What If?

I've just been lounging here on my bed, with my doggie, reading blogs.

So many of us are dreamers, aren't we?

So many of us are letting go of things--in hope that the space will be filled with something else that will align us with our truest self.

So many of us want to feel alive, feel of use, feel creative, feel free.

What if we took time each day to simply honor where we are right now?

What if we took a moment to really relish in today?

What if we scheduled in to do something that would make today completely awesome--instead of doing something that will get you somewhere later?

What if we just started to let go of trying to get somewhere, to be something else, to even follow our dreams...just for a moment...just for a few minutes of our day?

What if we just decided that today is going to be just as great as it will be when your actually living your dreams.

Let's Start September With Some Sweetness!!!

♥SWEETNESS UNO♥

It's September!! Seriously, can you believe it? And I'm excited just because...well...I get to share some sweet stuff with you this month...starting with today!

Above is a lovely Art Journal hand made by Robyn Tipton of Robyn'sArt on Etsy.

Robyn is the official sponsor of Art Journal LOVE Letters and she is also

hosting her own online workshop called Artist Empowerment Class that begins September 13.

Definitely check it out!! Not only does Robyn create hand made journals, she is a photographer and currently working on a novel as well--talk about creative juicy!

And--one of you can be the lucky winner of Robyn's journal above by leaving a comment below.

Yep that's it. Leave a comment sharing a little somethin somethin about your own Art Journal LOVE!!!

The give-away ends at 4:00 pm PST this Friday, September 3rd and will be chosen by random.org and will be posted here this Saturday!!!

Good luck Lovelies!! Good luck!! This is such a great journal!

♥SWEETNESS DOS♥

The second sweetness is actually bitter sweet....after some great reflection, I've decided to retire my online workshop Art Journal LOVE Letters at the end of November. I feel that my creativity and interests are moving in new directions--and I don't want to host this workshop if I can not give it my 100% LOVE and attention that it needs. So on December 1st Art Journal LOVE Letters will be closing it's doors.....but until then i will still be sharing the LOVE with you at a low, low registration of $24.99. This is a self paced, four week workshop--so if you've been wanting to be a part of it--come on over!!

Go HERE for more information and to register!!

(Registration closes on Halloween!)

Visit Art Journaling

♥SWEETNESS TRES♥

The last drop of sweetness today is a super cool e-zine is up for sale at the Art Journaling NING site! This baby is packed full of Art Journal LOVE with great articles, interviews, and informative tutorials on Art Journaling. And here's the coolest thing of all--it's only $5.

Did you catch that?

An e-zine packed full of articles written by me--Connie Hozvicka, Less Herger of Comfortable Shoes, Samantha Kira Harding of Journal Girl, Klair Scattergood of Rhomany's Relm, Eveline Hessels of Eveline Timeless, and Jonathan Manning of Artistic Biker--and much, much more!!

All for $5---go HERE to Art Journaling NING to get your hands on it!

I'm Shedding

So I fear this is going to keep happening.

I think there are going to be quite a few more weeks like the one I just had. There are going to be quite a few more sleepless nights. Quite a few more days that I find myself paddling the murky waters of my emotions.

Because, I finally realized....

I'm shedding. Or maybe molting is a nicer way of putting it.

And I guess in some sense you could say I'm dying.

But no reason to be alarmed. Seriously, no reason to feel sad or pity.

This is the kind of dying we hope for--the kind that Yogis crave at the end of their practice as they lay still in savasana. The kind of dying that leads to a renewal of life.

I've known this for awhile--that I'm shedding the old life I used to have.

But I finally woke up to see I'm shedding old beliefs too. The ones I used to carry--used to nurse like little babies and sometimes wear as a badge of truth.

I'm shedding the scripture of things that are suppose to be a certain way, just because that's all I've known for so long. Because that's what my mama told me.

I'm shedding old ways of painting. Can you believe it? I'm shedding old ways of being creative in this big, beautiful world.

I'm shedding old relationships I've had....with my body, my mind, with my life...with the part of my existence that I consider my spirituality.

I'm shedding all of this in rivers of tears that can flow so deep that I mistake that I am drowning. And sometimes I shed all of this into loud earthquakes of laughter---and I will admit, I get frightened as I watch my world crumble around me.

I'm shedding all of this, you see, through nights of restlessness and unexpected afternoon naps. I'm not always myself...because don't you get it--I'm shedding.

I'm shedding all of this. ALL of this.

ALL. OF. THIS.

And as much as it scares the living hell out of me.

It finally feels real good to shed...to molt...to die and witness my own rebirth.

