It is really snowy, gray, and just blah outside right at this moment. Winter really brings me down. Which is probably why I tend to be drawn to reds and oranges this time of year. The warm colors that remind me of fire, and just seem to pop off the screen. Although spending some time inside the Garfield Park Conservatory in winter is the best way to take a free vacation to the tropics. I warmed up there the other day, I was exhausted yet all the plants and oxygen coming from them just woke me up and made me feel so much better. Something that is really easy to miss when nothing is really alive outside.

I feel like I am lagging behind here lately. Trying to get a ton done before the holidays and end of the year! Hoping to also have a new website design going up too. So been extra busy around here… there are also some surprises coming soon, been in the studio working on a handmade gift for a holiday party. Finally finished it tonight and will be able to post photos after the weekend! So excited about it!

Until next time…

Did this for the self portrait challenge over at shutter sisters.
I feel lighter today like something lifted out of my subconscious, not sure yet what that is or how it will affect me in the coming days, but I feel like the fog has cleared up a little today.

Just hoping that we find out tonight that change is going to happen.

Not much else to say here, trying to be quiet, let the words come to me…

I realized just now as I went through all my old photos that I have never taken a picture of what my studio looks like. I guess it could be that there wasn’t much of a studio to speak of, it was a table and a shelf in the corner of my basement. Today I spent the entire day rearranging and junking and organizing my space so that I now actually have a space. Not just a corner, but what feels like a room. It is still not as big as what I dream of having one day, and it is in the basement which really limits the amount of natural lighting seeing as there are no windows. So with that I present to you my new studio space… wheee!

After looking at these photos I realize that I have very busy studio visually! Good thing it doesn’t cause nausea in person.

Two years ago we planted a tree in the backyard, a pear tree actually so we can have fresh pears. (one day) It has been fun to see how it has changed so much in just two short years.

Here is a photo from when it was just planted…

You can just barely see it there, it is like a twig stuck in the ground. Over the years though it has gotten tougher and bigger, and fuller with more leaves.

This is the tree today…

It doesn’t blend so much in the background. We also planted a Maple Tree out front last fall, it is still a little twig, but getting stronger everyday. Will probably wait until next year to compare its growth.

Planting trees is so much fun for me, I love gardening but trees are just big substantial plants that can still be standing in fifty years. I really hope at least one of these two trees makes it for a good couple of decades before either new owners cut them down or some act of nature takes them. It is fun to see trees grow from just tiny little twig like trunks to massive ones that you can’t even get your arms around.

Trees are fun, you should go plant one and have some fun too!

So last year my Dad and I threw a surprise party for my Mom’s 60th birthday. I created the invites, and did most of the planning.  So this year my Mom and I did the same for my Dad. The party was two weekends ago, and I thought about posting the invites here on my blog. But since my Dad actually checks my website occasionally I couldn’t take a chance. So the party went off without a hitch and we caught him off guard. This will probably be one of the last suprise parties I throw for awhile, since they are so tough to plan. I am also the worst with keeping secrets.So here is a picture of the cake and the invite.

I love when other artists give glimpses inside their studio. So here is a glimpse into mine. I have taken photos of my studio before. This is just some shots taken when I was in the middle of working on some pieces so it isn’t all clean and organized. This is usually how it looks on a typical day. It is currently a corner of the basement, (oh how I can not wait for the day I have a studio with a window! And more room)

These are some paints I have lined up, and my smaller brushes used for acrylic work.

My water jar, not usually clean, it takes on the favorite color of the day!

Paper, frames, and clock.

Basket of paints, that holds most of my acrylics. Oils are hidden away at the moment. My mediums are to the right of the basket, and then just misc. supplies up front there.

And here is a sneak peek of a series I am working on at the moment. These will be done soon.

I have been truly trying to capture and trap all those horrible feelings that have just been invading my territory lately. Had one of the worst days ever on Sunday, and took me most of Monday and Tuesday to crawl out of that mental state I was in. It’s scary getting trapped inside one emotion especially when it is one like frustration or sadness. Hard to explain, and not really sure where this post is going. I have been reminding myself of so many things lately like to just be grateful for the here and now, and all the support I have of my friends and family. I want to live in the now but at times I find it difficult when I know that there are big changes on the horizon. Some good, some not so good… So it is a daily struggle to find balance and keep myself from tipping to far one way or the other on the emotional scale. Some days I’m more successful than others.

That is how it looks outside right now. Pretty blah huh? Just shades of gray. These types of days are so colorless, it definitely takes a lot to get those creative juices flowing. I really have been aching for spring and summer, and all the pretty colors they bring. The one thing that winter brings that I do appreciate though is quiet. Since it is so cold out people aren’t out with their radios, and lawn mowers, and the snow deadens the sound it creates this silence that really can’t be replicated. Will be back later with some colorful things to show off…

It’s snowing again…not that there is THAT much snow on the ground but if it is snowing then it is cloudy. Cloudy days just totally bum me out and just tend to make me less productive. Although I feel pretty crappy today and it is nice when the weather matches how you feel. I guess at least i’m not feeling miserable and it is NOT a beautiful sunny and 70 degree day out. Oh how I can not wait until spring (my all time favorite season). Maybe I will paint myself a garden tonight as I can not enjoy my real one at the moment.