I must be an artist!

.... two words.... art studio.  For me, it conjurs up so many things.... one of the biggest being, you must be an artist to have a studio.... and/or have money... and be making money from your art.... and... and... and... all these very limiting 'rule' i had created in my head.....

About a year or so ago I was have an ongoing email exchange with my friend D-.... she casually mentioned that we should go to her art studio and create some fabulousness together... and she continued discussing all the different things we could create.... but I wasn't listening.... I was still mesmerized by her mentioning her 'art studio'....

'art studio' i thought..... but she's a struggling grad student..... how can she have an art studio???? now, don't get me wrong... D is an artist through and through.... and her grad degree is a master of fine arts.... but still... it didn't quite fit the rules I'd created about having an art studio....

And so i placed it out in the universe.... 'i will have an art studio'.....

Fast forward to last weekend.... I was doing my typical round of procrastinating and thought I'd google 'art studio for rent chicago'..... multiple and various things popped up and i eventually found my way to an exciting discovery... there was a listing for a studio for rent not even 4 blocks away from where I live.

now for those of you who know me personally, you know that 1) I do not live in the 'artsy' part of town (wish I did, but that's a different intention) and 2) my space is very small and I long for just one more room where I could not only house all my art (and craft) but actually have a space to create in....

and so I spoke with the owner... made arrangements to view over the weekend while I was home .... all the while, of course, envisioning it as my own (even though I didn't know what it actually looked like yet)....

it is now mine.  it is my perfect place to begin... my perfect 1st studio..... the next step to 'awakening the artist'....!

I'll send pics as I begin to fill my space with supplies and artistic endeavors..... !

What are some of your self-limiting beliefs?  Are they real or imagined?  What would happen if you reframed your beliefs?

...scatter joy...
lindy

hope, believe, create

 

I recently did a series inspired by the phrase 'manifesting kindness'.  The goal was to create 3 pieces of positivity and send it out in the world.

I wanted to create cards that were linked...I liked the idea of 3 pieces that were similar but different.

I love inspirational cards... I collect inspirational card decks.  Maybe one day I'll create an entire deck that speaks to the soul.  

I started with 3 playing cards, gesso and paint.  I added layers of old book pages and more paint.  Then I began adding another layer which included stamped words and images, metal on which I embossed, wire, and metal word charms.  I think I am finally getting an understanding of mixed media and collage.  I'm excited to continue the education of lindy!

What makes your soul sing?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Motivational Movement

By now you probably know about 'Awaken the Artist' (and just in case you don't... it's my theme for 2010!).... but what you may not know is another signifcant part of my life is choosing a life of health.  So guess how excited I was when I found out that I am able to work out at a local gym as part of my client's employee wellness program.... so I went and signed up tonight..... a couple of the very very cool features: access to the gym 24/7, access to any of their clubs any where, and there is a club basically across the street from the hotel, AND.... the personal trainers package deals are beyond affordable..... !  

I can't wait... I've been working out at the hotel, which has been 'ok' but the eliptical here skips (which kinda defeats the purpose...lol) and there isn't much in the way of strength training, so wooHOO!!!! Just another reason why I LOVE working on this project... ; )  

See ya at the gym!

Today's craft moment:  This very cool blog has something for everyone... check it out! http://blog.craftzine.com/

What are your fave workout shoes?

...scatter joy...

lindy

Once upon a time...

there was a girl and she liked being a girl very much because being a girl rocks it out and so she made it her goal to eradicate (big word for small blog) the use of 'like a girl' as being a negative and instead used it as a statement for being or doing your best...!  ride like a girl..... run like a girl.... play like a girl.... cry like a girl (cuz let's face it.... crying is NOT a bad thing!)....

today's craft moment.... hey... CRAFT like a GIRL!!!!! wooHOO.... anyway.... today's craft moment: one of the wonderful things about my promise to share cool 'craft' or art sites with you in celebration of national craft month is all the new and wonderful sites and blogs I'm finding... I hope you are enjoying the exploring.... because these fabulous femails are awe inspiring....

http://hearthandmadeuk.blogspot.com/   this site offers up tutorials, commentary, and one of my most favorite things... stunning photography either snapped by the author herself, or found shots decidedly in need of being shared.  enjoy.

what do you do like a girl...?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Celebrate Craft Month

I totally forgot that March is national (?) Craft month.... I love that there is a month devoted to the craft of crafts... ; )  I urge you to 1- make time for your favorite craft, 2- learn a new craft, and 3- encourage others to celebrate national craft month!

I, of course am celebrating the whole year since my 'theme' this year is 'awaken the artist'.... but specifically this month from here on out I will highlight one favorite craft site each day either in a post dedicated to that particular craft or as the final paragraph in the post.

Today I share with you a wonderful, wonderful artist and her blog that celebrates the paper arts.... I encourage you to visit because there you are sure to be inspired to try new things.  http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com/   Ink Stains by Roni Johnson is a trove of delicious ideas.  She is also the author of the Teach Yourself Visually Collage and Altered Art.

What craft have you been wanting to try?  What are you waiting for???

...scatter joy...
lindy

time for a tangle?

It continues to be my new favorite art form... I keep thinking about how I could broaden this beyond making ATCs and trading... and the sweet thing is... everyone interprets the same designs differently.  AND anyone can do this... these two I did while listening to a podcast with Doug Graham about raw foods and his book
80-10-10.  I think it looks like I was happy... (which of course I was.... and I AM...!)

