- Published on
"A Little Bird Told Me" mixed media on canvas paper, 9" x 12". Available on Artfinder.
Fifteen days until Christmas. This year, that also means 15 days until Hanukkah. For the first time in a decade, I am not finished with gifts and wrapping. Normally this would send me into a frenzy of fretting, but right now it feels more like a zany adventure!
The universe continues to play games with me, however the 2 x 4 against the head game has turned into a gentle game of tag, with surprises around every corner. Including stumbling upon the perfect gifts. (No, I am not telling you what they are, no matter how many times you ask. Shhhhh! Secret!)
Sometimes these moments just make me stop and smile. Like yesterday, when I needed a FedX drop off place and Siri told me there was only one nearby, about 5 miles in the wrong direction. So I went on to do other things and made a wrong turn. Just as I was about to say bad words to myself, I noticed a FedX store directly in front of me. I had to laugh. Thanks, universe!
Fifteen days until Christmas. This year, that also means 15 days until Hanukkah. For the first time in a decade, I am not finished with gifts and wrapping. Normally this would send me into a frenzy of fretting, but right now it feels more like a zany adventure!
The universe continues to play games with me, however the 2 x 4 against the head game has turned into a gentle game of tag, with surprises around every corner. Including stumbling upon the perfect gifts. (No, I am not telling you what they are, no matter how many times you ask. Shhhhh! Secret!)
Sometimes these moments just make me stop and smile. Like yesterday, when I needed a FedX drop off place and Siri told me there was only one nearby, about 5 miles in the wrong direction. So I went on to do other things and made a wrong turn. Just as I was about to say bad words to myself, I noticed a FedX store directly in front of me. I had to laugh. Thanks, universe!
It seems that when I let go of outcomes and truly just go with the flow, life is a lot less stressful.
Now this seems counterintuitive, right? Planning ahead, scheduling and organizing are there to make things go smoothly. And mostly, this is true and quite reliable. However things inevitably don't go according to plan now and then (or every day for a week) and that is exactly when letting go is the right strategy. Things just fall into place, exactly how they are supposed to be, which isn't always the way we planned them.
It used to be I got great satisfaction from things going according to plan. But anymore, I am delighted by things going their own way, often against my plans, because it is much more fun and sometimes magical! So it seems you can teach an old gal new tricks after all. :)
Now this seems counterintuitive, right? Planning ahead, scheduling and organizing are there to make things go smoothly. And mostly, this is true and quite reliable. However things inevitably don't go according to plan now and then (or every day for a week) and that is exactly when letting go is the right strategy. Things just fall into place, exactly how they are supposed to be, which isn't always the way we planned them.
It used to be I got great satisfaction from things going according to plan. But anymore, I am delighted by things going their own way, often against my plans, because it is much more fun and sometimes magical! So it seems you can teach an old gal new tricks after all. :)
- Published on
"Mimi Grows Wings" mixed media on canvas paper, 9" x 12". Available on Artfinder.
Good golly. This week the universe has smacked me upside the head and been quite bossy. I mean seriously, now, I kind of half put a question out into the cosmos, asking what to do about a couple of situations, and KABAAAAM! The answer was there. And the universal finger was pointed at me.
Now somehow I knew this was going to be the answer. And deep down, I am ok with that. I've fallen into a couple of negative patterns of thinking which even the fabulous neural retraining program hasn't yet touched. And I think they are causing me a heap load of discomfort.
So someone asked me to ask myself, what am I afraid of? Easy peasy, right?
But when I asked myself, the list was looooooong. I am afraid of death, pain, being old and alone, failing, zombies, ax murderers, clowns, balloons, being poor, death of loved ones, losing my mind, being hit by cars, being bitten by (insert all animals here - dogs, alligators, lions, snapping turtles, snakes, rats...), tripping while wearing heels, forgetting a speech, messing up a class, embarrassment, being lost, being boring, needles (oh yeah, I faint when someone removes a splinter for pete's sake), betrayal, confrontation, conflict, war, palmetto bugs, heights and losing love, for starters.
