Soul Musings

This was over a month ago (kinda tells you how fast my August has flown by) but, I didn’t want to let sharing about my experience of July’s third Friday artwalk go. It was such a great date with myself. I had plans to go with a friend and our kids, that fell through so I was going to go with just my kids but, Bert ended up being home from work early and the kids didn’t want to go with me. I was a little sad at first and thought for a second I would skip it however, I really wanted to the see the She Deck exhibit before it closed. Not seeing it would have been a big bummer so, I decided to go on my own. It was an awesome time. I forget that I like being in my own company. I like to move at my own pace and wander. I like lingering when it feels good. Couple that with my love for viewing and experiencing art and that makes for a perfect date. I spoke to a few artists and a gallery owner while there which I wouldn’t have done if I had company with me. It was a great reminder to go out, even if no one wants to go out with me and maybe especially if no one wants to go out with me.

Pieces by women artists will abound along Grand Avenue on Third Friday, as {9} The Gallery also presents a “Summer Solstice” exhibition, plus a “She Deck” exhibition of skateboard decks, at the Frontal Lobe Gallery at Bragg’s Pie Factory.

Top: Exhibit at {9) Gallery, Artist Brenda Edwards

Middle: Mural on the side of {9} Gallery, Artist Amanda Adkins

Bottom: Summer Solstice Exhibit at Frontal Lobe Gallery, Artists Lisa Von Hoffer and Lauren Lee

 She Deck Exhibit at Frontal Lobe Gallery featuring over 50 female artists showing their skateboard deck creations.

I happen to have my art on exhibit at the Fair Trade Cafe during third Friday also. I was blessed to sell two artworks during my time being featured! Heartfelt thank you to Fair Trade Cafe and those who enjoyed and purchased my art.

I have been struggling to find a rug for a couple years now. Since I regularly change the artwork hanging in our living room, I felt like keeping it neutral would be best. However, as a family with two boys and a dog I have come to accept that a light beige rug is not the right fit for us. After two failed attempts at trying a light colored rug only to have it destroyed shortly after bringing it home, I decided I needed to change it up and add a pop of color. We checked out a clearance section of the furniture warehouse and ended up with this bold beauty! (Rug modeled by Hudson, he loves how soft it is).

We took it home and right away I knew a DIY project in store for me. Our weathered coffee table was no longer a match and had seen netter days so, it was time for a facelift. (Below Ethan and Hudson are modeling the new rug with our current coffee table, notice Hudson is once again laying on it because it’s so soft and Ethan was told to please remove his shoes right after I snapped the picture, haha)

The sanding begins, and continues, and goes on some more. I had envisioned a natural wood top with white sides and natural drawers. Well this table top was stubborn and the previous two layers of paint just would not fully come off. After about 4-5 hours of sanding in the hot summer heat I threw in the towel and decided to paint the entire table white leaving just the drawers natural.

I was pretty unsure about a white coffee table. But the results turned beautifully! The new white table and bold rug transformed the whole feel of the room. It is now so much brighter, more lively and I love it so much. We keep the lights low and the window blinds barely open so, this room could be quite dark before. On a side note, this table has been in our home for about 14 years! It started out all natural, then blue/green, then white top and green sides and now white! One of the many reasons I love wood furniture is that it can be transformed again and again. I think the simple updates made a huge difference. Total cost for the rug and paint for this transformation was just $120. Now, I’m thinking I need a few more new pillows! So, what do you think?

Artist creations: Silhouette Pillow of my kids made custom by Desert Baby, Dreamcatcher by Rachael Rice Art, Beach art pillow and Fireflies art pillow available in my Etsy shop, Phoenix painting by me.

I’m answering 3 creative questions today!

1. What have I been working on?

oh, a variety of things!

my sketchbook: I have been trying to work in my sketchbook more. I have had the one shown above since 2010 and it’s still not finished. I know that the practice is good for my soul and my art so, I’m challenging myself to work on it more often. After all these years I finally gave the cover a little art love.

wedding invitations: I wrapped up a luscious purple wedding invitation suite that I had been working on with a sweet couple for a few months.

new flower art: The most exhilarating project has been the process of working on three flower still life’s and then completely painting over them in a style that is more reflective of me and my work. It was an amazingly freeing process and one that reminded me to “paint like you“. I plan to photograph them this weekend.

custom kids art: I am in the beginning stages on a few custom art pieces that will hang in the bedrooms of two little boys.

