Authenticity
Laughter
Friends
Love Love Love
Thriving is the new sexy
Don't Settle
authenticity is the new beautiful
Do your thing
Expect Awesome
I believe everyone is creative, but we do not always stay connected to the creative being that lives inside us. If you are an artist of any sort, you will feel an ache, a void, a sense of being less-than-happy when you ignore the call of this voice. I believe my mission is to gently remind like-minded creative friends of our need for play, for allowing ourselves the freedom to explore our talents and use them to enhance our well-being. My interests include photography, video, mixed-media art and cooking. My focus is not so much on the technical how-to as it is on the creative process, the joy of the journey, and the story the artist tells. Themes of this blog include digital storytelling, the creative process, and sharing that same energy in the preparation of food. Thanks for joining me, and please contribute your thoughts, questions and suggestions along the way.

Hello!

10 + 12 =

Need some pro pics?

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Dear Younger Generations

I created this video in response to a post from Global Degree.  Their original was called Dear Older Generations...posted here. It's funny how the theme remains the same from one generation to the next...but I do not envy my children for the challenges they face. I...
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Painting Fearless in Oaxaca, 2017

An incredible week with Connie Solera and like-minded creative friends.  It was truly an a special bond. Connie hosts these "PAINT FEARLESS" weeks, and I have to say I have not yet found a teacher so loving. She has a gift for grabbing your heart and bringing people...
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5 Lessons Learned

This is my manifesto. There's truly no teacher like life itself! These 5 lessons are reminders to me to keep things in perspective. Enjoy!
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Going to Oaxaca?

If you are venturing to Oaxaca, this video is my take on that experience. I had the pleasure of staying at an artists retreat for a full week. Oaxaca is not Cancun or Cabo, I felt more like I was stepping into another time. I came home with a great appreciation for...
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Buried Dreams

by | May 25, 2017 | Creative Friends | 0 Comments

I love this piece created by artist Joan Gaetz! Joan is wise, loving and a gifted teacher willing to share and uplift. It was fun to bring this story to life with her work.
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What do we do

by | May 25, 2017 | Creative Friends | 0 Comments

This is a video featuring the work of Irish artist Amanda Grace. What I love about Amanda is her ability to dive deep, expressing her emotions and always questioning, challenging, and stretching beliefs. Her work has a style that so reflects her willingness to go into...
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Angel

by | May 25, 2017 | Creative Friends | 0 Comments

This piece is by my daughter, artist Liz Nicolai. Body issues are something generations of women struggle with, and her take with Angel give me hope. Liz is currently a student and waitress, exploring both art and psychology for a possible career.
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Layers of Healing

by | May 25, 2017 | Creative Friends | 0 Comments

This video shares a spread from journal of Honorata from Artlysing. I'm a big fan of her work as well as the idea of layers.
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Doors

by | May 25, 2017 | Creative Friends | 0 Comments

I have the pleasure of living in the same town as photographer Catherine Anderson, and so have visited her lovely studio, complete with a garden labyrinth. Her images of doors in this video are a signature of her work. She uses them in her soul collage workshops,...
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The Onion Community

by | May 25, 2017 | Creative Friends | 0 Comments

I love this art journal spread and prompt from artist Cynthia Collins. I so remember my gram singing to me the "lonely little petunia in an onion patch" song. Cynthia is a gifted mentor when it comes to self-reflection and helping us to see through illusions.
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Procession into the Light

by | May 25, 2017 | Creative Friends | 0 Comments

This video was created as an art journal prompt based on a spread from artist Tina Alberni. She shares her story of how the art journal process helped her through difficult life times.
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About Me, Part 2, “the dark side”

by | May 24, 2017 | About Me, Creative Friends | 0 Comments

My curse...and turning it into an asset. I think we all have our "dark side," and if we can get over it, it can reveal to us our greatest gifts. I'm no longer embarrassed to claim this shadow part about me.
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Launching a New Art Book, a collaboration of art and Haiku

by | November 2, 2016 | Creative Friends, Service Offerings | 0 Comments

I almost couldn't wait to share this with you...it's a so-much-fun project I just completed with a very talented duo, mixed-media artist Jen Walls and writer Mary W. Cox.  It was so great to bring their vision to hard (and soft) copy!  Creating a book is a great way...
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Hand Study –in the Creative Zone

by | October 27, 2016 | Creative Friends, How to | 0 Comments

In 2016, I created a collaborative art journal course. Here's a behind the scenes look at some of imagery I created based on a submission called "Give me a Hand" from mixed media artist Caroline C. Brown.  There is just something about connecting with...
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Makin’ Digital Mixed Media Art

You might not think digital art would be so messy, but yes, it begins with dye, ink, glaze, stamps, gels and some sweat equity!
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Need some pro pics?

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Making art in less than 60 seconds

So this is a fast-forward look at my process of creating my dyed surface designs. I take photos with my macro lens and use these images in photo collages and videos and my design work. It's messy and fun and uncontrolled.
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Your Why

The why is important in telling your story...if you share this information, it will connect you with like-minded followers. It's what makes you unique, so yes, it's important! Your why makes you real, authentic, and opens the path for others to connect with you.
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