An Artist

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be an artist.

If someone asked me that ever famous "what do you want to be when you grow up?" question, my answer was always the same.

An Artist.

The sound of a paint brush clinking against a water glass as it is being cleaned, the smell of paints in the air, and the movement of a paint brush across a canvas is the exact feeling I imagine a great conductor must get when holding a baton.

An Artist.

That's what I have always wanted to be. And now, I am going to do just that.

Today, I painted . . . for hours. My kitchen table looked like a brilliant mastermind was at work. Katie, Ella and I painted and cut and glued and created all afternoon, and we enjoyed every second of it. I decided this is the time. Months ago I had a vision of a series of mixed-media pieces to work on, but time got in the way and I never had a chance to produce them. Today, I started. And it was thrilling to see my vision come out on the canvas board. Yes, this is the beginning. I feel it.

My line is whimsy meets inspiration . . . little pieces of originals and prints to inspire, motivate and remind us of the blessings in our lives. A little something that can be placed in the home or office that will make you smile. Think of it as a little bit of me hanging on your wall. (Ok, maybe you shouldn't think of it that way. That's a little strange.)

While we were creating, I shared my ideas and dreams with Katie. Katie, my #1 fan and the best supporter a person could ask for, listened as I talked about selling my work on 'the computer' and maybe even making a little extra money. She said, "Oh, Mom . . . that's just perfect! You could stay home forever and paint and paint and paint." I think she knows that is exactly what I would like to do.

After finishing one piece, I showed it to her and asked her opinion. "Mommy . . . I don't like it. No, I don't like it. Mom . . . I LOVE IT!!!!!" She was very curious how much I would sell this particular piece for, and I told her I wasn't sure. And she quickly excused herself from our art table. Seconds later she returned with all the change out of her piggy bank, and some crumbled up dollar bills. "Here, Mom. I want to give you all the money I have for this painting, because I want to keep it forever . . . and this way, you can still stay home with us."

Yes, friends. Everything happens for a reason.

So, I'm on a new journey. My ARTIST journey. And this is so exciting to me. I am looking into setting up a shop on Etsy and would like to sell my work there (just think - YOU could be the proud owner of a Leanne original!), but I have a great deal of research to do before then. (If you sell your handmade work on Etsy - can you leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts - or perhaps send an email to chaostohappiness@gmail.com. I appreciate your opinion!)

So it was a VERY productive (life changing, I would say) weekend in our home. I am focused. I am excited. I am creating. And it feels . . . wonderful! 

Here is just a peek of what I did today.

Keep your fingers crossed for me . . . I am looking forward to seeing where this path takes me.

Because, you see . . . I am an artist.

Here's hoping whatever journey you have ahead is filled with piggy banks and happiness.