my wish to you

As this Dec 25th, 2011 winds down, I sit here in Tucker's room, giving him a respiratory treatment (he's not feeling well). A marathon of "A Christmas Story" is playing on tv. Dillon is playing a new video game and Jeff is on the computer.

As I sit here, I feel myself thinking of the approaching New Year. I'm thinking of all the changes I want to make in the coming year. Personal resolutions that equals personal growth. my new years mantra to be, "I can do this"

I have a big and exciting journey approaching in mid April. An art odyssey, so to speak. I have much to do in preparation, so I have a lot on my plate. Many things to get done in a short amount of time. I can do this.

I have committed myself to teaching an online class this summer for Artful Gathering. im nervous about the techie stuff as i have no one to help me with things i dont understand. it entails alot of work. i have to have this done before i leave. I can do this.

I can do all this because this trip is something I have dreamed about for awhile. My trip will take me across the United States, East to West. I'll be on my home turf again and there is much I want to do. I'll be driving out west to teach at Artistic Affaire and then when I am done, I will set about fulfilling things on list. I look forward to my adventure. I can do this.

I'll blog more about this later as there will be much to share and I am planning on doing a fundraiser in feb to generate some road money. (i'll be making a limited amount of magic heart pendants.)

So I sign off with hope in my heart, dreams to be fulfilled and alot of hard work in between. My wish to you is to grab your dreams and make them come true in the best way that you can.

another painting, jesse reno class

here's another painting that i did in jesse's class. you can really get a feel for the process from this example.

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it was at this point that i flipped my painting upside and decided i liked what was happening in the other direction.

i could see a rather odd looking sheep

this is where i left the painting. the top part is definitely going to get blocked out, so that i can focus on the sheep more. haven't done any painting since i've been home, so not sure when it'll get done, but that's the next move on this piece!

jesse reno class

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Taking a class with Jesse Reno, you will soon find that anything goes. there is no planning and there is always more work to be done. I advise you to listen carefully to his words, write them down and begin to process them. He is an amazing story teller, which is obvious from his paintings. It is also very inspiring to listen to him discuss the deeper meaning to his work. It is authentic in a way that i have never worked before. I know how to pour love into my jewelry , but it was very challenging for me to do it in a painting.

I have not painted much and certainly am not trained or have had schooling (but neither has jesse), but i found myself comparing my work to others in class and that is not a good thing to do. It can really take away from the experience as I found out on day 3 when i thought my stuff looked like crap compared to others. When I awoke on day 4, I decided to change my ways. I had to remember that these are not being judged (only by myself perhaps) and that it was time to not be so invested in the "perfect piece" and to really, stop caring so much. I teach about freedom and restrictions when I am instructing on my personal style in my jewelry pieces, but found it hard to find that freedom in class. I think i was planning too much. After that, anytime i found myself doing too much planning, I either walked away or moved onto a different piece. I was getting caught up in the "i don't want to ruin it". on day 4 i actually did wreck a piece. It went from really cool, to a total disaster- i mean, i hated it when i was done. But i felt good to let go of that perfection and fear. So i wrecked a piece, big deal. I still have a long way to go, that's for sure. His process takes practice, especially for someone who feels so challenged with drawing, shading, understanding color and placement, etc.

and i will definitely take another class with him. there is always more to learn and it seemed like on the last day, things were starting to sink in.

these pictures show the process from beginning to end on my big 4x4 canvas piece. It still has a long way to go. There are things i want to change, add, remove and on and on. It is still too calculated for me, but one step at a time, i suppose.

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Now let me take you on a tour of our amazing lodging, called The Hacienda Mosaico. The pictures do not do it justice. It is just magical. "It is located in Colonia Versalles, a typical upscale Mexican neighborhood that affords visitors a chance to experience the charm of daily life in old Mexico. You will find cobbled streets, where tortillerias and markets catering to the locals rather than the tourists…"

The best perk of my time there, was Stella, the sweet little maltese, who is always around for a hug and some lovin. She likes to encourage her guest to go swimming as she loves to run around the pool while others swim.

you can also view all my photos on flickr and see pictures from my visit to Olde Towne, shopping the market and of my visit to the local cemetery.

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I love this picture i took of jesse during a demo/lecture. He is interesting to listen to and says the most amazing things. He weaves a story with his work, but also through his hands as he speaks. He is a fascinating, wise person and I count myself lucky to have spent so much quality time with him. i feel i left a better person in understanding that true art comes from the heart with no other expectations but to be authentic and being true to yourself.

Reflections from Puerto Vallarta

(painting by Jesse Reno)

Our 5 days of painting with Jesse have come to an end. Spontaneously, I have decided to stay 2 more days to paint. My bff, Pam, has gone and I am missing her terribly. I am surprised to find myself feeling lonely; an emotion I rarely feel.