Now for sure some of these fears are long shots. I don't stress out about potential lion bites every day of the week. Clearly though, fear is a major part of the human condition, and I am no exception. But fear is nearly always a state of anticipating something that hasn't even happened. Living in a hypothetical future. Not being present. And fear can become a rut or a pattern we fall into and have trouble getting out of. And the first step in getting out of a rut is being aware that you are in one. :)
With that in mind, I will march out into the world today, determined to find a new groove. And perhaps tame a lion or two along the way.
Now for sure some of these fears are long shots. I don't stress out about potential lion bites every day of the week. Clearly though, fear is a major part of the human condition, and I am no exception. But fear is nearly always a state of anticipating something that hasn't even happened. Living in a hypothetical future. Not being present. And fear can become a rut or a pattern we fall into and have trouble getting out of. And the first step in getting out of a rut is being aware that you are in one. :)
With that in mind, I will march out into the world today, determined to find a new groove. And perhaps tame a lion or two along the way.
- Published on
"Stargazer" and "Fly Me to the Moon" - mixed media on canvas paper, each 9" x 11". Available on Artfinder.
Recently I've been drawn to blue. Blue titles (Blue Wild collaborative book and "Blue Wild" art show) along with the color blue in my house (I've pulled out all the blue-themed paintings and curated them in each room), blue paint (all the blues on the top of my paint bin because I grab them first) blue jeans (because it is finally cooler in Florida) blue dishes (from New York Mart, my favorite local asian food/housewares store) and more and more blue.
Why is it our eyes and senses can become highly attuned to one thing to the exclusion of all others? I can see all the subtlety in shades of blue right now. And all other colors look too simple. I can see how blue marries green on one side and purple on the other. And I don't want to stray too far from there.
Recently I've been drawn to blue. Blue titles (Blue Wild collaborative book and "Blue Wild" art show) along with the color blue in my house (I've pulled out all the blue-themed paintings and curated them in each room), blue paint (all the blues on the top of my paint bin because I grab them first) blue jeans (because it is finally cooler in Florida) blue dishes (from New York Mart, my favorite local asian food/housewares store) and more and more blue.
Why is it our eyes and senses can become highly attuned to one thing to the exclusion of all others? I can see all the subtlety in shades of blue right now. And all other colors look too simple. I can see how blue marries green on one side and purple on the other. And I don't want to stray too far from there.
I know this will pass...like my love affair with red and pink last year, and my wardrobe obsession with black a few years before that. But right now, blue is a fabulous place to play.
Blue can be a mood. To me, blue is often a serene mood - introspective and calm, curious and contemplative. A day under blue skies by the blue-green waters of the ocean. But blue can also be wild and untamed - the same waters stirred before a storm; the blue-gray of tempestuous skies.
I met a man in a blue wild mood in a parking lot yesterday. Glassy-eyed and wirey, holding a bottle in a paper bag. And from this man emerged the most beautiful poetry, recited with inflection and enunciation and passion - wild and wonderful and completely unexpected. A little blue gem to tuck into a joy pocket. :)
Join me this evening from 6-8 pm at ArtServe for the opening of Blue Wild. Show runs through December 29.
Blue can be a mood. To me, blue is often a serene mood - introspective and calm, curious and contemplative. A day under blue skies by the blue-green waters of the ocean. But blue can also be wild and untamed - the same waters stirred before a storm; the blue-gray of tempestuous skies.
I met a man in a blue wild mood in a parking lot yesterday. Glassy-eyed and wirey, holding a bottle in a paper bag. And from this man emerged the most beautiful poetry, recited with inflection and enunciation and passion - wild and wonderful and completely unexpected. A little blue gem to tuck into a joy pocket. :)
Join me this evening from 6-8 pm at ArtServe for the opening of Blue Wild. Show runs through December 29.
- Published on
"Beloved Body, Sacred Animal" - mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas, 16" x 40" x 1.5". Ready to hang,
Counting down until Friday night, the opening reception for Blue Wild, a solo show featuring art and a book signing - and where am I? In the studio, painting.
I should be printing labels, buying wine and confirming all the last minute items. I might want to figure out what I'm wearing. Some might say I should sending out e-blasts and tweeting multiple times a day. But no, I am painting.
