Coastal Reverie and a Giveaway, too!!!

Think about the possibilities.  If the world is your canvas, then truly you can create it as you see it. Or as you choose to see it. Once you let go of the boundaries instilled in your mind,  there are no rules as  you unleash your creative heart.

 

This painting is a good example of just that. I  went into my painting session with an idea and a very loose color scheme, something that I changed up a bit as I went along. What I did have was a vision though...a vision of something I had seen many years ago but with time had faded to just a blurry haze of color and shapes.

Snorkeling.  Yep..that was the inspiration behind this painting,  a dive in the Caribbean waters many moons ago, About 15 years ago at least maybe more. While I don't remember much, what I do recall is much more than blue waters floating by, it was crayon box of color , texture and MOVEMENT,  underwater. Everything is moving with every wave that goes by.  Does it look like this exactly? No. But that's okay.  The painting doesn't have to even resemble the underwater scene I was envisioning, if someone wants to believe it's a explosion of fireworks...that's okay with me too.  It's just a canvas. It's a memory. It's a feeling.  It's going to elicit something different from everyone who views it. 

 Our individual canvases can go from one feeling to another rather quickly, at times it just may be simple and understated like the canvas above.  Still, the colors evoke a feeling...to me, they bring me back to a cottage I once knew well by the lake,  a little store nearby full of penny candy and freeze pops and a line up of boats anchored near the shore. I imagine this board nestled in a vignette of fisherman's net and starfish, maybe sitting on top of a treasure box full of memories of a summer not too long ago.

Art does that for you. It brings you back in time.

It retells the stories before they are forgotten.

The colors chosen can further remind us of that time when....

Or the time we wish we were a part of...

Art, like life, is a medley of memories, told in bits in pieces.  But put together, you begin to see the bigger picture.

I was recently interviewed by Mo of Artful Living Group about my upcoming exhibit at their gallery:

Coastal Reverie

..and as we were talking about the show, she picked up on the fact that I seem to use a lot of houses, communities, fun coastal themes and a lot of positive words or affirmations in my work.  We talked about overcoming odds and making a better life for ourselves,  and using art to tell our stories..and it was like an aha moment for me.  Consciously, I knew what I was going to do for the show yet in a lot of ways, I have been preparing for it for years.  Bits and pieces of all my influences have found their way into each of the pieces I will be showing.  Some tell color stories, some tell stories of summer love and taking chances, others are about surviving and regenerating,  flowing with what life hands you, staying positive while living each and every day to the best of our ability

A subliminal dream. 

From the shores of Lake Erie to the Coast of Carolina.  It's about where I grew up and where I have planted my roots now. It's all in there, and I hope you stop by to see it come together from June 6th-June 30th with an opening reception June 6th from 6:30 to 8:30 at Artful Living Group on Cape Fear Blvd, in Carolina Beach NC.

To celebrate my first ever solo exhibit,  I wanted to share some color inspiration with some of my favorite products from Splash of Color!!!  whoooohoooo! Who doesn't love a giveaway?!  Included in this goodie pack are some Silks Acrylics,  Small pots of Twinkling H20s and some larger pots of the Twinks, a jar of Inka Gold, and a black  Pearl Pen. That's what I have now, If I get over 100 entries (in the form of comments), I will add a few more goodies for you  (I'll update you with another picture if that happens).  **Fingers crossed it does because I want to bless you with even more goodies!!!!!

Oh heck....let's add one more thing right now to the package....I'm going to hand pick one of my One of a Kind   Sweet HeART magnets and throw it in to the goodie box.  Total mini fridge art that is uber cool!

UPDATE...we hit the over 100 mark of comments! Thank you everyone that stopped by! I swear, I've been reading every comment, shaking my head and just lovin' on your 'aha' moments. They are a great motivating read in and of themselves!

Well as promised, since we hit the 100 comment mark, I am adding a few more goodies: 

*mini print, a post card of my original art, bookmark with some of my funky houses, one of my fav pencils, a set of Turner Guache, texture material, and a sampler pack of awesome paper for collage!  Yay what a great prize this package is going to be!  Keep sharing!!
I really appreciate you helping get the word out about my show and the prizes you can win here!

Okay so how to enter?

