Coolio!

Let me hear a woo-hoo!! We made it through February!! Now onto March!! And--I had a great February and I'm totally excited about March!! Here are some things I'm super excited and happy about!! Do you have anything you're happy or excited about as well? I'd LOVE to hear about it--leave me the good news in a comment!

I'm swooning over my new bed stand journal!! Yep--I keep a tiny journal on my bed stand with a pen--because many times I get my best ideas laying in bed right before I sleep. My last bed stand journal was from the amazing Miz Katie--and now, I just purchased this sweet little journal from the incredible and amazing Amanda from Persistant Green. This journal feels great, looks beautiful, and the craftsmanship is fantastic. Her work is so affordable--everyone should have a little Persistent Green of their own. Go HERE to her Etsy shop and tell her I sent you!

Lookie! Lookie!! Lookie!!! I have my very own Leah Piken Kolidas print!!! When I saw her totally Creative Juicy painting on Creative Every Day a few weeks ago--I was blown away. It spoke to me...I felt like it was made for me...so my dear friend hooked me up!! AND--you know what else I'm super excited about?!?! Leah announced that the Creative Every Day challenge this month is "stories"......my mind has been brewing ever since I heard--and I'm planning on diving head first into my creativity to express the stories in my heart that are ready to surface.

AAANNND!!! Miss Leah is going to be in AZ this week on a little vacay and we will be meeting for some dinner!! I can't wait!! I hope she lets me put her in one of my videos!!! Keep your fingers crossed!!

Visit Art Journaling

I am so in LOVE with the Art Journaling Ning group. This group is full of Creative Juicy inspiring Artists who have reached out in numerous ways. For March, there is an Art Journaling challenge happening with a new prompt issued every day. This is a great way to be inspired and if you are new to Art Journaling a great way to get your feet wet while being part of a supportive, talented community of Artists. YOU HAVE TO JOIN!! So much fun!! Click the button above to get started!

Last, but far from least!! I will be going to the Painting from the Wild Heart Retreat in San Francisco this March 19-21!! I can NOT WAIT!! I am so looking forward to a weekend dedicated to my creativity and unleashing my wild heart. You can hear the interview I did with the amazing Chris Zydel on Creative Juicy Life HERE to see why I am so excited and honored to be heading out to San Fran this month!!

I want to thank all the friends, fans, and LOVELY souls that have touched my life through Dirty Footprints Studio. You have made my life so very Creative Juicy, and I am truly grateful! Please share the good news happening in your own life. Let's rock March together!

Big hugs!!

An Open Letter To Educators

WHAT HAS EDUCATION DONE TO REINVENT ITSELF??

Amen! Amen! Amen!!

Art Comes With Responsibility

I began this year with the intention of three powerful words: COMMITMENT, TRUST, & TRUTH. And lately, everything I see points me to the need to be honest..to be truthful. This video screams honesty. I hope you will take the time to watch it....you will not regret it.

Here are a few nuggets I grabbed from his speech:

"Art comes with responsibility."

"In the night I die and in the morning I am born again."

"I danced as I painted--so then I began to paint dancers."

"Kids=ruthless, honest, full of energy, and fun!"

"Mental incest."

"A magic carpet ride around the world."

"Be honest."

The Way

I took some time to just be.

I took some time to hang with my LOVE, to relish in my own creativity, and to be one with nature.

I took some time to simply be me.

I Wish To Give Myself Permission

A few weeks ago, Miss Marvelous Jamie Ridler asked us where we wish to travel...and I stated loud and clear to the Universe that I wish to travel to San Francisco to attend Chris Zydel's Painting From the Wild Heart retreat. Since then--I have booked my flight, paid for the retreat, and just finalized my room for the weekend---but I can't get over this lump of guilt sitting in my stomach--and I'm having trouble muzzling the voice in my head that is yelling at me for splurging so wildly on ME.

Ask Hansel--I'm frugal.

I buy things when necessary only...and sure, I splurge--I'll buy a book here and there--or once every few months get a pedicure.

