Medeah

Look at how cute these projects turned out. I have been creating like crazy over here! You can go to @gratefullymadestudio on Facebook to watch the tutorial on how to make the fun plaid trees in this picture. So easy and inexpensive! 

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.- Anonymous I might add that what we see as a detour just might be our true path. - Me

I'm still painting intuitively. I start something with no expectations as to what the end result might be. This is one of those paintings. I am completely embracing color. This one might be my favorite so far in this process. We are discussing mindfulness in my class and learning to always look for inspiration. It truly is everywhere. You just have to be aware and be still long enough, and it will find you.

I am fortunate to be involved in a creativity group facillitator training led by the amazing Jill Badonsky and we have learned how important it is to protect ourselves and our creative passions. This is part of that process for me. You can't see it but etched on this girl's heart (my heart) it says God is within her. She will not fall. In an earlier post I explained how powerful this verse is for me. It doesn't mean I won't mess up. It means I trust God to catch me when I do. I'm listening for his cues and painting for him. I'm trying so hard to put my ego aside because it will truly never be satisfied. I think it was in the book Big Magic that the author, I know her last name is Gilbert, said "There will never be enough of what you don't need." That hit my heart hard. Anyway, the creative process is absolutely beautiful for me right now. I hope it sticks. I pray it does. What is your passion?

A bright, Springy girl!

I will post some pics later but right now I wanted to share a song I love. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0T-qJsHKBA4https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0T-qJsHKBA4

I love this verse. There is so much power in these words. It doesn't say "She might not" or "Maybe she won't." It says "She will not fall." The reason she doesn't fall is because God catches her when she trips or messes up. It is not of her own doing that she stands firm or that I seem to stand firm. He holds me up in times when my legs are weak and shaky and my spirit feels broken. I am grateful for His love and grace. I have learned that artists are sensitive people. I'm not alone. Whew! Things seem to go straight to my heart. That's happened a lot this past year and I have grown from the experiences. I have learned that there are people that get me and there are people that don't and that's ok. It is what it is. God (my bodyguard) gets me. He made me and he made me this way for a reason. He made me sensitive so I could help someone hurting. He made me passionate so I would fight for what I feel is right. I know there have ...

The past few months have been a whirlwind of awareness and inspiration. I have been training to be a Kaizen Muse Creativity Coach and the process has been nothing short of mind blowing! When I signed up I had no idea of the life changing knowledge awaiting me. In short, the program is designed to help people who are in a state of overwhelm, procrastination, resistance, perfectionism and self sabotage. I had a touch of all of these, some more than others. The things I've learned about the brain and the creative process or even the living life process have been priceless. This program was developed by a remarkable women named Jill Badonksy. She has written several books on the process and is a very successful creativity coach. We have met with her every week for almost 3 months. We also had the privilege of meeting Dr. Robert Maurer (Bob) author of Small Steps can Change Your Life and Mastering Fear. What an amazing man! I plan on continuing my training even after becoming officially...

I have been having so much fun playing and experimenting with watercolor. It is a little more challenging than acrylic and requires a little more thought, at least for me. The transparency of the color  which lures you in makes it tougher to cover up mistakes, so you have to embrace them and move on. I could honestly draw and paint with these little bursts of color all day.   The 2 paintings above started with stamps that I purchased at Paper Crown in OKC. I love these girls and if drawing isn't your cup of tea this is a fun option if you want to try your hand at using watercolor. There is a class in the works using this line of stamps. Working on perspective. I love chairs. I love giving my girls names and making up little stories about them. This girl gets in all kinds of trouble with her paintbrushes.

This was such a fun class! Can't wait until the next one!

Embroidery is one of the many things on my "To Learn" list. I decided to sit down long enough to teach myself ( with the help of the Internet). I have a stack of felt that I bought for something that I don't even recall now, so I decided it would make for good practice. It's like drawing with thread! I love it! Now I can't stop! It's not perfect but I embrace it, in its imperfectness. Not sure where these will go, maybe a canvas or a journal.  I love the color and texture. 

Wow! Paper Crown's first Glittered Retreat was absolutely amazing! So many beautiful women gathered together to share a weekend of art and friendship. Many new friendships were made. I promised to post a list of supplies from my class, so here goes! 12x12 cradled wood panel by American Easel (If you are in the city the best place to purchase these is Porch School Supply at 50th and Santa Fe.) You can also order them from Dick Blick or Jerry's Artarama. 1/4 in. artist tape (I need to track down a supplier of this. Google it and I'm sure there is a place to order online. Plaster of Paris ( I bought mine at Michael's in OKC.) Hydrus watercolor in yellow ochre, pthalo green and Crimson lake (Porch School Supply or an art supplier online if you are not close to OKC.) reversed branches stencil from The Crafter's Workshop raw umber acrylic paint by Liquitex Basic (Michael's) Text stamp and Archival Ink Pad R&F Encaustic Medium (Porch School supply ...

I am so excited to announce my newest workshop!  Oodles of Doodles Saturday, February 15th Paper Crown in OKC 10:30 - 4:00 Lunch will be provided. All supplies included.  Cost 50.00 Registration opens tomorrow morning, Monday, January 20th. Call Paper Crown to reserve your spot! (405) 848-2389 There will also be drawings and party favors! So much fun!!! We will start by practicing on art tiles. We will then use a technique that will have you doodling letters in no time! We will use Silks Acrylic Glaze to paint around our letters. We will use stencils and watercolors and play around with markers.

Glitter Market was amazing! I was sick most of last week and making it to Glitter Market was a bit of a challenge but I am so glad I pushed through. I cannot describe the energy in the space when all of these beautiful woman come together (vendors and shoppers.) I am so bummed that I forgot my camera but just getting there was enough. Everyone and everything just glowed with warmth. I vowed this year I would spend more time building relationships and not concentrate so much on the stuff. It was probably best that I forgot my camera, so I could not hide behind my lens. I wanted to look at the people and see them, really see them. I wanted to look into their eyes, their beautiful, deep, dark eyes (Charlotte Perez.)  I wanted to stand in the warmth that is Bobbie. I wanted to stand by my petite blond encourager, my friend ( I hope you know how much I love you, Peggy.)  I wanted to visit with my friend, Nicole, who is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, which...

The past couple of weeks have been full of change and as much as I hate to admit it I am not a fan of change. I like to think of myself as this "just go with the flow" type of person, but I can honestly say after this week, that might not be the case. Things become comfortable and I like them to stay that way, but that isn't how we grow. Change is necessary, essential and will always happen whether we fight it or not. What is the cause for disliking change so much? I think it is fear. I know it is. I do not want to give fear another minute of my life. I choose joy. Instead of fearing the inevitable I will embrace the incredible which is always around us.

There are so many words to describe last weekend like; fun, crazy, lifetime friends, sisters, art, creating, playing, hopping like frogs, speaking in various accents, moves like Jagger, shopping, painting, stamping, inking, eating, green eyes, late late nights, laughter, laughter, and more laughter, jumping into the lake with clothes on, Beth and Peggy I won't go into detail but you know what I'm talking about, inspiring, exhilarating, exhausting, and worth every minute.

What a fun day! I hope you guys enjoyed this class as much as I did. I love this place! What an amazing group of women. Those that took the class and would like a supply list and written instructions please leave me a comment with your email address and I will get it right out to you. Hope to be back soon. Thanks, for coming. See you soon. : )  Now some other cool pics from Wichita