V-L-O-Gin!!

Yep, I think I'm going to be doing more V-L-O-G-S!!

Belly LOVE

This past week I've started working out again.

I've strapped on my roller blades.

Put on my exercise dvd's.

Trying to make friends with discipline.

I'm done talking about Belly LOVE.

I'm going back to the reason why I started all of this.

Art Journal LOVE!

So I've been in a vloggin' kind of mood!!

I don't know what it is....maybe because it takes less time for me to just say what I'm thinking...then to write it--and then you know--that means more time for painting!

But check out my vlog where I show off some sweet Art Journals given to me by some friends....and below is a super cool video where Nolwenn shows how she painted the journal!

Compassion & Painting

Sometimes my heart gets so overwhelmed with compassion that it begins to suffocate me. This usually happens after hours of painting.

It can be lonely as an Artist, you see,

and my mind tends to travel.

On the journey I start to see those dear hearts that wander the world searching. I start to feel the pain of those I meet who wish they could find their purpose, or understand what beauty they add to this world. Sometimes I can trace the faces of youth--tainted with suffering---trapped by drugs and crime and a family legacy of pain.

I don't know where all this comes from.

I don't know if I am channeling something greater. Or if my imagination likes to try to pull me down when I'm feeling so assure of myself and my strengths.

But I do my best to keep painting.

Even when I question what all this painting is really about.

It would be fruitless to get all philosophical. It's best to keep it simple.

I paint because it makes me happy. It always has. Ever since I was a witty bitty.

And I finally stopped searching. I finally gave into me.

Maybe that's why I get so choked up--

Maybe that's why my painting has taken on so much more then just an act of creativity.

It's my link to the Universe.

It's the way I was meant to navigate this planet.

And that makes me connected to every being.

Including you

and the strangers I pass on the street.

But most especially it connects me to me.

I think the compassion I feel

for a mirage of strangers

is just a disguise---

for the compassion I feel

that is meant to heal the parts of myself I've neglected for so long.

Turn Off The Computer: MAKE ART.

Deconstruction

Speaking Of "Big Time"....

Hansel is now selling prints of his photos over HERE.

Go check it out...show him some LOVE!

"Big Time"

Just a couple days ago I was speaking to a dear friend.

She's an Artist.

She has a beautiful warehouse studio that's to die for. Is always in some kind of this or that show. Has patrons up the kazoo and was telling me how she was just asked to participate in another exhibition. But not just any exhibition--she told me this was "big time"--that now, fiiiinallly she felt she had made it "big time".

I have to tell you, I was a little thrown back.

A tad surprised.

I thought she made it big time long time ago. For crying out loud--I've been dreaming of being a full time Artist it feels like all my life, and here--this has been a natural way of life for her ever since we met. And now...just now she's hit big time, with an exhibition that doesn't seem more prestigious or ground shaking then the last.

But this is her "big time".

And I had to wonder--what the heck is mine?

When will I know when I hit "big time"--and honestly do I want to?

I guess "big time" comes to me in increments. I have no aspirations to have a solo show at the Met....or to have my name in large letters across the cover of any magazine. If any of those blessings come my way, you bet I'll be grateful--but doubt I'll feel more "big time" then I do today.

"Big time" to me is the next idea I have--the next project I want to see take flight. "Big time" will be when 21 SECRETS launches on October 1st--"big time" will be when I speak at the Joyfully Jobless Jamboree on October 15 (hey...are you coming?!?! go HERE for more info)--"big time" will be when I finish building this body of paintings I'm working on--"big time" is when I will have my little stint in Italy--"big time" will be when Dirty Footprints Studio opens in Costa Rica.

Then....I'm sure, I'll have another list of "big times" to ramble on about!

So tell me please, what is your definition of "big time"?

Cerulean Blue Daydreams

So for the last couple weeks I've been eating my breakfast on our little patio--staring out at the beautiful blue morning sky--and pretending that I'm in Italy.

Yep, I am a dork. A big dork.

But you see--this is where it all begins. Right here in my overactive imagination.

Long, long time ago I came to Arizona to visit a dear friend that was living in Tucson. At the time I was living in Cleveland. We had such an amazing time!! Two young girls, a few bottles of wine, and a total Thelma & Louise roadtrip across the beautiful state of AZ. It was fun!! It was exciting!! And our car even broke down on the side of the highway--which made it even more an adventure.