But hundreds of dollars and a trip to a fabulous place--and a weekend dedicated completely to letting my wild heart go crazy with paint?

That's unheard of! Blasphemy even!

But I did it!! And I plan to do it again and again and again!!

Though, I wish I could let go of this silly little guilt monster that insists the money would do me more good sitting alone in my bank account. So for this weeks Wishcasting, I, Connie, wish to give myself permission to splurge BIG TIME on MY creativity--MY art--MY wild heart--MY beautiful, Creative Juicy soul, not just this time--but million times after!

A Reminder to Myself

This is me exhausted.

I've been working hard.

At work, in the studio, and on my workshop.

I've been feeling so Creative Juicy lately,

that I've been forgetting some major promises I've made to myself...

To stay centered in my Truth.

This is a reminder to myself--

A little string tied around my finger--

To be kind,

to listen,

and to act with LOVE

to this body that is not made of steel--

to this mind that tends to break down when overworked--

and a spirit that is way more then simply the

Creative Juicy things I do.

COMMITMENT

TRUST

TRUTH

Living From the Heart

I've posted this video before on Dirty Footprints Studio. I can't help it. I LOVE it. Hansel LOVES it too. And he agrees--one day, when I'm living in Costa Rica, I'll be a regular sand dancer as well. But..this man is amazing. He is so beautiful. His heart is so rich.

But I'm posting it again, because today at school, they were testing the kiddos, so our regular schedule was all mixed up. The kiddos were all mixed up. Testing. Aaggh. And everytime I have a shortened schedule, like today, I focus on showing interesting videos that spark conversation about Art, creativity, and Artists. Today I showed this one to my seventh and eighth graders.

They loved it too, but they couldn't understand why he would do it for free. They just couldn't wrap their mind around the idea that he would do this without getting paid--and then have it all disappear at the end of the day.

So I asked them....what one thing in your life can you imagine doing for the rest of your life--no matter if you get paid for it or not?

The whole energy in Studio 307 changed!! Excitement started buzzing as the kids talked about what it is they are passionate about. Most of them commented that they plan to get paid for it when they were older...they wanted to make a career out of the things they LOVE to do.

Making a career out of the things you LOVE to do. Doing the things you LOVE for the rest of your life no matter if you get paid for it or not.

We understand something so deep, so wise, so natural to our beings when we are young. Why do so many of us have to relearn what we used to believe so purely?

The Sand Dancer says it so perfectly at the beginning of this video. In his thick New Zealand accent, he speaks of how the first thing life beats out of a person is their Creativity--and he refuses. Because his Creativity is his Heart.

I'm ready to live more from my HEART...are you?

This In Not A Vlog

Going along with trying to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in my own life...

I declared that today is Connie Day!

I think everyone should declare a day to themselves--

no rules,

no priorities,

no work of any kind,

no rushing around

at LEAST once a week!

(And I do NOT apologize for the poor video quality...because today is Connie Day!)

LOVE is Waiting

Today begins week two of the Art Journal LOVE Letters online workshop...or as we like to call it....an online LOVE affair! I have been swooning--absolutely swooning over the fun and excitement that is happening through sharing the Art Journal LOVE! The first week we explored foundations both in our Art Journal and in our own Creative Juicy Life...and this week we're working into pockets of LOVE!!!

So, please consider this a warm invitation....you can still jump right in and join all of us in the Art Journal LOVE! Registration closes this Friday at 11:00 EST. After that you will just have to wait until the Art Journal LOVE returns!

Click the button below for more information and to register!

Get Inspired!

Recently I had the absolute pleasure to meet a pretty Creative Juicy chica named Toni Reece! She has created this incredible project called The Get Inspired! Project--where, for 365 days straight she is interviewing an inspiring peep on all things inspiring. I was totally excited and honored to be one of the 365! But, what surprised me the most is how nervous I got being interviewed. When I record my own podcast Creative Juicy Life--I rarely feel the jitters or wet palms...but maybe that's because I'm asking the questions!!

