Sound Mind in a Sound Body

PAINTING, PAINTING, PAINTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve been TOTALLY inspired by my recent art retreat to begin playing around with paint again. I can’t even begin to describe how much fun I’ve had continuing to try out some of the new techniques I learned from the amazing Kari McKnight-Holbrook and Jesse Reno.  I’ve loved adding my illustrations to a completely different medium.  I’ve been like a little kid, super excited to work on new projects!!

I’ve had an idea for a painting in the back of my mind for years (something I’ve wanted to make for my husband), but just never felt like I knew how I was going to translate that to canvas. Well, it’s like something just clicked in my head and I knew I could attack this idea with some of my newly discovered skills. His birthday was last week and I wanted to make this for him, so I went for it….

The creative process behind this painting was such a release! I felt like something deeper in me could see the vision of what I wanted to create, and layer upon layer it revealed itself. I felt free to go with what felt right at the time and I trusted my gut instincts to just go for it. The music I was listening to at the time felt like it was the soundtrack made just for this experience. It is 20” x 20” which is the largest painting I’ve ever attempted, but I wasn’t intimidated by the size of it. It was like the universe came together for me in this painting. I’m super proud of it and it will always mean something special to me because of what I experienced as I created it. Pure JOY.

This idea brewing in the back of my mind for quite some time revolved around the image of Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man.  I wanted to incorporate the classic symbolism as it relates to all of the health sciences with my vision of a sound body. It’s titled Mens Sana In Corpore Sano, which is the Latin phrase meaning a sound mind in a sound body. It’s an expression I’ve seen my husband use in his work related to exercise psychology. What a beautiful phrase for such an important message. It started as a collage using a large world map, various decorative papers, and an actual research paper. I found one of my husband’s articles and used it in the piece. (To pay homage to all the time he spends reading the literature in his field).  Then it was built up with layers of acrylic paint, oil pastel and pencil. It is a completely different look for my work, but I love it. I was SO excited to give it to Brandon, like I was sharing the truest part of myself with him.

I think I might have to continue with this painting thing….

Old dreams come flooding back

I like to listen to a variety of music throughout the day as I work, and I’m LOVING some of the Pandora stations that I’ve created. I often start the day with something a little laid back and then turn it up a notch in the afternoon. Well, yesterday morning I was totally immersed in a current painting project when  Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” came on and it was like I was transported back to the bedroom of my high school years! It was at that huge white desk that I first dreamed of being an artist, listening to her “Watermark” album over and over again as I drew.  It was the first CD that I EVER bought to play on my boom box. (Boy does that date me or what?! ) What an incredible feeling though, like I’ve come full circle, pursuing those dreams of a silly young girl. Only they don’t feel so silly anymore. Now they are important, so important to me.  They are my inspiration and make me feel like I’m becoming the person I’m meant to be. And what a wonderful feeling that is!

From the deep sea of clouds
To the island of the moon
Carry me on the waves to the land I've never been
Carry me on the waves to the lands I've never seen
We can sail, we can sail
With the Orinoco Flow
We can sail, we can sail (sail away, sail away)

(my sister and I at my high school graduation)

Life's Pleasures

"Artists and poets still find life's meaning in a glass of wine."

- Joy Sterling

A Cultivated Life

quote

I came across this quote when I was roaming the web recently and just HAD to write it down. What a good reminder to stay true to ourselves and our choices. I've kept a journal of inspiration ever since high school to collect and keep these kinds of quotes and sayings. It's a special place to visit every now and again when I need a little inspiration. I've found that recently I've been writing them down on scrap pieces of paper (like this one) and leaving them out to catch my gaze again and again. Maybe it's something I feel like I need reminding of right now. 

What do you do to get yourself motivated?

Art and a whole lotta Soul

Wow, where do I even begin?

