Spirited! A commission.

I recently finished a commissioned painting for a spirited and passionate gal – a good friend from many years ago. The words read know your truths, love with abandon, give generously, and surrender gracefully to life's beauty.

Prints are available in my etsy shop here. 

[ 8.5" x 11" full bleed print ] 

 Here's a peek at the evolution:

 

xo

knowing yourself

The one who grasps the thousand contradictions of his life integrates them into a single whole.
 

—excerpt from poem by Rainer Maria Rilke

Close women friends, my husband and my mom (all in separate conversations) have shared every crucial conversation that inspired the changes in the past couple of years of my life. It feels like this has been a time of coming to know myself. A time full of contradictions.

Most of my life I felt lost. Without realizing it I was suppressing much of what was authentically me. I was fitting myself into the box I felt society celebrated. I was pleasing others.

Having my son was a gift in more than one way. It birthed new consciousness as well. I went through a dark period afterwards that ultimately pushed me to grow and learn about myself. As I have come to know myself better I have started to love myself more.

 [ love: digital illustration by ginger deverell ]

I find now, rather than focusing on what society expects, I'm drawn to seemingly unrelated things: Simple living, Ayurvedic eating and healing, art and creative pursuits, gardening, quiet time in nature, reading, real conversations, quality time with loved ones, alone time, positivity. All of these things add up to me. They are very connected. They are all key ingredients in my growth, and when combined they become a single whole of self-knowing.

For the first time in my life, more often than not I feel contented and connected. It's less about external circumstances and more about the calm of knowing and accepting myself. It's fleeting and takes conscious work, and more than a little vulnerability, but I wouldn't wish to be anywhere else. It feels freeing.

[ know yourself: digital illustration by ginger deverell ]

XO

Illustrations from the heart

My latest creative explorations, hand-illustrated with my wacom intuos pen tablet.

One minute I was on task, working on an illustration project, and the next this lovely creature and these inspirations and textures were pouring out of me. When creativity hits I can't turn my back! They print really nicely too – I just did a few high quality runs. I think they'll be fun to carry in my shop.

Work is flowing right now, with lots of fun and inspiring design projects filling my days. Isn't it a great feeling when things are aligned? If only for a brief moment, we must enjoy it.

Have a great weekend everyone!

p.s. it's friday! That means it's time to check out all the posts from other creatives in the "Fearless Fridays" clan. Supporting each other to overcome our fears and pursue our dreams.

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,

Snowy Morning

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

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,

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,