This piece, a paint over (remember Ivan, Stilted?) called to me in my dreams. It's a big piece for me, but this forest spirit wanted to be painted and who am I to refuse the muse? It all started with an article I read about being sensitive and loving our bodies.
And ok yes, I've read and heard that bit of wisdom before. But this particular piece described our bodies as a sacred animal, sent to serve us for our entire lives. As a sacred animal, it deserves a bit of awe, reverence and respect. I thought immediately of all the wisdom, spiritual connection and energy I feel from totem and spirit animals. Think of how you feel when you see a moose, a bear, a whale...that sense of hush and pause and wonder. That - that I believe is what the writer intended us to feel when thinking of our beloved bodies. And I hadn't thought of it that way before.
If I think of my body as a sacred animal....it changes everything. Imagining myself as a mystical horned creature in the deep woods of the pacific northwest, and I feel wise and strong and calm. I want to adorn my antlers with beads and feathers, paint symbols on my chest and run wild through thundering waterfalls and between towering trees. I hear the drums calling me.
Oh, and the phone. The painting done, I take one last look at the forest behind me and plunge into my to-do list.
Counting down until Friday night, the opening reception for Blue Wild, a solo show featuring art and a book signing - and where am I? In the studio, painting.
I should be printing labels, buying wine and confirming all the last minute items. I might want to figure out what I'm wearing. Some might say I should sending out e-blasts and tweeting multiple times a day. But no, I am painting.
This piece, a paint over (remember Ivan, Stilted?) called to me in my dreams. It's a big piece for me, but this forest spirit wanted to be painted and who am I to refuse the muse? It all started with an article I read about being sensitive and loving our bodies.
And ok yes, I've read and heard that bit of wisdom before. But this particular piece described our bodies as a sacred animal, sent to serve us for our entire lives. As a sacred animal, it deserves a bit of awe, reverence and respect. I thought immediately of all the wisdom, spiritual connection and energy I feel from totem and spirit animals. Think of how you feel when you see a moose, a bear, a whale...that sense of hush and pause and wonder. That - that I believe is what the writer intended us to feel when thinking of our beloved bodies. And I hadn't thought of it that way before.
If I think of my body as a sacred animal....it changes everything. Imagining myself as a mystical horned creature in the deep woods of the pacific northwest, and I feel wise and strong and calm. I want to adorn my antlers with beads and feathers, paint symbols on my chest and run wild through thundering waterfalls and between towering trees. I hear the drums calling me.
Oh, and the phone. The painting done, I take one last look at the forest behind me and plunge into my to-do list.
Blue Wild runs December 2 through December 29 at ArtServe. Opening reception and book signing on December 2 from 6-8 pm. Formal dress and antlers not required.
- Published on
"Queen of Smarts" - mixed media on reclaimed wood, 6" x 18". Ready to hang. Click here to purchase this piece on Artfinder.
I am sitting on the lanai this morning watching moorhens and muscovy ducks foraging across the back lawn like an awkward herd of cattle. It isn't yet cold enough for sleeves or socks - it is the magical time of year when living in south Florida feels like a tropical vacation. This moment is going into a joy pocket.
So what's a joy pocket? Memories of halcyon moments I can go back to and recapture each sensory aspect of, a little mental vacation spot if you will. The perfect tool for rewiring my brain to seek joy instead of mulling over the little (and big) calamities of life.
I am sitting on the lanai this morning watching moorhens and muscovy ducks foraging across the back lawn like an awkward herd of cattle. It isn't yet cold enough for sleeves or socks - it is the magical time of year when living in south Florida feels like a tropical vacation. This moment is going into a joy pocket.
So what's a joy pocket? Memories of halcyon moments I can go back to and recapture each sensory aspect of, a little mental vacation spot if you will. The perfect tool for rewiring my brain to seek joy instead of mulling over the little (and big) calamities of life.
In another act of synchronicity in the universe, my "Joy Pockets" are part of a new online visual journaling series which debuts today! Hmmm, now I need a joy pocket for my joy pockets....:)
The series is the brainchild of Susan Nicolai, my art godmother and the technology genius behind EyeSusan. For those who are new to visual journaling, it is a fantastic tool for experimenting with techniques, themes and prompts without the pressure of a BIG, BLANK CANVAS! And for those who cherish their visual journals as a repository of aha moments and inner wisdom (with a healthy dose of goofy theatrics thrown in), this series will provide fodder for an entire journal of healing.