2. Why do I create what I do?

I started years ago with the desire to share the creative things I was doing in my life with the world and to sell my creations. Though I still do that, my goal has changed. My journey to becoming an artist has had numerous starts and stops. My dream is paint and be a self sufficient artist supporting my family from my creative work. I do this to share myself through art, create custom pieces for important moments in one’s life and to bring joy to the lives and sacred spaces of those that collect my art.

3. How does my creative process work?

I begin by choosing a subject I’d like to work with and gathering bits of inspiration. I may make a vision board and collect things that inspire me, I may sketch ideas, I may take pictures but, many times I just start painting and see where it leads. If I’m working on a custom piece I tend to sketch more and draw on the canvas before starting however, if I’m working on my own art, I’m much freer and enjoy letting the art unfold. I usually start with a general idea and layout in mind but, let myself get lost in creation and explore.

When artistic opportunities arise at my kids’ schools I try my best to make the time to help. It’s not always easy but, it is always worth it. It’s a way I can be involved while doing something I love to do – win/win!

Here are two art projects that came up this year that I was happy to help with.

Hudson’s class worked on a collaborative art project to auction off at the school’s annual fundraiser. I was delighted to help the class with their creation. I brought in few options and the class voted on which idea they liked best. Then, I went into class a few times to assist the kids in painting the background and patterns for the piece. We also decided to include their classroom character traits so, you’ll see words like Honest, Respectful, Appreciative sprinkled throughout. Then I took all the painted sticks home, arranged them and framed them. I really love the end result – the kids did an amazing job!

Ethan’s school athletic day was centered around the Greek Olympic games and the P.E. instructor had the idea to create shields for the teams. They traced Greek symbols onto the shields and me and few other parents painted them for the event. I also helped out during field day by scoring the shot put event and got to see the opening and closing ceremonies with all the shields displayed! Such a fun day.

Spring has surely sprung here in the desert. I took some time to look and enjoy the plants and flowers blooming in our backyard. Today we have much to celebrate, there will be a solar eclipse and supermoon as well as Spring Equinox! The equinox has long been celebrated as a time of beginning and renewal. I am feeling it and hope you are too.

I have been writing this post on and off for months and am finally ready to hit publish! Woo hoo, officially beginning my new year!

I always feel the need to slow down, reflect, take time off, rest and slowly start thinking of the new year. I love day dreaming and planning. Last year, I picked up Leonie Dawson’s workbook and LOVED it. I pre-ordered my 2015 workbook this year as I wanted it as soon as possible and have spent countless hours releasing 2014 and invoking 2015.

When I started day dreaming about 2015, I felt a uneasy and a little lost. After spending some time releasing 2014 my goals and ideas became clearer. This is the first year I have the luxury of planning things out instead of riding whatever wave comes along or sitting in transition and not riding at all because a path has not been cleared. That feels scary really. I’m used to knee-jerk reactions and letting things come to me instead of really figuring out what I want and going after it.

This year as something different in store. To step up and embody my soul yearnings, my  truth, my dreams and desires. With that calling brings all the fears: the fear of not being good enough, the fear of not being able to handle it, the fear of failure. Yet, I know these fears lead my fulfilling my deeper purpose.

Phoenix II, Kristen Fagan, Acrylic on Canvas, 24″x24″, 2015

The Phoenix is a mythical bird that consumes itself in flames to be reborn new from its ashes. The Phoenix is the symbol of the transformation of human consciousness and our creative spirit that we must undergo to create what we desire.

I have been running in many different directions for what feels like forever. The holidays and the rush of work and play that come with them feel like yesterday when in fact I should be fully decompressed from that by now. My new years life + biz reflecting and goal setting should be planting new seeds of creation when in fact I have yet to even hit publish on my intentions. In January, I took off on family trip for my godson’s baptism followed immediately by two work trips (one with my work and one with my husband’s work). I felt good, inspired and ready to tackle my intentions, my artwork, my well being when I returned from my travels when in fact I have done none of those things.

