Choir of Birds

I'm enjoying waking up to sunlight streaming in and a choir of birds chirping in our backyard. Amidst the chaos of being mama today I sketched a few lovely birds, each with a little ornate decoration. 

Welcome summer,

xo

Salt Spring Island

A week on Saltspring Island. It went so fast. It was soulful, artful, and relaxing. I soaked in the calm energy that nature gives. I come home changed in subtle ways. I bring home with me a slowness, a sense of being present. Living more peacefully and intentionally in my very own house and routines is where my energy is focused. This trip has been a gentle nudge for me. Yet I also come home full of turmoil. A sadness has taken up home in me. I yearn for a more simple lifestyle, more nature and community for my family. I want to have space and time on my side. 

 

Another take-away from this trip was learning to find the art in existing objects. I was inspired by the nature art created by my endearing host Henri. As we walked through gardens and forests we spotted his quietly elegant art set back from the path. Patience and love was evident in every creation. Later on, as I was flipping through my sketchbook looking for a blank page I saw a doodle my young son had done and I decided to try drawing out the existing art by adding my own layer. A new process… a delight.

 

 

I am brimming with love. Love for all the wonderful people we met, the community that felt so much like home, the nature that replenished us, and our hosts Tangachee and Henri who gave us more than a place to stay.

soul time

My husband and I whisked ourselves away to a magical nature paradise in the woods for a little soul time. Relaxing into it is blissful. Feeling peaceful in the spaciousness of it, and in our togetherness.

[ all photos taken by my lovely husband ]

It's such an important piece of living a creative life; taking the time to pause, retreat somewhere that we can see the world with fresh eyes, shift our perspective, rest and rejuvenate, and connect. Colours seem brighter, the air smells fresher, nature is replenishing us. I feel happy.

xo

Art Retreat Harvest

Bliss. Highs. Lows. Contraction. Expansion. This is the incredible journey I've been on for the past week. A creative retreat from daily life in a beautiful Victorian town on the water. Three days with beautiful teachers (Daniel, Mindy and Juliette). Soaking up all I could. And soul sister connections. Beautiful, life changing, kindred-spirit connections. I'm full of gratitude.

A tiny glimpse:

 [ bliss ]

[ whispers painting in-progress, photo by joyelle brandt ]

[ in my groove, photo by joyelle brandt ]

[ getting creative and messy ]

[ Port Townsend, The Clam Cannery, Retreat building on the water ]

[ me and oh-so-lovely Danielle Daniel, writer artist and teacher ]

[ and me with gentle soul, writer artist and teacher Juliette Crane ]

[ playful and kindhearted artist and teacher, Mindy Lacefield ]

[ fun Q+A with the teachers - mindy, danielle and juliette - at the cellar door ]

[ with beautiful soul sisters Joyelle, Andrea and Renée ]

And now for the art harvest. We worked on small journal pages for all of the workshops, exploring a range of techniques, materials and challenges. Each of the teachers is so unique in their personality and style, it was amazing to learn from each of them. My mantra for the week was letting go and allowing myself to be messy/ less contained.

[ back in my studio again, taking a moment to enjoy all my little creations and reflect on the experience ]

Brimming with gratitude and love,

The real questions

Answering three questions today from Danielle LaPorte's book, Fire Starter Sessions.

I want to create…

Beauty. Growth. Love. Art. Artful reflective living. Space for individuals to see and know their true power and find their way.

I want the freedom to…

Work in my own way.
Live in my own way.

Be creative when it flows; be reflective when it calls; be productive when it feels energizing and rewarding; and be at ease when stillness is called for. Work with passionate force, then retreat to replenish.

Entrepreneurship is…

Designing your own reality based on your deepest core values, soul calling and talents. Hard work. Sweat. Tears. Breakthroughs. Clarity. Passion. Quietly knowing yourself.