Twenty artists (including my own mentor, Caroline C. Brown!!) with twenty different perspectives on visual journaling around the theme of healing , and thirty days of content. Maybe thirty journal pages in thirty days come January?
Click on the photo below to explore "Art to Heal Your Soul"...and I'd love to hear what you think of this project!
The series is the brainchild of Susan Nicolai, my art godmother and the technology genius behind EyeSusan. For those who are new to visual journaling, it is a fantastic tool for experimenting with techniques, themes and prompts without the pressure of a BIG, BLANK CANVAS! And for those who cherish their visual journals as a repository of aha moments and inner wisdom (with a healthy dose of goofy theatrics thrown in), this series will provide fodder for an entire journal of healing.
Twenty artists (including my own mentor, Caroline C. Brown!!) with twenty different perspectives on visual journaling around the theme of healing , and thirty days of content. Maybe thirty journal pages in thirty days come January?
Click on the photo below to explore "Art to Heal Your Soul"...and I'd love to hear what you think of this project!
- Published on
"Theodora, Thankful" - mixed media on reclaimed wood, 6" x 18". Ready to hang. Click here to purchase this piece on Artfinder.
Yesterday, my attitude of gratitude appeared - just in time for Thanksgiving.
Now I am naturally pretty grateful most of the time, but there have been goo-gobs of challenges in recent days which left me on the down end of the teeter-totter and wondering if I would feel like counting my blessings by turkey day. In the true humorous and quirky style of the universe, the very things which frustrated me have led me to feel grateful. What the heck?
Yes, indeed. For example, a recent snafu with a supplier of mine, which had caused an incredible amount of stress, missed deadlines, worry and a bit of pissed-offedness (is that a word?) and basically caused me to throw up my hands and say I SURRENDER, turned completely around when they not only fixed the problem, but went above and beyond to make it right, apologize and, in the end, made me feel very thankful to have kept them on instead of cutting ties. Hmmmm....frustration + surrender = gratitude.
A few mechanical failures at home and a sloppy roof cleaner caused a number of our favorite plants to be stressed and half dead. A saddened me mourned the certain loss of formerly verdant friends who gave me such joy in viewing them. Again, I threw up my hands. I marched out with the garden hose, hand watering day by day, dragging the hose like a ball and chain. Will the plants live? I have no idea. But I began to enjoy the daily ritual of hand watering in the early morning breeze so much that it became another source of gratitude. What? Same math, same result.
Now I am not the fastest learner on the planet. There is a pile of 2 by 4's which have bonked me in the head which is proof of this point. But I think I am starting to get this lesson. Each "calamity" has turned into a wellspring of wonder and even joy. So I will be the one yelling "I SURRENDER" as soon as the first inkling of frustration appears. I will then sit myself down and wait like a six-year-old on Christmas Eve for the certain gifts which will appear shortly thereafter, goofy grin on my face and a look of excitement in my eyes.
If you want to join me, I am willing to share this plate of burnt cookies and half gallon of spoiled coconut milk with you. :)
Yesterday, my attitude of gratitude appeared - just in time for Thanksgiving.
Now I am naturally pretty grateful most of the time, but there have been goo-gobs of challenges in recent days which left me on the down end of the teeter-totter and wondering if I would feel like counting my blessings by turkey day. In the true humorous and quirky style of the universe, the very things which frustrated me have led me to feel grateful. What the heck?
Yes, indeed. For example, a recent snafu with a supplier of mine, which had caused an incredible amount of stress, missed deadlines, worry and a bit of pissed-offedness (is that a word?) and basically caused me to throw up my hands and say I SURRENDER, turned completely around when they not only fixed the problem, but went above and beyond to make it right, apologize and, in the end, made me feel very thankful to have kept them on instead of cutting ties. Hmmmm....frustration + surrender = gratitude.