Go HERE to hear and/or read my interview--and I double dare you to count how many times I nervously say "you know".

Ok. I don't double dare you.

I was just kidding!

Big hugs!

But Sleep

I have been painting past midnight...and now, I sit in bed--barely able to sleep. I'm exhausted. Tired. Beat. But I just can't sleep.

All I want to do is create. Create paintings, workshops, art journal LOVE, dinners, conversations, blog posts, videos, photos, maps around the park by my house, connections with strangers, deeper relationships with friends, plaster masks, clay pots, silly songs with my kindergartners, smoothies, and moments that I define simply as being Creative Juicy.

I want to do everything

and nothing but sleep.

Much Into the Creative Juicy Life

Is it just me, or is time seriously flying by?

I base time on rotations, quarters, semesters, and first and second bells! That's right...school time. It seems like only yesterday it was August and I was stating HERE that this would be my last year teaching in this kind of setting and that I would spend this year defining what my Creative Juicy Life looks, feels like, and means to me.

Well, as much as I feel like it was just yesterday, when I read that post--it feels like lifetimes ago. My life has turned, twisted, and done the splits a few times in these last months. But the one thing I can state with certainty is that I am definitely coming into my own. MY OWN CREATIVE JUICY LIFE.

Mine. All mine.

My Creative Juicy Life written from my heart, constructed from my own intuition, and built completely on my own dreams.

But, as I move forward, it's important to stop and reflect. Keeping a blog makes that easy. On that day in August I declared that I was beginning a journey into a Creative Juicy Life...and here are the six things I mapped out that were essential to begin the journey:

1. Having a clear vision of what a Creative Juicy Life looks and feels like.

2. Creating and implementing a self care plan.

3. Making bold moves everyday.

4. Safeguarding your creativity.

5. Being part of a Creative Juicy community.

6. Affirmations, celebrations, and reflections.

This past week, the LOVELIES and I, in my online workshop Art Journal LOVE Letters have been exploring foundations--in both our Art Journals and our Creative Juicy Life. I had to go back to this first post...and see what my former self said about starting the Creative Juicy Life. I wanted to remind myself what my intentions were for this year. I wanted to visit my foundation.

Now that I have, in a sense, I feel the need to stay here for a little while--bask in the glow of those early moments--and nibble off the wisdom of my early intentions and beliefs. So for the next six days, I'm going to discuss how those six factors are playing into my Creative Juicy Life NOW. Are they still in place? Have I tweaked them, enhanced them, or even kicked them to the curve? Are there any other factos I can add--or which ones do not serve me anymore?

These are the things I ponder. This is the Creative Juicy Life I live.

(PS--Registration is still open for you to jump into all the fun over at Art Journal LOVE Letters!! Go HERE for more info and to register!! I look forward to sharing the LOVE with you!)

Making A Difference

This week, Jamie Ridler asks for Wishcasting Wednesday....

Where do you wish to make a difference?

Answer: My own life.

That's right.

Self centered and egotistical?

Far from it.

I give, I give, I give--all with the biggest of hearts and deepest of sincere intentions. But now, more then ever, I wish to start making a difference in my own life--start carving more time out for me--start reserving more energy for nurturing myself. I want to make a difference in my own life by being my biggest supporter--by believing in myself completely--by rooting for my peace of mind, my balanced health, and my own Creative Juicy dreams.

I want to make a difference in my own life...so I can keep making a difference in others' lives. Simple as that. But harder than it sounds.

Just Be Kind

From eighth grade in the morning...

To kindergartners at the end of the day...this is my life...for now...for somehow- someway always.

Teaching has taught me to be patient.

Period.

Teaching has taught me to be a good listener..especially to those that speak the least.

Teaching has taught me that even though many things may make us similar, such as

geography,

education,

skin color,

sex,

age,

being a part of the same daily routine--

We are each more different, then we are the same.

And teaching has taught me, over and over again,

to be kind.

To just be kind. No matter what. No matter when.

No matter how you have to figure yourself out,

to find the courage-

to let go of pride-

to turn the other cheek-

To put your own insecurities aside.

