EXCITING NEWS! =)

i wanted you all to be the first to know - prints of my artwork are now being sold at the CUTEST store in berkley, michigan - catching fireflies!  i met the owner at the saline harvest of the arts oktoberfest when i was in the art show/fair last month, and it's been so fantastic how everything has worked out!



i've actually been a HUGE fan of this store for quite some time now, and i never could have imagined that they would ask ME to sell my art in their store.  it really is the cutest place, and they sell work by several other artists that i love.  i'm going to go back up to the store to take some more pictures soon, and once i do, i'll post the pics on here!

also, i've been listing more prints in my etsy shop, so please continue to stop by over there often!

rick and i are going to take a mini-vacation up north for the next couple of days (yay!), so you might be seeing pics of some michigan fall trees on here in the next week or so. =)

today i'm feeling SO blessed - and SO thankful to God for His love and faithfulness.

still growing

hello!  well, my etsy shop has been open for a little over a week now, and i've already made a couple of sales - HOORAY!  i was also featured in this fun fall treasury on etsy - so much cute stuff!  i've been feeling so blessed and loved by all of the support and encouragement i've been receiving lately.

i wanted to show you a new piece of art i finished a couple of weeks ago.  i hope to have prints of it for sale in my etsy shop this week.

so many exciting things have been happening lately regarding my art.  in the midst of my joy, though, there is also the fear and anxiety about how much there is to do - how much more i have to learn.  i'm so thankful for each and every opportunity God has been giving me.  when i feel excited and when i'm overwhelmed, in all of it, i'm doing my best to constantly return to Him.  to rest in His love.  to take in the good.  to have grace for myself and for the fact that i'm still growing. 

praying this for you today, too...  much love to you, friends!

my etsy shop is open for business!

after months and months of preparation, my etsy shop is finally open!  i'm so excited!

i've added a link to my shop on the right side of my blog - hooray!  i really appreciate your patience as i continue to work on my shop (right now i only have one thing listed for sale!), and i hope you'll stop by to visit often!

thank you so much for your support & encouragement!  hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

MUCH love!

the saline harvest of the arts art fair

well, friends, i made it through my first juried art fair!  saturday was an amazing day.  God was truly with me, loving me all day long.  i can't even begin to tell you how much fun i had.

after a super late gig the night before, my wonderful husband, rick, got up early to come with me to set up my booth.  he had a gig on the west side of the state, so he couldn't stay with me all day, but having him with me in the morning was a blessing.  friends and family stopped by throughout the day, too, which meant so much to me!  my dear friend, rick's aunt, michaella, sat with me for a while to keep me company, and another dear friend, kathryn, sat with me most of the day.  they were fantastic - bringing me pretzels from the oktoberfest food tents, getting me coffee, watching the tent so i could chat with some of the other artists.  it was so nice to be surrounded by people who love and support me all day long!

after weeks of work, i was really happy with how my booth turned out - and i even received an "honorable mention" for best display!  i was so excited.  i received tons of encouragement from other artists and from those who visited my booth.  one woman asked me which art galleries my artwork was in! 

i'm so thankful to have met so many amazing artists who offered advice, or suggested other art fairs they thought i should be a part of.  an owner of one of my favorite shops visited my booth, and she had such encouraging things to say about my art and display.  at one point, i was literally jumping up and down in my tent (kathryn can confirm this)!  

oh, and i should mention - people bought my art!  something in my art (an extension of who i am, of my heart), connected with them.  what a blessing!  i couldn't stop smiling all day long.

here are some pictures:

my booth!

  

handsome shopper!  =)



i received a ribbon for my booth display - hooray!

i was super encouraged by these nice ladies!