A few mechanical failures at home and a sloppy roof cleaner caused a number of our favorite plants to be stressed and half dead. A saddened me mourned the certain loss of formerly verdant friends who gave me such joy in viewing them. Again, I threw up my hands. I marched out with the garden hose, hand watering day by day, dragging the hose like a ball and chain. Will the plants live? I have no idea. But I began to enjoy the daily ritual of hand watering in the early morning breeze so much that it became another source of gratitude. What? Same math, same result.
Now I am not the fastest learner on the planet. There is a pile of 2 by 4's which have bonked me in the head which is proof of this point. But I think I am starting to get this lesson. Each "calamity" has turned into a wellspring of wonder and even joy. So I will be the one yelling "I SURRENDER" as soon as the first inkling of frustration appears. I will then sit myself down and wait like a six-year-old on Christmas Eve for the certain gifts which will appear shortly thereafter, goofy grin on my face and a look of excitement in my eyes.
If you want to join me, I am willing to share this plate of burnt cookies and half gallon of spoiled coconut milk with you. :)
- Published on
"Starry Night" - mixed media on cradled board, 12" x 12". Ready to hang. Click here to purchase this piece on Artfinder.
Supermoon week and our eyes are turned toward the sky (ok, and toward Facebook where folks have posted the most amazing moon pics). There is something about the energy of this moon, which is in Taurus, which is comforting and grounding. Big changes may be coming, but our practical side will take charge and see us through, even if things feel a little emotional along the way.
This week I found myself thinking over what a wild ride 2016 has been, even as we rocket into the holidays at lightning speed. And for some reason, my heart is drawn again and again to the "Catch a Falling Star" piece which is in her forever home in across the pond.
Supermoon week and our eyes are turned toward the sky (ok, and toward Facebook where folks have posted the most amazing moon pics). There is something about the energy of this moon, which is in Taurus, which is comforting and grounding. Big changes may be coming, but our practical side will take charge and see us through, even if things feel a little emotional along the way.
This week I found myself thinking over what a wild ride 2016 has been, even as we rocket into the holidays at lightning speed. And for some reason, my heart is drawn again and again to the "Catch a Falling Star" piece which is in her forever home in across the pond.
I suppose it is because a bit of my heart lives in this little heavenly face, but for the first time I felt drawn to create a sister piece. Perhaps she was meant to have sisters...and surely sisters are one of the best things on earth. Maybe better than fresh French bread with creamy butter.
In my family, I am gobsmacked by the brilliance, beauty and compassion of my two sisters, who constantly inspire me to be my best self. And outside of my family, I have art sisters, soul sisters, mister sisters and spirit sisters - each one with a little piece of heaven to impart on whoever they connect with. Each time I am in their presence, I leave feeling just a little bit more and a little sparklier than I was before.
In my family, I am gobsmacked by the brilliance, beauty and compassion of my two sisters, who constantly inspire me to be my best self. And outside of my family, I have art sisters, soul sisters, mister sisters and spirit sisters - each one with a little piece of heaven to impart on whoever they connect with. Each time I am in their presence, I leave feeling just a little bit more and a little sparklier than I was before.
Last evening, I was delighted to attend a demonstration by an artist, Teresa Kirk, (Check her out here) who delights my sense of sisterhood every time I see her. This girl has a huge headdress full of sparkling stars winking at everyone she sees. By headdress I mean, of course, a wildly wonderful shock of hair and attitude of joy which illuminates it. :) The pure joy the audience felt watching her work her magic on aquabord is a glistening reminder of the beauty we create inside when we come together for the fun of creating something outside.
Experience the collaborative malarkey and joy of artist Jen Walls and poet Mary W. Cox in Blue Wild, a collection of thirty-three pieces of art and the haiku poems illustrating them. Your purchase supports the continuing collaboration of these two artists and their determination to make the whole world a playground.
- Published on
"Little Girl Blue" - mixed media on reclaimed wood; "Lady Sings the Blues" - mixed media on reclaimed wood. 8" x 18", ready to hang. Each $100. Available at the Nora Butler Shop and Gallery in Naples, Florida.
What's the board game? "Six degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon", or in this case, "How I Met Nora Butler." A while back, I taught a workshop at Ciel Gallery in NC called "Hare-Do" which featured ridiculous doodled rabbits with extremely long ears. This class attracted a new student (and now dear friend) who happens to own a magical bunny.
