My Texas Vacation & Filling the Well

"Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." –Pablo Picasso

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I was lucky enough to spend a few extra days vacationing before the Lucky Star retreat.

I felt like a princess, spending my days lounging by the pool and reading on the balcony with hillside views.

I seriously filled the well. And now I am trying to find more ways to take time for this in my every day.

Because I can't even say how much this little vacation filled me up. It made my creativity bubble up and over. It made me remember the importance of taking down time to allow space for new ideas, spontaneity and serendipity. And it reminded me of the happiness I feel when I am creative. 

I started journaling with doodles and writing picture book stories. I got lost in the woods. I saw a jack rabbit, deer and another fox!

Here are a few Texas vacation photos...I hope they bring you a little of the happiness and peace they bring me.

xoxo,

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ps. My newest class SERENDIPITY just started. If you're interested in painting lots of different characters the entire year, find details and register here.

Creativity, Inspiration & Lucky Star Art Camp

Taking silly photos with Aleli and Vivienne 

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."

-Roald Dahl 

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Well, I’ve just returned from Lucky Star Art Camp in the beautiful Texas hill country where I spent a week soaking up inspiration and connection… and spent a whole lot of time painting. 

The experience reminded me of the necessity to take time to “fill the well.” 

For me that means taking time to slow down and keep calm, reading in the sunshine, stepping outside at midnight to watch for shooting stars, doodling, writing poetry and finger painting. 

More than anything I am reminded that my every day is a process with one thing leading to the next. That there is no right or wrong way. And that I will figure it out. 

Sometimes it takes letting go and stepping away for things to fall into place.     

Here is a bit from my time away, teaching Happy Painting at Lucky Star Art Camp...

Photo by Vivienne McMaster

Some of the paintings created during class.

Photo by Danielle Davies

A painting demo I did for class.

An art journal page I created during class.

Me with Aleli and Vivienne 

Can you believe we got to paint there, right down by the river each day? So inspiring. I wish you all could have been there.

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo,

ps. If you're interested in going to next year's retreat, definitely sign up for the Lucky Star newsletter.

pps. I'll have more photos for you from my time in Texas... next week.  Happy painting!

New Painting: FREEDOM DWELLING

FREEDOM DWELLING. 10 x 10" on Canvas. Original Available Here.
Prints in my shop.

Painting this little rabbit was one of those pieces where I just wanted to follow what I saw in the paint.

And I saw a rabbit. 

I had painted over an old painting I wasn't liking for the background and had all of this texture at the bottom. But I didn't know what to do next with everything around the rabbit. 

So I went back to using my favorite colors and techniques. 

I found a painted page I'd created in my sketchbook with watercolors and india inks. That became the "sun" in the sky. 

Then I smeared a bit of yellow and red acrylic ink at the bottom. And that became the ground, making all of that texture really pop.

FREEDOM DWELLING. 10 x 10" on Canvas. Original Available Here.
Prints in my shop.

I call this piece FREEDOM DWELLING because in painting it I was reminded to feel the freedom of creating like a child without boundaries, to follow my instincts and to just have fun, letting things be easy and filled with joy.

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ps. My newest online course SERENDIPITY - A YEAR IN MIXED MEDIA just started. If you've been wanting to paint and become part of an incredibly supportive and positive creative community go here for more details and to register.

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pps. I'm away teaching at the Lucky Star art retreat in beautiful Hunt, Texas this week... but I've got a few blog posts scheduled while I am away and can't wait to share all of the photos and stories with you when I return. 

A New Mixed Media Painting- Connected As One

CONNECTED AS ONE. Original 11x14" on Canvas Panel. Available Here
Prints available in my shop.

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” - Albert Einstein

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I began painting this lion during the last class I taught at the Sugar & Spice retreat.

It's always fun to have an audience watch me create. I paint over my backgrounds and characters so many times and while I don't get attached, the people watching usually do. 

And, for a second, their love for a certain character makes me not want to cover it up. 

But I know, if I'm to move forward with the painting and enjoy it, I have to follow my own instincts. 

Because this lion started out as a mermaid... 

Photo by Kate Daniel

Photo by Kate Daniel

Photo by Kate Daniel

But I really hated those eyes. And if you're a regular reader of this blog, you know the eyes are the part of the painting that have to resonate with my heart,

And if the eyes of my character don't make my heart melt, I have to cover them up.

So I closed the mermaid's eyes. And she soon turned into a lion.

Photo by Kate Daniel

Photo by Kate Daniel

Photo by Kate Daniel

Photo by Kate Daniel

But then the lion seemed too dull and sleepy.

I thought about turning the lion into a flower. That's how the sun came about. And just when the sun was about to become a second flower, I decided to completely cover up the lion's face. 

Whenever I want to redo a face and start over, I often cover it up completely with a circle of tissue paper, then a circle of book page or sheet music.

CONNECTED AS ONE. Original 11x14" on Canvas Panel. Available Here.
Prints available in my shop.

And just when no one seemed to be watching, I found my new lion and the sun.

From there, all of the experiences we'd had together at the retreat rolled into this painting's story...

Let us be bold. Plunge into it. Set aside inhibitions and differences. Enjoy the day. Let go. Smile more at those who matter, which is everyone. CONNECTED AS ONE.