Tuesday, January 28, 2014

JOURNEY-- begin where you ARE!

My theme for January is JOURNEY.  I love the idea of starting each new year with a clean slate and blank canvas!  It's empowering to know that as the new year begins, we have another opportunity to create the life of our dreams! 



This year I am continuing my artistic JOURNEY and celebrating a year of hosting Art Parties in my home!  When embarking on a journey, don't underestimate the importance of beginning where you ARE and with what you have at the moment.  Several years ago, I dreamt of opening up a shop where I could teach art workshops and host art parties.  I investigated several options, including buying into a "Wine & Design" franchise.  I decided I was not ready to make that type of financial or time commitment just yet.  Instead, I decided to take a small step from where I was and with what I had available to me at the moment.  I had an overwhelming desire to share my ideas, creativity, and art supplies.  I had a basement and a network of friends. Thus began my monthly Art Parties where we "Create & Celebrate Artful Affirmations!"  If I had waited until I had the exact amount of time, money, or space, I never would have started.  My dreams would still be circling in my head instead of pouring from my heart and taking flight.  So please, don't defer your dream.  Take a step forward, even if you are unsure about the direction or the destination.  Each new step you take will bring greater opportunities and greater growth.  That, you can be sure about!




This month's Art Party brought the theme of JOURNEY to life!  A great group of women joined me to dream about and discuss their journeys as we set our intentions for the new year!  I can't wait to see what wonderful things manifest in the lives of these courageous women as they set out on their new paths.  Their beautiful artwork is below.  Thank you Anne Marie, Jolene, Karen, Renate, Melissa, and Yoon!


Where is your JOURNEY taking YOU this year?  I hope it is in the direction of your DREAMS!  Begin where you ARE and safe travels!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Save the Date--Beach Retreat!

Save the Date!


Spring Beach Retreat!
May 2-4, 2014
Outer Banks, NC

Join Artist, Jackie Tury and Yoga Instructor, Karen Jaynes for a fun filled weekend of creativity as we nurture mind, body and spirit by the sea! 


Details and Registration Information coming soon!



As many of you know, the beach (OBX) is my favorite place to BE!  I am most at home and most myself while by the ocean!  I love the sense of peace, energy, healing and creativity that the ocean brings me and so happy and excited to share it with you this spring!  I hope you will join me for this Artful Ocean Adventure!

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Power Wish & Polar Plunge Kick-off the New Year!

Thanks to my car breaking down, I had the unexpected privilege of celebrating the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014 at the beach (my favorite place to be)!  We were visiting family for the holidays and my car broke down the day before we were supposed to head home.  Unfortunately (or fortunately--depending on how you look at it) this meant spending two extra days at the beach while they ordered parts and fixed my car (thanks Charlie!)  Being an optimist and a beach lover, I took full advantage of these two extra days!


I toasted 2013 and all the wonderful, artful "firsts" it brought to my life (first time being published in a magazine-Cloth, Paper, Scissors; first time curating an art show--co-curating with my hubby made it extra special (thank you Del Ray Artisans); first time teaching my own monthly art workshops; first time teaching at a retreat; first time doing a live art demonstration at Art on the Avenue; first time having my art sold at two local shops--Boutique Bakeshop & Artful Gift Shop!

At work, I even moved from kindergarten to FIRST grade--another first AND moved from full-time to half-time so I could focus more on my art and have better work-life balance.  It must have worked, I created over 50 new works of art in 2013!  


On New Year's Day, I spent some quiet time by myself on the beach reflecting, giving thanks, and Power Wishing--setting my intentions for the new year!  I couldn't have asked for a better place for this sacred moment.  

Afterwards, my family and I took a nice, long walk on the beach.  It was a gorgeous, sunny day with temperatures in the 50s.  While the kids stopped to play by the dunes, I walked ahead and made the spontaneous decision to strip off my clothes and plunge into the cold ocean with just my bra and underwear!  You should have seen the look on my husband's face!  First it was a look of shock and disbelief, "has my wife gone crazy?" and then, "Wow--bring it on!"  I swam and danced in the icy waters--feeling happy, alive, free, bold, and exhilarated--definitely an adrenaline rush!  Lucky for me, I had a towel!  What a refreshing way to start the New Year!  


I am not sure what 2014 has in store for me--hopefully more of the same--ART and ADVENTURE!
I plan to continue what I started in 2013 and add more workshops, retreats, prints & products, and create a website in 2014.   I plan to "Live Colorfully (Artfully) Ever After!"  It's with this attitude of "now or never" and "taking the plunge"  that I start the New Year--ready or not, here I come!

Thank you to all who support me on my creative journey!  Wishing you a healthy, happy, artful New Year!  Go ahead--take the plunge!