From my home in Florida, I discovered the magical bunny and his owner were Florida vacationers and extreme Naples enthusiasts (well, who wouldn't be? Naples is fabulous!) who also enjoyed the local art scene. The bunny happens to be an art matchmaker, and before I knew it he had twitched his nose and introduced me to Nora Butler.
What's the board game? "Six degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon", or in this case, "How I Met Nora Butler." A while back, I taught a workshop at Ciel Gallery in NC called "Hare-Do" which featured ridiculous doodled rabbits with extremely long ears. This class attracted a new student (and now dear friend) who happens to own a magical bunny.
From my home in Florida, I discovered the magical bunny and his owner were Florida vacationers and extreme Naples enthusiasts (well, who wouldn't be? Naples is fabulous!) who also enjoyed the local art scene. The bunny happens to be an art matchmaker, and before I knew it he had twitched his nose and introduced me to Nora Butler.
Nora is an incredible artist who just happens to be whimsical in her creations...hmmmm, who else do you know like that? (wink wink!) It wasn't long before a wall full of my own quirky girls and whimsical creatures was hung inside this incredible space, which is filled with light and lightheartedness! And it happens to be a stone's throw from the docks and the perfect place to enjoy a halcyon afternoon of boutiques, art and delicious food.
Now I am not sure exactly how this magical bunny operation works, but I do know I am feeling a little bit like Cinderella in fuzzy bunny slippers right now. I suspect there will be a surge of rabbit adoptions in the near future, along with belly rubbings and nose twitching.
And if you happen to be in Naples, stop in to Nora's shop and experience the magic for yourself...tell her the bunny sent you. :)
- Published on
In the beginning, there were plain white walls and a lonely art table. Propped in the window was a red envelope holding schematics for organization and ergonomics. The nearly empty room, with a single solar tube in the ceiling glowing with sunlight, spoke of unlimited potential - it whispered "this room can become anything you wish."
And so I closed my eyes and wished for a magical space filled with good mojo, creative freedom and love.
And so I closed my eyes and wished for a magical space filled with good mojo, creative freedom and love.
Before we go any further...let's remember where this all started five months ago...here are the "before" pictures:
sad, sad studio
inefficient storage
After my initial consultation with Danielle at GetNEAT, I was given homework: sort and purge all of my supplies, remove everything from the room and paint the walls. So I did. Now back to our story....
When installer Mark arrived in the morning, all cheery and bright, there were piles of art and art supplies strewn throughout the house. Homeless tools, paints and paper, looking quite pitiful and generally making my house look like Jerry's Artarama gone wild.
I knew from Mark's tidy tool bag and neatly stacked shelving that he was from the merry band of organization elves I'd been dreaming of. Drop cloth placed on my tile floor, he began installing the upright supports and cutting pieces to fit perfectly in the room.
Mark, hard at work!
Mark was finished with the entire job in just a few hours. It was time to move in all the art supplies and art. GetNEAT owner Danielle had given me a great diagram for what went where, along with several ergonomic options for the tools I use most.
Everything was so well planned in advance, it really didn't take long for me to put everything in exactly the right place. I could not believe how everything fit perfectly in the room, with loads of space to spare! Good planning and extreme attention to detail made this a breeze.
Everything was so well planned in advance, it really didn't take long for me to put everything in exactly the right place. I could not believe how everything fit perfectly in the room, with loads of space to spare! Good planning and extreme attention to detail made this a breeze.
It turns out Mark had a family member who was a stone-carving artist. He said building my studio space reminded him of her work (she recently passed) and he could appreciate the need for an organized creative space. Yay Mark!
I decided to have my shipping and inventory closet re-vamped while we were at it. It is a small space, but one that had the potential to be super efficient if properly configured. It was installed in 30 minutes!
I decided to have my shipping and inventory closet re-vamped while we were at it. It is a small space, but one that had the potential to be super efficient if properly configured. It was installed in 30 minutes!
new shelving system in the shipping closet
Let's take a look at the things I love - those rolling carts underneath the counter are filled with wrapped paintings. So easy to move them out, sort through them and roll them back into place. The counter is perfect for pieces in process, and there is a little metal bar across the back which is fun for hanging inspiration images and things I need to quickly grab.
wall space and storage space
There is a magnetic board over my work table which holds all my tools and some inspirational bits. This is extra cool because I can reconfigure it a hundred different ways, so it is flexible as my needs change.
