From Chaos Comes Happiness

What!?!?! I haven't written since February 14th? Shame on me!! SHAME!! I have written about 100 times in my head . . . but my deepest apologies for not getting it here - to the blog! I have so much to share . . . stories and photos and little updates on life. So let's not waste any more time, shall we? Today, I'm starting with one that I've been meaning to write for weeks. I want to share a little story with you about a recent piece of art I was commissioned to make for someone, and a few photos of my journey along the way. It's a little story about love , really. Love & Art. And what a wonderful combination it can be. It started with an email and turned into one of the best experiences I had in making art for someone. Truly. The email came from Meghan, the dearest girl friend to my life-long friend Scott. Scott and I met some (eh-hem) 25 years ago, in high school. We were theater nerds together (yes, most of us in theater were nerds). Our love for th...

                                   I'm here! I'm here! I haven't gone far away, I promise.  I've been working on some commissioned art works this week . . . one particular piece that I can't wait to tell you about. Until then, I just wanted to wish you all the happiest of valentine's days! A day of love . . . Sigh. Love. It is a wonderful thing.  A few years ago, my in-laws went through a pretty big clean-up of their home and attic and decided to have a huge garage sale with all the things they no longer wanted. If you knew my in-laws, you would understand that a garage sale at their home would be full of the most exciting and interesting finds!! Their house is the funniest place ever - full of the coolest goodies, and I knew I would find lots of things at the sale that I would want to take home with me. Yes . . . I sure did. For it was there that these vintage framed valentines found my...

                                        I wanted the sun. I needed it, bad. So yesterday, in between carrying loads of groceries into the house, I stood on my front walkway and faced it. For a long long time. With eyes closed, I stood there letting those rays fill me up. I felt . . . healed . . . in a wierd sort of way.  I stood in the quiet of my little neighborhood, and listened to the faint sounds of cars running in the distance, gentle wind blowing, tree limbs swaying, and I swear (even in the 7 degree temperatures) I heard birds.  Then I would return to the groceries.  Another load. Then another break with me and my sun.  I wanted to reach up, and put it in my pocket. Take it with me so I could bring it out when I need it again.  I tried.  And, of course . . . You can't really do that.  So, I did the next best thing and took the above photo.  I...

         I'm feeling a bit off this past week or so. Scattered. Unfocused. Anxious. Uninspired. Worried. Unmotivated. Full of doubt. With all of those feelings, there comes a major lack of creativity. major.  This is so NOT in the plan.  I think it's the weather. The cold. The piles and piles of snow. I am blessed that I don't have to go out of the house to a job each and everyday to fight through the temperatures and the mounds of white stuff all over. But with that comes a bit of that "stuck at home" feeling, and somedays I hate it.  I have these pieces of paper all over, sketchbooks and doodles, inspiring thoughts and quotes that someday should be on a canvas . . . I look at them scattered on my table and try to muster up the courage to put them into some art . . . but just can't.  I'm not there.  And it's frustrating.  Call it a creative block. Call it winter blues. Whatever you call it . . . just send some happy thoughts my way...

         " Treat others as you would like to be treated ." I tell this to my kids . . . . over and over, like a broken record. I am sure they are tired of listening to it. But I will never tire saying those words.  I think they are one of the most important lessons I can teach them.  " Do unto others "  It's pretty powerful stuff, you know? And words that I truly believe can change the world.  Last week, while on Facebook - half reading and just skimming through posts of silly weather updates and inspiring art friends pictures - I learned that a neighbor friend of mine was in the hospital. Nothing too serious, but enough of an annoyance to take this mom of three kids from her home and admit her for a few days to try and heal her. After reading comments on her post and learning a little bit more of what was happening, " Dinner " immediately popped into my head. " I'll make them dinner, " I thought. " As soon as she is home, I'll m...