Opportunities Abound...

As spring shows its lovely wings here in Indiana, I find myself hoarding the strength and grounding that winter brought. It is so easy to get carried away on days like this - sunshine-y, warm, full of energy.

I thank those who have provided (and continue to provide) me with those ties to myself, my soul, so that my spirit doesn't get to flitty.

I recently purchased an AMAZING piece of art from Rachel Awes at http://allididwaslisten.blogspot.com. I (and others) have long admired her work online...luckily, she just opened her Esty shop! Really...how lucky am I to have this inspiration facing me every day:

I'd go visit her Etsy shop now...you're bound to find one that calls to you.

And WOW - want to know about hidden gems? I've followed Sara Ortiz at her blog (http://creativityonamission.blogspot.com/) for a bit. She recently offered a FREE (yup, free) 30 minute "Idea Jam Session" to the first 20 people who replied. I jumped on it because, well, who doesn't need a good jam session?? (That, and her idea of being a Renaissance Soul really called to me!)

We had our session this morning and I left feeling SO energized. I filled out a questionnaire for her before the call and she just zeroed right in on some ideas that could get me more centered, productive, and moving forward from this point. (Displaying my completed research & art for tangible motivation and reminders that I'm progressing? Love it!! I don't want to give away all the ideas, but she has so many more...) I've already picked up a book from the library that she recommended, "The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One". Hah - I bet that ressonated with some of my readers!

There is absolutely NO reason not to jump over there right now and email her for a session. You have NOTHING to lose and SO much to gain! (Really. Ok, read the rest of my post and then go. The link is right HERE.)

AND - Trudy Callan is hosting the Artistic Mothers Group, based off of Shona Cole's amazing book, "The Artistic Mother"...it starts today! Check out the link at the top of my sidebar! This promises to be an AMAZING journey.

(I ADORE the advice in Shona's book, which I've already been through...and am excited to have some accountability to get some of the projects done! Really, I can't imagine that I will really be holding some of my own creations in my hands soon.

This, on top of the deep messages, fascinating techniques, and stunning insights I keep getting from Connie's Art Journal Love Letters workshop...WHOA.

Given all of the above, I'm trying to come up with a different term for what I "do" than "stay-at-home mom" 'cause, oh my, that just doesn't do it justice. Ah, my friends, but that is another post.

(Ok, now scroll back up and visit those links. You'll be happy you did.)

Journaling Into My Past

I have (yet another) new passion.

Last weekend we stayed at my mother's house and ended up pulling out a huge box of documents and old family photos. Holding those frail photos in my hands and reading profound thoughts that my ancestors shared rekindled an interest in researching my family history.

When I get into something, I REALLY get into it. Last night, I was up until 1 a.m. following one lead after another, trying one more search term in Google. This is an addictive treasure hunt.

In hopes that I don't get too caught up in this, I'm trying to integrate this fascination with my ongoing life.

For example, I shared the art journal page with the grid that I originally intended to house photos of the different aspects of me (mother, wife, yogini, etc.). That grid is now going to combine some of the magnificent photos we uncovered of those who created and remain in my soul.

I'm still working on it, but here's a more updated version (I added chalk and oil pastels and did some outlining with charcoal pencil):

I have yet to decide which photos will be included, but am so excited to share just a few:

This is my great-great grandmother on my father's side, Carrie Deffaulx. (We believe her name might have been "Marna", but we're not sure if that is a first or middle name.)

Isn't she just lovely? Those eyes are captivating.

This is her husband, (my great-great grandfather), Louis Deffaulx.

I LOVE the moustache and hat. We have record that he was born in France and became an American citizen sometime during his life. Apparently, his parents owned a vineyard...ooooh, how I would love to learn more about that!!

One more photo to share that really speaks to me. This is Carrie's daughter, May, who would be my great-great aunt...is that right? (May's sister is my great-grandmother.) (I never met May.)

This photo draws my heartstrings together. She is me, and I am her.

I'm just giddy about all of this but am really trying to maintain balance....thus, I'm off to play with my daughter and her legos. :)

Do you have any tips for researching family history (for free?!)? I'd love to know them!

Finding My P(L)ACE

I am ever so slowly refinding my energy for training.

This post was a lot longer originally, but I realized I should just get to the point.

I am fortunate that my body is in shape to do all of this. I am blessed to have the time and resources available to run, strength train, swim, and bike, and to have the support from friends and family to make the most of those resources.

For anyone who is on a training path and looking for specifics:

*I ran 6.5 miles on Monday (walked for a total of 2 1/2 minutes during that - not totally pleased that I couldn't run the whole thing or do 7 total - but am reflecting on the afore-mentioned blessings)

*I strength-trained on Tuesday (and felt yummy afterwards - nothing like a little muscle action to make you feel strong!)

