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!=)