monday motivation - smile

 Did you ever think about giving a smile to someone as a gift or a little spot to record smiles.  Sharing a smile can be just as motivating as it can be contagious.

 Last friday evening I hosted a party for a friend's big birthday celebration and let me just say, there were so many smiles.  I created this bouquet with sunflowers, chinese paper lanterns, mums and some other odd dried items that resemble a ufo.  All the same it makes me smile.

A wonderful florist created this centerpiece for me and I love all the shades of orange.  It just makes me smile.  Share a smile today or even a hug with someone who might just need some motivation.

monday motivation - the joy of apples

"Like golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time." (Proverbs 25:11)

Yesterday morning, I gathered up these apples from my apple tree and thought about the joy of apples.

An apple a day keeps the Doctor away, an apple in a lunch box, or gifted to a teacher or friend.

A good apple is very much like a compliment which brings joy to whom it is given.

Now on this monday, I am baking a French Apple Cake  adapted from 

Around my French Country Table by Dorie Greenspan and David Lebovitz.

Give three compliments every day and feel the joy of the Autumn season.

Do apples bring you joy?

monday motivation - be daring

Sure, there are many artists who inspire and motivate me to create, but one artist that I just adore is the artwork of Cecil Beaton. Perhaps it was his passion for capturing society in his artwork, his photography or just his innate sense of daring style.  I have looked at this so many times and I adore the reflection of the chandelier in the mirror and all the various vignettes in this room.   What an imagination.

Who motivates you to be daring and different?

monday motivation - creative courage

"put 'em up" painting the lion at pve design studio 2013

I am so delighted to share with you a new friendship and a little "put 'em up" monday motivation.

During Storm Sandy, we met each other while juicing up our electronic devices at a dear friend's home who had power and was kind enough to share with many who scrambled to stay connected, fed and in need of a warm shower or meal.  We were all feeling very vulnerable and incredibly sad for the devastation that Storm Sandy left behind and the courage to re-build and start moving ahead.

Yes, Matisse not only had a way with paint, but a way with words and indeed 

"Creativity takes courage."

My new friend shared an image of a colored pencil sketch study of a lion and the desire to paint the king of the jungle on a very large canvas.  I invited her to come to my studio and bring her fears.  The transformation of witnessing another individual face a blank canvas head on and pick up a rag or a big brush and just "start" does take amazing courage.

Perhaps you need a little "put 'em up" or a bit of creative motivation to take time for you, creative time to allow yourself to face your fears and find your creative courage.  I would be happy to help you.  By helping you, you in turn help me.  Creativity is an act of courage.  What is the one thing holding you back from starting to live your life more creatively?

monday motivation - get started

During my open studio tour, one question that was repeatedly posed was,

"How do you get started with creating your art?"

Many visitors shared desires to create an artful life and wondered "How do I start?"

Job security has caused many to look at what sort of career they want rather than being subject to paranoia of today's economic environment and job insecurity.  Perhaps you need to work part time at getting started to build your artwork and take a job to provide income in order to pay your monthly bills.  It is doable, but one needs a vision and a plan of action in order to get started.

I will be adding this to my services if anyone needs coaching to get their artistry started.

I am happy to provide motivation by e-mail or phone.

Start by reading, researching and networking about your career as an artist.

Do you have a muse, a mentor or a plan of action to start your career as an artist?

 Starting Your Career as an Artist is a comprehensive manual full of sound advice for artists seeking to advance their professional careers. Veteran art career professionals Angie Wojak and Stacy Miller show aspiring artists how to evaluate their goals, create a plan of action, and use their talents to build a productive life in the art world. Chapters cover topics essential to the emerging artist, such as building community through networking, collaborating, and finding mentors; setting up a studio; health and safety for artists; artist’s resumes and CVs; developing marketing plans; finding alternative exhibition venues; and refining career aspirations. In addition, the book includes inspiring and insightful interviews with professional artists and well-known players in the art scene.

 What sort of tools or skills do you need to create your art career?  How can you find a niche or an audience that will want your art?  Is it a hobby?  Is it something you can see becoming a full time career?  If you need assistance to get started, contact me and I would be delighted to meet with you and objectively work with you to create a plan to get started.  Contact me on my website here.  We can meet, e-mail or chat by phone.  I've been right where you are and in order to get started, sometimes all it takes is a little hand holding and positive support.

monday motivation - egg salad

It is Easter Monday and I am motivated by the left over eggs to make a batch of egg salad.  You know the saying when life gives you lemons make lemon-aide and the same goes for eggs, make egg salad or deviled eggs or slice them in a fresh green salad.