*I did intervals on the treadmill this morning for 27 minutes total, following a program mentioned in Runners World (and was pleasantly surprised that I didn't fall off of it! Seriously - had nightmares last night about running too fast and flying off backwards as the treadmill kept right on going)

I am learning so much from this process that I'm having trouble finding the words anymore.

Take a minute and admire your blessings, your strength. Drink it in. It is an amazing feeling to feel the strength that is inherent in your soul, and even more so to radiate that throughout your body.

Whether you run a marathon, walk a path in the park, or find yourself sitting on the front step of your home silent amidst the world around you, breathe in that miraculous beauty that is around you, on your skin, inside your cells, and vibrating in your spirit. "Live Strong"

Inhale Peace and Joy. Exhale your doubts.

Find your own pace.

Be strong with me.

The Artistic Mother!

I'm so excited - I finally got a copy of Shona Cole's new book, "The Artistic Mother"!

I picked it up this afternoon, came straight home and dove right in. Funny enough, her writing did its job: I was so inspired after chapter one that I put the book down and started making a card! I'm anxious to read more tonight.

Butterfly bookmark courtesy of my daughter who kept flitting around as I was reading on the couch.

Shona mentions in the first chapter to imagine we (she and the reader) are having a conversation while all of our kids are playing. I truly appreciated this...I felt ok from pardoning myself from the book to dance around with my daughter! Bizzare, I know...but mothers - you understand.

For those who haven't picked it up, I would highly recommend it. Check out the reviews on Amazon if you don't believe me. Though I'm obviously still at the beginning, I would guess this book would apply to anyone with a hectic schedule - not just mothers. (Hectic schedule - geez, who doesn't that apply to??)

I'd also recommend you check out Shona's blog, An Artful Life, at: http://shonastudio.blogspot.com. She is an amazing woman - one who inspires me to keep creating - a meal, a craft, a moment - even when the kiddos are at their whiniest.

Artistic Mothers Group

If you do have the book (or are interested in getting it), Trudy Callan at Artistic Creations With Trudy is putting together an Artistic Mothers' group (starting on Saturday, March 6th)! I am so excited to be a part of this community, following the techniques in Shona's book, and finding like-minded souls and support along the way. This is exactly the kind of discipline I need. :)

It would be a thrill to have you there with us! Just visit her blog and join in....

Speaking of discipline, I need to get back to my quickly-being-neglected Art Journal!

Wherever your day or evening takes you from here, Enjoy!

Art Journaling In Progress

Please excuse our mess.

We are currently updating our Art Department to give you the best possible experience when visiting LifeUnity!

For you, our special guest, please let us share with you a sneak peak into what we've been doing:

(That all sounds way fancier than, "This is what has been keeping me from sleeping, neglecting my husband and kids, ignoring the housework, and otherwise leaving me in a state of constant excitement and wonder." Take it whichever way you'd like.)

These two pages are foundational works - playing with color, texture, stamps, and oh-so-wonderful gel medium. Acrylic paints, secret tools for texture (didn't I tell you that you should sign up for Connie's workshop??), stamps, glitter glue...fun stuff. They will serve as a base for something more....

(That's just glare on the right side page...)

The following two pages are using printed photos. The color was removed from the photos before printing (except for the skin tone...I haven't yet figured out how to add that back in with the colors I have), then added back in with oil and chalk pastels. As before, there will probably be more added to these pages.

I took these photos during an amazing visit to the Indianapolis Butterfly Gardens. I had been walking past these plants when suddenly the wind picked up. I felt as if my entire body were in flow with the wave of the wind...my arm just became an extension reaching into the vastness. I love looking at these as I am transported back to that feeling of flow....

I added some bling back into my bracelet with some red glitter.

The following is work with a grid...I just haven't gotten around to completing it. Thus far, it's just a pencil drawing (I used a grid from one of my children's card games to create the drawing on the left).

The idea was spawned from another of Connie's assignments - using a grid. The premise is that the divided areas of my life (I'll add photos into the grid sections) are melting into a pool...becoming unified. That wonderful unity is evaporating (becoming one with the spirit) into a free, wild, "Mist"-ical being.

This is related to Connie's foundation of doodling...taken to an extreme I didn't even expect. I printed the picture in the middle (that wonderful image was done by a woman I believe is named Charolette - it is of the Temperance Tarot Card. It was the result of a Google search, and the image can be found here:
http://www.ellenmilliongraphics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=1415 ). The original image is black and white - I used pastels to color it after adhering it to the page. The lines around were drawn free hand with a black photo marker.

The picture has a huge deal of significance - enough to warrant another post. The doodling around it is meant to be representative of stained glass...and will look much more like it once I get around to coloring them all in!

(Li'l bit of Art Journal Lovin', amidst oh-so-many other projects!!)