Simply make a comment on THIS post and tell me if you care to share any "Aha" moments you've had in this first half of 2013, it can relate to life, art, career, family, love...whatever you want to share. And if you don't want to share, that's cool too...just make sure you leave a linky so I can get a hold of you if you win.

**Bonus Entries** 

I'd love if you shared this post to get the word out on my exhibit....and the freebie giveaway!

If you share this post, just simply come back here and make a second comment.

*One extra entry person please:))

Giveaway runs from today May 28-Sunday, June 2nd.   I'll announce the winner on Monday!!

******

*If you happen to go to the show on June 6th, why not stay an extra day and take my class at Artful Living Group, "Lazy Days of Summer" journal making class.

When:  June 7th

Where:  Artful Living Group,  Carolina Beach , NC

Time:  10-1

*Most supplies are included but if you want to bring copies of pictures, any favorite papers or odds n ends to add to the journal, or favorite colors of paint, you are welcome to do so.

*Cost  49.00

Everyone will get come away with a journal that you can capture all of your summer memories as well as learn several journal page techniques during the course of this class!!

hey...it's early but if you want to bring a mimosa or a bloody mary to class, go for it! :)) Just bring me one, too!  jk

Seats are limited so be sure to call today and reserve your spot!

Phone	(910) 458-7822
Email	info@artfullivinggroup.com
Website	http://www.ArtfulLivingGroup.com

Regenerate and Redefine

 "Regenerate"

20x20 mixed media acrylic painting

re·gen·er·ate

 to re-create, reconstitute, or make over, especially in a better form or condition.

to revive or produce anew; bring into existence again.

Biology . to renew or restore (a lost, removed, or injured part)..

Physics. to restore (a substance) to a favorable state or physical condition.

Most of you probably already knew this...but I just re-remembered when I was looking at some photo references for starfish that they are a species that can regenerate a broken or missing limb.

Amazing.  I wish we all could do that, especially those that were injured in the tragic events last week in Boston...or to those brave soldiers that have been injured and lost limbs while fighting for our freedom....sigh...

...since we can't grow back what's lost in our body or symbolically in our spirit when things go awry in life, it is however possible to transform our mind into a new existence.  How does one transform against all odds?  I wish I knew. I think the best any of us can do is to breathe...let go...forgive...forget..move on..and try to grab on to whatever determination and initiative you have to reinvent your world based on your new circumstances, whatever they may be.

 

Lately I crave peacefulness and quiet.  I am by nature, introverted (that is unless I truly know someone)  but by being introverted, I don't necessarily want to be alone...just in a state of calmness in my surroundings, needing time to think and reinvent, climb higher, and move forward.
 There is advice at every corner and coming from every angle letting me know how or what I should do to accomplish this but in the end, I simply want to do better and do better at what I do. Does that make sense?  And do it at a steady not work 16 hours a day pace.  Regenerating is a funny thing. It comes in many packages, and reveals itself in it's own sweet time.
This week I will be heading out again to the coast, partially business and for part pleasure--restocking galleries in the outer banks, doing some prospecting, market research, photography,  planning for a big event that I will be participating, and then, finally a few days with friends on one of the most peaceful and serene islands around....in Ocracoke. I can't wait to see the water. Feel the sand.  Dig for treasures, laugh with kind souls, and create with the wind outside facing the sun.
Peace.  That's what I really crave right now and can feel it surrounding me because I've starting to calm myself down. I know it's especially important because big changes are coming, and I want to take them on from a place of grounding.
Hope you find that your feet firmly planted as you leap onto the next leg of your journey.

*The painting above was completed with a sheen of inka gold over top some of the textured areas along with over the starfish created a creamy metallic glow on the canvas.  LOVE these products I was given to sample out from my friends at Splash of Color, and Leslie Ohnstad! They are very simple to use, can be rubbed on with your fingers or a brush then buffed out a bit with a soft cloth. If you use them over top of Silks Acrylics, the effects are even more vibrant! Stay tuned for more projects using these cool supplies!

*Also over at Dreaming in Color, I am re-releasing my Twinks on Yupo class-stop by, would love to have you join in on the fun!

(This is a four week class, and then the access to the class will be for an additional 12 months. Every student also receives a 30.00 coupon for product in the Dreaming in Color store! whooohoo!)

See what's new in my shop this week~

" Development"