TAKING THE FIRST STEP (MINI SET DESIGN) AHA MOMENT

Spring cleaning has its benefits. I was busy cleaning out my studio and setting things down here and there. TO MY DELIGHT I LOOKED DOWN AND LOW AND BEHOLD MY EYES FELL TO WHAT COULD BE THE BEGINNING OF A SET AND SCENE OF A PLAY. Some would call that a happy accident. While I totally did not stage this, no pun intended (Ha) I marvelled at the sight of what I discovered. I have this unfinished but recently started painting that I placed down on the floor next to my cuddly blanket. The shoes are kept in my space to remind myself of my grandson and I moved them and plunked them down on my blanket. The room got reorganized and to my delight and surprise when I went to put some items back, the thought went through my brain "Hey I could write a play about that." Maybe it would be to let the next generation know we are waiting for them to step forward and be all that they can be.

Now I know that I have lived on this earth long enough to know that everyone out there has some kind of fear or fears. Let face it if we are gonna have a bit of honest time it is truth, but even you and I can take a chance to bust out and break outta that by taking some kind of steps, even if they are baby steps. What is something you always wanted to do but have not done or even attempted yet??? Ask yourself that this week and I challenge you to begin to take the steps you need to take to get there. Remember even if they are small steps, you are probably headed in the right direction. So go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back and keep going will ya. There is a whole world out there waiting for your rainbow colored dance, or song or poem or story or sculpture or smile or friendship!!! Share what you've got and you will be given more. If you feel like "Hey you don't know me and how much I have tried and failed" Well I am here to tell you to pick yourself back up and dust yourself off and get back in this game called life, and it will only take a step or two to start! Now I am going to take my own advice and take some steps to go to bed but will challenge myself in the next few days to do somethings I have never done before.

"TWO BUDS" SMASHED TILE MOSAIC ON BOARD

I had a Smashing time at a friend's house this week. We are doing smashed tile backsplash work for her counter tops. They had ordered their new counter top and had it set it when yours truly stopped by. I couldn't resist mentioning how awesome and wonderful that kitchen could look with a bit of smashed tile work. Sooooooo, needless to say off she and I went (after of course checking in with her hubby) looking for the tile that awaited being broken only to be re-assembled.

Armed with hammers in one hand and tiles in other hand off we went to hammer things out. Was such fun and totally feels exciting to see all the pieces. O.K. so I need to get out more, but really was fun to have the pieces then check out a sample area of what we will lay out. We didn't glue anything down but will attempt that on another day.

Two Buds is a piece that I had finished a while back while working in this media. There are times in life when you might feel that you too were broken into a million pieces but I have good news for you! The God of the Universe specializes in putting broken lives back together again, infact I think it is His specialty!

"Katie's Artsy Space and Creations"

Just one look at Kate and you'll know she is great. She graciously invited me to check out her fabulous folk dolls created in fabric. Katie has been sewing since she is 7 and it has been a joy to know her. Her dolls all have such personality and Kate my favorite is still "Marge with the big mouth". Cielle is a close second in my books. Katie has been an inspiration to me on many occasions. She helped look after my booth and even encouraged me to paint an elephant en plein air, at the Airdrie Empty Bowls Festival a few years back. Thanks Katie for stretching my imagination and challenging me to think outside of the box. To view more of Kate's collection go to www.kateandko.blogspot.com

"Kate and Kompany"

This is Katie and her newly created friends. Thanks Katie for letting me enjoy your dolls with you!!!! Keep up the great work. I really appreciate the creativity that you express in giving them names as you bring them to life.

"CAMERA PH0TO FUN"

WOW, SOMETHINGS ONE SHOULD PROBABLY NEVER POST!!!!! My niece and I were fooling around this summer with her camera. I totally forgot about this but somehow either her or her camera know how to do this stuff with stretching faces. We laughed our heads off. No more dignified look here, but on the lighter side of life I do LOVE comedy so if it can make you laugh here goes!

"Veronica's Studio"

Having tea with a friend and fellow artist is such and inspiration to me. Today I stopped by Veronica Funk's house and immediately she hugs me, takes my hand and says "Come see my studio." Veronica and I have been friends for several years and she still amazes me. We run downstairs and into her studio which she has rearranged again. Here we see a corner of the space looking so vibrant and inviting. Her work is so alive and rich in color and her paintings make me want to jump right into the scenes.

I always get so excited that I want to go home and create again. Thanks for letting me drool over your latest work, tea, and conversation (while listening to Stevie Nicks, which we both love) about paint and pigments. Thanks for always encouraging the artist in me to come out to play!!!!

"Ready To Dance"

This is Jess and She is dressed and ready to dance tonight. She is sooooo gifted in the arts and willing to share them in a multitude of ways. This young woman is an amazing visual artist, actor, singer, songwriter, and I am so very proud of her. This evening I get to be a part of the audience that she will delight with her dance. You go girl!!!!! Jess is also featured here as a painted human canvas, living art, walking, moving, breathing. She is my featured Masterpiece of the week!!!! I told her she would make a pretty cute "JESTER" ha.

"Candlelight Delight"

Recently while dining with a friend, I felt compelled to take this photo. Who can resist the beauty of candlelight? I have always loved how light reflects and changes atmosphere and brings forth ambiance. One of my observations is that is doesn't take alot of light to expel darkness, just even one tiny light can bring great change. It is my hope that my life could be a light in others darkness and give back a reflection of who I am created to be. Notice the prism effect of this hurricane lantern, bringing more beauty into the space. O.K. so it doesn't take much to entertain me and I have just exposed my romantic heart, but I encourage you all to drink in the beauty that surrounds you today and begin to see light in small things as that can really be the big things!