The power of vulnerability | Video on TED.com

Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability | Video on TED.com

Just happened upon this video, and think it's definitely worthy of sharing.. 20 mins, if you have it.

Flutterby's

Flutterby's

When people hear that I am carrying, not my first, but my 4th baby, we are faced with responses such as "you're brave", or "you're crazy".. Neither of which, I feel I can really take credit for.

I wish I was so brave... To wake up each day, confident that this will be far greater then the last. Or to spend each moment with my kids thankful for the gift of each second passed.... But me, I am the furthest thing from brave...fearful of each moment that my kids depend on me, that I might just be the one to fail them.

These past few months have hit me hard with the reality of my role in shaping these little people, my responsibilities for them, and to them. It's a big job, and with it, admittedly, I grow afraid of getting lost. I see it when I meet people for the first time. They don't ask me what I "do" anymore, they take one look at the babies and suddenly it's all about being a mom. And it is...and I have to be okay with that for the next 15 years. But for the last 5 years, it didn't seem to matter to me...because so many years ago, I didn't even want to know who I was. But in recent years I have learned to even believe in this woman...who is now 29, and suddenly feels as though she is running out of time! Here today, and gone tomorrow, what little time we have with them....

And how do I balance? Me on the teeter, them on the totter. ...How do I meet them in the middle, without either of us taking a tumble? I don't. I hop down, and walk them over safely. Holding their hands, patient for a time that I am called to let go....

Something Different

"What was any art but a mould in which to imprison for a moment the shining elusive element which is life itself - life hurrying past us and running away, too strong to stop, too sweet to lose." ~Willa Cather

I only have a few minutes, but I wanted to pop in and feel like I was still somewhat connected to my creative self! This has been a busy, tiring week of exciting t.v. show making...but as I have spent the last few days with a film crew, I have to say that I have really grown to appreciate the creative collaboration that goes into any production, however (in)significant, it's been quite an amazing experience to watch. Very thankful for the experience, and if nothing else, to witness other creative folks work their magic. ;)

"Ugly Potholders", and "What Goes Here..?"

This summer I've been running around the house like a crazy chicken trying to organize, sort, purge, beautify...prepare the roost for yet another little one! The nesting instinct is especially strong with me this time around, as I often wonder how we are going to fit yet another body (and all of it's accessories) in our already bulging seems..!

I have had an empty curtain rod on my kitchen window for at least a year now, and have been considering, and reconsidering what exactly it is I need to put up there...trying to use fabrics from my stock pile...plain panels, roman blinds, patterned or not..? The only problem is, nothing is quite large enough so it means measuring and re-measuring, and piecing things together...arrgh. And I just don't have that kind of patience for my sewing machine right now! (I imagine I'll be back later for opinions on that one.. ;)

Soooo....through some bizarre hormonal logic, and overwhelming feelings of un-accomplishment, I needed to make pot holders instead. I call them my ugly pot holders because my intention was to make them in as few steps as possible, with as little measuring as possible (or stitch-ripping), and I certainly wasn't going to bother with the ironing board! :) I like them. The fabric is an old sweaty dress shirt of my hubby's..but I didn't use the sweaty parts, so no worries. ;)

And after 5 years of not having anything up on our bedroom walls, I also decided that it was very important that I hang up the kids' baby footprints..and this is what I came up with. I see now, they look a little crooked...

But I ask you, which looks better, the grey canvas, or the red clay piece (both the same kid, so it doesn't matter if 1 doesn't make the cut ;)? And I also ask you...what do I put in the frames??! (I have some purple, green, and black craft papers, or do I stick with the monochromatic look? Such a trivial question, I know, but you that have been pregnant will surely understand how it is so incredibly important that I get it right! Teehee.. ;) Rrelp! Thanks for your help, it's needed and appreciated!!

Where have all the mosquitoes gone?

So many dragonflies this summer...such a gift! I find myself amazed at the amount of mosquitoes I've encountered this season...the fact that I can count those experiences on 1 hand, yet my hands remain unmarked by the pesky itchy bumps!

Sometimes, I am a little too eager to write off all bugs as pests, but it only takes a dragonfly landing on my foot to remind me that without certain bugs, and sometimes a LOT of them, the situation could be much worse. As in life, I lose perspective over the little nuisances that interrupt my picnic...but lets face it, there would be no picnic if the dragonflies weren't protecting me from the blood-thirsty mosquitoes!

