…
have an amazing day!

framed.

I have this painting… I bought it before I painted my studio turquoise. it blended right in with the walls. my hubs surprised me with a fresh 2x4 this morning, so today was the day to make a frame!

uh, I sorta didn’t comb my hair all day! I got caught up in creativity.
here is the finished frame. not bad for my first frame…

[painting by kelly barton.]

also, on the creativity front… some new “creepy girl” tags will be listed in my etsy shop this week. tell me what you think.

hope your week is amazing & filled with good things! =)

opportunity.

I sit here in a quiet house, alone. my girls are all in school & my hubs is teaching… I was handed this amazing gift of being able to take a hiatus from teaching this year! I get to be the stay at home mama-artist! what a blessing!
today is the first day & I’m struggling. what to do? how do I break up the day into household chores & creativity? I’ve never had this opportunity, I’ve always been a working mama. I feel a little distraught, lost. I know the feeling will fade & will become comfortable in this new daily routine, but for now, I sit thinking. wishing. the whole day awaits!
today I am thankful for time… to cook, to create, to take a walk with our dog, to read, to listen to music. to maybe find more of myself…
here is a journal page from last year. just wanted to share a little {he}art. peace.

crayons.

I’m back & healed up…
one of my favorite smells is crayons! it has to be crayolas, no other brand will do! I also love how rich the color is & the smooth lay down. I was [ & still am] excited when I break into a brand new box of crayons! it takes me back to my childhood of crayons & paper & coloring books!
today’s art video is some crayon, wax art! enjoy & have a most excellent week! <3

patience.

i know i have not been around much lately... i have been struggling with some health issues. just this past tuesday i had my tonsils removed. i haven't been doing much past sleeping. my hubs has been holding this place & the little girls together. 
i'm very frustrated. i want to play with art supplies, but i am barely muddling through this post without my eyes rolling back into my head! there is so much life zooming by or so it seems! so right in this moment, in this day, i am being reminded to have patience with myself & those around me. so, i call upon your patience as well... to wait for the next blog post with pictures included!
before i sign off & head back to bed, i want to tell you about "art abandonment." it is this group of artists on facebook [& all over the world] who make art just to abandon it! we leave little or big bits of artsy goodness wherever we want! i am so excited to be part of this movement! i designed & printed my cards yesterday & can't wait to start abandoning pieces. 

have an excellent weekend.

therapy.

hey, there & happy monday to you!
so, we all have different ways to cope with life’s issues. my regular therapy includes art & exercise. I also go & talk with a very special lady [aka my counselor, though she is so much more] about once a month.
I’m working on a big piece of art, 48x60 inches. it’s an abstract piece that is called “matrix of wonder.” for having such an incredible name, it is a simple piece. it leaves much to the viewer…





I have been painting on the back porch, with wind chimes & children & a dog running around!
when my husband-personal trainer arrives back home from errands, we will have our workout [full body with weights] , also on the back porch. working out is getting me geared up for running again. I love running!





we have a sweet set up for our work & hobbies here at this bohemian home!=) we are ever so blessed.
soon, brian [the trainer-hubs], will be posting workout playlists & short, workout videos. what do you think of this? what sort of exercises would you like to see? he currently teaches a bootcamp style class, group sessions, & of course one on one training.
here is my last video for some creative inspiration! peace out!

drawers.

my grandma gave me a set of vintage, card catalog drawers! I am so excited.
this is what the drawers looked like…





they are super sturdy. I wanted a bit of color but didn’t want to alter them completely. yet. so I painted the knobs [after I cut off the rods with a dremel].





i popped the painted knobs back in. what do you think?





& here is the complete set! I think it is an awesome addition to the studio!=)





on a side note, did you know these drawers are large enough to hold a bottle of wine?!? there are so many uses for them! mine will house, hole punches, corner rounders, pens, stamps, etc.


if you have drawers similar or had some of these, what would you use them for?


I’m off to do some yoga. happy monday, everyone! =)

relax.

american culture is so consumed with a fast-paced life. go-go-go until you can’t go anymore. we place unreal expectations on ourselves & those around us to be up to par, but where does this get us? it gets us full of anxiety & worry.
it is okay to relax. take a walk. draw. paint. watch a movie. lay in the hammock. read a book. journal. take a run. play guitar. chat with some friends on the porch. take pictures. journal. get a massage. give a massage. sit in the garden. stare at the stars. cry. laugh. love. enjoy each moment…


two, little artists at work!


the wee one drawing.


my hubs fueling the inspiration with some guitar. <3


my feet & art!

*** a big shout out to vanessa [my massage therapist] for aiding in my relaxation today! =) follow her on pinterest at: http://pinterest.com/vjmoyers/ ***
well, I’m off to shovel cow poo! the things that make me giddy! haha. have a most excellent week, friends.

art.

I love being inspired by fellow artists. today, we’ll look at one of my inspiration corners & also check out my latest piece…

newest piece of art in our collection! “the wheel” by sunshine b. lewis! [http://www.sunshinebarlowe.com/ , http://www.etsy.com/shop/sunblewis?ref=pr_shop_more] this is an 8X8 piece on canvas. I love the layers & colors!

wings art tile by stacey merrill, ArtSnark [http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtSnark?ref=ss_profile, http://http://ArtSnark.blogspot.com]

“temptation” [woman in poppies] by trine stasica, ManicAttackArt. [http://www.etsy.com/shop/ManicAttackArt, http://www.facebook.com/ManicAttackArt]

& now for my latest piece::: “dyslexie.”

I used papers, ink, oil pastels, wax… I love how art is my therapy & helps me process my emotions. she is for sale here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/97447695/dyslexie-original-art-free-shipping-in

thanks for stopping by & taking a peek into the studio!=)

home.

it’s monday & that means we are all at home. our favorite place to relax & just be.

the little girls have a playhouse where they make delicious mud concoctions…

this is where they spend 90% of their time. [what do you think of the paint job?!? =)]

while they were making pies & I was making this birch wood hanging…

brian was serenading us on his guitar.

living creatively is how we roll!=)

warmth.

today it snowed in the desert. cold, yet so beautiful! I love the gray sky, the tree branches, dark against it.

today has provided the perfect atmosphere for baking & cooking. we have baked…

nutella oreo cheesecake bars [& cooked a pot of stew].

on the art front, I have been very inspired by my girls, who leave their messy, watercolor crayons laying about.

& for those who don’t know, I recently got married [after being a widow for the past 2 years], to this incredible man, brian. he makes me laugh everyday, makes me think deep & encourages & supports me. we are so in love, it’s ridiculous!=)

I will leave you with my recent youtube, art journal video. may this coming week be filled with peace & love.