Multiplier!

The family spent a few days in the hot sun during spring break this past week. We all had a great time, and it really makes you yearn for warm weather at home. While out and about I spent a little time with a dear friend I see only every few years. She has been experiencing some tough medical issues, but seems to have quite an optimistic spirit. The time together was one of my highlights of the time off. Days with no cell phone...email...blog...television...news...or any other type of communication portal is quite invigorating. Sometimes you do not realize how your inner optimism gets absorbed...zapped...squelched every day. Time to multiply the internal optimism is quite healing.

"Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier."

-Colin Powell

It's Just A Stick!

The family and I recently had dinner at one of our favorite places Brasstown Valley Resorts and Spa. The most striking aspect of this resort, besides the fantastic dining room...and the golf course...and the aesthetics that surround the place...and the many amenities...is the interior lobby. The place has this rustic, log cabin-y feel.

They have taken beauty to a new level.

Everything is themed around one of the simplest pieces of nature...the stick.

Something with minimal color...inconsistent texture, size and type

becomes the most intriguing form of decorating.

Everything features the stick. The tables, the frames, a grandfather clock and the hand rails.

Even the ornamental decor items feature the common twig!

Never underestimate the beauty of one of nature's most simple elements.

Brasstown Valley saw the stick as decor and beauty,

and now everyone else sees it is more than just a stick!

Grow!

Every day is about learning to grow! The definition of "grow" certainly varies. I initially think size....but, I'm actually speaking artistically. Growing artistically to me means to: read...observe...learn...test...experiment...celebrate...appreciate...widen your vision of art...just welcome the opportunity to grow...

The Floaty Pen!

I LOVE floaty pens! There is something nostalgic and magical about them. I don't recall ever getting them while on vacation...but, I do remember wanting them. I have admired the various scenes...floating elements....colors for years! I now have decided as an adult...a t-shirt is not a souvenir want....it's the floaty pen! Always on the hunt and forever loving each one. I keep a cup of them on my desk...and they provide the most wonderful writing implement. Let's celebrate the floaty pen!

A Sign Of Spring!

Sometimes it's the buttercups....sometimes it's the smell of grass....sometimes the budding of trees...but, sometimes the signs of Spring are very unique to you! When this little bird bath fills with fresh rainwater and my precious four legged daughter declares it her exterior water bowl...that is a "Lett" sign of Spring!

Go Ahead...Bite It Off!

If you have read this blog at any time....you know my affection for quotes...and words. I am the weirdo that reads quote books like most people do novels. Oddly enough, there are oodles of quote books at a used book store. I'm not sure what that means...but, certainly affords me many treasures of word wisdom for a nominal cost.

This particular quote is now my favorite!! And it only seemed fitting to put it on such a stern and stoic woman. She looked as if she would stand by this mantra without hesitation. So...go ahead...bite it off!

The Hand Touched Me

This blue orb with the yellow hand is one of my favorite gifts! My daughter gave it to me when she was about 10 years old. We (me, Honey and daughter) were in an antique mall a few years ago and she insisted on purchasing it for me. My husband didn't quite get the point...but, she felt it looked just like something I would like. When she insists...my husband generally listens. Understanding on his part, is not required. Recently, I was doing some rearranging and I stumbled upon this little jewel. I love it as much today...as the moment she gave it to me. Who knows why she made the connection, but she no doubt felt one. Nevertheless, the hand touched me.

Pins

"When twilight drops her curtain down

and pins it with a star,

remember that you have a friend

though she may wander far."

-Unknown

Lift!

"Surround yourself with only people

who are going to lift you higher."

-Oprah Winfrey

Someone did it for me today...pay it forward!

Random or Destiny?

In keeping with my accidental stumbling into art...I made my weekly pilgrimage to my favorite thrift store. Upon this not being a day for treasures found at the odd price of .59 or $1.38...I wandered back to the parking lot. There parked in the space directly in front of my car was this ever so minimalist contribution to automation...mother's little helper...mobile artistic expression...the mosaic mini van! Yes, the whole van was painted...bumper to bumper....wheel cover to wheel cover...

windshield wiper to windshield wiper! Not so visible via this photo is multi-colored glass globs glued all over the rear view mirrors and often in the mortar areas of the mosaic. Slightly visible through the window is the interior seat covers....4" length, hot pink synthetic fur. Obviously, the ride only an artistic person would buy vehicle tags. This van said so much, without ever saying a word. I LOVED IT!

I've lived in this town for 13 years...I've never seen this vehicle. You tell me random...or destiny?

Random or Meant To Be?

Many of my friends make fun of my need to blog everyday...some constantly ask, "what do you talk about....what is the point?" This process started as a cathartic need to relieve some stress I was experiencing....and then it became a way to get involved and have purpose in my art...and has now segued into an art mission (self-inflicted). Who would of thunk it? I very early on decided my blog would encompass all kinds of artistic endeavors...enlightenment...and general art related stuff. All subject to my definition of what I deemed artistic. (FYI: in a blog you have complete creative license and control) Some days I do waffle or wonder what will be the topic...but, let me tell you it is very seldom. When you train your brain to look for something artistic...it somehow seems to surface when you least expect it. Last weekend the family attended a volleyball tournament at Converse College in South Carolina. In between games, my honey and I decided to walk around on the campus and enjoy one of the first sunny days of Spring. If we had not "randomly" chosen this particular sidewalk to stroll...I would have missed this awesome statue. Mary Stevenson Cassatt was perched upon a stone stage with a beautiful art palette in her hands. It begged me to read...learn...and now share. Ms. Cassatt provided a wonderful contribution to the art community. Her efforts were totally unfamiliar to me. I was not looking for artsy stuff....I think it actually came to me. Was it random...or meant to be? Hmmmmm.