And for whatever it's worth, I will share it all with you.

Maybe I'm not the only one shedding.

Taking A Breather

Right now the weather in Arizona is still in the triple digits.

But the agony of the inferno is made up by the gorgeous sunsets that dance outside my window every night.

These two photos above were taken by me, not my beloved Hansel.

And I took them with a little snap and shoot--

That's how amazing the monsoon magic is!

Also---Less Herger of Comfortable Shoes Studio has been painting the most amazing cloud studies as well

--they are so amazing that I had to purchase one for myself!!

Go HERE to see what I mean.

I LOVE this journal spread above. It was created by a very talented and dear to my heart Artist named Lynna. She just gave her blog a total face lift and wrote a beautiful tribute to Dirty Footprints Studio HERE. Please stop by and say hello!

A very lovely soul by the name of Theresa Cole interviewed me for her blog The Creative Well. It was really fun to answer her questions and share with her and her readers. Please be sure to stop by her colorful blog HERE and say hello also!

Medical Billing

I'm very touched and honored that Dirty Footprints Studio has been listed as one of the top 45 Art Therapy blogs by Blogging Awards & Medical Billing and Coding. I'm really excited to be listed with some of my favorite blogs such as: Creative Every Day, Creative Juices Arts, and Fire Tree Studio. You have to go check out the list of winners HERE--so many great blogs to check out!!

BIG has sold out for the second time and just opened up this past Monday. All the current FEARLESS Painters are getting prepared and knowing one another! BIG officially begins this Sunday, and I can't wait to share the joys and challenges of painting FEARLESS with this new Tribe! If you are interested in being part of a future Tribe, please sign up for the Dirty Footprints Studio newsletter HERE to be the first to know when registration opens up again in October!!

Not only is BIG opening up again in October but I will be doing some traveling and sharing the Dirty Footprints Studio LOVE that month as well!! I am so excited!! I will be in Austin, Texas on Friday, October 15 to Saturday, October 16!! I have been invited to be one of the key note speakers at the Joyfully Jobless Jamboree. I'll be there speaking about how "Painting Made Me Quit My Job"--but even more, I'll be there soaking in all the juicy knowledge, experience, and joy from many of the other speakers and participants that will be there as well. I would LOVE for you to join me in the fun. Please go HERE to check it out and to register!!

Also in October I will be co-hosting a day long workshop--that is going to feel more like a FEARLESS funshop---called Creative Balance. It's happening in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, October 23rd and it's going to be a day of balancing your creativity between your heart and mind!! Please go HERE to check it out and to register---there's an early bird special happening until October 1st!!

One of the main facets of Yoga is becoming more self aware.

Understanding and knowing oneself.

But even more--honoring and respecting oneself as a human being--who gets tired, gets sick, stumbles, and sometimes needs to take a breather.

All of a sudden my dear friends, I've gotten sick.

I'm not feeling so well and I'm taking this as a huge clue that I need to take a break--

I need to slow down for a few moments. I need to rest.

So Dirty Footprints Studio is taking a little breather.

I will still be hanging out and sharing the LOVE over at BIG, The Tribe, & of course my beloved Art Journal LOVE Letters. But I won't be here at Dirty Footprints Studio for a week so that I can get myself feeling much better and rest.

Thank you for understanding and for your warm wishes.....

I'll see you back here again on Wednesday, September 1st!!

We'll ring in a new month together fully rested and energized!

Until then, I want to remind you how important it is to turn the computer off and MAKE ART.

{Or simply just get some rest.}

Have a beautiful week my friends. See you September 1st.

Creative Balance

I'm coming to Cleveland and I'm bringing Dirty Footprints Studio with me!!

I'm so stinking excited!! That's right--I'm excited to be going to Cleveland--my hometown--where I was born and raised--and lived there for 30 years!! I'm going home for a visit and sharing the workshop LOVE with you!!

Are you dreaming of taking a day for yourself to make Art, have fun, eat some good food, and meet and laugh with other Artsy-Lovely people like yourself? Then you have to join me and my dear friend and professional Artist/ceramics professor: Andrea LeBlond for a day of Creative Balance!

Here's the goodies:

WHAT IS CREATIVE BALANCE?

A one day workshop at the lovely Terra Vista Studio (go HERE to check out the Creative Dig workshop I hosted there last year!!!) in Cleveland, Ohio. Complete with snacks, lunch, and all art supplies provided!! All you need to bring is your beautiful self and your favorite brushes!

WHAT CREATIVE FUN WILL BE HAD?

Andrea and I have delicately planned a day of balancing your creativity between your mind and heart! Hah!