Teaching has taught me, in the biggest of ways,

that at the end of the day,

the only thing that matters is if

you were kind.

Day 30! Day 30! Day 30!! Day 30!!!!

Poor Nyla...she hates wearing my little make-shift night gown....but she looks so dang cute that I can't resist.

Before I was sugar-free, I never dressed Nyla up in random clothes or costumes. Now it's day 30 of my sugar-free journey and I find myself doing things way out of character.

Like waking up with my alarm clock instead of hitting snooze ten times.

Like thinking more positive thoughts about my day, my dreams, my life.

Like putting sincere effort into acting on those positive thoughts then letting them hang around.

Like strolling past the candy bins at the grocery store without picking up some chocolate somethin'somethin' and being ok with that.

Like not wanting to eat out anymore.

Like planning on signing up for a gym membership.

Like dressing my dog in oversized t-shirts and sometimes hats.

If I can do it. So can you.

And lookie....Ellen Degeneres is doing it too HERE.

Sweet!

Selfless LOVE

Yesterday, on Valentine's Day--while many of us were sharing the LOVE with those closest to us...or even with our divine self...I find this video beyond inspiring that some LOVELIES just naturally share the LOVE with those less fortunate...who they never even met before.
I plan to do the same.
Sign me up!

About To Explode

I want to write.

But all I can say,

with a huge smile on my face,

is that my heart feels like it is about to explode with LOVE.

I am so grateful for the wonderful LOVELIES that

have gathered together for Art Journal LOVE Letters.

Thank you for this great gift you have granted me.

The gift to share of myself.

To be of service in the name of

Creativity and LOVE.

I am grateful to the Universe for the beautiful way it orchestrates life.

How it knows.

How I know.

How there is this incredible possibility that everything can be experienced.

That dreams can manifest and exist in real time.

That a heart can become so full

without exploding into millions of little, tiny pieces.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Yes, I dressed Nyla up in a t-shirt. She was just so dang cute!

Happy Valentine's Day Lovelies!

Today is the opening day of Art Journal LOVE Letters.

There is still room for your beautiful self to join in the LOVE.

Go HERE to treat yourself.

Big hugs!

Last Chance

Today is the last day for the Early LOVE Bird special of $2o for Art Journal LOVE Letters. The discount ends at midnight EST.

Make your Valentine's Day extra sweet! Go HERE to register.

Big hugs!

Day 25: Committed No Matter What!

Today is Day 25 that I have been sugar free. I'm going to be honest, this week has not been easy. I'm not sure exactly what it is...but starting this past Monday, I've been craving chocolate something vicious!! I mean really vicious....then, today, at work the PTA decided to create this incredible Valentine's spread in the teacher's workroom. It looked like something straight out of a fancy bakery in LA!! (I wanted to take photos--but that would have been pure torture!) Tiers and tiers of sugary goodness...I mean badness...cupcakes, candies, cookies, little cutesy this and little cutesy that. I walked in and my eyes went on overload...and then my mind started to chatter---"Oh Connie, just one. One won't hurt. Just one delicious, scrumptious brownie with delicious chocolate icing. What will one hurt? C'mon, you deserve it. You can have it. Just one."

But, I walked in and walked out and stayed clear of the workroom the entire day.

Though it didn't help my cravings that's for sure.

So after work, on my drive home, I stopped and picked myself up a Lara Bar. Key lime, to be exact. Sure, it's not a delicious, out-of-this world, moist brownie. But it's sweet. A natural sweet. A sweet that actually quenched my craving, and kept me honest to my journey this year into COMMITMENT, TRUST, & TRUTH.

Since I've started to try to kick my sugar addiction, I've had a huge response of LOVELIES, telling me they want to do the same thing. They even ask me for advice.

I'm only at Day 25, my friends. I have a long road ahead of me. My goal is to make 365 days. Sounds crazy, doesn't it?!?! But I'm going to stay COMMITTED, and TRUST that this journey will bring me not only great health, but deliver me other hidden surprises of happiness as well. And--ANNND it will help define a new TRUTH of my Creative Juicy Life. I'm already feeling universes better this early in the journey!! I can only imagine what I will feel like a year from now.

