10 things I know to be true about 2011:

1. I fell in love with the man of my dreams.
2. Valley Creek Church rocks.
3. I spent a great 5 days painting at a Robert Burridge Workshop
4. Spent the most consecutive days away from my boys while they went on vacation with their grandparents.
5. Had the funniest dating experience that I have ever had in my whole life!
6. Watching my boys grow in everything they do is fun and such a gift.
7. I missed going to Wimberley this year. The beach is so windy.
8. It was the hottest summer since the 80's but we didn't break the record of the most days in triple digits.
9. Refugio Bobcats are the 2A State Champions! What a fun game and fun friends.
10. We got a dart board for Christmas. Can't wait to play in 2012.

Journal - Happy New Year

2011 has been a great year.
A really great year.

It was full of ups and  a couple of downs, creative moments, laughter, some frustrating moments, I cried a few sad tears but mostly 2011 was full of really good loving. The last 201 days were really good days of loving.

That sentence makes me smile.

2012 will see some changes for this little creative blog of mine. It's still a creative blog but 2010 and 2011 have taught me that my painting is sporatic and undisciplined. When it goes well, it goes well but when it doesn't it is non-existant. I'm not a full-time painter and though I love painting, I'm not 100% that just painting is my passion. At 42 years old, I'm still trying to figure it all out. Well, at least I haven't given up on discovering.

I finally finished my journal that I bought when I was 30. It only took 12 years.

Hopefully it won't take 12 years to finish this one:

Or, this one:

Happy New Year!!

Music Monday - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

This is the last Music Monday in my Year of Love and what a wonderful year it has been.

It truly is a wonderful world when you choose to see it that way. Be grateful for all that you have and for all that you are because if you dream it, you can be it.

Fifty Second Sunday

A strong man
stands up for
himself;
a stronger man

stands up

for others.

- Ben the Cow,

from the animated

movie Barnyard

is it silly that i love this quote?

Journal - Signature Page

Holy Crabby Patties! It only took me 12 plus years to finish this journal! And, I love it. I love the way it has developed. There is one white half page that I thought I would go back and paint on but now I think I'm going to leave it white. 2011 was a great year for Love. I found the love of my life, I love my boys, my family and friends so much, I'm going to church again, and I'm loving my art. Love, love, love. Thank you 2011 for being such a great year. Merry Christmas.

Music Monday - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

This is my favorite Christmas song! It's cheerful and fun.

Fifty First Sunday

I took a

deep breath

and listened

to the old

bray of

my heart.

I am.

I am.

I am.

- Sylvia Plath

Journal - Double Rothko

I was copying a Rothko painting that I like. This image reminds me of a window with the sky and grass.

Doodle inspiration

In 2012, I'm playing with the idea of posting doodles that I draw. This was done on a post it note- where most of my doodles are drawn. Yes! I've decided I will post doodles next year. And look! I can post them using my phone. Technology is grand!

Music Monday - Merry Christmas from the Family

I am something of a Scrooge at Christmas time so here's a funny song to try to get me in a jolly mood. Note: This is not for you. This is for me!

Bah Humbug!

Fiftieth Sunday

Today is

your day,

your mountain
is waiting,

so get on
your way.

- Dr Seuss

Journal - Bob's Trees in Green.

I worked on most of this while I waited for an oil change and tire rotation at the dealership. It's a good way to pass the time.

Music Monday - Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer

It's the second Monday after Thanksgiving, the first Monday in December and I'm sure you have already been inundated with Christmas decorations, music and more. I have exactly 3 Monday's until Christmas so I guess I'll jump on the band wagon. And maybe, just maybe, it will help me get my Bah-humbug-self in the mood for some Christmas cheer! Hey Rudolph! That's my favorite part of this song. :)

Forty Nineth Sunday

It doesn't matter

where you come from,

what matters is

where you are going.

- Ingrid Munro

Journal - Guitar Heart

I'm loving the brick pattern lately. I drew a heart and in that heart I drew a C and it reminded me of the tuners of a guitar. So I drew the headstock in the heart. I love the sound of guitar.