Spirited!

Just a little piece of art today....it kind of represents the word for this week...."spirited". I have much to do this week....and I feel certain there will not be enough time. Typical feeling of most people, but we have to work with it. So, in order to take on all the tasks...take on an attitude. Spirited, is my mantra.

Watch

Walk....watch....wish! This is my artful theme of the day! This started out as an old alphabet card for "w" and on the flip side was five words that started with "w". Took advantage of yet another great verb...."watch".

Bloom!

The past few days have been filled with a tease of Spring! My pansy's are perking up...the grass is getting greener and growing...there is even a certain smell that is quite refreshing. I am a huge fan of fireplaces...sweaters...cold weather...but, when the signs of Spring begin to emerge...my favorite season can certainly change. This time of year stirs my botanical genes...yet, I don't seem to have any. My green thumb is practically dried up and petrified...but, I can still appreciate the value of a good verb: Bloom!

Happiness Should Be Shared!

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,

and the life of the candle will not be shortened.

Happiness never decreases by being shared."

-Buddha

On the left sidebar of this blog is my version of a "Pay It Forward" type crafting thingy. My objective is to widen my reading audience by thanking those who share my blog with others with a little stash of some great ephemera. I often invite the recipient to share their creative genius with me...and someone took me up on it. The above pin cushion was made from one of the sheets she received by 'paying it forward'. Tami of "Aunt Mimi's Creations" married my funky little grocery list of 1941 with a can and authentic '1941' creativity and made a fantastic piece of functionable art. I just love it! Go check her out.

Now this little piece of luminary art was the brain child of one of a teacher at my daughter's school. This teacher has graciously taken on a "crafting club" once a week! The started out as a skein of string.....wrapped....wrapped...and wrapped around a balloon....dipped in some starch....pop the balloon...add a lighting source...and voila...a most interesting and unique lamp for her room! I just love it!

Happiness never decreases by being shared....

Have A Great Day!

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing.

It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well."

-Voltaire

Just wanted to share a little art today...been away for a few days...and trying to get my 'wifey/motherly' duties caught up.

Have a great day!

Rolls of Fun!

One of my new found friends in Chattanooga...a friend of a friend of a friend...which is now my friend... is Natalie. She has a wonderful blog expounding the daily ups...downs....trials...tribulations...life of motherhood. It's a very refreshing, candid peek into her life. Her daughter is an adorable "mini me" of herself...with a little boy on the way. She often has a series of wonderful give-aways...and I this week she is giving away some of my art. I was thrilled to get to participate! So...I want to head you guys over there...sign-up! Go here. Have a great weekend....off to experience volley ball! FYI: the use of "celebrity" is an overstatement, but, thank you for being so kind.

Too!

Do you ever wonder how you might visually explain the definition of "too"? I do love this word! It can definitely swing both ways of negative...and positive. The formal definition is: Adverb: 1. to an excessive extent or degree; beyond what is desirable, fitting or right 2. more, as specified than intended 3. used as an affirmative to contradict a negative statement 4. extremely, very 5. in addition, furthermore Don't you think the above obviously, embellished lamp is a product of "too"? I saw this recently, with quite a hefty price tag...$125, and immediately had the word "too" emblazoned in my brain. I was torn....too many petals....too green....too much....too unique....too different...too perfect....too expensive....too all of the above? I didn't know which way my creative emotions were influencing me. Today...I still don't know which way my "too" leans. Sometimes the only confirmation or definition that needs to be confirmed is that the widget/thing/object is "too". And this is what this lamp implies......TOO! Not bad...not good....not extremely anything....just, too.

Need To Be Hatched!

“It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.” -C.S. Lewis Had lunch with one of my favorite 'buds' yesterday. She gave me this beautiful gift of eggs! She has a friend that has a flock of girls and gets them regularly from her...and decided to share her eggs with me. As far as eggs go...they were beautiful! The color was pristine and the shape perfect. Which got me thinking about eggs. We have all heard many coloquilisms...quotes....sayings...about eggs... ...don't put all your eggs in one basket. ...which came first the chicken or the egg? ...someone is a bad egg. Obviously, the comparison of humans to eggs is quite broad. Found the above quote by C.S. Lewis and just loved the symbolism of hatching or going bad. Quite a wonderful way to look at ourselves. So let's tip our glasses to eggs! We are not all nuts that are hard to crack....we are just eggs that need to be hatched!

Blissful!

"It's the national addiction: warmth on chilly winter nights,

innocence on Saturday afternoons,

the essence of hearth, home and blissful abandon."

-Patricia Linden

Have a great day!

Yum!

Sometimes when I see photographs of small children there is no other word to describe how they look but..."yum". This little one was precious to me. I actually think she would be a little older than myself in present time...my, I wasn't that cute. But this 2-3 year old just has quite a charming look about her. Love the expressions and uni-curl! She is just....yum!