3 Inspiring Books & My Love of Fashion

As I mentioned earlier this week, I've been reading a lot these days. 

Some of my favorite books right now are memoirs. And Steve Martin's Born Standing Up is one of my favorites.

I love learning the journey it took for people to get to where you see them now. It's always fun to get that behind the scenes look.

This memoir covers Martin's first few jobs at Disneyland along with his thoughts on school and family life, then moves into all the trials and errors it took to get him to Saturday Night Live. 

It's brilliantly told in an entertaining, but very heart-felt way.

One of my dreams is to have my own clothing line, even if that means it's only for me to wear. 

I've always adored fashion and dresses, but have never had the patience for sewing and pattern making. But when I went to West Africa in 2001, I had my first opportunity to work with a seamstress to design my own clothes. I went to the markets, picked out the fabrics and sketched the looks I wanted. 

I've always wanted to do that again, but with summer dresses in fabrics featuring my paintings.

Grace: A Memoir completely rekindled that dream for me.

Like I said, I adore seeing behind the scenes and this book really gets into it. Not only do you get to see Grace Coddington (now creative director at American Vogue) in her career, but also probably my favorite past was learning about her early life and seeing how she always had that spark for color, vision and fashion.

A very inspiring and fun read, especially for anyone in love with fashion.

As a lover of imagination and children's lit, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is one to read.

This is a coming of age story that is so thoughtfully told, the entire time I was reading it I thought, there's no way I could ever write anything as good as this. 

Luckily, I've learned with my painting process that too much inspiration from others artists can stunt my own creativity, so I quickly turned off that voice, reminding myself that everyone needs to tell their own story in their unique way.

Instead I focused on just what this book reminded me I wanted to strengthen in my own novel. Like looking at a painting and seeing that I am most in love with the way turquoise hits up against hot pink, with this book I remembered I am most delighted by books that bring emotion, connection and story to life through imagination.

What inspired me most about this book was not just the part taking place in the real world and the gorgeous metaphors, but the way Stead talks about time travel. She seamlessly wraps the fantasical side in with the reality of growing up to tell a relatable story.

Have You Read Any Good Books Lately? What Are Some of Your Favorites?

xoxo, 

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ps. I am crazy excited for my next online course SERENDIPITY: A Year In Mixed Media to begin in September. Registration opens August 16.  

Find details for my other online workshops here.

3 Inspiring Books & Under the Tuscan Sun

the enchanted april

lately i've been adoring books that take me to a far away place...real or imagined, it doesn't matter. i'm just loving to sit in the backyard with my feet dipped in the pool (my little kiddie pool) and read books that are perfect for a day at the beach.

the enchanted april by Elizabeth Von Arnim is such a charming book. i read this in a weekend and it completely took me back in time AND to italy! what could be better than a story about four ladies who rent a castle in tuscany for two months? definitely a book to completely get carried away with. 

under the tuscan sun

and since i'm dreaming so much about tuscany (brian and i got engaged there and i cannot wait to go back), under the tuscan sun has been around for a while, but it's another one to read or even reread and fall in love with.

the book is completely different from the movie. and to me, it's even more lavish. i keep reading it again and again!

author, frances mayes, paints such a gorgeous picture of her journey buying a home and fixing it up with her husband in tuscany. there are even recipes inside...and all of the foods and gardens described in the book are absolutely breath-taking!

the night circus

after talking with friends, i've heard that the night circus gets mixed reviews. emma morgenstern creates a fantastical world where the circus appears out of nowhere around the world and magic goes on inside. 

the story definitely starts off a bit dark. i almost closed the book and didn't return to it after the first few chapters. but in the end, i was glad i kept reading. 

Have You Read Any Good Books Lately? What Are Your Favorites?

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if you've been waiting for the right time to paint, now is the perfect moment...both my HOW TO PAINT A GIRL & HOW TO PAINT AN OWL online art classes are now available on-demand as self-study courses! 

Find all of the details & register here. 