Hope you are motivated to hop back to work, to school or to your task at hand.  Besides making egg salad, I also have a few projects to finish and today starts the day where I will be working on a brand new site for pve design.  The launch will be sometime in June which seems far away.  Let me know what you would like to see more of.  I am incredibly thankful for each of you that pop in to read or see what's happening here in the world of pve.

monday motivation - sunny side up

Everyone needs a little motivation to bring a bit of sunshine inside to find the sunny side up of life.
No matter whatever has been tossed your way, try to toss a little sunshine at it and see how much brighter things look.  For the past few weeks, I must admit to being a bit down about our daughter and the emergency hospital stay and now the home recover phase.  This will be week three and between the nurse, the tutors and everything else on my plate, I intend to keep it sunny around here.

On a pleasant note a dear friend texted me to tell me my illustrations were in the New York Times Metro section for a client which made me smile.  I shall scan the advertisement and share that this week with you all.

So, tell me, how do you infuse your life with a sunny side up attitude.  What motivates you to keep looking up and finding the cheerful side of life?

monday motivation - soldier on

Part of motivation requires one to soldier on.  This is my son who is a sophomore ROTC student at RPI.  He will be 20 years old in February and I am proud of him for all that he chooses to do.  I have witnessed the challenges he has bravely fought that brought him to this day and I have no doubt that he will face the future courageously.  Part of his confidence comes from within and his motivation comes from those who have served and lead our country.  He happens to share the same name as his Great Grandfather who served his country, France.  He also has the dog tags of his Grandfather, a veteran who is 84 years old.  As parents we never imagined that our son would choose this life, dedicating and devoting his life as an ROTC student.  Many ask me what motivated him to become a soldier.

 If anyone knows how to carry on, he surely does.  I think any soldier has the capacity to carry on, to persevere and to keep going.  Last summer, he traveled to Africa to teach and came home with an appreciation for our World, our Country and our Nation.

 Part of the drive for any soldier is the desire to see the world in a different way.  A soldier must be willing to serve and represent their country.  Today, take time to honor a veteran and give thanks for their service.  Get to know them.  I give thanks to all the Veterans and to the future men and women who serve our country.  Thank-you.

Thank-you for all your wonderful comments.  I shall pass them on to my son as I know he may not read my blog.  Then again, maybe he does.

monday motivation - do the impossible

I love that Walt Disney's entire motivation was based on a mouse and having fun.  Now imagine trying to sell or dream that up?

Did you ever stop to think what or why it's kind of fun to do the impossible?  What is on your list to do that combines both fun and something impossible?  Do share.

monday motivation - love, love, love

Yes, love never fails.

This week, is my 25th wedding anniversary.
all we ever need is  
 love love love.

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.
There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you
in time - It's easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
All you need is love (all together now)
All you need is love (everybody)
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.

Found this on etsy and I ordered one to frame and to hang to remind me love never fails.
I will be sharing tips to create more love.

monday motivation - cultivate change

Just a little monday motivation for you to inspire you to "float on, dear one, towards your newest possibility."

It is true, "Nobody likes a rut, except, perhaps, a seed."

Do you take time to explore and try something different?

Are you setting an example that you would like to follow?

Do you offer to help, more?

What about going out on a limb and consider a bit of change in your life?

 

Very often in order to grow and to cultivate change, we need to start with tending to our heart's needs.
We can be our own best friends and give ourselves time to write our own heart a letter, buy a gift for ourselves.  I think when we set goals or cultivate a change, we deserve a kiss or a charm.

Waxing Poetic has lots of goodies to motivate one, or at least to plant a little seed of change.

"Everything is up to you."

monday motivation - more joy

One part of motivation can very often be the desire for something more.  It can be a thing but it can also be learning something new that brings more joy into one's day.  I have been so delighted with this site joyus and host Kelly Moore.  I have been incredibly pleased with the items that I have ordered and the inspiring videos.  If you would like more joy, click on joyus.  My wish for each of you on this glorious Monday is more joy.  Tell me what you sort of joy is under your nose today?

monday motivation - about-face

I adore this work of art, by Gerhard Richter.

 What courage to paint a portrait in such a brave way.

Does this make you do an "about-face" too?  I want to gently tap her on the shoulder and call "Betty" to turn around and show us her face.  I can feel so much of her spirit with her modesty yet her boldness with the choice of brightly playful patterned jacket.

