Word - Luminous

The word for this week is luminous.

Its adjective meaning is emitting light; lighted; clear, intelligible.

The petals in the sunlight, is there really anything more beautiful than this? Not in my mind, really, it almost brings me to tears the way the color overlaps and mixes with the sunlight to create an orchestra of luminous quality that my artistic muse can't ignore. I just can't say enough, the beauty is there to see, you just have to look, it is everywhere. The soft delicate values show the fragility of each little petal on these mini daffodils. The deep orange centers just give them so much depth and darkness really making you see the transparent nature of blooms in general. I think this is one of my favorite photos I have ever taken and well, it is one I will be thinking about for weeks to come. Look around today, see what every day presents and find that one thing that makes you grateful for its existence. Find the magic!

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?

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.

Growth

Some Thesaurus words for "haze" are: brume, cloud, dimness, film, fog, fumes, haziness, indistinctness, miasma, mist, muck, obscurity, smog, smokiness, smother, steam, vapor.

Don't you just love the word muck? For me, this is the most powerful because that's exactly how I have felt - stuck in the muck. Trying to find an inspirational photo that showed persistence, growth and the willingness to push forward was quite a feat but I think this one fit all the meanings extremely well. When you look past the haziness of the lambs ear you see the uprising of a stem pushing through. It is unwilling to just lay there and not grow and explore as it was meant to. I really love nature for this reason and find much of my creativity surrounded by its everyday beauty. So, what are you pushing through today? Fight for it, it will be worth its weight, I promise!

Word - Haze

The word for the week is haze.

Its noun meaning - fine dust, smoke or light vapor causing lack of transparency in the air; vagueness of mind or perception.

Its verb meaning - to harass by abusive and humiliating tricks usually by way of initiation.

I took this photo in the late fall while leaves were burning and wanted to catch the smoke rising and swirling in the air. The effect of the smoke close to the ground was just what I was hoping for. I chose this word because I spent the later part of 2013 in a bit of a haze. Wanting to move ahead into a new direction but I was met with a lot of resistance within myself. Deadlines and responsibilities kept me going but in a lackluster way, just doing art to get art done. I am resolving to let my art life exist out of the haze, in true light and with a path that is undefined, risky almost. I am ready!. The haze is lifting and I want to explore 2014 in all it offers up with a new found freedom of simply starting each and every day. That isn't too much to ask, right? So, I am asking you, my readers, is haze a part of your life at the moment? If so, how can you push it aside and live in full light? I know you have the answer, just look past the smoke!

Word - Crash 20/30

The word of the week is crash.

Its verb meaning - to break noisily; smash.

Its noun meaning - a loud sound; an instance of crashing; collision; a sudden failure.

The sound of the waves crashing in and out of the sandy beach is almost deafening. You can feel the energy, the force it has upon arrival. It is a sound I miss hearing everyday and try to imagine it often because it soothes my mind and gives it clarity in a moments notice. This photo captures it perfectly for me. The crash in the middle of calmness, just waiting for the arrival of a surface to collide with. Its color change an indication of what it coming, like a warning sign for all to see. Can you feel it? The powerful energy heading my way is going to make a beautiful, smashing appearance. I can't wait and thank you friends for being along for the ride and new direction about to immerse!

One Step Forward 15/30

Some Thesaurus words for "breakthrough" - boost, development, discovery, find, finding, gain, hike, improvement, increase, invention, leap, progress, rise, step forward.

Wow, these are some powerful words! So I searched until I found the same in a photograph. The beautiful magnolia reaching, drenched in sunlight. Is there anything more radiant or glorious? I'm not thinking so. It is also such a great representation of how I feel, as if awakened and pulled from darkness letting the sun shine in and around my whole being. Bright and blinding, full of the possibilities that await my art, my creativity, my design skills. Oh yes, it is a big wondrous world we live in, I do hope you are taking advantage of its generosity!

Word - Breakthrough 14/30

The word for the week is breakthrough.

Its noun meaning - an act or instance of breaking though an obstruction or defensive line; a sudden advance in knowledge or technique.

I have been searching for the next step in my art business for a couple years now and over the past few months, I believe I have had a tremendous breakthrough, finally. It couldn't have come at a better time. I actually have a clear schedule to just paint, paint, and paint some more. This is no small feat since I have packed myself tightly with travel teaching and online classes over the last several years.

