Conquering Fears Part 1 of 3

Everyone at one time or another has to conquer fears~ We had went to a park that had some faux climbing rocks they were quite high. Sammie was scared to attempt them. I wanted to help her attempt to face her fears as she watched her cousin climb them with ease. He lives where they get a chance to do this more often and he does gymnastics. I went to the rock and encouraged her to keep trying. I let her know I was right here to break the fall and catch her if need be. But how will I get down mom? The same way you climb up. Looking to see where you can grab and hold onto, looking to place your feet and setting them in place, then moving your body in the direction while holding on. Focusing on where you want to go. Working your mind and body together~

When you live your life with an appreciation of coincidences and their meanings, you connect with the underlying field of infinite possibilities. Deepak Chopra

Creating art can be like rock climbing. Having to face your fears, looking to see where you are going, asking for help if needed, working your mind and body together to move in the right direction to enable you to succeed~ Theresa Huse

Beach Treasures

Today is a smooth white seashell, hold it close and listen to the beauty of the hours~
Buddha quote


A short walk to the beach~


Chasing shadows on the beach~



The feel of soft sand~



Simple treasures found~



A quick sketch of Audrey putting treasures in her container~
I will probably turn this into a mixed media piece and will show you the completed version later.



Come walk with me
Along the sea
Where dusk sits on the land
And search with me
For shells are free,
And treasures hide in sand. ~Author unknown

I love the beach; the feel of the sand, the breeze blowing, sun on your face, crisp water on your feet, the ocean sounds, and fog rolling in with the tide creating memories to fill your heart ~ written by Theresa Huse

Simply Sunday

Credit for photo to Elewin7-IcyProductions via Flickr

I have been in Northern Ca. visiting my daughter. I had the chance to drive out to the beach one day and see flowers like this blooming. I took my youngest daughter Sammie and my granddaughter to Doran beach. We drove along country roads and Hwy. 1 along the coast. Some times the simple outings are the best, the day was beautiful outside with a wind mild enough to set a kite in the air but not much more. We found starfish, shells and played. I can't wait to upload some of the photos. Journal about an experience you had at the beach or in nature. Draw some sketches or paint a scene on your pages.

Our memories of the ocean will carry on, long after the footprints in the sand are gone. ~Author unknown

I hope you are able to keep your day simple and enjoy Sunday for all it holds for you. Join me next week for another Simply Sunday posting.

Journaling Make Creativity A Priority

Sometimes I feel like I am doing so many things that need to be done and it doesn't allow me time to be my creative self. When you have a family you are always playing catch up with housework, helping with school work, running errands or kids to and fro, making meals.... The nice thing about today is I am getting ready to take a break! Cutting the ties to home and going to take a little trip to visit my second youngest daughter and my granddaughter who is turning 2. I am taking my camera and will try and venture out to do some photography. I hope I have some lovely things to share when I come back. It will be like a breath of fresh air~
When I return I am planning on setting more of a schedule to make sure I am getting enough creative time and managing my time better. It is my responsibility to myself and my creativity. Do you ever feel like a puppet on a string? Do you feel like you are bound by duties at work or home that take too much of your time? Do you sometimes feel like you need to break free? Do you make your creativity a priority? I hope you get a chance to take a little spring break and recharge your creative energy~ And make creativity a priority!

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. ~Carl Sandburg

Responsibility's like a string we can only see the middle of. Both ends are out of sight. ~William McFee, Casuals of the Sea, 1916

Simply Sunday

I created these little Easter illustrations and put them in a collage for you~ I hope that you and your family or friends have a wonderful day together. When you have time Journal your favorite colors that Easter evokes and why, Easter memories or what happens today. Also journal what Easter means to you. Create a little Easter drawing in your journal. I hope you are able to keep your day simple and enjoy Sunday for all it holds for you. Join me next week for another Simply Sunday posting.

'Twas Easter-Sunday. The full-blossomed trees Filled all the air with fragrance and with joy. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Spanish Student

Artistic Vision

Close up of page with flap closed
flap open close up

I love taking classes and have chatted with a few people on that, recently someone asked me was I going to take a specific class. I am still on the fence about it. I am hesitant because I want to make sure I am finding me. Not someone else 's style. My own voice and artistic vision. As artist's I think we all search for that, even get frustrated over it. I really think that it is important to try new techniques, practices, classes, draw, paint, make messes, have disappointments in things we have made but ultimately not give up! Have you ever fought with your artistic vision? What do you love about your art in the moment? Let your instincts take over paint and write down these thoughts in your art journal maybe they will help you see your vision. When you take classes make sure to remember to keep true to you~

"The artist need not know very much; best of all let him work instinctively and paint as naturally as he breathes or walks."

Hummingbirds

*Callistemon or Bottlebrush bush by Theresa Huse click to enlarge
I went to the San Luis Botanical Gardens and I heard birds by this vibrant *bottlebrush bush. I couldn't see them. I waited and stayed quite. I don't have a fancy camera but I do have a setting for action shots. While I waited I took photographs of the bush, the sun shining on me was warm. My husband and daughter went ahead they didn't seem to notice why I stayed behind. Patience is a virtue. The little hummingbirds swooped down as if to scare me off but I didn't move and held my camera ready to get that perfect shot! I was surprised at some of the ones I had gotten.
I walked on after this and took more photos of other plants and even caught some photos of quail. When I brought my daughter back we held still and they came right up and fed in front of us. By this time my camera battery died. I was upset in the moment but thankful my daughter got a chance to witness the beauty of nature right in front of us. She managed to take a few shots with her camera I can't wait to pull them off and see what a budding 7yr old captured! There were several hummingbirds with red, green and iridescent colored chests. It was a beautiful outing~
Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson