Mood Board - Childhood

The fabric and my love of game pieces is the inspiration behind this interesting mood board. Did you happen to see the little people in the dark fabric? Oh yeah, how darn fun is that!! I also couldn't resist the fabric of the spinning tops either. It just makes me happy remembering all the countless hours of seeing whose spinning top would outlast whose. The little ephemera pieces are included because I loved the library, games with the neighbors and going to school. Who knew I would collect these things as I grew older, not me for sure. The ticket is there as a reminder to go and experience things outside your area like the circus, the city, the museum or the park. They are all part of the adventure and memories of childhood for me.

Art Play Date Giveaway

Come PLAY - Art Play Date is giving away 5 class spots!
This 25 week online e-course features 24 of the leading teachers in the decorative painting market and a lot of mixed media creativity and inspiration for just $99. You will receive 27 pre-recorded video lessons delivered right to your home. It fast, easy and you can watch them any time and as many times as you like until April 1, 2015. So, what are you waiting for? Visit www.artplaydate.com for more information and to see the list of incredible teachers.

Here's your chance to WIN a free spot. You have this week, March 17-21, to go visit the teachers facebook pages, their blogs even their twitter accounts to participate in this great giveaway. Leave one comment per site and increase your odds of winning! If you have already purchased the e-course, you will be fully refunded.

So, want to PLAY ? Answer my question in the comments section below.
When was the last time you had an Art Play Date?

Art Play Date

Art Play Date features 24 teachers, 25 lessons (me, twice) and one great price of $99. This online e-course combines decorative painting and mixed media bringing you an adventure into unlimited creativity and inspiration. The event starts May 5 and runs through October 20. You then have an additional 5 months to watch and rewatch the pre-recorded videos as much as you like.

Now, about this little bit of cuteness smiling at you. She is part of the March Bonus Lesson. You must sign up before Wednesday at midnight in order to get the class and well, I didn't want you to miss it. To find out more and to view the lesson schedule go to www.artplaydate.com

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

Mood Board - Winter Hearts

I live in the Midwest and we have been getting extreme weather - freezing cold, huge amounts of snow and a lot of reasons not to go outside. So, I wanted to share a little bit of warmth, coziness and love to my blogging friends. From my house to yours, stay warm, snuggle in and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows of course!

Mood Board - Tops

I just love tops. I remember playing with them as a child, spinning them until my fingers hurt. We would have contests to see whose would spin the longest or the wildest depending on our mood at the moment. The brightly colored ones were the best because as they spun the colors would create beautiful bands of vibrant hues. When I stumbled across this fabric, I couldn't resist all the lovely images in various positions of spinning. Can you feel the excitement captured in the moment? I know I can because it brings back such happy memories of childhood.

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!

Mood Board Thursdays

I have been wanting to do a weekly inspiration/mood board to share what I love, collect and find excitement in with all of you. I also did it to post my own photos on Pinterest and keep my creativity stirred as well. This grouping was all about texture. I started with the background rattan, the natural ribbon and the cabbage flower. The rest came together easily because I wanted it to be about nature and the things I collect. The butterfly box is actually matches but of course I bought it for the graphic. How could I resist after all? It is a butterfly. I had to group the leaves to the right because I wanted to add a bit of color and shininess there. The square piece is fabric that I bought for its color but also the movement of the pattern. Designing it was so much fun and I can't wait to share 52 weeks with you!

Feel free to post to your own Pinterest boards, I would love it if you did! You can come visit me there at http://www.pinterest.com/kelh2/, happy pinning!

Dreaming BIG in 2014!

2014 is here and I am going to dream BIG this year in many ways. I have chosen "freedom" as my word representation and couldn't be more excited! I want to play in the studio more and worry less about perfect art. I want to just enjoy the moment of today instead of always worrying about what is next on the list. I want to take more photographs, I missed being with nature capturing a delicate moment or two. I will read more, it enriches my soul and sends me to faraway places. I want to grow and expand this year heading into new markets and not letting resistance stand in my way. I want to reach beyond what I think I am capable and embrace any possibility that arises. And this year, I want to visit the place I have been dreaming of since I was in 8th grade, the magical world of Paris. As you can see, dreaming BIG in 2014 is exactly what I am doing. How are your dreams shaping up for the New Year?

Welcome 2014!

I cannot believe how quickly 2013 went. I mean, where did the time go?
I remember my parents saying that you should appreciate childhood while you can because when you get older, time just passes you by. I now know they were not kidding. So my wish for all of us in 2014 is to enjoy life a little more. Let's get creative, laugh everyday and share your love whenever possible. It is going to be a glorious year, can you feel it? I know
I am ready, willing and able to start this new year. Let's make it a magical one - Happy New Year!

Join Me for 52 Cards

This year I will do art as a fun, play thing to do. 52 weeks, 52 cards. I have picked the size and will be using flash cards as the surface of choice. I can hardly wait. there will be a weekly word. How you choose to render it is totally up to you. Just the word, calligraphy, artistically, your choice! the fun part is you get to do what you want and each week can be different. How exciting right? Well, if you would like to join my free facebook group "art aMUSEment" and get in on the play time i would love to have you there, here's the link  https://www.facebook.com/groups/409056572490404/

Join me Today for Life Book 2014

Life Book 2014 is now open for registration. I am so excited to be a part of this artistic journey once again and can't believe the incredible line up gathered for a year of creative adventure, it is truly amazing! The piece shown was my favorite lesson from 2013 and what I have planned for January and December 2014 is just as fun and a great learning experience. Life Book includes 23 teachers and 52 weeks of creative inspiration brought to you weekly. Really, where can you get that for such an incredible price of $109? Did I forget to tell you that each lesson is also downloadable and yours to keep too.

