~Etsy Endeavor~

~Aina~

I have been feeling as if I've been walking on clouds the past few days. The whole process of painting...photographing my paintings...editing...listing...It has been such an awakening...a labour of love...a reminder of who I am...what I'm doing...and that I am right where I should be. I am revelling in this sense of purpose...

For those of you sweet girls who asked, here is the address to my etsy shop:http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=73287.

Now I'm off to dreamland...

xx

~Heartfelt Thanks~

Well...I went forth with my plan this weekend, and listed my art. I ended up putting five on etsy (which I haven't tried selling on before.)and five on ebay(which I have, and actually did alright on in recent years.)
So...I made that decision, and followed through. The hard part for me is going to perservere, and not bale on myself. That is an absolute classic move that I have pulled several times over the years. The minute I start experiencing success with something I tend to cut myself off of it. I've spent many an hour pondering this. I'm pretty sure I know why...I am also aware of how completely nuts that must sound.

Anyway...here I go. And I wanted to take a moment this morning to thank all of you for your beautiful words of encouragement. Reading your own stories of strength and struggles has been enormously inspiring...

xx

~The Better To See You With My Dears...

I picked up my new glasses last night...I think it's been about two years since I've been able to see really clear. I am just feeling unbelievably great these days. Sometimes I think I should be pinching myself. How did I get here?

If someone had shown me this world twenty-five years ago...and said this is going to be your life someday, I wouldn't have believed it. It would be so hard for a little self-loathing girl who was too skinny....had braces...wore the wrong clothes...said the wrong things...had no boobs(and teased mercilessly about it)to see herself here.

But,of course, here is exactly where I am. I carry that little girl with me everyday. She still have some very dark corners in her heart that she can't speak of...and I hope someday I will be able to help shed some light in there. But, for right now...I'm not brave enough, and she's not ready. Plugging along with my art...focusing on the moment at hand is definately making me stronger. I've even got to the point where I am going to put some art up for sale online. So this weekend I will take a big breath...and step out to see what will come...

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
xx

~Heart In Hand....

Today's abstract in progress...

Every one needs a hand to hold on to
Don't need to be no strong hand
Don't need to be no rich hand
Every one just needs a hand to hold on to...John Mellencamp



The other night when I was just about to doze off...my husband reached over and took my hand. I smiled...and went to sleep.

Now,anyone who knows me well, knows that I have always found holding another's hand a most touching gesture...Parents and their children...young couples...old couples...my heart skips a beat. What is it about this seemingly unassuming act that I find so captivating? I guess because it softly...silently speaks...of a bond...of love...of our humanity...pure and simple.

~The Hardest Promises....

Ceridwen(click image to enlarge)

to keep are the ones you make to yourself...At least that has been my experience.
Recently I made a promise to myself to paint everyday. It doesn't matter if it's for two minutes or two hours...as long as I pick up a brush, and get some colour on the canvas. So far, so good.

Through this process, I am really learning so much about myself. I've reconnected with the little girl who hid her sketchbook under her mattress for years...scared to death of it getting 'critiqued' by her artist father. She is slowly learning to let go of that fear, and to peel open those pages to all who care to see...What I am cherishing most about creating daily,is how it is nourishing my soul. I spend almost every waking hour caring for others...which I love...but when I'm at my easel time joyously stands still....for me.

This has in turn spilled over into my life as a mom, and a caregiver...Everyday I will continue to foster each little spirit around me with my hope that they will always create freely.I promise.

~Everyday Love~

The other day someone said to me that there is an almost audible hum of love in my home. Now, while I'm thinking she was referring to the noise of the six children, and two huge golden beasts rampaging through the joint, I still found myself deeply touched by this, and replied with a simple 'Thank-you.' Her words stayed with me, and I found that as I was painting and playing yesterday I got to thinking of all the LOVE-ly ways that love shows itself in my everyday. Sometimes overlooked...or taken forgranted...but it's always there...in countless ways...from good-bye kisses in the morning to walking the dogs, and cuddling up to read our nightly chapter of Harry Potter...

What are some of the ways loves swirls around you in your everyday?

~Wonder~

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.
-- Eden Phillpotts


I wonder...What would our world be like if we all decided to gift eachother with our very best versions of ourselves...No pretenses...no motives...no fearful fascades...Just every living soul coming forth with pure love...understanding...and compassion for one another?

What I know for certain...I am only one of many who wonders this.

xx

Words Elude Me....

but here is a pretty quote I came upon this morning...

'Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.'
Louisa May Alcott