the Creative Thursday blog

idolize yourself ~ day 14

How about it? Idolizing yourself?!

Here's a visit with my co-host, Tank and I on this Monday.

Links relating to this video

Susannah's post that also inspired this topic "Would you like you, if you met you?"

Ooh and head on over to Jess' blog Pecannott where she asked me some thoughtful questions, especially about abundance. You should know about this lovely lady not only for her great designs and colorful creations but one of her newest ventures this year, the Pecannoot blog is all about "making every day abundant" ~ you know I LOVE that.

beneath the stars :: new gocco prints in the shop!

Friday already?! It IS! 

I've had a really good, busy week, that has included catching up, I mean REALLY catching up, preparing for classes at Squam and online with the next e-course, all while delving further into my new found passion for a "simpler life" ~ another reason I've been a bit scarce here on the blog and a topic I plan to expand on soon.

Remember the new gocco prints I left you with last week? I have decided to embellish each one with original painting, and some mixed media {bunnies need dresses and skirts, you know}. They are a limited edition of 19 and due to the original embellishments, no two are alike. They will be titled, signed and numbered in light pencil. I've just listed the first three in the shop today.

Also I wanted to say thank you to Noelle for inviting me to share my thoughts on working from my home studio over at her blog. Not only is Noelle aka PinkBathtub and Jetsetpaper one of my favorite designers, but she's just one of those online friends that I know I'd enjoy visiting with in person ~ one of the reasons is probably because she enjoys a good glass of wine as much as I do.

Speaking of a glass of wine....is it wine o'clock yet? And on that note, happy Friday!

sophie the giraffe & friends

5 x 7 in.

Really this one is called "Sophie the giraffe & her blue-eyed friends" ~ but that title was just a wee bit long.

It seems that my characters are wanting more eyes these days than the usual black dots I've left them with, so I've been experimenting... been experimenting with eyes. 

Sophie is actually inspired by the vintage giraffe teething toy that seems to be making a come back. Because usually my giraffes don't have smiles or rosy cheeks either. 

On this Tuesday, all I know is it's nice to be painting again. And it's nice to have taken a break from the computer. Truth be told I might be taking more time...

But for now a new daily painting. 

have a great day!

xo

{original is sold}

more beauty in the world + an e-course giveaway at SouleMama

"I'm sorry, but I don't know who you are", I said. "That's ok, I don't know who you are either," she said with a smile.

And this is how my introduction to Amanda Soule came to be.

Seeing as how almost everyone attending Squam Art Workshops in June could not wait to meet Amanda. It became clear that I was in the minority of not knowing this inspiring woman and her beautiful blog SouleMama.

I have to say that one of the reasons I looked forward to teaching at Squam in June, where the creative focus was more on fiber arts than visual arts, was the opportunity to meet an entirely new circle of creative people ~ one that up until June, I had no prior introduction to via the internet.  Since my bond with many of these creative women was instant, it became glaringly obvious, just how much I had narrowed my internet world and community to one that was small and all too familiar ~  (something you don't even think is possible online)  It's all too easy in life, whether in person or online to become so focused on your world that you forget to look up once in a while to become aware of a new world and the new people that exist outside of your present line of sight.

Amanda was one of the people, among many, who entered my awareness. And on the days when I wonder if the world will accept and embrace a consistently happy and positive family spirit during a time when so much of the cultural reference to marriage and family is one filled with cynicism, rudeness and apathy ~ all I have to do is visit Amanda's blog to know that ~ yes, genuine beauty, joy, love, appreciation and continuous exploration and encouragement of creativity do exist in American families today. While my love affair with the city I live in, called Los Angeles is slow going, it is growing ~ still there are days when I think the people with whom I share this city have completely lost sight of  the simple beauty of  life ~ and this is even in a city by the ocean where it's gorgeous and sunny almost every day ~ go figure.