So, let me just say, this is what I know so far....

• I quit cold turkey. None of that "I'll wait until _______." Or, "I'll start on _______ after I ________." Nope, the moment I realized that I had a sugar addiction, I threw out the chocolate covered almonds and declared to Hansel and a few of my friends that I was done with sugar starting NOW.

• Along with quitting sugar, I've also eliminated caffeine, which is not that big of a deal for me (except for the chocolate), because I rarely drink coffee--and I never drink soda. I dropped the black and the green tea (yes, I know it is full of antioxidants--but so are many other great things that don't have caffeine), and I have switched to ginger tea, peppermint tea, and sometimes Kava Stress Relief by Yogi teas. I'm so surprised how much I actually dig these teas. I never really used to--and with a few drops of honey added--totally takes the place of the sweetness of the chai tea latte I used to drink in the morning.

• At night, when I crave something sweet I either eat an apple or have a smoothie made with berries and yogurt! Yum!!

• When I'm at work and totally jones'n for something sweet I either have a cup of tea or a Lara Bar that I keep a stack of in my desk. It works!

• This venture is not always easy...but it keeps getting easier by the day!

If you are thinking of also kicking the sugar addiction here are a couple great resources for you to check out.

A Year Without Sugar (A great post by Nicole MacDonald on Crazy Sexy Life)

My Years Without Sugar (Nicole MacDonald's informative blog!)

This great video that was just posted on Wednesday...

Finally, the last day for the SWEET Early LOVE Bird special of $20 for Art Journal LOVE Letters is this Saturday!!! Registering for this first Dirty Footprints Studio workshop will definitely help with cravings!!! Art Journaling can cure just about everything!! So please go HERE for more information and to register!! Big hugs!

A Sweet Valentine

The very Creative Juicy chicas over at the blog Kind Over Matter are having a little Valentine's give away today!!! They want to know what your all time favorite LOVE song is...and, you could be the winner of your own free space in Art Journal LOVE Letters!!

Totally sweet.

Go HERE to join the fun! Good luck!

I Wish! I Wish! I Wish!!

For this week's Wishcasting Wednesday the Creative Juicy Jamie Ridler asked: Where do you wish to travel?

That's easy!! San Francisco...March 19th to March 21st. I want to be a part of Chris Zydel's Painting from the Wild Heart Retreat!! So please, please, please wish with me!! I want to make this happen!!

Big hugs!

Scarlet Red

Last night Hansel and I were at the store when this women with the most vibrant, juicy, scarlet red hair walked past us. Hansel turned to me and said exactly what I was thinking "You should dye your hair that color again!."

It's funny...because I've been thinking about it alot.

I used to have scarlet red hair and I LOVED it! But something happened-- somewhere on my journey-- because "of work" or because I was a "professional" or because I need to be "responsible" or because I'm "getting older" I toned down the red for something more natural.

Natural smatural is what I say.

I want to let go of feeling safe.

I want to redefine what being professional means to me.

I want to forget what is expected of me

and remember what it feels like to be brave.

I want to have scarlet red hair once again.

What's Happening in Studio 307

So what's been cookin' in Studio 307 (what I affectionately call my classroom where I teach full time K-8 Art)??!?!!

The last few weeks, call me crazy, I've been creating plaster masks with my fourth and fifth graders. Crazy...because it's quite a lot to handle with 32 students in a 40 minute class.

But they LOVE it--and when all is said and done, they create some very adorable work!!

Our theme for our masks is nature. We all start off by making the same base formed from a plastic mold of a face, and then we learn how to attach things with plaster by using found objects, newspaper, and cardboard. The little Artist who created the elephant above made the trunk by taping dried out markers together and plastering over them!!

Recycling is huge for me in my classroom!! And I love to see the brilliant, creative ways students come up with answers to recycle and create Art. We as adults could learn a little something from their ingenuity!

