splish. splash.

running along the warm shine of the nectarine sky.

splish. splash.

amber locks wave, pinwheels spin.

splish. splash.

gray peace trims away at the lamb’s ear.

splish. splash.

sweet potato begs the question.

precious. nectarine sky.

.     .     .     .     . 

written  at the FEAST retreat. 2013.

a couple of weeks ago i hopped on a plane, a bit weary from life and headed out to seattle to meet
up with liz lamoreux for the feast retreat.

there, along the banks of puget sound we gathered with amazing souls. our week flowed gently through circles of women, yoga, niblets that nourished and story. so much story that is softened my weary soul to this little place of feeling like i could come back to the middle, recharged.

this is why i retreat. it really is this simple. i can’t say that i never come back tired from the journey. because it is a week of big travel, late nites and many bags and bits that we load to take to the lodge. but each time, i come back with my pockets full of story. happy faces and this feeling that life really is this good. and for this little life morsel, well it simply makes me do kartwheels. (in my head of course, because i am old and might throw a hip)

soon i will head to the oregon coast for another week of story. color and niblets as we gather for the your story retreat. i love the oregon coast. getting to walk to the lulls of mama ocean. the your story retreat sold out in one day! pretty stinkin amazing. but fear not. if you would like to find a retreat, in a space of comfy couches. story and digging in to release some of life’s weary moments. then take a little time (just a little) to hop over to liz’s website and see what the STORY
EXCAVATION retreat has to offer. it is going to be so so good. this retreat will include words with liz. story with <a<href=”http://www.jenlee.net” target=”_blank”>jen lee and some happy moments of meditatiive color with me and along the way target=”_blank”>sasha will keep our little belly happy with niblets. i would so love to see your shining face. there.

the STORY EXCAVATION retreat
september 11-15, 2013<
gearhart, oregon
(oregon coast)

registration. open.

.     .     .     .     .

there are few new moleskines in the shop! you can find them here. (it has made me so happy to make each one of these and give them a little kiss as each heads out the door.)

today i am sharing my little splish splash poem over at louise gale’s happy “your heART makes a difference” . be sure to go look around her digs. there is some really good stuff!

my girl danielle is part of roben-marie smith’s design team. roben is releasing new stamps, that are uber cute and they are both doing a giveaway! so why not play that “lottery” and enter both. to  make it really simple….
danielle’s, blog hop giveaway!
roben-marie smith blog hop giveaway!

a whole lotta goodness! no get it done!

xoxo.

i paint my own reality. the only thing i know is that i paint because i need to,
and i paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration.
frida kahlo

.     .     .     .     .

one. the blue sky that has graced the middle for the last couple of days.

two. turkey chili on the stove after a long day of simmer.

three.  a renewed sense of self.

four. pages to fill with story and sketch.

five. the dude who always makes it so much simpler.

six.  little bits carried to the middle. from the west.

seven.  standing in the space i choose.

.     .     .     .     .

SHOP NEWS! there are are new journals along with a few new rings and prints. come on by for some extra color!

today. join me over at SEEK YOUR COURSE for a bit of happy!
a little printable affirmation to add a bit of shine to your week.

hop on over and get yours!

.     .     .     .     .     .

the feast retreat pretty much rocked in every single way. later this week i will be sharing a few thoughts and stories about my week that included a little yoga, soul work and much color. please be on the look out for new posts this week. (i swear i am going to stay up on this blog!!)

the shop is going to have a SALE soon! a special newsletter will go out with the deets.

happy. happy. day.

xoxo

hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words
and never stops… at all.  ~emily dickinson

.     .     .     .     .

hello over there. today.

today. what are you up to today.

i am up to….running to the post to mail off bits of shop fun.  heading to the gallery and hang this bad boy up and to make loads of paper flowers for our upcoming annual gala. then home for another late night of painting to prep for this weekends “indie love lounge”. another busy week full of art. color and paperwork. yep. living the dream. don’t you just love how that works.

“hopefields”
16×20
birch panel

i remember a man and how chills over took the skin of my arms and neck, each time he spoke of hope. his little town hope. this girl raised in a little town. a town that some days could stand a little extra here and there. maybe  a bit more than that. and some days i often wonder. some days i stew in the thoughts and frustrations. and then a little light will shine in on my day. it could be a little wave from an old friend. a new face in our coffee house or it could be that familiar face on the nightly news, that face that some don’t care to look at, but one that pushes me gather up any little lost bits and wrap them up in my arms like a field full of pink and orange poppies. vibrant. warm as the colors i always move towards. a field. full. full of poppies.

hopefields.

xoxo.

the first time her laughter unfurled its wings in the wind, we knew that the world would never be the same.  :: story people