To me: the tangle on the left looks like a curvy woman with a cape who is busy shaking and grooving... and the center looks like all the inner workings of a healthy body doing it's thing..... and the one on the right ???.... lol... well maybe it doesn't always have to look like something...  (although when viewed with the deep curve on the top it definitely looks like my luscious produce overflowing from a bag as I leave the market...!

what does your happiness look like?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Harmony

The second in the Inspirational Words series.  Harmony.

... with an eye made quiet by the power of harmony & the deep power of joy, we see into the life of things. --- wordsworth



How do you practice harmony?

...scatter joy...
lindy

... Balance ...

One of my favorite forms of art is word art... especially using inspirational or motivational words.  This card is called 'Balance' and is part of a set of two
(I'll post the other one the next post).

I had so much fun making the 'Skinny' that I continued with the same colors and techniques.  I'm going to have to make a set of inspirational cards for myself, I think....

How do you find your balance?

...scatter joy...

lindy

boy do I miss my boy...

When I'm home Bax keeps me laughing with his antics.... I was busily working on something out in the kitchen area when I could hear this very soft 'woof'       'woof'  (he was definitely using his indoor voice...).  As I peeked around the corner to see what he was asking for, here is what I saw.

He was posing perfectly and asking very nicely for his broccoli stalks (one of his fave treats) that were on the coaster on the glass table in front of him. 

What do your animals ask for?

...scatter joy...
lindy

The Color Purple

The challenge here was to create ATCs in the color purple.... I wasn't sure what I was going to create and I love how the cards turned out. 

Purple... Passion.... Happy Valentine's Day.  You are loved.

What does purple say to you?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Sticker Art & a little more orange...

This ATC challenge involved using a sticker and building a theme around it.  (Most ATC swaps I've been involved in have had the disclaimer "and don't just slap a sticker on a card and call it done"... I'm sure it's necessary but it makes me laugh.  So this challenge was a bit tongue in cheek... I created mine before I read my partner's profile.... I was slightly dismayed to see she didn't really like the color orange.  However, I sent it along anyway   : )


What is your least favorite color? 

...scatter joy...
lindy

Gay is OK

A recent ATC swap was called 'Gay is OK'... I was excited about it because I love my friends Jeff & Alex and felt this was another way to honor them and all that they mean to me and all that they bring to my life.  We had 3 partners and so I chose to do a series of the same card.

For those of you who don't know, I actually had the honor of officiating their wedding just over a year ago... I love the color and texture and am excited about the progress of my art...  and I do believe that love IS the answer...

Who do you love?  Who loves you back?

...scatter joy...

lindy

Spread your wings...

and fly... my other 'Insprirational Words' ATC swap.... This one happened almost entirely on its own... I didn't have a focus or idea going in.... but somehow it 'took flight'....

What gives you your wings? and RED BULL is not an acceptable answer...! ; )

...scatter joy...

lindy

Believe

You will because you can.  A very simple sentence that has seen me through the good and the bad... the great and the greater. 

I don't often doubt that I can do something... confidence is not a thing that I lack... however, even I, on occasion think that perhaps I cannot do what needs doing... or what I want to do... or what I wish I could do.... and it is on these occasions that I remind myself that everything I need, I have within myself.

This ATC was for the 'Inspirational Words' ATC... I hope there are more cuz you all know how I love me some inspirational words.... lol...

What words inspire you?

...scatter joy...
lindy

tisket, tasket, longaberger basket

I'm hoping to part with most of my Longaberger Baskets this weekend.... a wonderful friend is allowing me to leverage space at her storefront in Evanston for the Sidewalk Sales. Longaberger Baskets have been part of my life for over 25 years... OH MY GOD... lol... it seems a lifetime ago.

Another friend of mine commented when I told her of my plan, 'isn't it funny how easily we can let go of things that at one time were so important to us...?'

I'm celebrating the shifting and decluttering of my space (both internal and external)...

What shifts are you experiencing.... how does it bring you joy?

... scatter joy...

lindy

pieces of life

It's funny how I've never been particularly drawn (or so I thought) to the new color of my kitchen.... except when I started to notice things that I already had on hand, I have begun to find that combo already in concert working its magic for me... the plate (orla kiely for target) and the hand crafted chain pull (local art fair) are but two examples.... and two more pieces of my collage...

It got me thinking about how often our souls (or subconscious) know long before we do.... we simply need to be aware of the whispers... be open to the possibility.... .... .... & allow...

I am working steadfastly to listen more closely to everything around me.... the energy is amazing.

What are you ready to allow in your life...?

... scatter joy...
lindy

in the stone

I'm back to work... and listening & dancing in my chair to some of my FAVEorite music via pandora.... and if you've never experienced pandora before, I urge you to try it... and it's free.... http://www.pandora.com/ right now it's time for some old school EWF (Earth Wind & Fire)... In the Stone... groovy.... !

.... Life experience a passing dayTime will witness, what the oleFolks say-getting stronger every day-

strenght is written in the stone-

Deep inside, our hearts for us To keep-lies a spark of light that Never sleeps-The greatest, you've ever known-Yea is written-In the stone ....

what is your strength written in the stone?

...scatter joy...

lindy

Live Your Most Succulent Wild Life...

As you may be discovering, word art 'speaks' to my soul... lol... I know, a bit hokey, but there is just something about it... it is beautiful and meaningful and whimsical.... and one of my favorite word artists is Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy... aka SARK.




If you haven't heard of her or read any of her fabulous books, take a peek... they are deliciously unique. I love to play with my 'Living Juicy' cards. When sending a handwritten note (yes.... I absolutely LOVE to send notes/cards) I often will think of the person I'm sending to and pull a card for her/him... it always amazes me just how fitting the sentiment is.... sometimes I will pull for myself and I did so the other evening...

What does your card say...?

... scatter joy...

lindy