Slowing Down

It's that time of year when everything slows down. Out of necessity. We need more time to sleep, to hibernate, to rejuvenate. It's cold out, and cozy in. I'm reflecting on what I want to get out of this winter.

Slow down. Be in the present. Use my hands to make things. Show my son how to. Taste my food when I eat. Hike in the fresh air and ferns, and notice the trees and beauty around us. Feel my body working when I hike. Look at each other when we talk, rather than speaking over our shoulder as we walk away. Enjoy silence. We don't need to fill every space with conversation. We can fill it with quiet love. Play music together and sing along, making up the words as we go. Let our son lead. Run, tumble, chase, hide. Let the squeals and belly laughs fill us up and feed our souls. This is life. Slow down. Participate. Enjoy. We don't want to miss this. 

 

 

[a page from my art journal]

From my cozy home on a snowy winter's eve,

Hope

Hope has always been my word. Right now it's keeping me strong as I navigate uncomfortable and exciting change while I expand my creative business. In the past it kept me going as I tackled my studies and daunting career launch, then when I explored new careers, when I stepped onto a life path with my husband, when I became a mother, and especially when I sat with the question "who am I?" Hope has always kept me going. Here are a few little reminders that hope is always at hand.

 

my favourite christmas ornament, front and centre on the tree!

flowers from my husband and son. xx

 

photo credit: http://www.etsy.com/shop/thedreamygiraffe

  

 photo credit: http://www.etsy.com/listing/89688802/green-white-art-print-hope-is-alive

photo credit: http://pinterest.com/kgistheboss/

with hope and joy,

Fear and Courage

Most of my life has been driven by fear. Of failing, not being enough, making mistakes and being judged, of being irrelevant. 

Tonight I sat in Sweet Revenge, a decadent dessert patisserie with my girlfriend sharing stories of our lives and dreams and ambitions. I was rambling on about all the things I want to do to leverage my art; open an etsy shop, sell prints & cards & artful products, spend more of my days creating. I rattled off excuses for why I'm not ready yet and everything that needs to happen first (I had a list for sure). She simply said "you're waiting for perfection. You need to just go for it. Do it and deal with what happens after." I rattled off more excuses but she was having none of it. Set me to task and promised to harass me every day until I take the next step and launch a shop, or something equivalent. She gave me until the end of the month. I better get busy :)

But really, the topic of fear hasn't been far from my mind in, well forever. It's a demon of mine and we keep doing the same dance. It's time for me to be brave despite my fears. I have accomplished much in this life, and there is so much more to do. My heart soars when I am creating beautiful artwork, designs and illustrations. I know what I love to do. And I am proud of my boutique company which I have poured my heart into for nearly ten years. I'm on a path, and I'm doing it, fear aside. 

Sweet Revenge Patisserie - I didn't take any photos when we were there, so I grabbed these from google. I believe credit is due to Jube's Comic Blog and Vandiary.

With courage and delight, I wish you a great night. 

Snowy Morning

A new piece I just finished... born from my wishes for a quiet snowfall with me drinking tea at the window.

Mason Jar Candles

I saw this idea for mason jar candles today on pinterest and tried it out. So quick to make, and I love how they turned out! Here is the original picture from pinterest where I got the idea - http://pinterest.com/pin/224898575113379145/

 

Chasing Dreams

My newest piece, Chasing Dreams – "She set her dreams free so she could begin to chase them."

I've been holding onto certain dreams, tucked away safely where they can stay in tact and reality can't creep in and taint them. Recently I've found myself setting them free and seeing what happens. Maybe they will be crushed in an instant. But maybe, just maybe they will soar and transform and become something beautiful. First I must set them free, so I can begin to chase them. So, I am speaking my truths and sending my dreams into flight.

My dreams...

1. Sell more art & reproductions of my art – thus affording me more time in the studio CREATING beautiful and meaningful things.

2. Be diligent and devoted to maintaining my studio routines, doing what it takes to keep my creative flow going, and striking a good life/ work/ family balance. Nothing is perfect - I vow to be okay with this and do my best.

3. I'm so lucky to work with many like-minded clients on projects I'm passionate about. I want to attract even more of these great clients, and attract more creative design projects that take advantage of my artistic strengths.

4. Do more illustration work. I got this nifty pen tablet, Wacom Intuos - have you tried it? It's wonderful. I'm having a great time experimenting with all the possibilities. I just love hand-illustrated elements contrasted with clean design.

5. Explore surface pattern design and create something authentic and great.

6. Feel good about where my creative business is at, and where I'm at.

It really is a journey, and one I'm so grateful to be on. I stumble, I have setbacks, and goodness do I ever have "off days". But I truly feel I am contributing something important. I am growing, I am being a role model for my son by pursuing my dreams, and ultimately I am sharing love and beauty. I hope I can inspire you a little and bring something positive into the world.

Surrender

I choose to surrender. I am letting go of "it". Whatever it is. I seem to be holding on to so much. It's exhausting trying to control everything, not to mention fruitless. This new piece I'm working on is my commitment to myself to make this change, to surrender to life and all its messiness, to find the beauty in it. Will you surrender with me?

Wholeheartedly,

Posters & Postcards for Thara

I've just completed a crisp and beautiful series of print designs for local Naturopath and Yogini Thara Vayali. Earlier this year we created an organic minimal website for her, and now I'm feeling so pleased knowing she has a series of refreshing print marketing pieces to promote her events and share her wealth of knowledge about health and wellness. Plus there's a bonus treat - she has included a recipe on the back of her postcard (and it will change on every print run so you can collect all of them for your recipe box).

If you're looking for a taste of inspiration, Thara's inspire gallery is always full of great reflection, health discussions, yoga wisdom, recipes and more – www.tharavayali.ca/inspire

 

All the best to Thara!

Friday Art Journal

My son asks me often "How do you know?" It's a good question. I find myself asking the same thing. How do you know... you're enough? How do you know... you're on the right track? How do you know... this is what you want? The answer must lie within. I have to trust myself. We all have to trust ourselves. Tonight's art journal page is my little reminder.

artfully,

Art for Juliette

This is a recent customized piece for a lovely sweet baby girl named Juliette. I am having so much fun creating these personalize pieces for youngsters!

Creatively,

Rules of the Road

I need a little inspiration today. Here is a fave excerpt called Rules of the Road from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron:

In order to be an artist, I must:

1. Show up at the page. Use the page to rest, to dream, to try.

2. Fill the well by caring for my artist.

3. Set small and gentle goals and meet them.

4. Pray for guidance, courage, and humility.

5. Remember that it is far harder and more painful to be a blocked artist than it is to do the work.

6. Be alert, always, for the presence of the Great Creator leading and helping my artist.

7. Choose companions who encourage me to do the work, not just talk about doing the work or why I am not doing the work.

8. Remember the Great Creator loves creativity.

9. Remember that it is my job to do the work, not judge the work.

10. Place this sign in my workplace: Great Creator, I will take care of the quantity. You take care of the quality.

Creatively,

My Attic Studio

This is where I work. Graphic design, art, dreaming, pinning, everything goes on here. I lovingly call it "the loft" but it's actually a cozy attic studio in my home that's really inspiring to be in. From time to time it's clean and organized, but most of the time it's a work in progress as the creating happens and the messes spread. I love having a faux wood stove and cozy blankets on hand for all the cold wet days. If you're ever nearby, come visit me and we'll have a cup of tea!

Creatively,