 

very happy girl!



towards the end of the day, one of the artists i met said to me, "you're really enjoying yourself, aren't you?!"  and i really truly was.

the art fair is over, but there's still a lot to do!  this week, after i catch up on laundry and other household stuff much neglected in the rush to prepare for saturday's art fair, i'll be working hard to get my etsy shop up and running.  i'll let you know as soon as it is.

on sunday, when i was talking with rick about the art fair, i told him that i really felt like i was "in my element."  being with people, talking with them about why i create my art, where the ideas and words come from - my heart is still full.  i think that the entire experience may have been another step (maybe even a really big one), in claiming who i truly am - who God has created me to be.

blessings to you today, dear ones.  thanking God for His love, encouragement, and faithfulness - and for each of you, too!

art fair tomorrow!

hey friends!  the last couple of weeks have been spent frantically getting ready for the saline harvest of the arts oktoberfest - which is tomorrow, september 25th!  i'll be in cute, downtown saline from 10-7 selling my art.  to be honest, i'm still a little nervous - but i'm also really excited!  in addition to the art fair, there will be all the traditional oktoberfest german fun, craft activities for kids, live music all day, and much more!  if you're in the area, please stop by and say hello.  i'd love to see you!

after months of preparation, it's kind of hard to believe that this day has finally come.  thank you SO much for all of your support and encouragement!  i'll definitely let you know how everything turns out. 

if you would, please pray that i'd be a glimpse of God's love, grace, and truth to someone tomorrow...  because, when it comes down to it, that's what my art is really all about.

much love to YOU, dear ones!

something new

in two short weeks, on saturday, sept. 25th, i'll be selling my art at the saline harvest of the arts oktoberfest. i'm really excited and thankful for the opportunity to take part in this event! 

i wanted to give you a sneak-peek at a few pieces i've been working on (well, to be honest, working on, and off, and on again), for the last several weeks.  i'm hoping they'll be completed and ready to sell at the art fair in saline.

three pieces of art... in process.  like myself.

i'm really curious to see how they turn out.  when i start working on the pieces in the beginning, i'm never sure what they'll end up looking like.  sometimes i think i know, and i'll start guiding the piece in a certain direction, often to only end up painting over what i've done.  funny how the more i try to force things or control things in my artwork, the more frustrated i become.  when i feel "stuck" on a certain piece, having no idea what to do next, or having tried and tried again to get it to look a certain way, only to be unhappy with how it looks, rick's really great about reminding me that i can walk away from it for a while.  sometimes i think a piece is done, only to come back to it a few weeks later to add something new. 

it all sounds a lot like my life in general, actually.  God is such a huge part of  my art and why i create it - guess i shouldn't be too surprised when He uses the entire process to teach and guide, to remind me: that my value doesn't lie in what i get done or accomplish.  that i don't always know how things will turn out.  that i don't have to force things.  that there is freedom in surrendering my plans and agendas to Him.  that sometimes when a season, hope, or dream seems to be over, it might not be.  He may have something new in store for me.

i think i'm beginning to realize that through this whole creative journey, as i embrace who i truly am in Jesus, surrounding myself in God's love, seeking Him and His Truth, creating and sharing all of this through my art, God's creating something new and beautiful where i least expected it - in me.

more on new art and my preparations for the saline art fair, soon... today, i am just so thankful and overwhelmed by God's love for me - and for you, dear ones.

an encouraging day

this past weekend i went to the saline summerfest craft and art show.  helen, the wonderful woman who planned the event, is also organizing the art fair that i was accepted into (the saline harvest of the arts), which will take place on september 25th.  knowing that i'm new to the arts and crafts scene, she suggested that i attend some art shows to get ideas on how to display my art, organize my tent/booth, etc.  i'm so glad i took her advice! 

while looking at different artists' booths for ideas, i couldn't help noticing their amazing art and photography.  i introduced myself to a few different women, told them that i really liked their work, and that i was an artist.  one of these woman is scottie magro of seeds studio.  scottie was super friendly and offered some ideas and suggestions about how to decorate my booth.  i visited her blog when i got home and entered a giveaway she was having for the photograph below - which i won!  can't wait to have this photo in our apt.  now i just have to decide where to hang it...

photo by the talented & sweet scottie magro of seeds studio!

there is a LOT of work to be done before the art fair next month.  i think that the gift of meeting a few women who are doing what i'm trying to do myself - and who were so friendly and helpful to me in the process - is going to help things seem more doable.  yet another way God continues to encourage me on this artful adventure...