Often after a retreat, I suffer post "art workshop" let down. I am aware of it and realize that it is all part of the process. the journey of growth and learning continue as i recognize this.

we learned so much in 5 days and i will tell you that 5 days are not enough. his style involves thinking on a deeper level and engaging more in the process, which eventually leads you on a journey. i am already thinking of the next time i can take a class with him- as there is so much to absorb.

tomorrow morning, i will embark with new tribe member, suzanne, to the cemetary to take photos.

i leave you to pick up a paint brush and get lost in my painting.

giving back

I'm getting ready to leave for Puerta Vallarta on Sunday. doing all those last minute things like finishing up projects, packing, cleaning house, etc. All that fun stuff to get done, just to getaway and relax! but i am really looking forward to it and can't wait to tell you all about it when i return.



anyway, i thought today i would talk about RAK's (random acts of kindness).

wiki defines
random act of kindness as a selfless act performed by a person or people wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual person or people.

December is the perfect opportunity to randomly be kind to others and get into that spirit of giving. RAK's don't have to be about money either. there are so many ways to give to others without spending a dime.

you can make anyone's day by simply holding the door open for the mom struggling with her stroller or for the elderly couple leaving the store. Look people in the eye and say thank you when they do a nice deed for you as well. It sad that so must politeness has left our society. I've been making a conscientious effort to be more polite on an everyday level.

You can randomly buy the person's coffee behind you. I like to buy 2 of things and then randomly give the other one away. I know if i like it, someone else will like it too! Even thanking someone for doing a job well done (how about acknowledging the lady who is cleaning the public restroom?)

i found a fun website, The Random Acts of Kindness Website, and it is full of ideas on how to be kinder and how to do simple things that can mean so much to someone else. and you never know when someone else needs to know that others care. Read some of the stories too, very inspiring!

i'd love to hear your stories of your RAK's or if you have been the receiver of a RAK. I always think of the RAK that I received about 10 years ago. On Christmas day, I had driven with Tucker in his van over to drop off a gift to my friend/his friend/his caregiver, Michele. When we were leaving, as i was backing out of her driveway, I hit a car. Granted it was an older, beat up car, but still i hit it and i didn't feel good about just leaving. So Michele watched Tucker while i walked around to find the owner. Finally found him and told him what happened. I was all prepared to get chewed out, etc. and he just looks at me and says, "hey, it's Christmas, don't worry about it". I still smile when i think about that!

Here's to a terrific RAK holiday season!

online classes -sale via Lesley Venable

I just wanted to let you all know that my good friend, Lesley Venable, is offering a great price on her online workshops. Lesley is a great teacher and this is the perfect opportunity to learn something new at a wallet friendly price!



mail art

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fabric flowers
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altered journal

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Bling Baby workshop with Lisa Loria

New friend, blogger and artist, Lisa Loria, from California, has agreed to come to Lemoncholy's Studio in February. The only stipulation is that she is required to bring some warm and sunny weather with her!

I try to plan a fun class every mid winter when us East coast girls have had our fill of cold, damp, snow and gray skies. This gives us something to look forward to.

Plan on a fun, casual day of art making where we merge old dolls and found objects to create our own bling baby treasures.

We look forward to the play date!

details:

when: Saturday, February 11th, 2012

where: Lemoncholy's Studio

1606 Oxford Lane

Wall, NJ 07719

time: 11:00-4:00

cost: $135.00 to be paid via paypal

for any other questions, please email me at keeshagirl4@aol.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

to all my family, friends, bloggers, art buddies, facebook friends and more, I extend a Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the day, enjoy your family and eat way too much!

pre Thanksgiving day

Hey everyone! I've been busy working my tail off, trying not to be online much, but in the studio. I'm working on class samples, working on orders, making Christmas gifts, adding things to my etsy shoppe (gasp!) and even squeezed in an online workshop with JoAnnA on how to make beautiful fairy dolls.

I was describing her class to someone in this way:


"JoAnnA's class is just wonderful. very calm and relaxing; almost like sitting in on a sewing lesson with a cherished family member who is lovingly sharing all their wisdom with you."

Here's the little fairy I created. For the face, I used a bird face cab that I had made from ICE Resin.




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I can't say what these are for just yet, but soon enough, you'll know!

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On Sunday, December 4th, I leave for Mexico! I am meeting my bff, Pam, there and we are taking 5 days of painting with Jesse Reno. We are so excited! especially with the gray, rain and cold weather here, can't wait to get out! we are staying at the Artful B&B, the Hacienda.









take a look at the photos of the place. how does she ever get guests to leave?

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sharing:

I wanted to share my super yummy stuffing receipe:

you need:

3-4 onions (i used sweet, yellow)
4-6 celery hearts
cashews
3-4 granny smith green apple
spices (pepper, minced garlic, some cayenne pepper)
olive oil
bacon (save some of the grease)
stuffing mix
Parmesan cheese - shredded

the night before Thanksgiving, I chop up my onions, celery, apples and cashews. I put them in a bowl and toss with olive oil and heavy on the spices. cover with plastic wrap and let ferment over night. I like there to be almost as many veggies as stuffing.

1)in the morning, I cook up the bacon til it's nice and crispy. set aside a bit of the bacon grease.
2)next saute the veggies and cashews in remaining bacon grease. crumble up bacon into the mix
3)cook up stuffing mix following the directions and add the veggie/bacon mix. stir in remaining bacon grease.
4)top with LOTS of Parmesan cheese and put in oven later to bake and serve hot!
5)enjoy!