Since it begins on January 1st, this is a great time to register and start collecting supplies. Your favorite mixed media paper (watercolor, bristol, mixed media) in a 9x12 size. Tam shows you how to turn this into a lovely journal/book so you can keep all your work together for the year, really a brilliant idea to have one place for your 2014 arting I must say! Your favorite mediums - acrylics, watercolors, crayons, glues and pens, whatever you are used to using. A couple classes will call for a little extra but most encourage you to use what you have.

By using the "Life Book 2014" button on the top left of my blog, you will be linked directly to the sign up page which includes more information about the program. When you click the button through my site here, you will be helping me earn a percentage of the cost of the class. It is greatly appreciated and I wanted to say "thank you" for helping me make money at a job I love, doing art! I look forward to seeing you in class next year!

Exciting News - Life Book 2014

I was incredibly blessed to be a part of Life Book 2013 sharing three projects along the artful journey. Not only were the students art pieces remarkably beautiful, but I love how the lessons just opened the door to creativity beyond my imagination. The supportive community was another item I was impressed with. The way they shared comments, encouraged others, helped when needed - it is truly an amazing journey into your art process and I do hope you are joining us for 2014.

I am once again teaching *yes, I am pinching myself* with 21 other brilliant instructors of all mediums. I am able to give away one spot for Life Book 2014, so leave me a comment on "what winning would mean to you" and you will automatically be entered. I will be drawing the winner randomly on September 30th, good luck!!

Here are the blogs you can visit for a chance to win a free spot in Life Book 2014, good luck.
12th Sept 2013 - Tamara Laporte - www.willowing.org
13th Sept 2013 - Tascha Parkinson – www.timewithtascha.blogspot.ca
14th Sept 2013 - Lesley Riley – www.lesleyriley.com
15th Sept 2013 - Alena Hennessy - www.alenahennessy.com
16th Sept2013 - Kat McBride – www.KatCanPaint.com
17th Sept 2013 - Carla Sonheim – www.carlasonheim.com
18th Sept 2013 - Jane Davenport – www.janedavenport.com
19th Sept 2013 - Danielle Daniel – www.danielledaniel.com
20th Sept 2013 - Jennibellie – www.jennibelliestudio.blogspot.com

23rd Sept2013 - Kelly Hoernig – www.kellyhoernig.webs.com

24th Sept 2013 - Micki Wilde – www.thesecrethermit.blogspot.co.uk
25th Sept 2013 - Kate Thompson – www.fracturedangelics.blogspot.com
26th Sept 2013 - Flora Bowley – www.florabowley.com
27th Sept2013 - Anna Dabrowska – www.tworzysko.blogspot.co.uk
28th Sept 2013 - Steven Speight – www.speightoftheart.com
29th Sept 2013 - Mika Diaz – www.mikadiazmixedmedia.com
30th Sept 2013 - Serena Bridgeman – www.serenarty.com
1st Oct 2013 - Dyan Reaveley – www.dyan-reavely.blogspot.co.uk
2nd Oct 2013 - Effy Wild – www.effythewild.com
3rd Oct 2013 - Carissa Paige – www.carissapaige.com
4th Oct 2013 - Marieke Blokland – www.bloknote.nl
5th Oct 2013 - Christy Tomlinson – www.christytomlinson.com
6th Oct 2013 - Traci Bautista – www.treicdesigns.com

Heartland Art Experience 23/30

I am very honored to be one of the 7 teachers presenting great classes at the Heartland Art Experience. This is a new "experience" and I do hope you will join me for 3 days of fun, laughter and some wonderful art! I have 3 colored pencil and 2 mixed media pieces that I will be teaching while there. This one "the nest" is my absolute favorite because of that sweet little cherub sitting in the hand made nest. To check out all the classes, go to http://www.heartlandartexperience.com/Class_Planner.htm

Heading Forward 21/30

I shot this lovely bird of paradise flower while in Florida. Their exotic ways always intrigue the curious muse inside this artist. From their shape, does it not resemble a bird? To their wonderful color combination of orange and blue violet. Add the long elegant stem and you have this interesting beauty. For me today, this one is pointing to a new adventure, heading forward, not knowing the end results, just reveling in the endless possibilities of my own imagination. It is getting quite real, this next step. I am ready, let the discoveries begin...

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!

Unexpected Beauty 17/30

This little visitor was at a rest stop along the highway. I just fell in love with the colors, the texture and all the interesting elements this little guy has on its body. Knobby antennae that almost look like twigs. A thick white patch of hair in the middle of its back. The elongated addition of tiny spikes all over. The sparkle of orange in the skin pattern mixed with a lovely shade of green. And let's not forget the wonderful terra coral of its colorful head. Mother Nature was at her easel smiling when she kept adding little touches of beauty to this tiny creature. What a smile it must have been! I don't know what kind of butterfly it turns in to but I can only imagine its beauty cannot compare to the tiny treasure beforehand.

Awake and Alive! 16/30

I had forgotten about the photo I had taken at the beach in Florida. I wrote many different words and loved watching my footprints get washed away into the ocean time after time. It is a vast place, standing next to the ocean with nothing in sight but water and the horizon line. A place I feel very small but quite comfortable. The serenity I feel there is beautiful and it gives me a place to just be. I mean sit still, nurture my soul and just listen to the waves going in an out without another care in the world. Oh yeah, I am awake, on a journey, heading to a purpose - it is a glorious day - please celebrate it with me!