Happy Valentine's Day + PPF

moleskine, watercolor, pencil, digital paint, vintage french text bkg

"Be of love a little more careful than of anything." ~ e.e. cummings

A quick entry in my journal for everyone over at Paint Party Friday and of course YOU. Wishing you a heart-warming day tomorrow, I hope you celebrate L-O-V-E with: a special someone, your family and/or friends.....

Happy ♥ Day! xo

IF 'forward' and Paint Party Friday

A gift from me to you for your personal use: a desktop calendar page.
Click to enlarge, download + enjoy :)

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"If we really think that home is elsewhere and that this life is a 'wandering to find home,' why should we not look forward to the arrival?” - C.S. Lewis

For Illustration Friday's word this week 'forward' and also for everyone over at PPF! My journal page depicts pretty much the colors I viewed outside my studio window today: blue sky, winter-barren trees and not a smidge of snow to be found even though we had a white Christmas - on a side note I changed the color of the grass, it's more 'beige' than green right now.....

Wasn't sure what I'd do for 'forward' but realized I've quite a few things coming up in February & March that I'm looking 'forward' to. One in particular is a special project I'll be working on all month long in February (hint: it's similar to one I did 4 yrs ago for leap year). I also signed up for a watercolor & pastel workshop at our local museum and just over the past weekend, an online journaling class with the talented Ms. Judy Wise - whew, I'll be busy!

What are you looking 'forward' to right now? How about that extra day in February, why not plan an artist's date for yourself? If you can, set up a whole day of creating in your studio - lock the door & tell your family to order a pizza for dinner :>

I hope I've inspired you to do something special to spark your creativity and maybe even stretch your artistic muscles a bit. Don't forget to check back for the start of my project later this week, btw I may just have a giveaway or two planned, xo

Year of the Dragon + Paint Party Friday

It's now officially Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese calendar. I hope you donned your [red] party dress today and had a good time! Do you know what your sign is according to this calendar? Find out here....

Anyhow, if you started the Chinese New Year right you did not try to tempt fate and abided by these age-old Chinese superstitions illustrated below:


12x12 journal, watercolor, pitt pen on bristol

All kidding aside, everyone who knows me also knows that I do love me some superstitions - so don't mind me, it's all in fun right - or is it? :)

Have an inspired week lovelies, xo

Illustration Fri. & Paint Party Fri.

5x8 moleskine: watercolor, pen

My offering for IF's word prompt this week 'grounded' and also for Paint Party Friday -first time submitting over there for me.

Yoga has been on my mind as we started this new year. It's not because I'm one for making resolutions, I like to think of them more as personal goals - and one of them is to dust off my yoga mat and get 'grounded' by practicing it consistently this year. I stopped and started it more than a few times last year, so gonna give it my best shot to stick with it in 2012 (as well as getting more illos & paintings done!)

One of the aspects of yoga that I connect with most is the concept that what happens on the mat is much like training for life. Yoga poses ask your body to find strength, balance, and flexibility all at once - a lot of situations in life also ask for a combination of these qualities. By practicing yoga we're able to approach life with a calmer, more grounded, outlook....

A bit of info I discovered on yoga 'grounding':

Grounding allows Expansion

By simply grounding down, our ability to expand is increased. When we stretch in yoga we get a sense of liberation. Without the fundamental feeling of being grounded, none of the other qualities of the heart can unfold. The qualities of the pose – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual – flow from the foundation. By focusing on the foundation we feel safer, stable, and trusting. When we feel secure we can expand.

I hope I've inspired you to give it a try....namaste.