How Great The Art

This is a blog post about the first three months of 2021 during a pandemic. I am a work in process and have learned most of all the importance of living in the moment. I have learned a LOT from doing daily practices. Making goals in my Ebay shop. Learning about Women Artists and taking some classes. Clearing out the past of "stuff" in my basement. And, best of all being the best "4 year old self" possible. I am going to list Five links of Women who have influenced me the most in living life in the moment and creating daily practices. Their resources are mostly free and have endless amounts of inspiration. My main goal is to do this with the resources I already have on hand and keep the costs down as much as possible. I strayed away a little bit and it really taught me that is ok. Just learn from it and move on. I start my day with resources on the computer. Here are the five sites I use the most. I also have been able to take free workshops through z

Challenges and goals in life can make you stronger or they can make you feel like a failure. Whether it is trying to lose weight, do a good job, play an instrument, play on a team or just stay healthy. It is up to you and I would say whatever it is you have to have a daily practice. Each individual has probably been taught this in one way or another through prayer or meditation or whatever you want to call a daily practice of reflection. I think life moves so fast now, it may not happen for everyone. But, I for one, feel like I may have been running through life since the age of 12. Even then my calender was full with babysitting and volunteering. My first summer out of grade school and I worked( volunteered) at a summer camp for autistic children. I learned so much that summer about myself. I learned I was sensitive and too full of empathy to go into the field of caring for others. I would have a hard time sleeping thinking of the little girl who was assigned to me. So ma

Day 50 of the 100 day project is today!!! Celebrating the accomplishment and feeling good about keeping the motivation to finish. I have found SO much inspiration on the way. But, most of all I find a daily practice on devoting time to creating each day a savior. I admit a couple of weeks ago, I questioned myself. But, I took my time to organize what I have made so far and thought it would make a great booth in an Arts and Crafts Fair. Last week I was able to sign up for a Spring Fling Arts and Crafts show at the Mathis House in Toms River on May 22nd. This really helps give the project purpose. But, it is far enough away that there is no pressure. I hope to share a video in my stories on Instagram this week of a corner I have created. It is full of the inspiration, supplies and finished projects. I still have a lot of supplies I bought that I never used. Thank you for following along. It has really given me joy, and it helps to share and get your reaction! Quote of th

It was so nice last week with the mild temperatures and walks on the beach. And, a walk on the beach is even better with a friend. But, this week I started out making lots of crafts using the shells. I have so much, I decided I didn't need to go looking for shells this week. Today is Thursday and I can't wait to get back to the beach for a walk. It does give me stregnth and good thoughts. Fills my soul with faith and clears my head, literally. It is so good for the sinuses! I wrote this a few months ago. I am not even sure if I shared it before. "The Ocean’s Power For every wave that comes ashore You show your power more and more Only you can take a piece of glass with it’s sharp edges that cause us danger Shining gleaming color and transparency and tumble them into something well rounded, frosted and hard to see with all the years and time gone by when they do arrive on the shore they are more beautiful then before When a piece of sea glass is found a gentle

Yesterday I decided I wanted to paint bluebirds. I have never seen one in person. So, I googled it. Much to my surprise there is a park about thirty minutes south with bird boxes for blue birds. Since, it was pretty warm last week and they start to appear in March, I took the ride. The name of the park is Cloverdale Farm County Park in Barnegat, New Jersey. But, they don't call it the pine barrens for nothing. I did see a huge egret type bird take off when I got to the water's edge. I am looking forward to going back. It is an Ocean County park with new heated bathrooms and visitor center which is open on the weekend. The bluebirds love it there, because of the cranberry bogs. It is an old farm that harvested cranberries and Christmas trees. Absolutely beautiful off of a dirt road, but just off the parkway. I can't wait to see a bluebird. They are part of so many victorian images I love, but surprised I never saw one for real. Quote Of the Day: Be like the

“Hope” is the thing with feathers - BY EMILY DICKINSON “Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all - And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - And sore must be the storm - That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm - I’ve heard it in the chillest land - And on the strangest Sea - Yet - never - in Extremity, It asked a crumb - of me. Just one word for the future. So simple, just four letters. Last year at this time we thought or hoped in two weeks we all would do our best to stop the virus. It's been a year. The news, the vaccination, the politicians are giving us words of Hope. I thought it would be a peaceful time, and within a few months it was a time of unrest. I didn't know what to wish or pray for anymore. So, now we get into action and get vaccinated and just hope for the best. It's all that we can do. Just one very powerful word HOPE. Brittany Howard is my symb

Every day I walk the ocean lately, I learn so much about myself. Mostly about my own assumptions and how wrong I am. For example, I see a lot of people already scanning my favorite pile of shells (really gravel lately). I stay six feet away, and think I won't find anything near them. I take two steps and there it is a piece of sea glass. Or I think I should walk away from the ocean for warmth. But, as I walk I realize it is so much warmer right on the edge of the ocean. I also will see something tumbling in the ocean, and think the ocean is going to make me work for that piece of green glass tumbling back and forth. But, I learn with patience and observing I can win over the powerful pull of the ocean. In the winter I don't want to get wet. But, if I prepare by wearing uggs I can get wet, and stay warm. So the biggest lessons are PREPARE, BE PATIENT, DON'T ASSUME, BE OPEN, and most of all ENJOY what you can't control. So, in conclusion I hope there is some

I started last week visiting Kaylyn and her lovely family and home. I think the best part is hearing all the new words coming out of my grandson's mouth. Or him discovering a new taste and liking it. Or just locking eyes and having his face turn into a giant smile lighting up the room. He also randomly just comes over and initiates the best hugs and snuggles. I was savoring every moment capturing little videos and photos. It seems like months ago this morning. So, as I approach another day I am looking forward to painting some more. The painting above is my first gouche on canvas. I couldn't wait to use the some more color then blue and white. I had a feeling I would like the gouche for it's fluidity and richer colors. I am looking forward to this week and starting to paint more flowers. This week I should be able to work on my patio and back room a bit, too. It's been too cold to do much in either. I also am gathering bigger things to sell hopefully at

The last couple of weeks I have wanted to write a lot. But, mostly because it was the anniversary of my mom passing away and the start of covid a year ago. My mind has been so full, and quite frankly racing. I don't feel that different, for all that I have been through. It has been a lot of loss, but at the same time a lot of goodness and feeling full of life. Even if I am by myself most days. I feel blessed with a beautiful grandson. My children have been making the best of what life is throwing at them. I really have no complaints. But most of all it is the same old story. What is tomorrow going to look like? So, with that being said, I really feel our life is about the seeds we plant each day. And, each year the soil we plant our seeds change. And, depending on the environment or weather is how we will grow. In other words, we grow from what we can not control. But, the most important is to keep planting the seeds and keeping the faith. This time of year I love.

This is the first Monday I have felt this hopeful in a long time. I think it is because I was able to get out a couple of days in a row and talk to girlfriends and kindred spirits. Either by phone or in person to talk some things out really helps. I even got through the question...."What are you doing?". Later found out there is a word for it called Plorking (playing and working). I definitely had a break through in my art, on ebay and organizing the basement. I know in a couple of months or even by Easter I will be so much better off then I am today. And, that feels victorious or even triumphant to me. This world is going to be a different place, by the time we are all ready to be a part of it again. And, it's good to see and hear everyone's spirit and views. It was really good to have some real loud belly laughs. I showed a picture above of some sea glass I covered with a blue and white design. It was because I always want to find some blue and white