But I left back for Cleveland a week later daydreaming of the day that I would be living too in that desert. And now I've been here for four years.

My daydreams always become my reality. If I stick with them long enough--and use them as direction for my action.

For example, I used to daydream of not having to go to a job and actually picking up a paintbrush instead.

Uh, hello current Life!!

So I might be la' Dork Extraordinaire...but you watch...this time next year--I'll be looking at the cerulean blue skies of Florence telling you about my next adventure on the daydreaming circuit.

I Wish I Wish I Wish

Here is one of my latest FEARLESS Painting commission!

Thank you Miss Jamie Awesome...for a Wishcasting question the got me thinking!

I wish for an abundance of trust.

The kind of trust that dances with patience.

Trust that comes from my core--

that knows the way naturally--

and always comes back to itself again and again. '

I wish for an abundance of trust

in myself.

In the pace that I grow.

In the brushstrokes I make.

In the way that I feel.

I wish for an abundance of trust

that will wash away any insecurity

that makes it's way to center stage.

An abundance of trust

that always makes me feel at home.

That always reminds me I am safe--

I am LOVE. I am LOVE. I am LOVE.

Belly LOVE List

TEN WAYS TO LOVE THYSELF EVERY DAY

BY CONNIE HOZVICKA

(FOR CONNIE HOZVICKA)

1. By always MAKING TIME for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

2. By making Yoga every day NON-NEGOTIABLE.

3. By eating and drinking only foods that NOURISH the body and soul.

4. By SLEEPING more then seven hours.

5. By taking time to ADMIRE the sky.

6. By accepting that what you do today IS ALWAYS ENOUGH.

7. By zapping negative thoughts with JUICY POSITIVE ones.

8. By focusing on BREATHING deeply.

9. By LISTENING to when you had enough to do/eat/say/watch/think.

10. By always BELIEVING that Connie, you know what's best for you.

21 SECRETS On Sale Today!!

Dirty Footprints Studio presents 21 SECRETS: An Art Journal Playground!!

21 Awesome Artists :: 21 Exciting Classes :: 1 Inspiring Playground

In 21 SECRETS you will receive 21 Art Journaling classes all under the same roof for one low price of $59. We're talking loads of instructional videos, tutorials, pdf's, and much more.

$59.00

---The Playground officially opens on Friday, October 1. 2010---

After completing your registration payment you will be directed to a link where you

can fill out your NING profile. Your membership will be approved on Friday, October 1st

when 21 SECRETS officially opens. Thank you for your patience!

The playground is open 24 hours/7 days a week!! All information posted & ready for YOU!

Though we will only be around for a limited time--so jump in fast!

(registration closes December 1st--and come February 1, 2011 we'll be gone.)

____________________________________

the 21 SECRETS are

I AM MAGIC
Andrea Schroeder :: ABC Creativity

i am magic guides you through the process of using your art journal to embrace intuition and flow and discover your inner magic. play. experiment. explore. find the place where you know that you can do anything. find the place where all of your dreams are possible.

__________

CONVERSATIONS WITH SELF: LETTERS FROM YOUR INNER CHILD
Angelia Thompson :: Angelia's Art Journals

Many of us have carried unresolved childhood experiences into our adulthood, and these incidents often linger with us because as children, our voices were not heard. Let your inner child have a voice and finally release these shadows of the past.

__________

GET IT OUT :: GET IT DOWN
Connie Hozvicka :: Dirty Footprints Studio

How many times have you blocked yourself from creating just because you worry that you can’t get what’s in your head out onto the paper? No more! I’m here to show you that it doesn’t matter. Your creativity is depending on you to be FEARLESS and get those images, ideas, and beautiful masterpieces of LOVE out of your head and down on the paper......After I have my way with you you’ll be painting like wild!

__________

GET CARDED
Dawn Sokol :: D'Blogala

Tips and tricks on using up those old credit cards, gift cards, and hotel room keys on your journal pages. We'll not only use them as a tool, but as decoration!

__________


THE ART JOURNAL AS SOUL MIRROR
Effy Wild :: Wild. Precious

Plumb your own depths to discover your soul’s purpose and create a beautiful art journal page that reflects that purpose back to you. No drawing required! This class will include an mp3 audio meditation, a step-by-step PDF file, and a video!

