Be Daring!

Some Thesaurus words for bravery - courage, daring, dauntlessness, fearlessness, fortitude, gallantry, grit, guts, hardiness, heroism, indomitability, intrepidity, mettle, pluck, spirit, spunk, valor.

I took a risk and was very daring this year when submitting to the Heart of Ohio Tole convention. I am known for colored pencil but I really feel mixed media needs to be explored and will help the decorative painting industry because of all the options it offers. More products, a bit from the fine art industry in the mediums, scrapbook industry for the accents and decorative painting in the teachable way it translates to students. It also lets the student explore their personal likes and dislikes giving them choices and having them choose to be different from the teacher. So, being brave, I sent in 6 mixed media pieces and no colored pencils. Boy, was I shocked when they picked 5 of the 6. This Venus Collage is my favorite piece they picked because it explores and includes all of the above. I can't wait to see what the students do with their rendition of her!

For more information go to http://www.heartofohiotole.org/convention.html

Word - Bravery

The word for this week is bravery.

Its noun meaning - courage.

I am usually a jump first, think about it later kind of person in my art career. I put my name on the waiting list for a booth before even designing one thing. I sent off a book submission with the first 3 things I had designed. I traveled across the US for years by myself exhibiting and teaching my art. I launched my first e-course before even knowing if I could videotape. Why would I put myself through this? Well, I had to. I needed that deadline to get me moving with motivation, purpose and an end goal in mind. I knew it would work, I would succeed, I just needed to set the wheels in motion and take action. This week I am being brave and asking teachers to join me for another online e-course. Is it scary? Sure. Will there be rejection? Sure. Will it happen? Of course. I am taking a leap of faith and reaching out to fellow designers some I know some I do not but I have already succeeded because I found the courage and asked.

I did this art to express who I am and the text reads...
on the edge, clinging, hanging on, can you feel it? life.
on the verge, tight grasp holding, is is real? life.
on the cusp, dangling, moving on, are you ready? life.

So, how will you show your bravery this week?

Mood Board - Creatives

I wanted to put together something meaningful and energizing for the artist within me. So I picked a few of my favorite things and placed them in a fun composition to share. This is one of my favorite books on being a creative women. I love the interviews and found it so inspiring. It has a new look for the cover today but the contents are still uplifting, creative and show the strength and energy of what makes women unique to the world. A great jump start to living a creative life.

The Amazon review of the book says this about it:
A combination guidebook and inspirational treasure, The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women profiles 45 dynamic women who share their secrets for success. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Christina Pickles, Shakti Gawain, Sigrid Olsen, Barbara Sher, Sarah Ban Breathnach, and many others. Each chapter offers the 12 secrets, keys, and challenges to help women work through the creative process. Together they offer an inspirational road map, providing all the tools women need to uncover their own authenticity and realize their creative dreams.

Here's the link in case you want to take a closer look: http://www.amazon.com/The-Secrets-Highly-Creative-Women/dp/157324533X

Word - Huddle

The word for this week is huddle.

Its verb meaning - to crowd together; confer.

Its noun meaning - a closely packed group; meeting, conference.

I choose this dragonfly image because I remember how windy it was the day this was taken, he was holding on for dear life, huddle with the fencing just hoping to stay put. I loved the light on the wings and the extreme side view of his almost transparent body.

So what does that have to do with me today? Well, we are getting more snow in the Midwest, in fact it is coming down so hard I can't even see the neighbors house across the street. It is just making me huddle together with the family safe and warm under a flannel quilt or two. I do love the winter, especially the white snow in the yard and gardens,  but this year has been extreme to say the least. I am ready for just a little bit of sunshine giving us a taste of warmth and it looks like I might just get that later this week. But today, I am like this little green darner, just hanging on, hoping tomorrow is a brighter, warmer day.