The light, it is beginning to show once again. That little beacon that stirs my muse and makes me want to immerse myself in all things creative. The universe seems to agree because all the sudden I have been put in great company full of inspirational souls. It seems all the right people are talking to me, connecting with me, sharing ideas and their own paths with me. I didn't realize it at first, just thought it an odd coincidence but after a while, I began to realize there is a reason for them all being here at this moment and in my space. Guidance is hard for me to ask for but comes in many forms and is usually given without return. I am grateful for those who have shed some light on my strengths, creativity, uniqueness and my desire to work and follow through. Thank you for sharing yourself so generously, it will not be forgotten!

Word - Cluster 5/30

The word for this week is cluster.

Its noun meaning - group, bunch

Its verb meaning - to grow or gather in a cluster

I picked this word after looking at the definition for the flower I photo-graphed and loved it.

Phlox - any of a genus of American herbs that have tall stalks with showy spreading terminal clusters of flowers.

The Phlox are huge this year, about 4 feet tall and their colors just say

"I'm here!" I couldn't resist the vibrant color and the massive clusters throughout the garden. I love the teardrop buds just waiting to open speckled here and there amongst the blooms. I also loved the composition of this photo because of the way the bottom flower is all by itself and the dark green of the right gives me such a pretty edge to appreciate. The veining and the ever so slight touch of white in the center really helps make this a beautiful flower. Would you stop to get a closer look? I sure hope so!

Join me in the journey of

30 days, 30 blogs...

Word - Reflection

The word for this week is reflection.

Its verb meaning - to bend or cast back; to give back a likeness or image of as a mirror does; to bring as a result; to cast reproach or blame; ponder, meditate.

This little wind chime hangs from a fan in my mom's house. I am always enamored by its ability to reflect light and shadow and create a beautiful abstract piece of art. I choose a darker photo to show off the hints of brightness everywhere. It also shows the flower in all of its glory. Seek it out, look beyond and find a reflection of you this week!

Word - Texture

The word for this week is texture.

Its noun meaning - the visual or tactile surface characteristics and appearance of something; essential part; basic scheme or structure, fabric; overall structure.

I absolutely adore texture and look for it everywhere and anywhere. I was out in the yard shooting photos of various trees with lichen, moss and just cool shadows when I happened to look upward and see this interesting little scene. Yes it is out power pole but I loved the various textures it offered in such a small area. The characteristics of each stand on their own yet looked phenomenal just waiting to be discovered. Did you happen to notice the heart shaped knot? Oh yeah, a visually added bonus for your artistic eye, one that might have gone unnoticed had I not looked to the sky for inspiration!

Word - Colorless

The word for this week is colorless.

Colorless is the adjective of color. The definition for color: a phenomenon of light or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects; appearance; complexion tint; vividness, interest.

On this dreary, wet, almost 40 degree day in the middle of March, I found this little bit of color hiding out within the branches. Surprisingly it made me smile! The way the raindrops clung to the little round berry colored spheres just made it that much more special. Appreciate your surroundings and all the qualities it offers. After all, isn't it the small things in life that matter most!

Word - Fun

The word for this week is fun.

Its noun meaning - something that provides amusement or enjoyment.

Who didn't love to put on those bright yellow rain boots and head out to look for the deepest puddles imaginable? I know I loved those streets on Garfield where they actually had concrete road gutters that trapped the water just for this reason I believe. Of course, that is my childhood remembrance and well, I'm sticking to it. This little treasure is to remind me to just let go, have fun, and stomp around in the puddles every now and then. There is no harm in it and it will give you a creative release of adrenaline and energy because you are just amusing yourself. Is there no great release than the enjoyment of you being a kid again? I can't really think of any reason not to visit fun every day, can you? Take the time, you will appreciate the effort!

Word - Sanctuary

The word for this week is sanctuary.

Its noun meaning - a consecrated place; a place of refuge.

This lovely place was taken in my friend Margot's garden in Florida. I absolutely loved the texture of the arched plaque but then you notice the wonderful cragginess of the wall behind it. It is a visual treat for the eyes and my creative side is already trying to figure out how in the world to replicate its beauty. The aged statuary makes you feel transported to the crowded streets of Rome or Italy glimpsing these beauties everywhere you look. The color combination represented in the soft patina of the mossy avocado greens and the touch of pale salmon just sends my artistic sensories on overload. The juxtaposition of the warmer hues versus the cooler background tones just makes me want to grab my journal and start painting. Are you going to join me? I sure hope so!

Word - Green

The word of the week is green.

Its noun meaning - a color between blue and yellow in the spectrum; the color of growing fresh grass or of the emerald; something of a green color; green vegetation; a grassy plot.