I’ve been down in Virginia Beach for the last four days attending my very first art retreat, Art and Soul.  And WOW, did I learn a lot! Not just about different techniques and projects, but about myself. It cracked me open in ways I wouldn’t have been able to do on my own. It pushed me to try new techniques and look at things differently. It opened me up to the possibilities around me, making mistakes and turning them into something I’m proud of. My instructors were amazing and passionate as they guided us all along their path towards approaching art. I learned a ton about sculpture, photography and acrylic painting, mediums that I don’t spend a lot of time dabbling in.

It took some time to wind down from the entire trip. It was my first time being away from Warren and stepping away from my mommy role. It was a wonderful time for reflection, and I came home with a renewed appreciation for my family and my life. I was so excited about everything that transpired the last few days that I had a huge show-and-tell and story time with Brandon last night and stayed up way too late! When I saw Warren this morning he looked bigger to me and seemed a little more grown up. He and his daddy had some very special times together these past few days and I could just feel the connection between them was even stronger. So everyone in the family grew a little bit from this experience!!

In addition to learning a lot about art, I also discovered that I’m surrounded by a community of supportive and caring women. I am inspired by the conversations we had and the insight you all shared. Ladies, it was an absolute pleasure spending time with you these past few days. Thank you for letting me into your lives and sharing all the things that make you YOU.  

It is my hope that we all continue to dive into the projects that excite and inspire us. I truly believe that embracing our creativity makes us stronger women and that positive energy can only spill over into all of the other aspects of our lives.

Got wings?

I just recently completed an e-course “Flying Lessons: Tips and Tricks to help your Creative Business Soar,” created by the amazing and inspiring Kelly Rae Roberts. I cannot express enough my feelings of gratitude and joy for all the knowledge she shares! It is wonderful to know that there is a community of artists actively supporting and encouraging each other as we step into the world of business.

As I was completing the course, I kept thinking about the concept of flight. So as I begin this blog I thought I would share with you the process of one of my recent illustrations as it came to life based on this inspiration.

My inspiration usually begins with a word or phrase, in this case it was: She leapt and her wings revealed themselves (a thought that came to me in a dream). This is a statement I feel really fits my current state of being. I began with a sketch of my girlie and as I progressed I couldn’t decide if I wanted her to have butterfly or bird’s wings.  So I played around with both as you can see with the layering of the papers. 

Her bird wings won out and I moved on to outlining and defining her with markers and colored pencils. 

The next step is cutting her out which can be a bit of a challenge.  I use 100 lb. Bristol paper and it is relatively thick, but I love the depth that layering with it adds to the overall piece. After adding a backdrop and a few bits of decorative paper, I moved back to the original inspiration, the words!  I played around with the text a lot: their placement, their design, and their size until I was pleased with the layout. 

I usually use tracing paper during this phase so I can easily change and adjust things to my liking. Then I carefully add lettering and  final touches.

I really like how she turned out. She wasn’t meant to look like me (even though I have always wanted curly hair), but I can see myself in her shining through. This piece really means a lot to me because this is exactly how I feel right now as I take the leap towards fulfilling my dreams. I hope you see a little bit of yourself in her too!

A wise fortune cookie indeed

A recent dine-in evening brought a little constructive criticism to my door. This surprise from a fortune cookie was staring me down. Was this meant for me or what? Maybe it was telling me enough waiting, and planning and thinking, and thinking some more. Jump in already!

So here I go! I’m diving headfirst into making my dreams of being an artist a reality. I think that I’ve fought against these pulls at my heart for too long and it’s time that I just follow my heart. It seems like such a simple thing, following your heart, listening to the whispers gently prodding you on your way. But fear, even fear of success can be a hurdle that only you can overcome yourself. So here I am, a year after working on developing my personal style, finally declaring to the world that I’m here! I’m here to share my art! I’m here to share my heart’s true desire to create interesting, inspiring, beautiful things with my hands.  I hope you’ll join me here as I navigate through the peaks and valleys of unearthing my creative spirit. I feel like everything in my life has been leading up to this point, this looks like a great jumping off point!

So here I go, ready or not, here I come…