We two have been friends forever--and the thing that makes our friendship so special is that we both seem to balance each other--both personally--and as Artists. My work is very intuitive and expressive, while Andrea's is much more cerebral and strategic. Together we plan to give you the best of both worlds!!!

Andrea will begin by guiding you into a lesson on how to create your own linoleum block prints. Through a juicy discussion on repetition and how it affects our overall Art and creativity (and finding balance in our lives)....you will create sketches that she will help you refine and then execute onto a linoleum block.

From there, you'll be all mine--as we use those linoleum blocks as a foundation to create an intuitive, FEARLESS Painting!! I will help you explore ways of letting go and being free in your painting as we use those linoleum block prints in a fun and intuitive way!

Tangled up with all this creative fun will be a delicious hearty lunch, time to sit and reflect on the beautiful view of Lake Erie and downtown Cleveland from the Terra Vista studios, loads of personalized support, inspiration, and instruction from TWO LICENSED ART EDUCATORS who also happen to be professional, full time working ARTISTS---and pretty dang funny girls! Plus, the best part of all...the opportunity to meet other kindred souls that believe balancing creativity in one's life is important and necessary!!!

WHO IS ANDREA LeBLOND?

BIO:

Since graduating with a BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1995, I have taught in the ceramic departments of various schools including Cuyahoga Community Colleges’ Eastern and Metro campuses and the University of Akron. For the past 14 years I have kept a professional studio at numerous locations, most recently at TerraVista Studios. I have been the recipient of many awards and grants, among them an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award, received in 2008.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

Vintage textiles and Amish quilts, among other things, inspire me. I love their bold designs and vibrant color juxtapositions. I use these designs as a starting point to create textured patterns on my slab-built pieces. First, using printmaker’s linoleum blocks into which designs are carved, I then press clay slabs into the block to achieve a desired pattern. This prepared clay is then cut using hand-made paper templates and carefully constructed to make various functional objects. Over time, this process has evolved to incorporate 2-D design and texture onto a three-dimensional object. This technique is enhanced by transparent glazes that run and pool in the crevices much like cloisonné metalwork. The linoleum breaks down over time so each pattern has a limited life span. I strive to combine exciting 2-D with 3-D design to create pieces that inspire touch, play and daily use.

WHO IS CONNIE HOZVICKA?

Well, I'm an Artist, Creative Wildwoman, and Yogini behind Dirty Footprints Studio!! You can read more about me HERE.

WHEN, WHERE, & HOW MUCH IS CREATIVE BALANCE?

DATE: Saturday, October 23, 2010

TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (with a one hour provided, yummy lunch!)

PLACE: Terra Vista Studios, Cleveland, Ohio.

Check out their website HERE.

Check out photos of Terra Vista Studio from my 2009 workshop Creative Dig HERE.

Check out a video from the same workshop HERE.

EARLY-BIRD PRICE: $155. (includes workshop, all supplies, lunch, and snacks)

Early-Bird Price ends Friday, October 1.

REGULAR PRICE: $200. (starting Saturday, October 2)

☆☆☆ All participants from Creative Dig 2009 receive 15% off registration☆☆☆

--please EMAIL me for more information--

REGISTER NOW FOR THE EARLY BIRD PRICE!!!

I look forward to sharing a day of fun , creativity, and painting with YOU!!

Email me if you have any questions!!

See you in Cleveland!

Pssst.....Hey!

Gorgeous photo by my beloved Hansel!

I got something real exciting I want to share with you.....but a little later today.

Promise!

Yoga L♡VE :: No Yoga :: Day 9/40

Connie, did you practice Yoga today?

Nope. No Yoga today.

No Yoga?

No. No Yoga.

Oh.

And We're Off!

BIG is officially sold out.

But don't fret....BIG will be back in October...

until then,

when you feel the earth shake know--

it's just a new Tribe of FEARLESS Painters doing their thing!!!

Go HERE and sign up for the Dirty Footprints Studio newsletter

to be the first to know when BIG returns!!

Belly LOVE is Yoga L♡VE

I'm giving you the Belly LOVE on Monday again this week....and maybe you have an idea what it's about.....can you guess?

Yep, Yoga.

I've made it through my first week of renewing my commitment to my Yoga practice. And wow! Wow!....I'm feeling the difference already.

And you know what....I purchased myself a little somethin somethin that will remind me always of my commitment--to my Yoga practice--but even more to my own health and well being....I purchased this beautiful Art print HERE by an amazing Artist named Katarina Silva. Below is a video of her work---so, so gorgeous--and full of Belly LOVE--I had to share!