Some New Art

I noticed that I had not posted in a while but I actually may have a very good excuse this time... I've been a busy artist!!
It's part of the dream to be so busy and successful as an artist that I don't need a day job because the day job is being an artist... I feel closer, this past month, to that dream than ever before!!

Back in February I entered a painting in the CAPS art auction which is a judged art auction to raise money for aids awareness. I was worried about submitting because it is a judged entry and only a select few are accepted. I really hate rejection, especially of my art. But good news I got accepted.
Here is the piece I donated...

Flying Raven

I'm a little sad because I really love this painting and will miss seeing it in my house, but I am also happy to donate it to a good cause. I just hope it is bought by a loving person who will treasure it.

Any way the auction is this weekend so I am super excited because I get to go and dress up and be fancy and elegant.

Another project that has been keeping me really really really busy is the "little art / BIG CAUSE" show at a cute little bar in Portland called Scandals. They have a ton of artists doing  8x8 panels and they hang them all up and people come in buy what they want for $40.00 and then take them home that night. Super cool!!
This Thursday is the opening night and they sell most paintings the first few nights. I am excited because I painted 6 new panels for this one. I only had 28 days to get them done. I worked like a beast to get them finished.

Pure Heart - Deer

Below are the new paintings for the Scandals show.





Play, Laugh, Love - Dolphin

 

 

It was so much fun doing these and I have been so revitalized for doing my art.

Untapped Strength - Bear

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other thing I have been busy with is the totems that I do.

 

I've had a bunch of new clients and interest.

 

I love doing the totems the most because I get to know so many great people.

 

I'll share one of those on my next post.

 

Shine Bright - Peacock

 

 

 

The last thing that has kept me so busy this month is getting ready for the First Thursday street show. I put myself out there on the street (with tons of other artists). Including my dear friends, Pat, Chuck and Derrick to hold my hand and help me feel brave while exposing my heart and soul to the public. I did it last year until I got sick and the first one in April, was rained out :(

 

We're suppose to have great 80 degree weather and lots of people out there so I am excited to be there and hopefully have some real fun meeting new people who like my art!!! For all my friends who live in Portland I hope you'll come out and see me!!!

Big Bold Beautiful - Alligator

Deepest Desires - Snake

 

New Year's Resolution ... The New REVISED Me in Progress!

I love the New Year! I especially love making new resolutions.

I always feel like my life is a series of experiments on "getting it right", so when I have a particularly tough year, the "NEW" Year signals in my mind that it's OK to start over and give it another try.

I'll sit down and evaluate the past year and edit out the bad elements, just get rid of those things that didn't work.

Like this past year...

1. Suffering with uterine pain is OUT! My uterus is gone so the fresh new healthy me is ready to go.
2. A less than satisfying career. There's got to be something out there at stimulates all my talents!!!
3. A Negative attitude bye bye ... only positive influences, people and self talk in my life.
4. Destructive sabotaging people ... asta la vista, baby! (You know who you are.)
5. Procrastination (Oh, this is the thorn in my side) It's so GONE, first thing tomorrow!


Wow only five things... I thought there was more! (Thats the new positive me talking)

I see that my life is going pretty good and perhaps I am "Getting it Right" more than I thought.

Here is what's right and I plan on keeping and developing further this year...

1. My Marriage ... Love makes my world go round! Having the best support system around sure makes life great!!

2. My Daughter ... She makes me proud every day and knowing that my love and support is helping her become the amazing person I know she is, makes me feel like I'm doing everything right!

3. Running ... It's challenging and tough at times, but everyday I run I feel happy and inspired and knowing I ran a bit better and further than yesterday makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something important. (That may just be the dopamine talking, but I'll take it!!).

4. My Art ... I've been "practicing" this one my entire life. It stays on my list every year. What my art has taught me is, never give up on a dream, there is always room for growth and development, and even if no one else likes what you do, if it makes you happy keep doing it!!!

Here are a couple of new pieces I'm happy to share with you...

All Together Different

Play Often

5. Writing ... It's a big insecurity and I feel extremely vulnerable to ridicule and criticism, but I love writing. I've got hundreds (No exaggeration) of journals that I have been writing since my teen age years, I have three blogs that only a very tiny select few even know about (just my most trusted friends and family) and I never seem to follow through with the consistency of writing, but It really makes me feel happy when I write. So write I shall, (maybe I'll even share it with the general public. .. hmm that might be a 2015  improvement goal)

6. Positive Influences ... There seems to be a lot of negative people and events and influences being bombarded towards me daily and when I don't pay attention, I sure do let those things in and effect my thoughts and actions. But this year I am going to intentionally deny, block and prohibit the negative into my life. I'm blocking those negative nellys' on face book. I'm turning off the news (expect NPR). I'm walking away from those who choose to argue, fight, bicker or speak ill of others. I choose to see the good in life and people.