3 Inspiring Books & the Happiness Project!

The Happiness Project

i always find it funny when you pick up a book and can't get into it. but then come across it again a few months later and adore it! that happened with me and the book the happiness project by gretchen rubin. 

i'm reading lots of memoirs these days to help me write my own book on my creative journey this year, so i picked up the happiness project again to research writing i don't like. i'm not quite sure why i didn't like the book initially, but something i can never get enough of is hearing other peoples's stories, especially when it's a journey of healing and figuring out ways of better being. and that's just what the happiness project is all about. 

the book is divided into chapters that each focus on a different section of life (work, relationships etc). and something it propelled me to do is create my own list of 6 Things I'd Like To Better Balance In My Every Day...

wellness (walking, yoga, meditation)

work

fun/adventure

creativity

service and kindness to others

leisure/ down time

  

it always seems like one of these things (or more) falls short in my every day. and for me, they're all really a priority. so making this list and being conscious of including a bit of each thing in my every day has helped me find and maintain more balance.

the bluebird effect

i've also loved reading the bluebird effect. 

this book is like spending a day in the flower garden. it completely brought relaxation and peace of mind. and, as a bird lover, i learned so much behind the scenes details about caring for birds! 

there are lots of illustrations too. so, if you have a bit of a short attention span like me, you can move through this book slowly, reading each section as a short story and enjoying all of the pictures too!

made from scratch

made from scratch is one of the most inspiring stories i think i've ever read. 

i'd never heard of sandra lee before, but read a short article about her current life in a magazine and the hook that caught me was that she'd gone from rags to riches in a few short years...then lost it all and made it back again! 

i wanted to know more about this woman...and her story is incredibly inspiring. not just from a business perspective (i learned so much from this book about making deals with big companies and product launches), but i also fell in love with her perseverance and incredible story. 

What Inspiring Books Have Your Read Lately? I'm always looking for a new read and would be delighted to know what you're loving too! AND if you have any questions that you love to know about people or think would be fun to see answered in my own book...please let me know!

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ps. both HOW TO PAINT AN OWL and HOW TO PAINT A GIRL will be available as self-paced, instant-access classed this summer! sign up for my newsletter for details! i can't wait to paint together!

a NEW Adventure - combining art + story for a book!

a few years ago, i wrote a novel. i spent two years revising and rewriting, having it critiqued and getting advice from other authors. then, i completely burned out on it. 

that's one of the reasons i started painting again in the summer of 2009. but recently, i've had this voice in my head that is craving to get back to writing.

i know i just need to give myself a bit of time and space to let all of my ideas, inspirations and energy flow into this new project. and i am so excited (and a bit nervous) to see just where it leads me! 

so i've decided to take some time at the beach to reread my novel and see just what happens! i know i have a few books inside. i will definitely be putting together an illustrated book, incorporating my paintings with their stories. and i'd love to put together a how-to book to share more of my painting process and inspirations. 

but right now, it's a my novel that is calling me back...so i know, it's my next place to begin.

the beach seems like the perfect backdrop. i seriously can't stop taking photos of every sunrise and sunset. and i know all of this gorgeous-ness will seep into my paintings too! 

one of the biggest things i'm learning right now is that things in my life are not linear. sometimes, there isn't a straight line to get to where i'm thinking i'd like to go. and that's really the fun part. it's all about following those little words of inspiration. those things that keep coming up again and again. 

all it takes is that first step. who knows where it will lead to next!

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thank you so much for all of your get well soons! i'm feeling a million times better! and am so excited to start painting with everyone today too in my how to paint a girl e-course! in case you missed it, here's a little video snip-it! 

hope you enjoyed a lovely weekend!

new book recommendations for the holidays!

akata witch by Nnedi Okorafor

i'm currently reading this book, akata witch by author Nnedi Okorafor. it's completely full of such imagination! and since i've had it on my mind to get back into writing and combining my art with words, i'm diving into lots of literature for inspiration too!

shades of milk and honey, by mary robinette kowal

i just finished this wonderful read, shades of milk and honey, by mary robinette kowal. it's very Jane Austin, but filled with lots of art and magic! definitely a perfect read for a bit of time off over the holidays!

inspired by tricia guild + more books i'm loving!

PATTERN by Tricia Guild

whenever i go on vacation i make sure to check out lots of fabulous books and magazines from the library!

i've been thinking a lot about surface pattern design and color, and of course tricia guild came to mind! i'm in love with this book PATTERN! tricia has authored quite a few others on color and interior design. and they're all crazy inspiring!