10 things I know to be true about my day job:

1. As soon as I throw something away, my boss always needs it.

2. I conquered the 200g heavy bonded glossy paper and the Ricoh machine producing some awesome flyers.

3. I don't like answering the main phone line during my lunch hour or when Margaret is gone.

4. I don't think it's professional to call your co-workers love, darling, sweetie or any other intimate nickname whether you are male or female.

5. The view I see out my interior office window are of an eagle with a dead catfish, some hawks and bird dogs. The eagle print is most prominent.

6. I'm grateful for the Internet.

7. I love when my cell phone chirps and it's a text message from Chris. It makes my day happy. Happier.

8. I wish I could go back to my old routine of working out and eating a peaceful lunch alone in the real estate kitchen.

9. I feel lucky that my office provides lunches on Monday and Thursday which I stretch out to all week long. Salad on Monday, Sandwich on Tuesday, Soup on Wednesday, Lunch on Thursday splits in half to provide for Friday.

10. I know how fortunate I am to have an on site fitness facility and fitness trainer that I can utilize during my lunch hour.

December First

Today I was inspired by a post that my friend, Claudia, wrote at House of Shine.

She shared this video:


And just like that I am renewed and hopeful and inspired.

Do they show TED videos at schools? They should!

Thinking of a plan... 2012

31 days left of 2011 and I'm thinking about 2012. I have paintings at home that need to be finished and I'm thinking about what kind of project I want to take on in 2012. Because, honestly, I know there won't be much painting in the next month. But, I want to do something different for this blog next year.

I'm craving a new blog project that will challenge me creatively but not overwhelm me.

I want a new project that let's me post what's inspiring me, touching my heart, using different mediums but not too chaotic or unfocused.

I want there to be structure but not too much structure.

I want to be able to create some posts in advance but keep it fresh as well.

I'm over analyzing and complicating the plan.

I'm thinking about subjects like: hearts, guitars, trees, flowers, fish, portraits, and words.

I'm thinking about words like: jubilee, caramel, love, happy and roulette.

I'm thinking about mediums like: painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and writing.

I'm thinking about schedules like: hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly.

What if I pick a monthly word and a quarterly subject or a monthly subject and a quarterly word? Maybe I'll post by the hour on some weeks and weekly some months. Do you see my quandary? What's the plan? Do I just draw it or do I sculpt it, write about it, and sew it, too?

You know all of that will not happen because holding myself accountable will be excruciating.

Discipline.

It all comes down to discipline. And, what I want out of my days. Do I want to work out everyday at lunch? Can I discipline myself to paint everyday? (I know the answer to that one is no.) I'm lacking passion but I'm feeling passionate about wanting a new project.

2012: Project ?

The Magic of Floating

I feel a sense of magic

when I float on

top of the water.

Whether it is in

a lake, a river, a pool

or an ocean, there is

magic in that moment.

My body is limp and relaxed.

My arms and legs hang in

any direction that I move them.

I take a deep breath in

and hold it.

I float higher

and the sun is

there to warm me.

I exhale and sink

but my spirit remains high.

My long brown hair floats

around my head

like a feathery crown.

I am alone with my thoughts

but not alone.

I look to the sky

and there I float.

And think.

And relax.

And soak in the magic.

~cew

Music Monday - Just A Kiss

XOX

Forty Eighth Sunday

Every day

is a new

chance to

choose.

- Ishita Gupta

Journal - School of Fish

Happy Birthday JB! You are such a sweet, creative, smart boy! I love you.

I have drawn a lot of fish. Unfortunately, many of them were stolen from my car in Park City, Utah. It was a sad day for me when I realized my portfolio was gone. I might pick them back up again.

Photo: I Miss Summer

Taken in Fall of 2008 or 2009. Can't be sure.

My pool.

Music Monday - Family Portrait

I'm a big P!nk fan and could have picked a number of her songs but I love this. It has so much of her soul in it. I love that not only does she have the showmanship that it takes today to put on a concert but that she has the voice to back it up.