worth the fight

as most of you know, my little sister got married at the beginning of july.  it was a beautiful, fun-filled celebration.  a good time was definitely had by all.

sisters picture!

after months of preparation, the wedding festivities are over, and my free time is just that again - free.  rick and i gave ourselves a few days to ease back into "normal" life after the flurry of activity (one of the many blessings of being self-employed).  but then it was time to get back to work.  a very long list of things to do was waiting for me, and i no longer had my sister's wedding as a reason for delay.

the general theme of the last few weeks for me has been, "be proactive."  nothing to do with proactiv, the jessica simpson, p. diddy endorsed facewash.  everything to do with the not-just-sitting-back-hoping-things-will-get-done-and-work-out kind of proactive.  as fearful as i often am, and as much of a procrastinator as i can often be, i've really been hunkering down and accomplishing things that i've been putting off for months.  i've decided on a name for my art - my own!  i've looked into tax stuff, insurance stuff, etc.  i've pretty much been doing all the not-so-fun things that a person needs to do when they're self-employed and in business for themselves.  it feels good to have these things completed (or at least in the works), to be able to check them off my "to-do" lists.  to be "doing the work." 

getting these things done is a huge victory, because even the smallest decisions or tasks to be completed regarding my art are often surrounded by fear and doubt.  the only way i've been able to do any of this is by leaning into God, being brave, fighting the fear, and trusting Him.

the last few weeks i've been coming to realize that the fear, insecurity, and doubts are probably always going to be waiting for me.  but there's hope.  God continues to be patient with me, sending truth and encouragement my way on a daily basis (when my eyes - and heart - are open enough to see and receive it).
ultimately, i'm going to have to choose whether to give in to the fears as they come - or to fight against them. 
i know that the fight is going to be hard (it definitely has been up to this point).  but some things are worth the fight, aren't they?

today i'm praying that we would all have the courage and strength to be proactive, to fight for those things that are worth fighting for.  much love to you, friends...

a month!

has it really been a WHOLE month since i last wrote anything on my blog?  wow.

culprits contributing to my online absence include:

- looking into applying for art/craft fairs... realizing that most summer fairs' applications were due in early spring.  bummer.  then finding art/craft fairs that take place in late summer and early fall - applying for one - not getting in - boo.  applying for another, being accepted - YAY! (more info. to come...)

- times of frustration and discouragement, when i (once again), was questioning my art, my purpose, a lot of things...

- times of total encouragement and support - people emailing me about my artwork, affirming my heart.

- starting new art pieces!

- more research for the business side of things - such as determining shipping costs for prints and original pieces (another step closer to opening an online shop!)

- it's summer!  which, for us has meant lots of plans with friends and family.  also, because -

- my little sister's getting married!  her wedding is this saturday.  many hours, days, weeks of preparation have gone into this sure-to-be fantastic event...

- and, if i'm completely honest, buffy the vampire slayer.  my sister let us borrow the first season, and now we're kind of hooked. it's very 90s, very cheesy, and SO great!

overall, it's been a month of progress, discouragement, hope, and encouragement...  hoping this next month will include some of the same - but with a bit more time spent creating, an online store up and running - and season 2 of buffy.  much love, dear ones!

boo, being sick!

rick and i have both been sick for almost two weeks.  though, we've enjoyed watching old episodes of LOST together during our days home on the couch, it's been frustrating not to be doing any art - or anything art-related.  i think we're on the tail-end of whatever bug we've had, and i'm hoping to be creating again (as well as working on getting my online shop up and running), within the next few days.  i've had some ideas about things i'd like to try in my art - and i'm excited to see how it will all turn out, going from my brain to the canvas, wood, paint, paper, etc. 

more on the art front, soon.  but, for now, it's back to the couch - and LOST, season 4 - for me.  hope you are well, friends!

my first commissioned piece!

