Holistic Art Journey at The Phoenix Rising Center in Thomaston, Connecticut

Today I made art in my art journal and splashed a little paint on canvas. I carved out a block of time to take photographs, edit them and prepare them for phase II of action. I made a nutritional herbal blend for myself so that I may reach for on jar off the herb shelf instead of three. I made plans.

And now I'm making an announcement and offering an invitation to my regional friends to join me on an eight-week journey of soul, heart and art!

Next tuesday I'll be facilitating the first session of the holistic and artful journey into the question, "Who Am I?" So if you ever find yourself asking that question you might want to join us at The Phoenix Rising Center in Thomaston, CT for this introspective, expressive and creative workshop.

As we explore the query, "Who Am I?" we'll be expressing our discoveries through the magic of mixed media art. This is a workshop that is perfect for those with art experience as well as for those who have never created with paint, pens, collage and the like. Each week you'll go home with an artful expression of your Self … and you'll likely be inspired to create on your own between classes!

So if you're in the region I hope you'll join us. The eight-week workshop is only $140 and you have so much to gain by taking it ~ mixed media skills, enhanced self-awareness and appreciation, and anything in between.

Contact Doreen at The Phoenix Rising Center to learn more and to register at 860.294.1156 or email her at doreen@thephoenixrisingcenter.com

Peace.

Moving Day

Today was moving day. The snow is finally gone from our little acre, so today we moved the chickens from their winter garden spot to their summer space in the lower part of our back yard. The Boy was quite proud of his DYI wheels. Just sayin'. He did most of the heavy hauling and I documented the event, as you can see. But hey, I did some lifting, pushing and lugging too, but mostly coop traffic control.

The ladies were curious (as they tend to be) about the changes and the homemade wheels.

Once one side of the pen was removed and the ladies wandered off, the ark started its journey south. Literally.

We live on a south-facing slope, and their summer location is peppered with above-ground maple roots, so positioning the ark so it was level and the door would properly open was important. Don't want undue stress on those hinges, ya know. 

So, no … the door won't fall and lay nicely. 

Gotta move it touch this way.

And a touch that way.

A little forward.

And that should do it.

Does the door open nicely?

It does.

Perfect!

Next up is the fencing around the main vegetable garden so I can start planting seed and putting in some seedlings … without the ladies helping themselves to the delicious, young greens and scattering the seed wherever they're inspired to scratch.

So, yeah … moving day. That's what I (we) made today. Peace.

Mixed Media Workshop at The Phoenix Rising Center

Tempus fugit. Am I right? 

I can hardly believe that in less than a week I'll be sharing my passion for play and uninhibited artful creation at The Phoenix Rising Center in Thomaston, CT.

You see, I'll be facilitating an 8-week workshop centered around the pure play of creating beautiful, rich, multi-layered mixed-media art … art that can be used for foundation backgrounds for further artful expressions, and we'll touch on some of those options, too. I'm really looking forward to this, because anyone can create these luscious, textured pieces, regardless of experience. And what I mean by that is even if you've never played with paint, collage or the like … or haven't since you were a child, you can let go and let your playful Muse out to manifest some beauty that you create with your hot little hands! And heart.

So if you're in the area, consider joining us. It's going to be great fun! All you need to do is contact Doreen at The Phoenix Rising Center (call 860-294-1156 or email doreen@thephoenixrisingcenter.com) to reserve your space.

I hope you will. 

I'd love to make some artful play with you! 

Peace.

Prayers

Some days … it's that simple.

Peace.

Chicken Art

My art journal entries seem to be sparked with chickens this week. I think it was inspired by some art I viewed on Pinterest … and I was especially taken with a piece by Picasso and leveraged his image to adapt this one (above) of my own.

I'm still working on my canvases, and while they're currently focused on images of feminine divinity, I see chickens in my canvased future. For starters, I love watching my hens. They mesmerize, amaze and amuse me. 

Chicken art. Yeah. That's what I've been making.

Peace.

Art Work in Progress

Today I continued playing with paints on canvas. One of my goals this year is to produce something, anything on canvas once a month - on average. I imagine most of what I create will get cut up and used in other mixed media pieces, like this one. This piece is one of two works in progress, the one I'm least satisfied with, but one that is offering an illuminating journey and yielding some sound lessons.

After all, it's all about the journey and the lessons gleaned along the path. Not the destination. Not the outcome.

Peace.

A Whimsy Winner

Join me in congratulating "number 7," Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs! She is the winner of our February Win a Whimsy mermaid!

I've never met Catherine, but I've known her quite a while here in this virtual online space that we share. She is a wonderful, supportive and talented member of the ArtFire community. She creates beautiful, inspired, handmade jewelry like this recent dog rescue necklace:

 

This is just one of many wonderful jewelry pieces that she creates, and I chose to showcase it because it resonated for me ... because my rescue dog did - indeed - adopt me! 

I'm delighted that she is our winner! And if you don't already know her, you can get to know her at the links above as well as follow her on her Shadow Dog Designs Facebook page and on twitter. 

Congratulation, Catherine!

Peace.

Win a Whimsy Wednesday - Giveaway!

It's been a long while since I've hosted a giveaway. The tide for one, it seems, has come in. So I offer you, in this latest wave of Win a Whimsy Wednesday, a chance to win this little mermaid that I created a while back.

To enter, just leave a comment - anytime before the morning of Wednesday, February 13th.

This sweet little mermaid was created with handmade papier-mâché, paint, inks, gel medium and LoVe.  She measures 8½ inches long and has been sitting on one of my altars for a while. 

She recently said, "I've served you. I need to swim. Share me. Share me in the seas of LoVe." So it is that "Win a Whimsy" resurfaces from the depths of an almost forgotten ocean.

The mermaid holds much symbolism. She seems a ubiquitous creature, one that has history around the globe, in many cultures and traditions. For me, she most often conjures the verve of the Sirens and the Selkie ... mysterious, enticing, inspired, loving and a touch tragic. 

So leave a comment for a chance to win.

If you want extra chances, share this post on any social network and post the link to it here in a separate comment. If you post in more than one place, leave a comment with the link for each. Each comment with a link offers you an extra chance to win.

I'll be drawing the winner next Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 8:00 am, eastern time.

Best wishes!

Peace.