__________

ANCIENT CHINESE PAPER CUTTING MEETS MODERN ART JOURNAL
Emma Peabody :: Treehouse Jukebox

Learn to create simple, beautiful paper cutting designs and then transform them into fabulous art journal pages. Whether your style is crazy colors, gritty grunge, or simple sweetness, you can use this technique to create eye-catching, truly unique art.

__________

LAYERS OF TISSUE
Hanna Andersson :: iHanna's Blog

Thin tissue paper can be found in all kinds of pretty colours at the art store. But I like it best when it comes for free in shoe boxes, flower protection or as gift wrapping. Save it all and let's find some different uses for it in our Art Journals together. We will colour with it, and create textures, transparencies and yummy collage layers!
__________


EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK:
USING COMMON HOUSEHOLD ITEMS IN YOUR ART JOURNAL
Heidi Newstrand-Dilley :: Heidiology

This lesson is about thinking outside of the studio, letting go of the idea that you have to have fancy art supplies to art journal, and having fun raiding the rest of your house in search of new ways to make art! In this lesson we'll be learning several techniques using ordinary household supplies to make backgrounds, stamp, and open new doors to your creativity. Have you ever used alcohol from your medicine cabinet or bleach from your pantry in your journal? You will after this lesson, and you have my word - when we're done you'll be on a mad hunt through your home looking for anything and everything that you can use to make your mark in your art journal! Come and play with me!

__________


THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE OF SPLATTERS
Jonathan "Blade" Manning :: The Artistic Biker

Learn how to use different materials to create random splatters, negative images or voids in splatters---why you would want to and when you maybe shouldn’t--and preservation: protecting them in your journal and protecting the REST of your journal from them!

__________

THE THINGS THEY SAY
Kelly Warren :: Artful Happiness

Are you a mom wondering how you can incorporate your children into your art journaling? As a mom to twin seven-year-old girls, I love to incorporate my children into my art-making and art-journaling. Join my girls and me as we show you how to incorporate your kids everyday "wisdom" into your art journaling by capturing "the things they say."

__________

OLD SKOOL ART: GLAZES 101
Less Herger :: Comfortable Shoes Studio

Together we'll demystify glazes in acrylic paint.
We'll mix them in various strengths and discuss their uses in paintings and art journals. You can use a glaze to tint collage elements, change the colors of a previous layer of paint or to obscure writing. Glazes are all about layers.

__________

ART JOURNALING’S SASSY LITTLE SISTER: THE ART POSTCARD
Lis Hofmann :: Dandelion Seeds and Dreams

As a support for your art journaling process, or as a practice all on its own,
the Art Postcard is a perfect format for exploring a variety ideas, techniques,
motifs and themes. Learn how to use this versatile format for quick creative
play and discover the endless possibilities to recycle, reuse and reinvent via
the Art Postcard.

__________

THE SECRET OF BEGINNING
Lisa Wilson :: Life Unity

Why in the world would one want to do this thing called “art journaling”?
Even if you wanted to, how would you know where to begin? And that stuff, “gesso” – do you apply it or eat it?

We all start somewhere. Those with a wise beginner’s mind start again and again. Journey with me as we explore why & how one would go through this process of art journaling, including a detailed look at some of the basic materials used.

(A little tip before we get started: No, you don’t eat gesso!! )

__________

SPIN THAT WHEEL!
Mariza :: Marizateria

Boring, static pages got you down? Wish you could keep playing with your pages after the paint has dried? Step right up and spin the journal wheel! I will show you how to incorporate selector wheels into your journal pages and create ever-changing spreads. We will make two wheels: one with images and one with text. It's an easy way to add interactivity and fun to your journal!

__________


TYPOHOLIC (TYPOGRAPHY 101)
Natalie Malik :: Awkwardly Beautiful

Love to write, but feel like your handwriting might be flat? Lets enhance, improve and play with your handwriting! Practice how to draw out your favorite fonts to add a different depth to your journaling. Play with different tools and materials to add some boldness! Learn how to add your amazing new skills to your journal!

__________


DOORS AND WINDOWS TO YOUR SOUL
Paula Phillips :: Journal Artista

Incorporate your hidden, or not so hidden, thoughts and art in your journal using five different styles of doors and windows. You will learn how to make your pages interactive, and your secrets tucked away, using basic art and scrap booking supplies. Bring your juiciest innermost thoughts and art and turn your art journal into an open window to your creative self.