.     .      .     .     .

it is a soft little monday over here. i actually overslept. by a lot. not that i had anywhere to be or many obligations today. but i am trying to work hard on getting rid of the guilt of such an indulgence.  i have plenty to do. i need to put the last few years of tax paperwork into the new file envelopes that were just delivered to my front door. i have orders to run to the post, i have plenty new things to paint and finish up and the list goes on and on and on.  some days having the blessing of getting to do what i love and work from my own warm comfy home can carry some quirky little habits and little guilts.  the list of habits might just include (but in no specific order): procrastination, shuffling my daily schedule, day dreaming out the big windows……..
the list of little guilts most definitely include: afternoon naps, too many lunch dates, not focusing on the real work and the list goes on and on.

today is a soft little monday. that might just have included a morning of sleeping in. a long lunch and catching up with the one who taught me how to laugh, unfurling my wings in the wind and the little reminder that our life here is meant to be filled with good stuff, those who wrap us up in their world and laughter. laughing like tomorrow may never come. little pockets. i just love filling those up.

xoxo.

.     .     .     .     .

i have been adding little bits into the shop. some are new wares, a few originals have been added since being away at the gallery for a monthly hang and prints. plenty of prints.  come on over and check them out. always something for everyone.

i am still doing the happy dance over here. somerset apprentice is out and i love that i am part of it. check out pages 98-99. i got to check it out the other nite at barnes and noble. it is like christmas morn getting to open that up and seeing your work! i suggest you send in a submission too! really.

a good painting to me has always been like a friend. it keeps me company, comforts and inspires.
..hedy lamarr ..

.     .     .     .     .     .

oh happy happy friday! it has been a really good week over here. crazy busy like always. phone calls, emails, cleaning and purging said emails and keep up with the shop sales. KITTY prints are fierce and more heading out the door early next week. i kind of love that part of the week. wednesday i made a run to a neighboring burb with my redheaded friend doc speelman. we hit this amazing vintage shop call HOT HOUSE MARKET. there i found new bits that i want to work on so that others can rediscover vintage charm in a new way. i am so so excited to add a few of my girls . blooms and banners to these pieces. are the books lush! those pinks and aquas put a smile on my face. i will be heading to the big city over the hill for the indie arts and vintage marketplace show next saturday (march 9th) and these old pieces will be there with new life! mmmmmmm the goodness!

so tell me. what do you have up your sleeve for the weekend. tell me something good (wha wha)

xoxo.

.     .     .     .     .

april is just around the corner. spring is on its way and renewal always is right there tap tap tapping on our little noggins.

liz lamoreux . hannah marcotti and this girl will be gathering with others in the woods along frog creek for FEAST!  there are a couple of spots left. if you are looking to begin the spring with a new step. then consider joining us for this amazing gathering. ps. i will be at the door handing out hugs like no ones business.  no really. we would love to see your smiling face. for more information and registration….click here!

sometimes i take a page from my journal. something that has been tucked away and most days forgotten…

sometimes i bring it to life. today. she dances along the edges of this moleskine. and some days, a day like today. i add them to the shop.

.     .     .     .     .

you may just be asking why i love the moleskine journal. or maybe not. but i am going to tell you anyway. so

here are a few reasons why…

one. they are naked. happily naked just waiting for a coat of color.

two. i believe that you have to get the shit out. so many clean creamy pages to fill it up!

three. your story is juicy and scary and silly and crazy good. so tell it. 

four. i am a girl. i need to talk it out. sometimes it is only me to listen. so i write it out.

five. i just love to draw on those happily naked covers. i don’t want them to go through life feeling chilly.

.      .     .     .     .

some new fun bits are lining the shelves. come see. cuz we all need color! oh yeah. so much color the sky explodes.

xoxo.

and so it begins..

the beginning layers..

a vintage headboard dreaming of a new life.

a girl with pink hair (i just can’t help myself.)

a little splash of happy. here and there.

their own story applied.

dont’ wake me. carries their story. love that part.

.     .     .     .     .

one last big ticket item, check on my dusty studio list. some days it is so hard for me to find that groove. it is true. it can be painful. but what i know is this – when i find that groove. when i see their faces light up as they look over each detail. when i know my list is clean. well i feel better about me. i can see that i am doing what i am meant to do. leaving all the snotty chatter that i create in my own head, behind. hoping to remember to keep that chatter in the closet on the next run. “don’t wake me” – yep – she pushed me. and i am pretty happy about that.

next weekend b and i plan on doing nothing but lounging. catching up and hoping for some good movie time. so let this week begin. i have new bits waiting to come to life and hit the shop shelves. loving all the new fun planned. studio. time. plenty of studio time.

xoxo.