Halloween Sketchys!

Brian Butler
 Elizabet Chacon
 
Amelia Arce
 Sisco Perez

Here are some fun Halloween sketches I drew for Sketchy Miami.   I really had fun making these –  The Halloween theme really made me get creative.;)

SPACE gallery sketchbook tour

The Sketchbook tour continues in Portland Maine at the SPACE Gallery.   I reunited with my sketchbook and explored many other books once more.
 This book by Jade Chang in Taiwan has been traveling right next to mine while on tour.   It's beautiful!
 So. much. talent.  It almost takes my breath away how much goodness is oozing from these pages.
 Some more of my favorites were from Mette Hornung Rankin of Portland, OR and Mary Anne Lloyd  of Portland, ME.
 Yes, I was having a floppy, humidity overload, mopey hair day.
 While we were at SPACE Gallery I got a text that someone had checkout my book! (we found out later by the staff, that was a first).  Seeing other people looking at my book was exciting and a little scary for a second.  Haley and her mom both made their own book too.
 We stopped for lunch at my favorite veg restaurant Green Elephant.  We even had the same waiter and table as the last time we were there six months ago.
 Panang Curry vegetable with tempeh and Chinese Broccoli with soy fillet was our wonderful lunch. yum, yum and yum!  And a special rare treat of chocolate orange pie for dessert.
 
 Back to the gallery to see Haley and Mary Jo's sketchbooks our newest sketchbook friends.  Oh so cute!
 My favorite pages from Haley's book.  She is such a doll.
 And from Mary Jo's book...I can feel the magic from this pic.
Gotta love a mama that supports creativity!
 
 The man behind the genius software of the library and such...Shane.
Other geniuses behind the scenes that make this possible.
  
                                            So much fun.
Next up for the sketchbooks is Atlanta, GA

Rearranged

I love my new work space!
Organized printing and shipping closet

Reorganizing feels so great!   I just finished swapping our bedroom and my studio room.   It took me a week and my husband was gracious with the mess (more like temporary disaster).  I set up a closet for a much needed shipping/printing zone.  And the other closet is nice and in order with art supplies.  I'm so organized now I can find anything!  No more squeezing and squishing around looking for that thing I put somewhere.  Aaaaaaaah. Now that it's finished I have a much bigger work space that flows wonderfully and everything has it's place!   Even a HUGE table to work on, YAY! OH so happy!  And our bedroom is much more cozy and faces the forest.  Now instead of waking up to the cleaning lady vacuuming the gym and the parking lot noise, we wake up to the trees and the birds chirping with the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind. This rearrangement of rooms lead to all the other rooms getting a face lift too, art works changed, furniture rearranged.  It feels like we are living in a brand new place!   The energy of everything has shifted, everything flows better and there's an excitement in the air.   I'm ready to get started creating lots of amazing art in this new space!

After I started this project I got an email from Daily Om that was exactly about energy and the space you live/work!  It's such a great article I'm posting it here for you to read...

Home Flow How Energy Moves at Home The place we call home should be a nurturing sanctuary to house our bodies and souls. Our living spaces can become nurturing homes for our bodies and souls when we make sure that our surroundings accurately reflect who we are as individuals and who we aspire to become. No matter how positive and creative you may be in your inner world, if your home or work surroundings are contradictory or present energetic barriers, you are likely to find it difficult to manifest all that you desire. By paying attention to the flow of energy around you, you can align your inner intentions with your outer realities to make your life a conscious act of creation.

We can look to the ancient Asian art of feng shui for guidance. Since the words “feng” and “shui” mean “wind” and “water,” you may want to walk through your home and imagine the way these elements would flow through your space. You can evaluate whether or not your home is a balanced ecosystem that would allow a plant to flourish. A straight path between doorways would make nourishing elements rush right through, while a pleasantly meandering stream would instead create a flow that nurtures life. Look for signs of debris that might obstruct the flow of such a river. Clutter acts like hurdles placed in your path, blocking you from creating what you want in your life. Once the obstacles are recognized, however, they can be removed to let energy flow freely throughout your home and your life so that you can thrive.

Your home can be thought of as a symbolic metaphor for your life. A neglected space may correspond to a lack of growth in your career or personal relationships. By shifting your perception, you shift the way you direct your energy and attention, which can enable you to make the changes you need to actively create the life of your dreams. If you need some assistance, you can always turn to a feng shui practitioner, but the most important thing is that you understand what resonates with your core being in order to feel alive and nurtured by your home.

Brought to Life!

As most of you remember I did a series of illustrations that were inspired by my sister, Crystal. I mailed her one illustration a day for the week of her birthday (12 total I think). It was the most creative fun involving another person that I've had in a awhile.

To my utmost amazement...I received these beautiful, gorgeous handmade treasures. Half on my birthday and half on Christmas to complete the set, from my sis. They have really made these illustrations come to life!

How absolutely adorable are these!? I love them and the excitement and sweetness put into making them. They have a home right by my desk so I see and am inspired by them every day.

Thank you Crystal!