__________

RUNNING LOOSE ON CANVAS
Samantha Kira Harding :: Journal Girl

We've all worked on paper, but what about journaling on loose canvas? In this workshop, we'll explore all the fun things you can do when working on canvas -- from freestyle sewing to buttons to lots of water and being completely without boundaries -- a bunch of stuff you simply can't do on paper!

__________

JET-SET JOURNALING: SOUL JOURNAL STYLE
TRAVEL JOURNALING FOR ARTISTS ON THE GO
Sarah Whitmire :: Soul Journaling

Have you ever been stuck in a hotel room, a waiting room, a boring conference, anywhere…and thought, “I’d rather be journaling?” Have you ever planned a trip and found yourself agonizing over what materials and art products to pack? This is the class for you! In Jet-Set Journaling: Soul Journal Style, we will start by building the ultimate travel kit for journalers including a look at the type of journal I personally bring on my travels. I will share my absolutely essential travel supplies, give you some fun prompts aimed at using these products, and teach you new ways to use materials found around you to create art that is absolutely unique to your experience. I will also share the invaluable tips and tricks I have learned in my artsy travels, including what and what not to carry onto a plane. In this class I will demonstrate the “field test” of my travel kit on the road, on a plane, and in a hotel room with both video and an easy to print .pdf file. Whether you are traveling across the country, killing time in a waiting room, or waiting for your connecting flight, this class is for all you busy journalers on the go.

__________

10 TEXT TECHNIQUES
Spooky :: The Paper Phantom

Ten fun new ways to play with old book pages in your art journal.

__________

SURREAL JOURNAL FUN
Tami Chacon :: Dream Wish Hope

Come learn a technique that will add a bit of surreal fun to your journal page.....

Using magazine images, and a few simple supplies we will create new works of art, partially or totally altering the original images. With just a few easy steps you can turn turtles to flowers! This is a resist technique and great if you aren’t fully confident in your drawing ability. You can take those magazine images and alter them to your heart’s content. Layer images, add texture, subtract and add color! --- Create a bit of surreal fun to journal on! The possibilities are endless. This is a technique I come back to often just for the pleasure of playing with images.

__________


THE DOODLICIOUS DAYBOOK
Tracie Hanson :: My Blooming Life

Doodle much? Yeah, me too.
Ever doodled on a scale so large that you produced enough whoppin’ doodlicious paper to bind a thick and juicy art journal?
Nope, didn’t think so. I have.
And I’ll show you how with some videos and pdf’s.

In this workshop, we’ll begin by doodling WAY big . . .
then deconstruct it into the makings for your own
beautific doodlicious diary.

So fun, easy and cool, you’ll crank out a dozen in no time!
I’ll even share a few spankin’ specialicious techniques
to make it even purtier.

You’ll dig it. You’ll wanna show off.

PURCHASE HERE:

$59.00

---The Playground officially opens on Friday, October 1. 2010---

After completing your registration payment you will be directed to a link where you

can fill out your NING profile. Your membership will be approved on Friday, October 1st

when 21 SECRETS officially opens. Thank you for your patience!

Look Who Won!!

IT'S LATE!!!

But.....before I say anything....

I want to offer a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE

♡♡THANK YOU♡♡

to each of the lovely souls that helped support 21 SECRETS by sharing the LOVE on your blog.

It means the world to all of us!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

But unfortunately there can only be one winner...this time!

And the winner is.....

SAM JOHNSON OF GOLLYWOBBLES.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

You have won one free registrations to 21 SECRETS for yourself

& one to give away on your own blog!!....

(so be sure to keep your eyes on her blog for more

details to enter to win another free registration to 21 SECRETS!!)

AND 21 SECRETS will be on sale soon!!!

I Can't Wait

Ok. Seriously. I can NOT wait any longer.

The absolutely amazing 21 SECRETS goes on sale MONDAY!!!! Wahoo!!!

21 Artists :: 21 Art Journaling Secrets :: One Inspiring Playground

All for 59 Buck-a-roos!!!

We're talking videos galore--

more downloadable pdf's than you'll know what to do with--

and even mp3's babey!!!

Plus the coolest line up of teachers ever.

So, since I'm so anxious to get started already--how about a give away!?!?

Would you like a little give-away?!?!

Would that make you happy?

{Me too.}

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

THE GIVE-AWAY IS CLOSED--THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE!

21 SECRETS GOES ON SALE MONDAY!

I WILL POST THE WINNER HERE THAT DAY AS WELL.