PRINTING BY HAND by Lena Corwin

and since i'm busy planning my HOW TO PAINT AN OWL e-course, i've been thinking all about the stencils i've used and how i've created them and just how the patterns might show up on fabric. Marisa Haedike of creative thursday (who always seems to have fabulous book recommendations) had this one, PRINTING BY HAND, on her book list.

not only is it so fun to look through at all the patterns and colors, but it gives some wonderful techniques and ideas for printing by hand!

FIBER ARTS magazine

and i always fall in love with fiber arts magazine. they always seem to showcase the unexpected, which i find so inspiring and just sort of let it all gather in my subconscious. the perfect page through on a sunny afternoon or a little vacation!

THE ABC MURDERS, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, + THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD.
by Agatha Christie

and i'm always finding myself with a mystery novel on vacation. agatha christie is my current favorite. her books are just perfect for getting into for a few hours, heading to dinner, and then getting back into again before bed.

HOWL + KADDISH by allen ginsberg

i always find poetry inspiring too. one of my favorites has always been ee cummings, but i happened to see HOWL last week and it got me thinking i should reread some ginsberg again. these little travel editions are perfect for fitting into your bag and reading on the go too.

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if you're interested in seeing my past book recommendations, you can find more right here!

and in case you missed it, the lovely bonnie posted a little interview with me on her blog!

AND...i had such an unbelievable trip to california last week! i can't wait to share all of the gorgeous photos with you later this week!!

inspired by claudine hellmuth + more books i love!

collage discovery workshop-beyond the unexpected by claudine hellmuth

i've been doing lots of research for my upcoming online HOW TO PAINT AN OWL class! i think i now have 19 books and magazines out from the library! and the lovely and always amazing claudine hellmuth has long been an inspiration. 

collage discovery workshop by claudine hellmuth

i dream of publishing a technique book like hers someday! there are so many fun projects inside! sometimes i just love paging through how-to books to feel that kindred spirit-ness with other artists. it's the same reason i adore wandering blogs. there's so much inspiration out there!

Prosperity Pie by SARK

and for that same reason, i've been rereading some of my favorite SARK books! i just love the layout and the way she puts a personal spin on everything to let you know just how she got through this or that. to me, it makes them a wonderful place to go for self-reflection.

the chronicles of narnia by cs lewis

and i'm always looking for books to keep my imagination growing. so the chronicles of narnia has been a favorite! there's just something so renewing about curling up with this huge book and a cup of tea!

if you're interested in seeing my past book recommendations, you can find more right here!

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have a lovely weekend, everyone!

inspired by sabrina ward harrison + loads of books!

Brave on the Rocks by Sabrina Ward Harrison

lately i've been ordering lots + lots of books from the library. i think i've got a total of fifteen checked out right now. i seem to go through this researching and reading phase whenever the seasons change, which inevitably means i'm searching for something new. 

 Spilling Open by Sabrina Ward Harrison

now many of you have told me, i have to check out sabrina ward harrison...her books are SO beautiful! and not only are they beautiful, but they're so open and honest, which is so inspiring! i'm just paging through these two over + over and each time i seem to find something i didn't notice before. something new to fall in love with!
 

and it's not just her artwork i'm finding crazy inspiring, but all of the playfulness! it just makes me want to own a Polaroid camera again and take photos of little notes i leave for others to find around the city!

the happiness project by Gretchen Rubin

i'm also reading the happiness project. a while back. i started carrying around a pocket notebook and jotting down all of the little moments where i felt happy. i wanted more of those moments in my life. and i realized a lot of the things i was telling myself made me happy, really didn't. but being outside, taking naps, wrapping up in clothes straight from the dryer-those things actually did!

i made documenting my own happiness a little science project, which is what the happiness project is all about. i just adore the author's approach and am finding she REALLY got organized and documented her life. i'm not quite that detail oriented, so taking some of what she's found and adding it to what i've already determined in my own life, has really reminded me to pay attention to when i'm really feeling joy and smiling! 

the voice of knowledge by don miguel ruiz

i'm also a big fan of don miguel ruiz. he's written lots of toltec wisdom books. for me, it's just another book that happens to reopen my eyes and remind me of all of the little things!

the artist's guide by jackie battenfield

and with all of this transition + transformation i'm feeling with the change of seasons, i just had to pick up a creative business book. this one is very comprehensive, and i'm finding it too to be a good reminder of all of the things i've learned this past year about running a successful creative business. 

wishing you a happy and inspiration-filled weekend!!!