Last, I have to admit, I've become quite inspired by watching them work that I'm planning on creating my own plaster masks soon as well!! Loads of fun! You'll have to join me.

Coolio!

I wanna tell you about some very cool things happening!!!

The fabulous mixed media Artist--Julie Prichard and her friend, another fabulous Artist named Chris Cozen have an online course together that looks like soooooooo much fun!!! It is called Color: Beyond the Basics. I totally plan on taking it soon, and have my fingers, toes, and legs crossed that I can win free registration!! Unfortunately---there is only one more hours until midnight tonight (Monday) that the contest ends..but maybe you'll have enough time to shoot on over and leave a comment as well!

Look at this adorable book that my friend Lisa over at Life Unity made and is giving away as part of the One World One Heart Giveaway that is happening around bloggy world!! So much goodies to get your hands on...and so many new bloggers to meet!! I am proud to say that I own my own Lisa Wilson Art--and you will certainly fall in LOVE with her Art work as well!! Check it out HERE!! Plus stick around while you are there, Lisa writes a fabulous blog!

Honestly, it kills me--absolutely KILLS ME that I can not go to this retreat because school is still in session. But, in my dreams I'll be there! Miss Awesome herself: Silky Hart is hosting a Yoga and Expressive Arts Retreat in MY BELOVED COSTA RICA!!!!!!! Ahhhh...I don't know what else to say other then it is going to be FAB. U. LOUS!!! Take me with you Silky!!! But, if you're thinking it's time to get away...this is a perfect way to go!! Go HERE for more info!

My dear friend Heather Plett who writes the blog Fumbling For Words recently got a new domain and a whole new feel to her work that it's so worth your time checking out. I met Heather this past September when she attended the Creative Dig Workshop!! Ever since, strangely, we seem to live parallel lives and Heather, she has the most eloquent and wise way of looking at the Universe. Go HERE and see what I mean!

Just this weekend I joined a very cool--very welcoming--and very Creative Juicy network on Ning called Art Journaling. Right away I've made new friends, been invited to host a free workshop--that I have up and running already, and have chatted with the delightful Leslie who writes the blog Comfortable Shoes and is the mastermind behind this community. I absolutely LOVE her whole mission behind this network---to promote the power of Art Journaling while helping support other Artists in pursuing their dreams as working Artists. Honestly, I'm not a huge Ning fan--but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the energy that is alive HERE!!! AND I am learning so much from the talented Artists that hang out there!!

Last, I wanted to let you know that this is the last week for Early LOVE Bird Special on my first online workshop Art Journal LOVE Letters!! Only $20!!! It officially starts Valentine's Day---so treat yourself to a little Art Journal LOVE Letters by going HERE! It's getting a little crowded---but there can never be too much Art Journal LOVE!!!!

Remembering Balance

I'm bringing Art Journal LOVE Mondays back. Except today, I don't have much to show you. Instead, I'm remembering balance...and reminding you as well.

I've been feeling it again--that Creative Juicy feeling where I'm lost in the bliss and madness of creating nonstop. Kind of feels like last summer, if any of you remember. I wake up excited, passionate, and spend hours working, working, working on my creative endeavors. That, funny as it sounds, is why I don't have something to show for Art Journal LOVE Monday! In all my creative fury, a little voice inside my head this weekend told me to back off a bit. Slow down a little. Take a break. TAKE A BREAK!! Do Yoga! Make a nice meal. Watch a little (and only a little) television. Go for a walk. Call a friend. Browse a cookbook. Get away from the computer! Step outside the studio! Do something else!!!

I think we forget, well, at least I do. We forget that life is not one sided, and being one sided in your life is dangerous, toxic, and unhealthy---even if at the time it feels good, blissful, Creative Juicy, right.

We all need pockets of rest. Moments to collect our bearings and center ourselves in this Universe. So that's what I'm trying to do. Step back a little here-and-there to fully soak in and enjoy the beautiful gift of my Creative Juicy energy flowing, instead of burning it like timber. So, if that means I take a little longer to get somewhere, so be it. Being Creative Juicy is worth it! So very, very worth it.