 One of my all time favorite paintings and artists, "Ella" by Gerhard Richter.  I always wanted to know if there was any relation since my Great Grandmother was a Richter too.  What I love the most about this work of art is how one readily is brought in to her tenderness, like the blossom of a flower.  It is less about the face and more about capturing the spirit of one's inner self.  I love the traditional feminine colors and the gentleness of her upturned lips.

Here is a self portrait Gerhard painted of himself.  I find it completely mysterious and alluring.   Although his face is blurred, I want to know more about him.  At 76 he is one of the world's greatest painters.  Did you know that when he began, none of his paintings sold and now his paintings are some of the most expensive in the Art world.  Motivation requires willingness to stick with something and to stay the course.

monday motivation - glad supplies

Nothing like starting off a new week with the chance to love to work and to play.  Containers gathered together and holding pencils, brushes, scissors can be very motivating to jump start one's creative spirit.  Are you satisfied with your possessions?

Perhaps your tool is the computer to gather your images or words.  Fear nothing, be glad of life and embrace today with glad supplies ready for a guidepost to creative peace.

Be governed by your admirations.

What sort of supplies make your life glad?

This week I shall be sharing some supplies I admire.

(images from pinterest)

Be glad of life!

monday motivation - find the joy

This has to be one of my all time favorite illustrations I did years ago.  It does reflect so many wonderful traditions of the joys of the holidays, stockings hung by the chimney with care, gifts wrapped, christmas potpourri out, garland on the mantle, tree lit and decorated, amaryllis blooming, snowing, holiday music playing and sitting back to enjoy a moment of calm with some hot mulled cider or egg nog.

While we may strive for "old school" holiday perfection, it really is not about that.  Are you still stressing over the holiday photo, cards to send, the list of gifts to buy, make or wrap, the meals to prepare, and all of the other life's chores?  Let this be a reminder to stop and to find the joy.

Part of my monday motivation is to give a shout out of encouragement to each of you to take time to find the holiday spirit and really embrace the joy of the season.  Years past, I seemed to stress so many details and this year I find myself enjoying things more and more.  Perhaps because in a blip it will all be over.
Take a moment today to stop, to meditate, to breathe and to know that there is a reason for this season.

Promise me that you will take time today to find the joy and share the spirit of this holiday season.  Are you taking time to find the joy and savor every moment of this magical spirited month?  Share a moment of joy with someone you love.  How are you making room in your heart for finding joy?

monday motivation - house works

 Welcome Monday.  As many of us scramble to pitch tents, forage for ingredients and prepare a bountiful table to share with our family and friends, when we really get down to it, the origins of Thanksgiving day were all about going native.  Life in a tent does seem simple.

 How marvelous is this relaxed table to share a meal and break bread.

I can only imagine the pilgrims writing down and sharing recipes with the Indians.

Several years ago, a dear friend inspired me to organize a binder with important papers and one binder is devoted to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

 

A binder with clear sleeves to show recipes and to keep important papers.

One can find many inspiring planners on line, but a simple binder can gather all items in one handy spot.

 How are things working inside your tent this week.  If you host, is your table set, your menu prepped, and are you ready for the holidays.  How does your house work to host memorable occasions?

Monday Mojo series 6 - women of June

The month of June makes me think of brides and bridesmaids and women preparing for marriage, college, or for a summer without a routine schedule. June is a time of endings and new beginnings.

Women and Mothers contemplating family calendars and making time for one another amidst the flurry of year end graduations, proms, as they honor those with celebrations.

There is nothing more motivating to me than the strength and inspiration of other women.

Each day, I connect with many of you (excuse me fellas you will have a post soon) near and far.

I am in awe of what we women juggle each day. We provide nourishment and safety for our families and lead by example. I share these fabulous paintings of women. Is there a woman in your life that deserves a little month of June tribute?

image source etsy

monday motivation - my girl

what can i say, my girl motivates me to be a better Mom.

do you remember age eleven and feeling the world revolved around you.

tell me you do. my girl has her finger on the pulse and had a busy weekend.

dancing, sports night and socializing at birthday parties, manicures, pizza and laughter...

Knowing that things are all good with girls motivates me to instill the positive side of this age.

It can be a challenging age for many.

Making time for

hugs, friends, and heart to heart chats about faith, friends, family and fashion keeps us connected and motivated!

Do your children motivate you?

be back later with the winners from Novica.