Living Artfully is a journey fraught with surprises both delightful and bothersome. Experiencing a long awaited dream come true, as in the publishing of Genevieve and the Kite, is wonderfully fulfilling. Yet, as it goes out into the world, it brings back responses. Some of them are positive, uplifting, and encouraging. Other responses are … Continue reading When our Best isn’t Good Enough
Category: Artful Living
A Drawing Morning
In the flurry of activity surrounding all the good things happening these days, I found myself drawn to the Gardens here in town. There were so many reasons why I should NOT go spend a morning to draw...piled laundry, dirty house, art "business" stuff to do, etc. But I knew I needed this. To sit … Continue reading A Drawing Morning
The Making of Genevieve and the Kite
I wish I could tell you that making a children's book is easy. Nope. I can't say that. Genevieve and the Kite took over three years. I didn't immediately think of a children's book as I overheard the conversation between Maddie and her Aunt Cathy on the porch of our beach house three years ago. … Continue reading The Making of Genevieve and the Kite
A Kite Flyin’ Update
Just popping in to say hello and let you know I haven't flown off into the stratosphere with my kite. In fact, it's gotten a bit tangled in a tree and I have a couple of friends helping me untangle it. I realize I'm speaking in code here, and you probably haven't a clue what … Continue reading A Kite Flyin’ Update
Restrictions: A Key to Artful Living
The above painting was made last Friday at the Ciener Botanical Gardensher in my town. I decided to place a restriction on myself and only use oil pastel and watercolor. It can be a lot of fun imposing a limit on your creative utensils. It works like a guide or a path marked out for … Continue reading Restrictions: A Key to Artful Living
Morning Glory Vine
On my walk this morning, I passed by the garden at the top of Silver Dapple Lane. It is in a state of decline, winding down from the summer's producing. A few tomatoes hang onto skeleton-like plants, a bean or two or three hide under browning leaves, and an unpicked watermelon sits ripe amid the … Continue reading Morning Glory Vine
Be All In! Right Where I Am
Due to my very FULL life 😉 I have not been able to draw on Fridays with my friend Debbie for a few weeks. I miss it so much! And today is no exception...I will miss being there, tracing the lines of the autumn flowers in the beautiful setting at the Ciener Botanical Gardens. But … Continue reading Be All In! Right Where I Am
Full…not Busy
I've said it so many times in the past when asked how I'm doing..."Oh I'm so busy!" I'm determined to change this. In recent months however, my life has been defined by a gentle flow, and not a furious frenzy. As I'm getting ready to head back into my life full-throttle (teaching at Redeemer School … Continue reading Full…not Busy
Morning Stitches
I don't often pick up my knitting in the first hour of morning. But when I do, it always speaks to me. After reading and writing a bit, I'm stirred up thinking about all that needs to be done in the day ahead of me. The thought occurs to me: I'll just knit a row … Continue reading Morning Stitches
Saying No: A Key to Artful Living
There is so much that can be said about learning to say no and how it will benefit your Artful Life. We certainly need to learn to say no to the myriad of things that bombard our time for creativity. But that is a subject for another day. Today, and in recent days, I'm learning … Continue reading Saying No: A Key to Artful Living