You Are Infinite Potential!

You are 

the infinite potential

of love, peace and joy.

~Amit Ray

This being my last Creative Quote for 2016, I wanted to end with something important.  

This piece: I used Daniel Smith watercolours, which are made from stones of the earth, which I love-  that direct connection to nature.  I also used stones I just collected at the ocean, today, as they are my infinite potential of becoming more crochet stones, which are my way of spreading love, peace and joy in the world.  Each are a little imperfect, as is this oval, which is part of their beauty.  

I hope they remind us of ourselves- 

beautifully imperfect, and full of potential 

for positive energy,calm and joy in the world.

Sending you and the world a positive and beautiful 2017!

Namaste!  

Like a star at dawn...

This is not my quote writing- I cheated,but I am also playing with using text in new ways- using newsprint, magazines, old books, etc .  This is a quote from a yoga card I bought and thought it was pretty cool how well it went with a painting I created.  Then I used yesterday's crochet stone and some little bits of nature (the tiny stones are from a beach in France that was no sand, only those!).  

This is almost the end of my 2016 challenge- it's fleeting, too!  I am so grateful to have completed it and kept the commitment!  Love to you all!

Today is your better day.

The future is no place to place your better days.

~Dave Matthews

A great reminder to revel, relish and appreciate the little things- here and now. 

This piece:  This was a busy and exciting week!  I participated in two craft fairs and sold tons of stones, jewelry, scarves and once-was-a-sweater stuffed animals.  For this reason, I returned to pens- but I am keeping to my commitment of every Monday this year! (What will I do for next year???)  Also, my lovely Daniel Smith watercolours are at school since I am lending their luminosity to my students so that their character portraits will be as magical as their creativity.  

Just like wildflowers

Like wildflowers; 

you must allow yourself to grow in all the places 

people thought you never would.

~E.V. Rogina

This quote (and painting!) has layers and I am still thinking about all it's possible meanings.  Is the word places geographical, or internal?  Might be both, which leaves quotes like these so open for interpretation and reflection!

This painting: I used an Aquaboard, which give such lovely effects with the ink.  I also used a page I had painted with Daniel Smith watercolours, which has a sheen and sparkle to it for the flower piece cutouts.  It was fun to put together and I may continue exploring this collage style.  

Enjoy your week!

"Life is a great big canvas

throw all the paint on it you can."

~Danny Kaye

I think the question here is, what's your paint?  For each of us our creativity and imagination are so personal, so we each paint our canvas so differently.  Lately my paint has literally been paint, but also this week I created stuffed animals out of old cashmere sweaters, dyed silk scarves with indigo and created new jewelry with unique stones from all over the world. I love creating and learning, so my paint is full of variety and I am still adding more to my repertoire.

This painting: I have been trying to enjoy a looser feel for some of my work and these watercolour puddles and squiggles are fun.  It is fun to play with what colours to choose and then the addition of Caran D'ache Neocolor pastels add another layer of interest.

Enjoy throwing paint around this week!

Watching for Lessons from Nature

Let nature be your teacher.

~William Wordsworth

This is so true.  It can be so helpful to come back to nature for guidance, and a lightning rod to lead you back to where you need to be.  Listen, look and be present to soak up the beauty and inspiration.  

This image: I had another piece in mind for today, but I was walking to meet my husband and the leaves and bark were all over in the blustery, beautiful weather.  This heart shaped hole was just perfect, so I went with it.  Love is everywhere, if you look for it.

Then, when I got home and went to take this photo, it began to sprinkle, adding to the natural texture of the photo!   Isn't nature just lovely?  

And nature's reminding us of life lessons every moment, so keep watching!

Enjoy your week! 

Spread Love and Kindness!

Happiness blossoms when ever one

 plants seeds of love and kindness.

~Melanie Koulouris

This week I decided that this is our most important action- to plant seeds of love and kindness EACH day and in EVERY interaction with others.  Even though I have felt this way and say, "Have a great day!" to almost everyone I cross, I think I can do better.  This week brought the challenging question of "how can we make sure to spread kindness and remind others the importance of this way of life?"

Because kindness is a way of life- and all or nothing approach.  I am trying to go all in.

This painting- I had the background for a while and loved the colours and the little silver squares I painted all over.  But then I didn't know what to do with it until this week.

Please make a point to spread more seeds of kindness. 

 We need more love and it starts with you!