Friday, March 25, 2011

Some new artwork


I've been working like crazy, between real work


and motherhood!
I'm the calm in the center of the storm. The still spot surrounded by paint, paper and inspiration. Homework does not exist, houses are clean and dinner is cooked.
Ahhhhhhhh!
Yeah right!


Monday, March 14, 2011

Clothes on the line

Can't wait to get to warmer weather and hang the clothes outside. This is not of my home but of one I found last summer while out taking photos. I'm begging hubby to put up a clothesline for me, is there anything better than the smell of sheets fresh from the sunshine? It reminds me of being a little girl and weaving my way through the line smelling the combination of soap and sunshine. The way the light came through my grandmother's aprons, sheets and flowered shirts. There is something so comforting and homey to me to see clothes on the line. I also remember my mother bringing in "frozen" jeans when it really was too cold to be hanging things out or the second "wash" things got with an unexpected rain.



Sunshine days, dappled sunlight, the smell of clean!



Here's to Spring!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Journal Issues

I will admit it openly - I LOVE getting new journals! This is the current pile some started some waiting to be filled and this doesn't include old journals that are filled with stories, sketches, day to day happenings. There's just something about an empty journal that makes my heart beat faster. I keep them mostly inexpensive, treating myself once or twice a year (Birthday & Christmas) to something special and perhaps leather bound. I prefere no lines but those are hard to find unless you just buy a sketchbook, and I have done that. My pens are just as important. I love fine tips, multi colors, sometimes pencils and sometimes what I call and "inky" pen, a pen with a nib and ink cartridge. Recenly I bought some ink and have a calligraphy set that I'm starting to use. Mostly for letter writing. LETTER WRITING! you say? Well yes. Sure I can send an e-mail, a twitter, a blog, but don't you just love going to the mail box and finding a lovely envelope with handwriting addressed to you? I know I do and I figure if I write one I might just get one back. I tried to do and exchange on facebook but sadly only a couple of people were interested. It may have looked more like an event than exchange. I'll try again.

Since I was a little girl I've loved the act of writing. Holding pen in hand paper blank and welcoming before me. First it was short stories and romantic stories of having the most handsome popular guy fall in love with me, ahem, my character. I was overweight and never dated so my fantasy dating life was full and varied. I wanted to be the only girl in "The Outsiders", stand on a hill in the Scottish Highlands waiting for my love. Journaling is also where I do my best thinking. I'll come up with answers to stuff as I'm writing and be very surprised with the outcome. It's like the unconcious comes through, as if my hand, pen and paper are a conduit to the universe. (cue X-Files music here) Speaking of X-Files, weren't we? One of the best screen savers I ever saw in the workplace was "The answer is out there, but we are in here....." Just thought I'd let you know.

Back to the journals. Whenever I get a book that requires me to do written exercises I am thrilled, I get to go buy and new journal, for a reason that can be justified. It doesn't matter that I have three or four journals that have not been started yet, one must be purchased for that specific purpose. Heaven. I'll even go on about nothing in my nightly journal because I'm liking the way my handwriting is looking and the feel of the pen in my hand!

Yes dear friends I am a journal (and magazine) aholic. Proudly displaying journals and finding new homes for them. And if someone makes me go to a 12 step program, well then I'll just have to get a new journal to track my progress!

Oh and the special occations I wait for? My birthday is on March 28th :)

Love,
Heather

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Sometimes out of nowhere, like when you're going to pick up your son from school there is a moment of grace. A moment when you look into the eyes of something beautiful, the car behind you waits while you block the road taking a photo and doesn't honk. Finally I had my camera and the opportunity at the same time. Serendipity. I love that word. I love words.

Opportunity and the tools isn't that what art and creativity is all about? Being creative doesn't have to mean each time you sit down you create a masterpiece. But if you sit down and keep creating the right moment may come along where you create your masterpiece. Something that speaks to you, touches you in a way that other things do not yet if you kept yourself away you never would have surprised yourself with your wonderfulness.

Remember, no masterpiece was the first piece of art the artist did. Keep creating and find your masterpiece.

Heather