Shelf baskets keep things contained
I've got two walls for hanging oversized art, and plenty of shelves with nifty built in book ends to store all of my visual journals, supplies, inspiration and instruction books and what-nots.
I love this magnetic board!
On the right side of my desk are "shelf baskets", which are ideal for storing my paints, glazes and glues, along with miscellaneous supplies. They are now neatly corralled in the baskets, and I can just reach over and grab them as I need to.
The shipping and inventory closet worked out beautifully, too. Everything stored upright with shelf separators to keep things tidy and translucent liners to keep things from falling through. There is another magnetic board for the stuff I want to grab quickly.
I was able to fit twice the amount of stuff in this closet once it was reconfigured. Incredible! And yet I can see and grab everything easily. What a difference the right organization system makes.
And now the complete "after photo (below):
shipping bliss!
ta-daaaa!
I cannot wait to get back to work in my revamped space, which feels three times as large since the renovation. There is room to grow and space to breathe with everything light and bright and cheery. I got my wish today!
Ever so grateful to Danielle at GetNEAT (check out her amazing services here). We used her NEAT Office service for this makeover, and spent a lot of time thinking about what worked, what didn't work in the space and what needed to happen for it to feel just right. It was MUCH easier than I expected, so now I am looking at my bookkeeping and saying hmmmm...maybe NEAT Books is next?
Ever so grateful to Danielle at GetNEAT (check out her amazing services here). We used her NEAT Office service for this makeover, and spent a lot of time thinking about what worked, what didn't work in the space and what needed to happen for it to feel just right. It was MUCH easier than I expected, so now I am looking at my bookkeeping and saying hmmmm...maybe NEAT Books is next?
- Published on
"Earth Mother" and "Shaman" - mixed media on reclaimed wood. Each 18" x 7". Ready to hang.
It's been a week of little epiphanies.
My husband gave me some wise words this morning. He advised me not to be "the lead pony" on a metaphorical wagon. Sometimes it takes me several smacks on the head before something sinks in, but the visual on this one resonated right away. I think he was suggesting I choose to be in the second or third row of ponies in this metaphor, but I started smiling as I imagined myself the lone horse trailing behind the wagon on a single lead. Just the mental picture made me relax, laugh a bit and decide to trail behind the wagon for the day. It was delightful.
Then I came across this beauty in the Facebook feed of an artist I adore:
It's been a week of little epiphanies.
My husband gave me some wise words this morning. He advised me not to be "the lead pony" on a metaphorical wagon. Sometimes it takes me several smacks on the head before something sinks in, but the visual on this one resonated right away. I think he was suggesting I choose to be in the second or third row of ponies in this metaphor, but I started smiling as I imagined myself the lone horse trailing behind the wagon on a single lead. Just the mental picture made me relax, laugh a bit and decide to trail behind the wagon for the day. It was delightful.
Then I came across this beauty in the Facebook feed of an artist I adore:
The hanging "y" - I mean, the entire quote is exquisite and just what I needed for the week. But the hanging letter made me smile, just like the wagon ponies. The artist expanded this quote, saying unpredictability is a gift, it's all a matter of how you think of it. Hmmmm. There isn't much unpredictability when you're the lead pony, is there?
Embracing this concept of being present with shifting energies, the wagon train pulled into the studio and these two pieces of art were born. Very different energies, and yet they balance each other on the whole. Earth Mother and Shaman have decided they want to be in a workshop, so what's a girl to do? Follow the wagon with glee. :) Look for Exploring Archetypes: Earth Mother and Shaman, a two-day workshop at Ciel Gallery in January.
Embracing this concept of being present with shifting energies, the wagon train pulled into the studio and these two pieces of art were born. Very different energies, and yet they balance each other on the whole. Earth Mother and Shaman have decided they want to be in a workshop, so what's a girl to do? Follow the wagon with glee. :) Look for Exploring Archetypes: Earth Mother and Shaman, a two-day workshop at Ciel Gallery in January.