Some Thesaurus words are - apple, aquamarine, beryl, chartreuse, fir, forest, grass, jade, kelly, lime, malachite, moss, olive, pea, peacock, pine, sage, sap, sea, spinach, verdigris, vert, veridian, willow.

These are chinese lanterns that will eventually turn a beautiful autumn orange. In the spring when they are just appearing they immerse themselves upon our garden with this luscious hue of illuminated green. I just couldn't describe it in any other fashion, they are just brilliant in coloration. Which shade would you give it? Me, I'm not really sure because I can find all the wonderful ranges of the palette in this photo. It does give you something to ponder though, doesn't it? Mother Nature at her finest, what an artist!

Word - Bright

It has been a while, a long while really since I have blogged and to tell you the truth, I have missed it tremendously. I just wasn't allowing myself the time to sit, look through my photos, choose one and let me get inspired by what I saw. Sad, really, that everything else came before me and what I wanted to do. So, that changes today. I will be posting regularly and if you haven't noticed, I have added a "follow by email" button so you will get an automatic update when I post. Do sign up, I love the little alerts that come for me letting me know my favorite blogs are ready to come and view! Are you ready, here we go...

The word for this week is bright.

Its adjective meaning - shining, radiant; illustrious, glorious; intelligent, clever, lively, cheerful.

This page was done in my art journal. It is a reflection of wanting something bright, cheerful and sunny to compensate for the dreary, greyed down layers of the wintery season here in the Midwest. So I gathered my favorite things - a card from a friend with a fantastic botanical image and of course the insects I so adore along with some odd pieces of ephemera. I worked in one color on the background creating interest and patterns to give your eye something wonderful to rest one. What you can't see is the wonderful dark pea soup color of the ribbon tying in all the lovely greens spattered throughout the page.

Thank you for checking in and I do hope you will become a "follower" so we can once again journey into the undiscovered world we live in together! Have a very warm and sunny day!

Forward into 2013

Welcome 2013!
The word I have chosen for this year is "forward" and I love everything about it.

Forward is an adjective meaning being near or at or belonging to the front; eager, ready; brash, bold; notably advanced or developed; precocious; moving, tending or leading toward a position in front; extreme, radical; relating to, or getting ready for the future.

Impressive isn't it and it is with great artistic clarity that I welcome and embrace it as my word for 2013. What are you hoping the new year will bring to your personal and business life?

Word - Spike

The word for this week is spike.

Its noun meaning - a very large nail; any of various pointed projections.

I was totally intrigued by this version of kale in front of Olive Garden. Not only were the spikes incredible to look at but did you see the gloriously interesting veining on the green leaves. WOW is all I can say. Then there is the gradation of color from the softest rose pink center to the middle winter whites down to the deepest of the greens. Oh yeah, Mother Nature was doing some great palette work on this day!

I couldn't wait to share it with you all and I hope next time you are walking into a store, shop, restaurant or boutique, you do pay attention to the atmosphere around you. You just never know what is in store for your eyes, artistic side and most of all, your inner curiosity!

Word - Hide

The word for this week is hide.

Its verb meaning - to put or remain out of sight; to conceal for shelter or protection; to seek protection; to keep secret; to turn away in shame or anger.

Right in plain sight. You have to walk or drive past it to leave or enter the house. And, I never even saw it. This little tiny treasure the size of my hand. Hidden beneath the rich ruby leaves and sparkling red berries of the burning bush. Its enchanted discovery came only as the leaves started falling away due to the harvest season. There it was, a small work of art, just waiting to be seen by someone. I can't imagine the little hatchlings calmly awaiting their next meal or what variety of bird found just the right hiding place. Oh yes, next year I will be keeping a closer eye on this beautiful bush to see just who the inhabitants are. I will keep you posted.

Word - Peculiar

The word for this week is peculiar.

Its adjective meaning - belonging exclusively to one person or group; characteristic, distinctive; queer, odd; eccentric, singular, strange, weird.

I found this vine a couple years ago in the yard and had John place a couple near the house. It is actually called Carrion Vine because of the rank smell it is suppose to emit but thankfully we haven't been able to smell it yet. I loved it because of the peculiarity of the fruit. It gets these baseball size round balls that are made up of little blueberry shapes that turn from green to a deep blue. The qualities are just like blueberries in that they also have that dusty grey coating over each individual berry. They are always tucked in under the vibrant green leaves making it hard to see, but don't worry, I spied them from across the way. I love the way this photo pulls you into the depths of the vine making you root through the leaves until you discover the beauty within.