Reach for the Stars

Resolutions are not bad things that we may or may not achieve, they are side notes and edits to a life in progress and I welcome a new year that allows me to correct mistakes and start over ...

so I raise my glass and toast to a brand new and exciting year ahead!!!

(Insert whistles and horns and throw the confetti now.)

Farewell my uterus!

Well here it is a few days before I expell the traitor in my abdomen ... My uterus!

Yes that's right a hysterectomy!

I fought hard for the past 8 years to keep the bloody thing! (Pun intended)

It turns out that my fibroid tumors, which supposedly don't cause most women any trouble at all, have been wrecking havoc in my uterus for years. Probably even the cause for all the horrendous PMS bouts I've suffered with all these years!

I do want to honor my uterus for the one good thing that did come from it...

My daughter Lyndi-Rae. Even then though my uterus didn't want to cooperate when it came time to expell that giant baby! She was two weeks past due and 9lb 4oz and we had to force my uterus to cooperate with drugs and a team of doctors and nurses forcing the issue for two days!

But it did make a really healthy wonderful baby girl for me so kudos to you, uterus!

But now the time has come to say farewell, sinanara ... 

Don't let the door hit you on your way out!!

In the beginning

Here is the beginning of a sketch I'm doing for my new painting!!

Just thought I'd share!!

Scorpio

Here is a little picture I did for a friend of mine!

A Guide for Spiritual Living







I just have to brag a little here. My Uncle George McLaird has written a fantastic new book!! It's called, "A Guide for Spiritual Living: Hundreds of Suggestions for Finding, Refinding, Refining, Redefining and Reinventing Your Own Personal Spiritual Path". I have read the book and will probably read it several more times, as there are so many great suggestions for creating your own amazing path through life. I might also mention that this book is featuring an up and comping new artist, who has contributed some fun and whimsical visual interest, which only enhances the already fantastic book... Yup, thats me!!!

 

Take a look at that cover... Pretty cool don't you think?

If you want to check it out, go to www.barnesandnoble.com and type in either "Rev. George McLaird" or "A Guide for Spiritual Living" in the search section.
It's there and it's so worth buying!!!
You can also get it for the nook!
It it available for the kindle too at www.amazon.com

Also check out Georges web site he has a great little video about the book, he's even starring in the video.
www.mclaird.com

Enjoy and thanks for your support!!!

Over One Year Ago

I can't believe it's been over a year since Mom died.

It's been over a year since I've posted anything.

It seems like just yesterday, yet at the same time it seems like eons ago.
How does that happen?

Christmas Cardinal

Today I discovered, when I checked my blog, that I got Married on the exact 1 year anniversary from my mothers death, July 15,2012.
I had a jaw dropping moment, let me tell you!

When we were picking a date earlier this year, We were focused on getting a great deal on flights and hotels and wedding venues, the 15th of July seemed to be the date that worked, and it was so far from my mind that it was my mothers date of passing.

"Leap First"

Somehow I think she orchestrated that, she's been in my dreams the past three nights, always with dad and they are side by side, sometimes giving me advice and telling me some random piece of data that makes sense in a dream, but no sense when you wake up.

Last night they were at a banquet table just smiling and nodding in approval. I think it means they were at the wedding, in spirit.

SO,  How does a year go by so fast?
Thinking about whats been going on, I can only recall a few significant details, most days are working to earn a living, cleaning so I don't feel like a slob and spending time with my family and friends.

Mixed in are my personal projects, like art, so I can retire from "work" and create paintings and drawings for a living.
Running, so that I can live long enough to full fill my bucket list.
Mix in my desire to learn about nutrition and healing. (Someday I'll make a career out of that!)
Tending to my tiny little garden so that I feel like I'm contributing to life.
And reading lots of books. I still read "real" books, the kind you put in your hand and turn the paper pages! I enjoy hearing the paper crinkle each time you flip a page; which for me is WAY more satisfying than an electronic version of that.

For the upcoming year, I plan to paint a lot more, sell a lot more paintings :)
Run a 1/2 Marathon, I just started training for that.
Loose 10 more pounds, mainly so running gets easier.
Read more, laugh more, play more and go on more sunny vacations!!!



Until my next post (Hopefully not another whole year hahah)...


Bride & Groom

Here are some pictures of the Art I've been doing... and a snapshot from our wedding photos!


First Raven



Raven Flying



Love Dove

Giraffe's See Far



"Last Bugger" from the Unpublished
Book... "Letting the Bed Bugs Bite"
Written by Charles Lindner

White Butterfly



Horse Farm

"Voodo Bug" from the Unpublished Book

"Seek Passion"



"Wise Heart"