Forty Seventh Sunday

What

you

seek

is

seeking

you.

- Paulo Coelho

Journal - Loving you is easy

Just doodling and reflecting.

Photo - A Very Large Tree

I think it was the summer of 2009 when Claudia, Katie and I set out on a Serendipty trip for House of Shine. At the alotted time we ended up in an old, overgrown cemetary. This very large, overgrown tree was there. I love this photo.

I might also mentioned that Katie and I were the recipients of some mean chiggers. Claudia wore pants that day so she escaped the little skin munchers.

Poetry - da mi basia mille

There is a famous Latin poem written by Catullus and it goes like this:

Vivamus mea Lesbia, atque amemus,
rumoresque senum seueriorum
omnes unius aestimemus assis!
soles occidere et redire possunt:
nobis cum semel occidit breuis lux,
nox est perpetua una dormienda.
da mi basia mille, deinde centum,
dein mille altera, dein secunda centum,
deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum.
dein, cum milia multa fecerimus,
conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus,
aut ne quis malus inuidere possit,
cum tantum sciat esse basiorum.


There are many translations of the poem some more literal translations than others but this is the one I like best:

Let us live, my dear, and let us love,

and let us count the opinion
of others as just one penny.
The sun will set and rise again;
Our time together is brief
so before that light has fallen for us
and we must sleep a never ending night,
give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred
then another thousand and a second hundred
then a thousand and a hundred
over and over again.
We will have kissed many a thousand times,
even we will not know how many.
and no one who wishes us ill because he is envious
can hold against us the kisses he cannot count.

I came discovered the poem in the Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon. The husband inscribed the words da mi basia mille in his wife's wedding ring. I've always thought it was lovely.

Photo: Pool Shadow

Taken in November of 2008. Or 2009. Not sure.

Photography - Old Grandma Rose

Taken October 2011.

Music Monday - Remind Me

I still can't get enough of you. Even on day 154. Or 5 months. I never want to lose this feeling. I'm so happy. So, promise to remind me.

Forty Sixth Sunday

The more I think it over, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.

- Vincent van Gogh

Journal - Unconditional, Appreciation, Honesty, Presence, Grace

These are the things that we should all have in our relationships:

Unconditional Love - I will always choose to love you. No matter what.

Appreciation- I won't take you for granted. I will appreciate you for all that you are and for all that you give.

Honesty- I will always be honest with you. Kind, but honest.

Presence- I will carry you in my heart always. Your presence will be felt even when you are not present.

Grace- I will forgive, forget and extend to you grace. I will always try to make your life better.

Photography - Sun Kissed Rose

Taken in October 2011.

Photography - A Rose by Any Other Name...

This is not the best image or composition but here's what I like about it:

1. I like the curve of the stem.
2. I like the brick pattern on the right background.
3. I like the leaf hanging down from above.

Photography - You Never Promised Me a Rose Garden

My one rose bush in my backyard went crazy blooming in October.

Photography - One last kiss

I love this photo of the tulip that was reaching out of the vase. Nature really is a wonderful place to gather inspirations for artwork.

Music Monday - So Pure

I always liked this song but I fell in love with the video.

I broke the country cycle. But, it probably won't last long.

Forty Fifth Sunday

Life is short,

but there is

always time

enough for

courtesy.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Journal - Many Hearts Create One Love

I saw someone elses illustration of something similar to this and had to draw my own.

Photography - Kisses

Tulips & Irises from Chris.

Or, Hugs & Kisses from Chris.

Photography - Hugs & Kisses

Oops. I've run out of paintings. Because, I haven't been painting.

Chris sent me flowers in October. It was called the Hugs & Kisses arrangement and they were beautiful. I enjoyed them at work and then brought them home to enjoy. I took this photo because I liked the way the tulip reached out to the right reminding me of the cantilever design compisition so I think I'm going to paint these one day. I will simply the background to be more of solid.

