Cloudy Day in Santa Cruz

"A cloudy day, or a little sunshine,
have as great an influence on many constitutions
as the most real blessings or misfortunes."
~Joseph Addison

 

Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek of what I've been working on lately:

Some Beauty From Montalvo Arts Center

I was recently at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, CA and had to share some beauty. The Montalvo Villa was built by Senator James Phelan in 1912. He bequeathed it to the San Francisco Art Association who assumed trusteeship in 1930 and within a year announced the intention to launch an artist residency program. Today, Montalvo has three performing arts venues, a 10 studio artist residency program, hosts gallery exhibitions, offers educational opportunities, performance events and more. In addition, they have 2.5 miles of hiking trails, beautiful grounds and a formal Italianate garden open to the public.

 

Canon PowerShot

I just bought a new Canon PowerShot ELPH 300HS. It's a great little point and shoot camera and I just love it! It's so small that I can easily pop it in my purse or pocket and go. It turns on quickly and it's ready to go in less than a second. Lots of little features like 12.1 MP, 24 mm ultra Wide-Angle lens and 5x Optical Zoom, continuous shooting and HD video. I haven't tried out the video yet, but I love the photos that I'm getting from this little guy. Very reasonably priced too.

Summer Blooms

“Just living is not enough.. 

One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."

Hans Christian Andersen

Textures by: Kim Klassen and Shadowhouse Creations.

Time...

...of finding the sense of life within.

We've heard it said that if you don't go within, you will go without. We are all completely unique and marvelous each in our own way and not one of us is like another. Though we may have similar preferences, not one other person shares your unique mix of what makes you feel alive. Your history, your perceptions, your attitudes, your preferences, your hopes, wishes and dreams. Finding a sense of life within is embracing those things; embracing that mix of unique characteristics that make you, YOU. It takes courage to embrace those things. It takes even more courage to bring it out into the world for all to see. Many of us walk in the shadow of society that tells us what we should like, what we should want and how we should spend our resources. Many of us experience the feeling of being left out or simply not included if we are constantly looking to "fit in". I love the scene in Monster in Law when she says, "I'm making the dress to fit MY body, not the other way around." As we journey together, let's find ways to Find a Sense of Life Within and encourage one another to bring all that wonderful, colorful stuff out. That's when we truly appreciate and enjoy what Life has to offer us in the way of opportunities. Going within and embracing what's truly there, is what brings fulfillment, peace, a sense of well-being and joy. Life's gift of Time is what provides us the means of the Discovery of Ourselves.

Taking Time to Go Within,

Soul Flight

"No bird soars too high, if he soars with his own wings." ~William Blake

 

I've been into blues lately. The color of the ocean, representing water, consciousness, soul. The color of the throat chakra: communication, expression. Calming, peaceful, flowing, beautiful blues.

I made this piece for my grandma who is 98 years old. She is beautiful, courageous, strong, hard-working, independent and loving. She has faced many adversities and not only survived, but thrived. She is the person in my family who showed me an open-hearted love and strength. I don't get to see her very often as we live in different states and I always miss her, but I love our talks on the phone. She has always been my hero.

A few years ago, she was featured in her local paper in an article honoring her for her number of years of volunteer work and support of her community. She is not much of an advice giver but was quoted as saying, "No one should ever be bored. There is always something to do."

Here's to you, Grandma.

Love,