A Day for Nate ...

Sunshine to warm the air;

Giggling boys & sweet wide smiles;

A race of socked feet & furry paws;

Matchbox cars lined up for miles.

Lunchtime is called up the stair;

Sleeves are rolled - little hands delighted

Messy sauce & yummy cheese -

Two friends on stools sighted.

A boy's story is the best that is ever told.

-- Charles Dickens

A Fresh Start ...

Over a cup of tea this morning, I poured over the words and images of The Artistic Mother, and began the first step towards my goal of incorporating creativity into my daily life ... My Artistic Vision Statement. It is said that this Statement "reflects how you want to live your life - of ideals for which to strive ... Think big!" So ... here goes ...

I am a creative woman who is in love with life. I am creating a body of work to reflect me and the blessings that surround me. I do this every day - no matter the obstacles - experiencing a part of the creative process to keep my soul uplifted.

I am creating a body of work that captures my view of life and my children through photography, mixed media and poetry. I am a whimsy soul - focusing on the wonderment of each day - and bringing forth that element into my art.

I honor God, my husband and my children with all I do, feel, think and say.

Along with this declaration comes Long-Term and Short-Term Goals. These lists will, undoubtedly, be amended or added to over time, but it is a starting point for me.

Long-Term Goals:

• Take stunning photos of my children.
• Develop an art workshop to teach in the next 5 years.
• Exhibit a work of art in a gallery.
• Create a line of greeting cards.
• Create a line of wall art.
• Contract boutiques to carry my art.
• Be published in a creative magazine.

Short-Term Goals:

• Take 5 decent photos of each of my children.
• Complete this 12-week course! :)
• Experience at least one element of the creative process daily.
• Post on my blog each day.
• Go to the museum.
• Make one craft with my children each week.
• Attend local gallery shows.
• Make one homemade gift each month.
• Schedule a weekend at an artist retreat.
• Research local boutiques for needs.
• Take my camera each time I leave the house.
• Take my children on summer field trips each week.
• Research teaching art classes to children.

Whew! I feel joyful! ... and so very anxious to dig into this journey. Thank you to Donna and Nicole for your words of encouragement ... your continued support through my random absences have truly meant so much! And, thank you to the author of this incredible bound of creativity ... Shona Cole. You all may be interested to know that on her blog she is offering a chance to WIN a copy of this very book!! Stop by!

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.

~Leonardo da Vinci

A Promise to Me ....

I have been feeling starved for months now ... no. NOT for food (Lord knows He equipped my husband with the love of cooking and I with a love for food. Dangerous combo - - ask my hips!)

No ... this starvation is to satisfy my soul. My heart pangs for daily creativity ... and I've just been overwhelmed with family life and other obligations/projects to enter that nook in my over-crowded mind; so that I can just let go and explore the ideas and imagery that have been trying to find room to blossom up there.

When I feel this way .... it's almost as if I feel suffocated and I tend to just flounder through the day. To pull myself from this rut, I need to be inspired! I will visit my favorite blogs ... pick up charming magazines ... research other artists ... and when that doesn't do the trick - - I head to the bookstore!

So, it was there that I found myself on Saturday afternoon. And, it was there that I found exactly what I needed ...

I am taking this week to explore this wonderful book - create my plans to incorporate art into my daily life - flow that creativity into raising our children and bringing back into our world a bit of whimsy.

Childhood is fleeting. And, I no longer want to just "get through the day" by doing the chores, running the errands, making sure all the "have to's" are done. I want to bring enchantment and wonder back into our lives. I miss it. There was a time - not so long ago - that car rides on old country roads were for finding fairies hiding in the trees, and warm, sunny days were for picnicking along the riverbank with crayons and paper to capture the ladybugs and pretty leaves.

Perhaps its the season ... cold, snowy, icy ... we are all ready to climb the walls for fresh air! Well - - I cannot wait for good ole Jack Frost to be done with us ... I need to bring the sunshine and warmth into our home - - and I think that daily artsy whims will be the rays of light that'll do the trick!

So, next week starts my new commitment to creativity ... a daily exploration of some sort. This book contains a 12-week art course and I am anxious to plunge into it!

I read that accountability is the key to keeping yourself on track ... so I choose you - - my readers. I plan to post my progress daily .... a HUGE step for me - - as you know, I've been off and on so much lately!

My goal is to create a fulfilling life for myself creatively, as well as our family. Perhaps you would like to join me in this venture? No time like the present! Ask yourself ... are you living artfully? (*smile*)

What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit.

~John Updike

Dear Weatherman ...

"Winter Storm Warning - expect 4-10 inches" ... it appears that they were a bit off the mark ... AGAIN! 23 inches of snow later - - over one evening ... Sledding even seems to be out of the question with this much snow!

The most that we can do right now is ... Shovel. UGH!
I look at this day as a day to relax with the intermittent chore of shoveling (mostly done by my hubby - thank you, Hon!) ... a day to kick back in our PJ's, play games, read a book or do whatever our hearts' desires may be. My daughter apparently is still stuck in school mode ...

Humph. She just can't kick having having a "scuedule" ... :)

Happy Saturday!!

Spring has sprung ...

... at least inside our home - - outside is another story. For those who know me (and love me anyway!), know that I am a seasonal decorator who dedicates a good week to make the switch from one season to another. I change our home's decor according to the weather outside - - So, needless to say, I feel as though I am floundering a bit as I pass through a room with silk posies and cherished seashells and meet Jack Frost's breath the moment I open my door. I feel quite unbalanced at the moment ... Let's see if you feel the same -

Inside ... ... and outside ...Humph. You got bit, didn't you? :) Well, this too shall pass - - six weeks, right Phil? Certainly not forever. I am determined to make the best of my clashing world ... paint in bright hues to warm my soul and sip hot cocoa to ward off the chill. Sounds like a plan ... :)

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.

~Ward Elliot Hour