Instead, I have been caring for our family, our home, figuring out where everyone else is at this moment and what kind of support they need from me to be their very best. All noble, worthy things of course. In addition, my youngest son had urology surgery last week (he is doing great) and my oldest son had a medical issue the day after my other son’s surgery that required drs, an emergency room visit and an ultrasound last week (he is well now). It was a scary and stressful few days. I am very grateful that everyone is healthy and on the mend.

I am however, feeling all my to do’s, should haves, obligations and soul yearnings hit me at once. I am cranky. I am run-down. I am detached. I feel heavy, out of balance, undernourished (ironically, nourish is my word of the year), exhausted and depleted. I am now the one needing support. It’s time to transform and create what I desire and that means standing up for the precious time I have to call my own. I need to give myself some structure and space to allow dreams to happen!

2014.

What changed my life this year? I want to share the things that made a difference in my happiness, life + abundance.

A really big deal for me this year was that I completed this new website and blog. Although it’s taking me a little while to get settled I love this new space so much. I started blogging in 2008 and was ready for an upgrade. My website was so out of date I took it down for a couple years before I completed this one. I had it in my head for at least two years that I wanted to take it up a notch and create something that I felt proud to show people and that I could grow with for the next few years. It feels good to begin again with a fresh new home on the web.

After a couple of years really concentrating on my health and wellness I got sidetracked. Towards the end of 2014 I began to come out of the fog and re-commit to eating healthy and moving my body. It hasn’t been easy or consistent but, it’s a step in the right direction and my mind is more on board with making the commitment then it’s been in some time.

I allowed myself to say no to business opportunities and projects that didn’t feel right. I spent more time at home, with my family and doing “mom stuff”. It’s been a huge transition year for our family schedule, finances and time management and one of the best things I did was acknowledge that a lot was changing and that I needed to let things flow and in some cases let things go and be totally okay with it.

I treated myself and our kids more. Our family has been on a very tight budget for what seems like forever and treating ourselves has been at the very bottom of the list. This year, I bought new clothes, art supplies, body care, high quality food, kitchen gadgets and home decor items – all of which were out of reach the last few years. I also did the same for our kids. When they needed something, I got it. When they wanted to play a sport, I signed them up. If we were out and they wanted something small, I said yes more often. My kids are really great about understanding the cost of things. They have only ever known us to be on a budget. If it wasn’t on sale it wasn’t likely to happen. It’s felt really nice to give a little more then they have been used to. I didn’t go crazy but, I loosened the reins and allowed all of us to enjoy some things “just because”.

Here are some notable events and things that happened this year:

– Art Date at Moma

– Participated in Inktober – 31 Days, 31 Drawings

– Changed my weekday work schedule to be off when kids get home from school

– Took my kids to help pack food at Feed my Starving Children

– Met my godson, Joseph Liam and painted art for his nursery.

– Refinished our dining room table

– Shared new art works in progress

– Took a family vacation to Disneyland

– Participated in the community art project, Mesa Street Art Love

– Family trip to New York, celebrated my sister’s baby shower, fun on Fire Island, visited the NYC and saw Phish.

– Collaborated with my youngest son, Hudson on our backyard art bench

– Participated in the Beads of Courage Jewelry Design Challenge

– Got a ton of dental work done, everyone in the family is all caught up

– Took a sewing class with my friend Amanda and learned how to use a sewing machine.

– Shared monthly jewelry tutorials

– Saw Ethan read his poem at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. He won Honorable Mention out of 600 entries

– Watched many dance performances with Hudson and his hip hop performance crew

– Supported my husband any way I could as he took on his own journey of growth and success.

This year has really been about giving my family as much support as I can to help them thrive as well as allowing myself to take a step back and be supported and cared for instead of doing it all by myself.

I hope your 2014 has been filled with wonderful lessons and that you’ve emerged from it stronger, wiser + more joyful than ever before.