my good friend in texas, melissa, contacted me a few months ago to make an original piece of artwork for her boys' room.  i was truly honored that she asked me!  she had a prayer that she had prayed for her boys for years that she wanted me to include somewhere on the piece, and she had some thoughts on the colors she might like.  other than that, she gave me complete freedom.  i had so much fun making it!  here are pictures that she took of the finished piece.

cling to hope.

while working on this piece, God was speaking Truth to me... for me. and also for a friend of mine who is in the thick of it right now.

love & prayers, dear one... take heart. cling to hope.
this is not the end.

house of love...

i finished this piece a couple of weeks ago - i've been trying to upload the photo for over a week now, but for some reason, blogger wasn't allowing me to. i tried using a smaller file size today (note to self), and, thankfully, it worked.

my time-lines for things (like posting photos on my blog, opening a shop online to sell my art, etc.), have not happened the way i've planned or thought they would. i'm learning that with my art stuff - as well as with all the other areas of life - things don't always work out according to my plan. well, they usually don't. and that's okay. actually, it seems to often be better that way.

after several weeks of utter life craziness, i'm starting to work on my art again. i'm trying my best to throw my agendas and time-lines out the window. to just take my time with it - enjoying it. being fully present with it. it's such a life-giving, heart-filling thing for me...

the piece of art above was Truth spoken to me - a reminder (for all of us, i think), from the one who is Love...

YOU are always welcome, dear one.

for nancy...

the main reason i haven't updated this blog recently (other than the holidays just being a wonderful, crazy, busy time), is that rick's mom died last week.

she was a lady who had a lot of pain, health problems, regrets, and despair in her life - but there were also jokes and laughter, her beautiful organ and piano music, and her absolute love for her son.

we're grieving our loss today, but we're also thanking God for the healing that took place the last few days of her life on earth, the Truth that was spoken and shared, and the fact that she's now experiencing true joy and peace for the very first time.

just for fun...

christmas (and charlie brown)-inspired artwork... =)

grief, love, and mercy...

my dad

my little sister, my brother, and me...

i've really been missing my dad and my brother lately. i always miss them, but when the holidays come, the ache in my heart for them becomes more intense.

if i'm honest, the last few weeks i've been frustrated with God. even though i love Jesus with all of my heart, i was telling a friend how i go from not wanting to talk to Him at all, to longing for His presence - like a child who is angry at her father, but then, a moment later, happily asks him to spend some time with her.

sometimes things seem so bleak, the world around us so dark, that i find myself questioning things in my heart, even though my mind knows them to be true.

today i read an entry from the advent devotional i've been using for many years. it's called, "the Lord is near," and it has scripture along with excerpts from the writings of one of my favorite authors, henri j.m. nouwen. i'm always surprised (though, i shouldn't be by now), at how God meets me head-on in the midst of my grief, anger, and frustration, with His love and mercy.

the following is what i read today:

Called Back

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"

Matthew 9:27

O LORD, all you ask of me is a simple "yes," a simple act of trust so that your choices for me can bear fruit in my life. I do not want you to pass me by. I do not want to be so busy with my way of living, my plans and projects, my relatives, friends and acquaintances, that I do not even notice that you are with me, closer to me than anyone else. I do not want to be blind to the loving gestures that come from your hands, nor deaf to the caring words that come from your mouth. I want to see you as you walk with me and hear you as you speak to me.

Your heart is so full of the desire to love me, so aflame with a fire to warm me. You so much want to give me a home, a sense of belonging, a place to dwell, a shelter where I feel protected and a refuge in which I feel safe. You stand at so many squares and corners of my life and say with so much tenderness, "Come and see, come and stay with me..."

I trust in you, Lord, but keep helping me in my many moments of distrust and doubt. They are there and will be every time I turn my eyes, ears or hands away from you. Please, Lord, keep calling me back to you, by day and by night, in joy and in sadness, during moments of success and moments of failure. Never let me leave you. I know you walk with me. Help me walk with you today, tomorrow and always.

i pray that this speaks Truth to you, as it did to me.

praying for all those wrestling with grief, as well as joy, this christmas season... blessings to you, dear ones...