I hope you are enjoying your summer days, outdoors, and bug-free...or should I say, mosquito-free, dragonfly-filled!

Summer

Well, it sure has been a busy summer, and although I find myself struggling to balance my responsibilities as a wife, a mother, a mother, a mother, and a painter, I have somehow managed to finish 2 canvases, paint my kitchen cabinets, take my family to the beach, go on a date with my husband, catch a few naps, catch a few movies with some super awesome people, stay (some-what) on top of the chores, and even pull together inspiration for my next painting.... This may not sound like much, but admittedly, to me it does. ...And I couldn't have done any of it without the support of my husband, who continually goes out of his way to serve me, his fumbling wife.

Hopefully, soon I will have more paintings to post, as we are swiftly moving into August. ..Oh, where does the time go?

Girls Twirls

Glamor series (tutu, pearls, purse)
8"x10" acrylic on canvas - commissioned
Individual signed prints available @ $10 per 5"x7" image (cropped to fit), or $14 per 8"x10" image.

Framed sets available for purchase for $70 (including frame, signed matte, and 3 5x7" prints)

Boys and Their Toys

Jock series (football, hockey net, soccer ball)
8"x10" acrylic on canvas -- commissioned
Individual signed prints available @ $10 per 5x7" image (cropped to fit), and $14 per 8x10" image.

Framed set available for $70 (including frame, signed matte, and 3 5x7" images)

The perfect accent for a little sport enthusiasts room...

I've been aching to post these, as they have been in the works for quite some time, but I can finally say that they are el finito, safe in the hands of their new owners. I hope they like them... =]

(stay tuned for their female counter parts..)

Little Hobo Desk

Here is my newest addition to our already crowded living space...my new desk! But let's face it...I couldn't say no to so much FREE potential! (Found abandoned under a pile of trinkets and fake plants on the curb, during what is becoming my new favorite weekend in Wpg.. "giveaway weekend" =])

Before: You may not be able to see it, but this desk was stained red, covered with a coat of yellow, and then again brown with a faux wood grain finish.

Furniture, Paint, and Ambitions Up and Coming..

With this past weekend being curbside "giveaway" weekend we were finally able to rid ourselves of the monstrous dining table eating up my basement "studio" space.... Yet, of course, I managed to find a few new freebie projects to replace it with. (Hubby, perhaps not nearly as excited as I am.) ; ] Next to pencil on paper, I am discovering a new favorite medium--paint on wood. Furniture in particular. =]

I've decided that since my creative time will be largely dedicated to actually trying to complete these projects, I would like to also post them here! I hope that simply sharing this process with you will be the extra "oomph" I require to get the ball rolling.... Also, when the Garden Candy dream began, it started out as a vision to rejuvenate and bring to life the potential of old and forgotten gems of the past. I am hoping to get started soon...!

Free

Untitled
40"w x 16"h x 1.5"d
Acrylic on canvas

Dreams clutched tight within aching hands, stifled and suffocating under the pressure of my fingers...afraid to let go. Tired, cramped muscles weakening, I unfurl my grasp; hopes released faithfully into the unknown.... I fear. I sing praise for gifts of dreams tucked away, and joy growing with hopes possible. I fill with peace. The heavens part, the light floods - my future caught within. Peace lingering, together we wait....

Fishies

I'm still uncertain as to how I want to finish this one, but it began as a "leftover paint" canvas, using paint from other projects, and I have a few fun ideas "swimming" in my head.. teehehe. =]

So far, acrylic on canvas. 16" x 20"

The Tulips Sing

"The Tulips Sing"
2o"w x16"h x1"d
Acrylic on canvas

Mother's Love

To switch it up a bit, I want to post this fun piece I did over the weekend.  My mom is an amazing painter specializing in ceramics, and I have many memories of sitting around the dining table painting together.  I've missed that, so when I heard they were coming to stay for a few days, I requested a ceramic date. ; ]  Thanks mom.

Dance With Me

"Dance With Me"
16"w x 20"h x 1"d
Acrylic on canvas

As you look at this piece, tell me, what sentiments are evoked in you?  Please, I'd love to know. =]