CONTEST ENDS 11:30 pm PST on Sunday!

GOOD LUCK!

<center><a href="http://www.dirtyfootprintsworkshops.com/2008/09/21-secrets-art-journal-playground.html"><img border="0" src="http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk115/DirtyFootprints/DSC00001-2-1.jpg" /></a></center>

FEARLESS Together!

Painting by FEARLESS Painter Mary Ruth

Today I decided to share some of the amazing paintings being created by my FEARLESS Painters in BIG. Last week we were working intuitively with painting based on memories from our past.

Painting by FEARLESS Painter Gail

In BIG we focus on the process---what the painting has to say to us--

not us telling the painting what to do necessarily.

Painting by FEARLESS Painter Amy

Really incredible things start to manifest when you open yourself to this process.

Painting by FEARLESS Painter Michelle

I thank my FEARLESS Painters for being so kind to share their work with you.

The FEARLESS Painting Process is not concerned about techniques and getting things to look pretty or perfect.

It's about getting it out and on the paper.

It's about being free.

Painting by FEARLESS Painter Sharon

The best part about BIG for me is I get to share the FEARLESS Painting Process with others.

I am not in this alone--but rather growing and expanding with a group of amazing,

brave women.

Painting by FEARLESS Painter Kim

Painting by FEARLESS Painter Liz

Painting by FEARLESS Painter Kitty

BIG will go on sale again starting Monday, October 4.

This is more then a workshop...it's an actual journey--a FEARLESS Painting Adventure!

I hope you will join me then. Please go HERE for more information and HERE to sign up for the Dirty Footprints Studio newsletter so you can be the first to know!

Psst.....don't forget....21 SECRETS: An Art Journal Playground

goes on sale Monday!! Wahoo!!!

Painting Is NOT Perfect

One of my FEARLESS Painters from BIG shared this today.

And now I am smitten!!

This less then 3 minute long video is jammed packed with wise little nuggets of painting wisdom.

Please watch it. You'll be so happy you did!!!

Where The Winds of Change Begin

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

~ Thoreau

This gorgeous painting was created by Christine--one of my FEARLESS Painters in BIG. Her work and the words she shared about it really moved and spoke to me. All the FEARLESS Painters in BIG are doing amazing things. Amazing! And I'll be showing you more soon--promise!!

Though, I wanted to post Christine's work with my words because her painting speaks to me so much about change.

The wind of change--

and waking up and being fully open to the possibilities of Life.

Awhile back I wrote about my experience with the movie Eat Pray Love HERE. Ever since then I can't get Italy out of my mind---my Italy, not Julia Roberts', or I guess Elizabeth Gilbert's. My Italy--and what it meant to me and what I miss from it dearly.

The thing is I am longing to go back. A longing that is taking over my thoughts and stealing my sleep. A longing that is no longer willing to be just an idea or a romantic vision or may I dare utter "a dream".

I am realize that this longing is my intuition--my soul pointing me in a necessary direction to move towards.

(I totally LOVE this picture of Christine--and how gloriously happy she is!!)

So that is what I plan to do. As crazy as it may seem. I need to write about it here--throw it in the vortex as my friend Lisa and I like to say--and let the Universe do it's thang!

Next year Hansel will be turning 30. Ever since we met I have promised him a 30th birthday in the heart of My Italy: Florence. The funny thing is I think I knew, deep down, ever since I started whispering this promise--that next year would be the year.

All I want is a few months. Just a few months of living, painting, eating, and breathing the air in Florence again. I want to go there and teach an online workshop where each of you can experience this along with me. I want to meet other artists that swallow the Tuscan sunshine for breakfast. I want to share this with Hansel and witness his Italy unfold through his camera lens.

I want to be Italian again, just for a few months.

Please Universe, please.

Belly LOVE: I'm Ready

Last week for Belly LOVE I realized the relationship between my messy, cluttered, unkept studio to the way I nurture and take care of my own body. Believe me, this has been on my mind the entire week....and, having a new clean and organized studio has energized my creativity incredibly. But I noticed something.....a habit--a pattern, that I wish to be mindful of and to transform.

When I paint or create--I get messy. I'm the type of chica that spreads all my stuff everywhere--supplies, paintings, books, stuff---it all gets spread across the studio as I dive into my creative process. What usually happens next after I finish for the day--is I leave it. Then the next day--more gets buried on top of that--and then the next day, etc. etc. Until I am left with a space that is too uncomfortable and out of control--that I move my creative activities somewhere else in our home.