I'll leave out the kitchen water spout, too.

Flying Heart - Deep Peace

Acrylic & Collage on paper.
Size:

The collage portion reads:
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.

Deep peace of the running waves to you,

Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the smiling stars to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you,
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.

Hearts - Broken but Beautiful

acrylic on paper
size:

Music Monday - Take a Back Road

5 weeks of country music...

Happy Birthday, Drew! I can't believe 11 years has gone by since I held you in the blue light of the cloud lamp in your first bedroom. You were such a sweet baby and you've grown into being such a sweet boy.

Forty Fourth Sunday

The world is but a canvas to the imagination.

- Henry David Thoreau

Journal - Texas Live

Flying Hearts - I Know

Acrylic & Collage on paper.
Size:

It's wonderful to simply know that you are loved because you feel it in every fiber of your body.

Flying Hearts - Love is Free

Acrylic on paper
Size

Hearts - Monochrome Red Study

Acrylic on paper
Size:

Hearts - In blue color study

12 x 12" Acrylic on panel board

Color study

Music Monday - Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not

I love the phrase "Shut up and kiss me" which is not in this song but I still love it. The End. Now enjoy the song.

Forty Third Sunday

The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give.

- Walt Whitman

Journal - Bob's Trees

I'm such a hug fan of Bob Burridge and all of his paintings. His landscapes of trees are some of my favorites. I feel so fortunate to have been able to learn from him and to watch him paint. It is truly a beautiful thing to watch.
His painting below is one of my favorites because the trees are forming hearts. The way he gets the light to shine through is amazing. So beautiful.

Hearts - Shut Up & Kiss Me

6x6"Acrylic & Collage on Canvas

Hearts - J26

6x6" Acrylic on Canvas

This needs work and I'll probably paint over it but it's kind of sweet. I traced JB's hand on the canvas before I went to the workshop.

Hearts - Moon Hearts

Much like yesterdays post here is a study I did with the heart being the moon.

I had them all looking exactly the same with the heart moon moved in the one but Bob wanted me to make them more different. I didn't change much in them as you can see but I'm not really that in love with them so they'll probably all change.

Below is the 6 x 6" version.

And now 8 x 8" version.

12 x 12" version.

And finally the 24 x 24" version

And now all together.

Hearts - Black & White

Look at these four hearts that I painted at the Burridge Workshop this past August.

They look a lot alike, right? And they are.

Except the one below is 6 x 6 inches.

And the one below is 8 x 8 inches.

And this one is 12 x 12 inches.

And my favorite one is 24 x 24 inches.

I like this on best because I like the way it runs off the edge.

Here they are all photographed together.

Music Monday - Don't You Wanna Stay

Yes, I do wanna stay.

Forty Second Sunday

Just tell yourself,

"Duckie, you're

really quite lucky!"

- Dr. Seuss

Journal - Bricks

I needed a break from my watercolor pencils so I broke out just my regular pencils.

Hearts - 6x6 Black & White

Bob Burridge does small studies of pears. Watch this video to see what I mean.

I struggle with lighting so I decided I would do my own version of pears but with hearts.

Below is a 6x6" canvas painting I did while at the workshop and next week is going to be all hearts. Most of them painted at the workshop.

I will most likely go back and add color to this one but right now I'm enjoying the simplicity of it.

Guitars - Yellow & Orange Head Stock

Acrylic on Canvas
24 x 24"

Guitars - Dueling Blues Revised. Again.

Acrylic & Collage on Paper
Size 15x22"

This painting won't go away and seeing where it came from and where it is now it's still not done. Where will it go next?

Guitars - Black & White plus Orange Electric Guitar

Acrylic on paper
Update Size

Music Monday - Crazy Girl

:)

Forty First Sunday

Do more than belong:

Participate.

Do more than care:

Help.

Do more than believe:

Practice.

Do more than be fair:

Be Kind.

Do more than forgive:

Forget.

Do more than dream:

Work.

- William Ward.

Journal - Cupcakes