welcome creativity

Welcome.  Allow me to introduce you to Rebecca Atwood.

Last summer, I had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca at the "Business with Intention" workshop in Brooklyn given by Jess Lively, at the time she was Jess LC.

 How wonderful to hear the dreams and desires of others and be able to welcome fresh creativity.  Rebecca has launched her new site and soon will be opening her on line shop with her designs.

 I love her relaxed aesthetic and flair for creating prints, patterns and joy.

Rebecca possesses a contagious smile and her voice is like silk, she has such a lovely way about her and her sister Grace too.

Please welcome creativity into your life, your home and take time to thank those that take time to honor their work with us as they build a business with intention.

Welcome Rebecca. 

Wishing you much joy and happiness in your artistic and creative business.

May all of your intentions drive every dream.

pve design - art tote

 I came up with a good system for toting my art supplies around and every so often find an update on my art tote.  These are just a few totes to inspire you.

Having everything at the ready sure does make it easier to bring things to a job or with me when I travel.  Many totes can be found on line at art supply or hardware stores.

A tote full of art supplies makes a great gift for artists too.  Love to know what your tote would hold?
If you have a passion or hobby, why not dedicate a tote to it?  Gardening, make-up, knitting, cooking, cleaning, writing, painting, personal trainer gear?  Is there a skill or talent you have that you need to devote yourself to and create a business around doing what you love?  Start with a tote and this will help you to see everything in one place.

ceremony of love

 A wedding ceremony that I illustrated was rather emotional for me.  The union was very similar to that of my own, the same readings, similar music and friends and family filled the church.  I could feel the love and the warmth that day.

 The bride will have these lovely thank-you notes to send.  I am delivering them today.

Then back to my own little union of pencil, micron pens and more work.

Each day, I do what I love and shall never forget to celebrate that.

What are you committed to?

Remember to celebrate what you love.

my art supplies

 This is an aerial view of what I like to call my paint desk.  All my art supplies are ready and set for me to paint.  I keep my micron pens in a little travel bag.  Fresh water is very important when I paint.  It needs to be clear so I change often.  If the water gets muddy, trust me, your paintings will be muddy too.

 My most favorite paints are a boxed set of Pelikan paints.  They travel well and are easy to work with.

 I bought this Ikea -Alex flat file rolling drawers which is home to prints, some original work and paper.
One of my sons assembled it when he was home and it did take him a few hours but it works well and was reasonably priced.  It is very heavy before it is assembled but comes with wheels which make it easy to move around my studio.

Here is the Pelikan set all shiny and new.  It comes as a water color set or as an opaque set.  I really love it.  If I need larger quantities of paint then tubes are also available.  You should be able to find them on line or at a nearby art supply shop.  Most art supply stores are happy to order for you if you do not see.

monday motivation - color

Monday morning and part of what gets me going are my paints and the part that is fun for me, to paint in the color.  I am going to share some of my favorite paints with you and brushes this week.
There is a chance we may have an early closing today at our schools due to a 90 percent chance of snow, which means this morning my full attention needs to be focused on finishing a few other works. well - painting that is.

in the snow

Run, Jump and frolic in the new fallen snow.  It is January and it's great to be outdoors.

There is always something merry and cheerful about animals in the snow.

Alright, maybe some of you are not convinced but all you need is another layer or a new coat.  Will you be frolicking about in this cold weather.  It does so much good for me and my dog to go outside and pay in the snow!

new dawn

 It's a new day, it's a new dawn and the sky this early morning was glowing a gorgeous rosy pink.  It's 12 degrees and the cold has us building fires and bundling up as we all head our ways on this friday morning.

 From my window, it almost looks as if there is a fire in the distance to keep us warm.

Can you imagine within just a few minutes how different the dawn can look.  Call me crazy, I love the dawn of a new day and that the sky holds rosy things in store for each of us.

still at it

 I am still at it,  sketching new shops, homes, places, pets and keeping things humming along.  This happens to be store no. 68 for a client.  I have a few deadlines that need my full attention so in case you wonder why things are a bit quiet, I am needing some "stillness" in order to focus my full attention on getting some work completed.   Firstly, I rough in the sketch in pencil and then work over with micron pen and a water color wash.  Everyone asks how long does a sketch take me to do.
More on that for another post.  There are so many variables that go into each work.

Time to get to work.  As always - thanks so much for your comments and your support.

winter green

 The color of winter green seems to be my new happy thing.  It is popping up wherever I go.

Love this lacquer business card box holder from Furbish.

An enamel green and gold bangle sure looks wintry fresh.

or these....that I spotted over here on etsy.

Just the sort of thing to make one think of spring in the midst of winter.

Spotted this beautiful yarn in this wonderful winter green.  

Greens inspire me and make me happy.

What is your new happy now?

monday motivation - worth keeping

 This past month, I have been finding motivation in what is worth keeping.  Some might call it de-cluttering and others might call it simplification.  After all what surrounds you should make you happy and not bog you down.

 My awareness to live with less has not only created room for more but it has opened my eyes to what is truly worth keeping.  Take time today to genuinely care about what is worth keeping.  Gather, arrange, renew, reuse, recycle, restore harmony in your home.  Toss, give or donate the things that you no longer have need or want for.

"Surround yourself with people who make you happy. People who make you laugh, who help you when you’re in need. People who genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping in your life. Everyone else is just passing through."

— Karl Marx 

all images from pinterest