Then what happens is I feel constricted and stifled--because I'm not in my studio.

I do it to myself.

Huh.

So this past week, I made a conscious effort to treat my studio with the utmost respect and reverence. I even went so far to light a stick of sandalwood incense each time I began my day in there. Then, as I worked at my desk writing--and I noticed things were starting to get piled up and cluttered, I'd take just a moment to breathe deeply and organize again. At the end of my day, when my supplies were everywhere and I so didn't want to clean up--I made myself.

Later towards the end of the week, I honestly started to tell myself to quit early--so I would have the energy to attend to my studio before leaving.

And, I know it's only a week, but I am loving the feeling that this is creating in my overall way of Life. I am an Artist--going to the studio is like going to a job/an office. I feel like anything is possible--when my space is nourished and ready to serve and support me.

Just writing this post now makes me realize how much I need to treat my own body with the utmost respect and reverence. To tell you the truth--I have been yakking about Belly LOVE since April, and what has really happened? What physical transformations have taken place?

None.

I've actually gained weight since I started. I let my life, my Art, my business, my everything bury me and the way I nurture and respect my body.

I see, in just one week, how amazing taking a little time out each day to nourish and organize my studio has on my overall life and especially my creativity. I can breathe--I feel strong--I feel like anything is freaking possible!

Now I believe the real Belly LOVE journey has begun. Just like I said yesterday--I am done floating on the surface of who I am. I am ready to get to the bottom of this extra weight I carry--and to break my habits of neglect.

If taking time to keep my studio clean, organized, and ready to support the creative process can have this overall amazing effect in such a short period of time--wonder what magic a little self care each day could impose on my body and overall self as well.

Once again, I'm ready.

The Progression Of The Artist

Before I begin, I must say how absolutely blessed I am.

I am still in complete awe every morning--that this is actually my life.

That I am doing what I want---and basically, to quote Neil Young:

"I DON'T WORK FOR ANYONE BUT THE MUSE."

Part of this great blessing that my life has received is a plethora of painting commissions lined up. I get paid to paint FEARLESS for other people.

And I spend most of my day actually painting.

But lately, at night...later then I'd like to admit...

I paint for me.

I have trail markers in this journey called my Creative Juicy Life.

Actual events, moments, or experiences that I look back on and know that a shift occurred--something BIG had changed--or at times, I woke up from sleeping.

This year, so far, the trail markers have appeared like confetti at a party.

I feel that I have finally awaken to the Artist that I am.

Even though this is who I have said I am since I was little--

it is now that I have accepted that this is who I am.

I have fully embraced it--

without apology, excuses, or reasons to scatter my energy in fear that

I will not be good enough-

I will not have enough money-

I will not make others happy-

I will fail, be rejected, and/or misunderstood.

I have fully awaken to my truth.

And it is the truth that sheds light on both my beauty and my flaws.

I feel like for years and years I called myself an Artist--

but I only was playing the role.

I only did what I needed to do to get by with that title slapped on.

I used that title to work--get jobs teaching in Art Museums--

I even used that title to show my Art in galleries.

But I was only floating on the surface of the Artist I truly am.

In all those years of floating, I painted what I was good at.

I painted what I knew best.

Now, fully awaken, I can see that I have so much to learn.

So much to understand.

So many things I wish I was ready for back when I was actually in school.

I see now that there is so much more painting to do.

I am happy and eager to stay up till 3am in the studio.

I am curious.

I want to push. I want to try. I want to fail miserably over and over again

until I learn all I can--

until my soul can start to rest and nestle comfortably

into saying I'm an Artist.

I want to live, breathe, and devour painting.

I am finally ready.

The photos you see here are a progression.

Intervals of a painting I did way past midnight.

I was curious.

I wanted to explore the idea of a shadow.

I wanted to explore how color works together.

I wanted to be fully aware of the evolution of this painting-

that is why I chose to take photos.

Trail markers in a sense.

I have realized that this Creative Juicy Life is a series of progressions.

A series of awakenings and failed beginning.

A series of learning and expressing and letting things simply be the way they exist at that moment.

And just for the record,

this Creative Juicy Life of mine, from here on out,

is all about diving in deep to who I really am

instead of floating comfortably on just being me.