Listening to Oracles

I've been full of emotion lately. Full of gratitude and awe as well.

Just this week Hansel and I were having dinner together and like many dinners we share, I tell him about my BIG dreams and plans for Dirty Footprints Studio. This night I told him that when Dirty Footprints Studio opens in Costa Rica, I want to have a huge launch party that goes late into the evening--with Art, music, dancing, and fire dancers. Hansel really got excited by the idea of fire dancers, and told me about the days when he lived on the beach in Montezuma, Costa Rica and fire dancers were normal evening entertainment. But just telling Hansel about this dream, I felt overwhelmed with a feeling that it was going to happen. It felt like I was telling him about planning a birthday party or a shower for a friend. Something tangible. Something real. Something about to actually happen.

This was just a couple nights ago. Then today, in a cruise around bloggy land, I came across the above video on my dear friend Elena's blog Lunar Musing. There's my oracle. There's my dancers. There's a preview of what's to come.

But like I said, I've been full of emotion lately. Full of gratitude and awe as well.

All because I've been listening to the oracles that the Universe keeps sending me and opening my heart wider to let their wisdom sink in.

Art & Dreams

I wanna tell you a little something. Art has been with me all my life. Ever since I can remember, I have called myself an Artist. I have loved the feel of paint on my hands--had countless moments where I lose myself in clay, fabric, glue, oil pastels, and crayons. My dreams, ever since I was a little kiddo, have always involved Art. My definition of what Art is--of how I am as an Artist has transformed throughout the years as well. It has grown with me, even in moments when I run from it--from who I am. Me, my Creative Juicy Life, and my BIG dreams always merge into one expression. An expression I define as purely my Art. An Art that dances hand in hand with my dreams.

I know I'm not alone. I know there are many among us, you included, who's dreams and art are tangled together into one precious package. There are those that hold the package uncertain what to do with it. Those that are just beginning to unwrap. And many beautiful souls that have taken the package, opened it, and placed it in the center of their heart and using it to direct their choices and life's decisions.

Carmen Torbus is one of the latter for sure. She lives to inspire others through her Art and her teaching. She creates beautiful paintings that inspire me--that make me long to french kiss color and embrace being fully messy and free. She is hosting a workshop in May called Art & Dreams Bound in a fabulous place in Florida called the Purple Cottage that I'm thinking might just be the perfect Spring vacation!

What do you think? Time to start packing!?!

Counting Days

For years I've had basically the same habit. On my way to work I would pick up a delicious, yummy, out-of-this-world chai tea latte from this great coffee shop. Sometimes I would get a green tea instead, but mostly staying loyal to the sugary goodness of the chai tea latte.

A couple hours later, at work, it would be lunch time--and after a nutritious home made lunch, I would grab a candy/cookie/cake something that I kept stashed in my desk...or that is hanging out in the teacher's lounge, or brought to me by a doting student or generous colleague.

Then, a couple hours later I would always start to feel down, frustrated, stressed-out and have an unbelievable craving for something sweet again. Nine out of ten times, I indulge my craving.

Finally, Connie is making her way home...but not with out a stop at the grocery store of course. Of course I need to get something...anything...and possibly some chocolate covered almonds or chocolate covered cherries. There's my final fix, to end the day.

But here's the thing I started to notice and really started to wonder about. For as long as I've had this habit...I've also had this horribly, sad, yucky feeling first thing in the morning when I wake up. A feeling of being depressed. I carry this feeling with me as I do my morning Yoga, take a shower, walk Nyla, and have breakfast. My morning depression would follow me in the car and turn the key for me. My morning depression every morning asked me--Connie, should you go to school today? Why not stay home--take a sick day?

Every single morning.

I finally--recently, decided that something's not right. Because...if I was depressed--wouldn't that yucky feeling of being depressed stay with me all day? Once I'm at school, even though I might be crumbling under a stress bomb, I still didn't have that doomsday feeling like I would in the morning. But...but....BUT...during the middle to late in the day, it would come again. Then disappear when I was on my way home.

