Whispers

[ bloom - cherry blossom from our lovely neighbourhood this spring ]

The winter season has come to a close. A season of intense design projects has wrapped up and here I am, exhausted and in need of major rejuvenation. I was trying to figure out how to start my transition from out-of-balance, overworked, distracted ... to calm, relaxed, creative (in preparation for the upcoming art retreat I'm attending and for all the hard work coming over the next few months as I really dig deep and define my strategy for growing my artist business). I found myself stumbling around online, checking out the blogs of a few favourite mentor artists. These two blog posts by Kelly Rae and Flora Bowley brought me completely to tears. The yearning to do more with my art is so intense that I could feel physical pain (literally) at the thought that I might not ever get to explore to this level and experience these kinds of life altering revelations and creative adventures. I felt the same heartache after I became a mother and my travel adventures dwindled due to practical things like budget and time. Art-making and traveling are how I learn about myself and ultimately how I grow as a person.

So on this rainy morning I sat here with my tea and I started imagining what I would want to do if I could do ANYTHING... and slowly this little idea started to bubble... it has to do with stepping out of my comfort zone and leading art retreats. I had convinced myself that I'm a lone artist and do best when I run solo, but today these little whispers surfaced and I instantly knew they had been there all along and I just wasn't ready to listen. I can see the picture so clearly - I'm leading others in wonderful international retreats in places that my heart is called to – full of nature, beauty, calm, personal introspection, uninhibited art creating, and ultimately growth. I'm on a healing journey and I want to surround myself with others who are too. I am here to create more than just beautiful art, I'm here to help others realize their power and beauty through art. I had never made the full connection of just how much my art is about personal growth and healing. At the heart of it all it's about loving your whole self, letting go of restrictions and expectations and being yourself as you truly are, despite all the judgements and pitfalls that come with being human.

It feels profound. My vision for my life just expanded. More to come as I sit with this.

xx

Port Townsend Art Retreat

Since the new year hit I've had my head down, brewing new designs for all my wonderful clients. Today as I was working away I popped over to my email for a quick second and voila, there in my inbox sat an invitation to the Sugar & Spice Art Retreat in Port Townsend, Washington!  It looks amazing. A quaint Victorian town on the water, and three phenomenal artists teaching over three days – Danielle Daniel, Juliette Crane, and Mindy Lacefield. These lovely mixed media artists have come onto my radar in the last year and are all incredibly talented and soulful in their work. I admire them so, and would be delighted to spend a handful of days learning from them in-person! How neat is that?

So, a new goal is set. I yearn to go to this retreat. I've dreamed about some of the retreats offered in exotic places like Morocco and the South of France, but it just hasn't been a reality for me yet. I have a small son at home, and a fabulous group of clients counting on me, so it's been hard to wrap my head around traveling too far. Port Townsend is ideal for a gal like me who just loves Victorian architecture and a small quaint town setting. And did I mention not too far from home?

The dreaming and planning begins!

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.