By apples and orange on March 12, 2013
A couple weeks ago I participated in a yoga workshop led by my friend Kerry Burki. We did a little vision-boarding afterwards. During the conversation we talked about roles and goals. I realized that when I’m doing things for me (rather than for clients) I often leave things unfinished. So I decided (and said it Out Loud) that a goal for this year is to FINISH 10 pieces of art.
This is number 1. While it’s not finished yet, I think it’s close.
Finishing always feeds my confidence so I’m going to reach this goal.
p.s. This book was recommended as we talked about goals. Which I’m totally getting.
Posted in creativity & productivity | Tagged goals, painting, process, unplugging |
By apples and orange on February 14, 2013
Last year I participated in Flora Bowley’s Bloom True painting ecourse. It’s an amazing experience. This is a painting I completed from that class. And while it’s not the most compelling composition, I am totally in love with the layering that developed. This is 24in X 24in. At first I was intimidated by such a “large” canvas but there’s actually a freedom to working larger.
I have a couple additional canvases in varying stages of completion. I promise to share them.
If you’ve always wanted to paint, but don’t know where to begin, think about taking Flora’s course. It’s amazing. Really.
By the way, the above painting began as the one on the right, here.
Posted in creativity & productivity | Tagged color, painting, passion, unplugging |
By apples and orange on October 9, 2012
I am really enjoying this unplugged process. Here’s some layering and color added to the first step. Next up: Scale.
Posted in creativity & productivity | Tagged ideas, passion, patterns, process, surface design, unplugging |
By apples and orange on October 2, 2012
Playing with a new pattern. Next steps: layering and color.
Posted in creativity & productivity | Tagged ideas, inspiration, patterns, sketchbook |
By apples and orange on June 13, 2012
In my quest to bring more creativity into everyday life and be courageous, I signed up for Bloom True with Flora Bowley. It’s only day three and I already love it so much. The first painting exercise was to get paint on the canvases to cover the white. This was HUGE for me since I have a fear of the big white nothingness of a canvas. Plus I’ve never ever painted on anything so large (these are 24 x 24).
I will share the progress with you so you can see what these become. I have no idea and that’s thrilling and a little nerve-wracking at the same time.
By the way, I had Adele blasting while doing these exercises, very energizing.
Posted in creativity & productivity | Tagged inspiration, life, music, painting, passion, process |
By apples and orange on June 6, 2012
Last month at Spark Retreat I gave a workshop on block printing as a way of creative play. I believe we’re all creative and to be able to let loose and create for the sake of it makes room for consistent, productive creativity.
Block printing is a great way to do this because it requires little investment to get started, doesn’t take up much space and gives you instant gratification. We can all use more instant gratification, yes?
I enjoyed giving the workshop so much and loved seeing all the great stuff everyone created. So much so that in I’m giving another workshop at the Pomegranate Café here in Phoenix.
It’s going to be so much fun! If you’re in the Phoenix area I hope you’ll join us, get in touch with me or contact the café for details!
Posted in creativity & productivity | Tagged printmaking, unplugging, workshops |
By apples and orange on May 11, 2012
I’m back from the Spark Retreat that I co-founded with Tania of manusmade.
I can’t believe it has come and gone. It has been, and continues to be, a labor of love. And even though it’s now in the past I can say that I have some beautiful new friends.
It was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life. Truly.
I actually FEEL different.
In a nutshell:
- I am so excited to have had the pleasure and privilege of hanging out with the most beautiful women: Tania, Dyana, Alex, Jessika, Jenelle, Amy, Shiopei, Lori-Ann, Gail, Sara, Marlene and Cassie, Trish, and Karen (my mom!).
- I haven’t laughed so hard in a very long time. You know, the kind of laughing that makes you cry? The kind that leaves you with a little bit of a headache? Yeah, that.
- There were many tears. Real. Cathartic. Tears. The best kind possible. And with them came revelations for many, including me.
- I gave my first workshop. And I loved it.
- I performed improv. Seriously, it was terrifying. I made people laugh. It felt amazing. I lived to tell the story. (Which is a lot coming from this painfully shy person accustomed to paralyzing stage fright.)
- I was shoved out of my comfort zone in so many ways that the boundaries are blurry now. I told everyone they shoved me with love. But blurry boundaries are good.
- I have new friends. On the level of sisterhood.
- I realize I need collaboration and teamwork, on a big level. I believe in collective intelligence and I know I’m at my best when working with others. Not just working for others, but with them.
I came to some serious and seriously juicy realizations. I can feel that it’s time for my path to shift. I have a desire for community that is deeper and stronger than I realized. The retreat was only the first step towards creating the community that I long for. What form this will take from here on out has yet to reveal itself, but I am so drawn to it it’s all I’ve been thinking about.
I am ready to shed the things/thoughts/activities/shoulds that don’t serve me. That don’t light me up. I am ready to be real and do this.
I’m all lit up and Sparkly!
I feel ready to rock it.
And I don’t even know what “It” is yet!
Oh yeah! And while working with Alex, I wrote a spontaneous poem:
Community
Teacher, student
Student, teacher
We all learn what we need to
Eventually
With a rhythm that is only ours
So there. For better or worse, there is my poem.
Thank you all for being here, reading, sharing my journey. Thank you to all my new sister-friends. You have each given me a gift that no words can express.
And one way or another, this retreat will be happening again next year. If you want in on it, hop onto the mailing list to be in-the-know.
Love and hugs.
Posted in creativity & productivity | Tagged dreams, goals, life, passion, Spark, success |
By apples and orange on February 22, 2012
“Orange is red brought nearer to humanity by yellow.” — Wassily Kandinsky
Composition VII, 1913
Posted in inspiration & mood boards | Tagged color, design, inspiration, painting, passion |
By apples and orange on January 19, 2012
It happened during the holidays and I neglected to mention that I was interviewed by the wonderful Megan at Create Hype.
I talk about my business and brand, customer service, and offer a little advice. Go check it out here.
Have you heard about Spark? Register today!
Posted in business & goals | Tagged custom work, graphic design, passion, printmaking, services, success |
By apples and orange on December 22, 2011
When a special event is coming up a great way to mark the occasion is with a custom screenprinted invitation. Whether it’s a wedding, a milestone birthday (aren’t they all?) or an anniversary party, sending a custom, handmade invitation can make it a special keepsake for the invitees. You could even combine the invite with a special object like a vintage handkerchief as a wedding invitation, a mini-notebook for a birthday party, or a special ornament for an anniversary or holiday party. It’s something your guests can keep and use and be reminded of the memory every time they pick it up.
If you or someone you know is planning an event, get in touch. I would love to help make the event even more special!
Posted in printmaking & design | Tagged custom work, design, graphic design, printmaking, services |