I thought about this. Like seriously thought about it. And I came to a real hard fact that I am addicted to sugar...and that's why my moods would fluctuate so much during the day. I never have this problem on the weekends...because I barely eat sugar at all on the weekends. I realized that when I had my Winter break from school...then too, I didn't wake up feeling doomsday.

I think my body gets on a sugar high in the morning with the chai, plummets a little later, picks back up at lunch, plummets a bit after school, then I give it one more shot in the evening to end my day. When I wake up in the morning...I've gone about 12 hours with out a sugar fix, and my mind is whacked out.

I honestly believe this.

Because, today has been DAY 18 of no sugar AT ALL. And I swear, I feel and see much more clearer. Since dropping my sugar kick, I'm not as stressed at school, I'm not waking up all doomsday, I've lost weight even, and I feel happy. I feel like myself ALL the time---not just partially.

I am so amazed and in awe how changing this one thing in my diet can make such a huge impact on my outlook on life and the overall way I feel and navigate through my day. It is absolutely incredible.

Now, the only thing I am craving is more awareness. More awareness to pick out more of my unhealthy patterns and do some tweeking to see what impact other changes might have on my life. I can't express enough how huge this is for me. How I feel changing my diet--is changing my Creative Juicy Life--is bringing me closer to my truth.

Video LOVE

Art Journal LOVE is back in full force. Watch. Enjoy. Laugh. Join me and many others for a little Art Journal LOVE Letters!

Bringing You the Art Journal LOVE!!!!!

I told you that I would have a BIG, HUGE, HAPPY announcement for you LOVElies and here it is......drum roll please......que the dancers........dim the lights......start the smoke machine......pour the champagne......Dirty Footprints Studio is proud to announce its very first online workshop....

Art Journal LOVE Letters

This is not just an online workshop. This is an online LOVE affair! Art Journal LOVE Letters is an experience for you to fall deeper in LOVE with Art Journaling and your Creative Juicy Life. Consider me the Cupid of creativity as I guide you through your Art Journal LOVE affair using inspiring prompts, ideas, fun techniques, and LOVE struck musings on the beauty of Art Journaling and truly living a Creative Juicy Life.

What is included?

• Twenty LOVE Letters written as daily blog posts that will have you swooning over your Art Journal and finding more LOVE in your Creative Juicy Life through daily Art Journaling prompts, ideas, techniques, and LOVE struck musings on both Art Journaling and living a Creative Juicy Life.

• Four Art Journal LOVE videos that you have come to admire and expect from Dirty Footprints Studio. (For past Art Journal LOVE videos please go HERE.)

• Quality Art instruction from me, Connie Hozvicka, a licensed Art Educator with over 15 years of experience teaching individuals of all ages, skill levels, abilities, and backgrounds. I will be open to answering your questions and guiding you deeper.

• A safe, nurturing, FUN online environment where you will be inspired to experiment with your creativity and discover a deeper LOVE for Art Journaling and your Creative Juicy Life.

Who is this workshop for?

Art Journal LOVE Letters is for those interested in deepening their Art Journal practice, exploring how LOVE defines itself in their Creative Juicy Life, and having fun with their creativity. From the Art Journal VIRGIN to the Art Journal VIXEN everyone will benefit from Art Journal LOVE Letters. This workshop embraces all creative souls of every skill level, ability, and background.

When will the affair officially begin?

On Valentine's Day of course!! What a perfect gift to give yourself or a loved one!

How much does it cost?

$25.00 BUT!!! From now until 12:00 AM Sunday, February 14th I will be offering an early LOVE Bird special of a sweet $20.

How can I register?

You can register right now by clicking the magic button below! The email that you register with will be the email Cupid sends your invitation to to be a part of Art Journal LOVE Letters. If you would like your invitation sent to a different email, please be sure to note that in your order or contact me HERE.

To get more of the nitty gritty on this workshop please visit HERE.

I look forward to sharing the Art Journal LOVE with you!