So why am I bringing all of this up today? ~ Well one is to let you know that as a sponsor of Amanda's blog this month, I am giving away one spot in my e-course. To those of you who have already registered, please feel free to enter as well and if you win, I will refund you the course fee. To enter, leave a comment in Amanda's post over at her blog right here. And and as she suggested, if you are so inclined, tell us a creative dream you have right now - big or small! The giveaway ends tomorrow, Sunday morning at 9 am EST. {*UPDATE* AUGUST 23. The winner has been chosen and the e-course is nearing capacity, so if you've been waiting, register soon}

I also want to introduce you to Amanda and her family. If you need more reminders of beauty in the world, you should visit SouleMama as often as you can.

speaking of beauty ~ here's me wishing you an especially beautiful weekend. I am now returning to my "quiet" days away and will see you back here next week.

{photo via SouleMama}

quietly creating

So, it goes like this...If you listened to an earlier video posted last week, then you know that while I'm a good multi-tasker,  I've learned that my creative focus can only handle one, maybe two projects at any given time. Why? at the risk of sounding too sap ~ because I give my creations "my heart". There's just no other explanation, and this also means that my energy has to be allocated wisely. 

After what feels like a rather long painting and creating hiatus, it's time for some new Creative Thursday creations!

That's where I've been, quietly creating. 

And this means that the video experiment is temporarily on hold because creative energy is going to some newness ~ including gocco prints which you see a glimpse of above. And on that note, everything is also temporarily on hold, as I'm heading to the beach for a few days for what is becoming our annual mini surf trip. {Next year, I say Hawaii!} 

While I'm away I leave you with one of my first podcasts where the table is turned and questions are being asked of me by the lovely Kelly over at Women Wise Marketing. And Molly invited me to share some thoughts on her blog. And you should check out Christine's very "real" and thoughtful post about artists and making money among other thoughts on what it means to be successful.

Have a wonderful week, as our summer slowly winds down. I don't know about you, but it's beginning to feel like this fall will be the beginning of lot of good newness, don't you think? Like a lot of the heaviness that has been weighing people down is beginning to lift. I think it's time.

E-course Registration is Open! + My Intention as a Teacher ~ day 13

Why do I want to be a voice in the world?

If you're on the email list, follow the blog, twitter, facebook...then you know! I have decided to teach a second session of the e-course "In the Fish Bowl :: Life as an Artist Online". beginning this fall September 24 for 6 weeks. I "officially" opened registration today, and I've also added an FAQ's page to answer some of your questions. Class is already filling up, so be sure to reserve your spot soon. You can register right here.

Also a big THANK YOU to Maya for sharing a heartfelt review of her experience taking class "In the Fish Bowl" ~ truly one of the nicest testimonials anyone has ever written about me. 

thoughts about my TV moment ~ day 12

So, so interesting how whenever you "step out" of the momentum of any creative expression that you commit to daily or frequently. It can feel like you are starting all over again. 

For those of you who missed my "seconds" of a TV appearance last week. You can watch it online right here.

been busy over here

You find yourself on T.V. one day, speak at an event on another day, continue re-organizing your home from top to bottom another day, and then you realize that it's already Monday, Lulu needs a bath, and your usual, video talkative self  hasn't said a peep to your online world.

Hello my online world! 

I've been needing to catch up on some things that do not involve the computer, but instead a television, and dvd's of a little series I'm presently obsessed with called "Mad Men". But I'll be back with a video as promised. Until then, many, many thanks for all the T.V. support and encouragement :) 

I'm on T.V. ~ day 11

Well tomorrow morning that is. LIVE on the KTLA morning news show @ 9:30 a.m. PST. 

Wish me luck!

New Nightlights!

I've re-stocked the shop with nightlights as I know some of you have been anxiously awaiting them. And! Introducing a NEW design! With beautiful NEW, packaging that I love. What more can I say other than. 

Meet Flo, Violet & Bob.

I also released the original in my daily painting gallery.  And you can find this new nightlight right here along with all of the nightlights, over at my Etsy shop! I just have a limited quantity of each design, so if you've been wanting one...get one soon.