sunday - hide and seek

 

Painting by William Merritt Chase - hide and seek

Yesterday we attended a special celebration, a Bat Mitzvah and the Rabbi spoke to us about the game of "hide and seek" and how it can correlate to one's life and living with honesty.  It's true that God watches our every move and we certainly cannot hide from him or ourselves. It is up to us to live our life by owning our actions and not hiding from God.

Take time today to hide and think about what you are seeking in your life?  What are you hoping to find?

eat your greens

I really love all shades of green but loving this new vibrant green that I will be using in my new web site.  I think I must have looked at a million shades of green.  There is something fresh about green and that it has a multitude of hues.  So much for eating my greens which I have been committed to doing and feel a huge difference in my focus and clarity.  Are you eating your greens?

parched

Feeling a little parched and ready for the weekend to begin.  Good thing I have lemons, mandarins and some Cointreau to make this sidecar cocktail.  What are you thirsty for?

springtime apprentice

 Last year was my first foray into having a student work as my springtime apprentice.  That student is now finishing her freshman year at Columbia.  I love sharing works that inspire me of other artists and take great delight in what the students share with me.  I thought this would be a fun test.  Can you guess who painted the above work of art?

Here's a hint.  Surely you know Mr. Jeremy Fisher.

Can you guess who created this work of art?

Our local Ardsley high school has a marvelous program for students and our community.  My twins participated in this when they had the option for an internship or externship.  Now every student is required to do an externship.  You have a student work with you for 4 weeks and let me tell you, it is a win win.  I learn something new every Spring.

Have you ever thought of having a student as an intern?  I truly believe that it is up to us to share with these seniors and to teach them what we know.

sweet treats

 A dear friend popped in today.  Not only did I flip, but my dog Bentley goes crazy when she  pays a sweet visit because he knows she is an animal lover and bearer of good treats.  She came bearing these sweet treats.

 I designed the card a few years ago for her to attach to her goodies.  On the back is space to write the recipe or at least a note.  My friend Taina has traveled all over and has an flair for baking and creating treats.

I've been really good about eating as much fresh and whole but I must admit, I had not one but two of these scrumptious scones.  I keep telling her to sell her wares.  It is an art to create such delicacies.
I ordered a dozen.  I'd love to give her some positivity.  Don't you agree she needs to sell her treats?

rockin my herb garden

Local rivertown artist Jennifer Orkin Lewis hand paints these hip rock herb garden markers which you can find over here in her etsy shop along with some great prints and colorful artwork.  Last weekend, we planted our herb garden and I have to tell you it is rockin.  One son is home from college.  He finished his sophomore year and rocked it with a 4.0.  We've been talking a lot about cook's ingredients since next year he will be living in a house and cooking.

Aromatic herbs and spices do infuse a lot of flavor even to the simplest salad, omelette, pasta or main dish.  It's fun to share knowledge with my son and try to give him some valuable advice so that he can get excited about preparing good flavorful cuisine.

Do you have a favorite herb that adds to creating a more flavorful life?  

vignettist

 It's true.  Call me a vignettist.  I love painting artfully created vignettes.  Little portraits that show an arrangement of a collected order.  The cards for the above are available in my etsy shop.  I have white, pale blue or hot pink envelopes to go with if you like.  If you order today, I will add a surprise to your order that will make you smile.

I painted these in gouache a few years ago when I was new to blog land and fell down the most "Absolutely Beautiful Things" blog.  I sent them to Anna to gift to her Mother.  I need to paint some of my own beautiful things arranged in vignettes.

no limits

I love knowing that there's a new kid in our town.  My Mother always told me "the skies the limit" and I'm betting that this artist's Mom told him the same thing.  I am literally blown away by his work.
Check out Alexandre Arrechia over here and here.

penthouse party

Trolling around on pinterest and came upon this spectacular penthouse party or it could be some private club.  (here it is 230-Fifth) I mean "wow."  How's that for a Tuesday.  Dreaming is fun.

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?