On the ride

However you look at it, life and work are going to be a roller coaster ride. I'd rather be on my own ride than someone else's.

xo

On becoming a possibilitarian

One year ago I took a course with Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons—Tips and Tricks to make your Creative Business Soar. It opened up a new world full of positive, determined and successful soul sisters. And it opened up my mind to possibility.

It didn't all start there though. There were some baby steps before that led me to this particular course at this particular moment in my life.

The pivotal moment when everything changed for me was 2 springs ago. I came out of the fog after having my little baby boy. He was approaching three and was this beautiful little guy, and yet I felt a deep emptiness even though I had everything I ever wanted. I felt stuck, and like I couldn't change my reality. I went within. I was quiet and still for a long time. Before long my truths and passions and dreams started pouring out. A door opened and couldn't be closed back up. I started to create with my hands (I have been painting my whole life, but not like this), I let myself feel intense emotions, and I created soul sister connections. I allowed. I let myself be vulnerable. I confronted fears. I let myself dream. I let myself believe. And I trusted that with hard work my dreams would take shape. And they have; they are. I'm still confronting fears, still challenging myself to be open and be vulnerable, and always will be. I'm still learning to sit with my truths. And I'm still navigating and overcoming the self-doubt that stops possibility in its tracks. The big change is that I'm learning to think, feel and live like a possibilitarian.

I must say, it takes guts to live from this place. It's an uncomfortable place to be, perched on the edge between possibility and dismal failure. But it makes perfect sense. Everything I do in life and and love and work comes from the same place; from a place of hope, of possibility.

This is a big year for me. I recently launched my Etsy shop and put my art out in the world. I finished my business plan for this new branch of my business. My family is working mindfully at living intentionally, and consciously working towards harmony and love in our home. And I am manifesting abundance rather than focusing on scarcity. I am well on my way to being a possibilitarian. And I'm celebrating all the possibilitarians out there. We're on this messy, beautiful, chaotic, glorious ride together  

This post is part of the Flying Lessons monthly blog circle. Hop to the next blog to read about becoming a Possibilitarian!  

Next stop on the circle is the amazing Naz Laila:

- A Gentle Rebellion -

xx 

Join the possibilitarian tribe here.

Announcing My Etsy Shop!

Friends, I finally did it!

I'm excited to announce my new Etsy shop – www.redpearcreative.etsy.com. For those of you who don't know Etsy, it is the biggest online international website for housing indie craft shops. So this marks the beginning of a new chapter for my business. I have been working towards this for awhile and it feels great to arrive.

It's time to celebrate! I am offering 20% off all orders between September 6 - 10, 2013. Simply apply promo code LAUNCH2013 to your order at checkout. Expires 9pm PST/ 12 midnight EST on September 10.

Please pass this announcement widely and enthusiastically to everyone you know, and if my art is your style please take advantage of this promo code.

Thanks everyone! I'm elated to be sharing my art with you.

xo 

Our Creative Summer

There has been a good mix of creativity around here lately… food, art, home, music, craft, nature, people. Lots to fill the inspiration pot. And many quality moments. Here are a few little highlights...

1. My Parisian friend and I hit the studio for an art night. She did a piece using her daughter's drawing of the eiffel tower - it's magical. I love how personal the piece is.

2. My 4 year old son's curiosity about my stamp carving brought him to carve his own. He drew a picture of our family and asked me to help him carve it out. Look at the result - isn't that the sweetest?

Plus a photo of us sharing some studio time...

3. Garden beauty. We have enjoyed an abundance of berries & veggies this summer from our garden. Our most recent harvest - cucumbers and garlic! 

And from earlier in the summer... berries, berries and more berries.

4. My husband is passionate about energy independence. He's been learning and experimenting lately, and he built his own mini solar panel. It charged the battery right up. So proud! 

 

5. My husband and I wandered upon this great outdoor stage in New Westminster a couple of weeks ago. Anita Eccleston and Alexander Flock were a fabulous jazz duo. So inspiring.

6. We relaxed at the lake for a few days with family and it was bliss… and had a little visit with my dad on the rural acreage where I grew up.

7. My son and I went on a road trip to visit my mom. We lavished her with our art and took lots of nature walks together. He said "I can't believe a mom has a mom." =D 

So much to be grateful for. I want to capture these little moments and document them. Life is flying by and it's good to pause, reflect and share. Friends, I hope you too had summers filled with joy and abundance.

With gratitude,

[ all photos taken by myself or my lovely husband ]

fierce believer

She's fierce! I started this piece last winter and it only recently seemed like the right moment to complete her. I'm really happy with what poured out of me and feel totally connected to this fierce believer. I hope you connect with her too.

Here's a peek at the evolution:

 

xo

Papergirl Exhibit

The Papergirl Vancouver exhibit was fab! I loved wandering around, under and through all the diverse art strung through the space on a line, and it was neat to see my pieces mixed in amongst the others. I truly love the generosity in sharing art that this project embodies, and I love how all the art felt equal, without the hierarchy often felt in galleries. Doodles next to polished works, playful splashes of colour next to intricate paintings. It was warm and welcoming and very human. Thanks to the Papergirl team for putting it all together. Your energy was contagious!

 Me with artist and friend Melissa Thorpe.

The ride out to deliver the art is August 24th. Papergirls and boys will be giving the gift of art to complete strangers along Metro Vancouver bike routes. Could be the perfect day for a picnic or a refreshing stroll I'd say.

Oh what fun to participate in something like this. I'm so glad I did, and I truly hope that whoever finds my art prints in their hands loves them.

p.s. the exhibit has been extended to Thursday Aug 22, at the Roundhouse. Drop in if you can. You can also see all of the pieces from the exhibit on the Papergirl Flickr Feed. And check out the international Papergirl flickr feed too - Papergirl is all over the world, and is fantastic.

begin

Begin. A new piece.

So much love went into this work. I created patterned papers and carved custom art stamps for the background. I pushed my comfort zone and evolved from the dark haired women I usually like to paint. I see this piece as a marker of a key moment in my journey.

It's titled begin, which is one of two words guiding my life right now. I am nudging myself to step into the arena and begin things I'm scared of; things that overwhelm me; journeys that are necessary; opportunities that are ripe and waiting. To trust I have everything within to guide the way, and that it will be what it's meant to be.

At the other end of the spectrum, my other word is finish. I have a knack for littering my life with unfinished things, so right now I am pushing myself to tie up loose ends and put the finishing touches on things. Begin and finish. So simple.

Here are a few photos of the evolution of this piece:

 

Here's to beginning, 

xo