Art keeps holiday memories

I awoke in major arm pain with the cast squeezing my last smile. I broke down and finally grieved for my hand, as I apologized, for yet another time, for being stupid on a ladder. I had to stop that unforgiving tape, and move on. I went for a happy visualization of this same day. A cold snowy night, we were bus tired and off a bus in the heart of Stratford-on-Avon, Shakesphere's land was dream enough. As we entered the new town Hilton, under great scrutny for its modern brick look, we saw a big Christmas lobby tree. No food available and exhausted, we all hit the sheets. Our body clocks were way off. We awoke at 9PM. Contacted 2 new travelers and went exploring the fog filled town, searching for dinner.Through the door we heard fun and excitement in a pub. We knocked at the inn door, "no room available at this private party", we heard a voice from the back...Oh let the bloody kids from the colonies in", a door to an art dream era opened. Beer pints in hand, the neighbors welcomed us to their private world. Roast turkey and all English trimmings, bubbles (potatoes)and squeak ( brusslesprouts, cabbage) were served. The boys drank pints and played darts with locals. I  looked at and smelled the large hearth yule log burning, creating a glow on faces I had only seen in famous paintings.Men burst through, dancing with high black socks, ribbons on hats, clogging. A new energy filled an already idealic vision.Morris Men entertained, red faced, chapped nosed children's faces, playing by the firelight, entered my visual painting. This is the same lighting Raphael used, or Renoir painted, until now, I didn't understand that palette. I had stepped back into an artists time and Kenny and I were bathed in a painter's light. That English Christmas card lives with me forever. I was living my art school dream. The 70's are gone, my husband passed but this artist's vision is still is alive. 
Blessings this holiday everyone. When we bathe in light, nothing can be wrong.

    

Messages are everywhere DAY2

As I  awoke, needing pain meds, I noticed bells and a metal angel hanging on to my bedside lamp stand.As I have been fading in and out, so have my dear friend's visits where they have left symbols of their messages behind. Lili my guru friend made a wrapped copper wire angel wing piece of art, supported energetically with a crystal crusted slab of agate geode.She broke off a section from my cedar tree for me to smell when I returned from the hospital.A small, all brass angel, from an ornament box, now is perched on the metal leaves of the lamp. She blows a trumpet - Gabriele's horn  I  assume.A large hand ringing bell, a forged replica of an obvious ancient time was given to me by my 103 year old mom to hear my calling her. There's a crown is on top of a queens head. A small gold sleigh bell on red satin rope has also shown up on the lamp shade. On the bedside table is an artists mini vase I had to have at a show. A frog sits on it holding visual court, where 3 oils and sticks hold  a healing sensory experience each whiff. Symbolism is everywhere. Messages of encouragement are all around us. It is that "Oneness" I speak of a lot.I believe surrounding ourselves with subliminal messages is common place for us. These symbols, dating back centuries, given by others to me, will make their way into my next piece of art...30 DAYS OF HEALING. Although my hand can't work yet, my mind is already designing the piece.  
Oils of anointment rituals before Christ, Angel Gabriel's horn of freedom, a crown to remind me God is there and  I  am worthy with each ring, wings of protection in this world of friends and the next, a sleigh bell used to inform travelers of others coming, not to collide and finally a frog reminding me life is all about transformation and change is always there. Put it all together and it spells GET WELL from many ages.

Art as a pain killer

In 3 hours I go under the knife as they say in the medical world. As I lay here, a powerful graphic, the Sym.bol.ogie of this event, has entered my prayer talk. While talking to my guidance, I heard, "doing your art is the closest thing to your higher spiritual self. Totally heart related, the heart of oneness has entered visually. By planning the vision of your new venture, and staging it around your bed, you have set sacred space to move beyond mental pain. You have released energy, like endorphins, that is more powerful than the physical experience." As I heard and sensed this, I realized I  had awakened with my arm cast spread across my chest, something I wasn't able to do when body aware. It was sitting over my heart, and I couldn't feel pain in that "between world" state. Was art, the creative spark, the true door to the soul experience? They seemed to be connected. The thrill of wanting to get better to now achieve this symbolic out-picturing was now more dominant than the pain. The plan of giving 2 small pieces of art to the 2 doctors came next. I knew I had to get well. There was a new drive.  I also noticed, I can' feel a hand there anymore while in this state. NOW...AWAKENED, THE PAIN IS FULL SPEED, but the symbol is now etched and waiting to become art. Blessings to these beings.

Creating in Bed

I have often said that creation happens first in bed. With my latest situation, I never thought I would use my bed as my studio. Last week I broke my wrist and tomorrow I will have an operation on my dominant, money hand. I had no idea how much I depended on my left hand. How does the song go..."you don't know what you have till it's gone". Not doing art for a Gemini is death. I needed to do something to put my Passion Qualities out front. to, some how,  look forward to this next journey into my creative muse. A new exciting direction was needed, Maybe new media to explore would excite me. I'm a strong Visionary", and I know me and boredom with same-same. Something new had to be waiting on the horizon...SOON TO PEAK MY INTEREST. The new project, study and research now took precedent, My new inner voice calling was the extensive study of "Sym.bol.ogie", also my new line of Object 'd Art".. My new obsession was going to consume me as I learned from culture to culture how art and message were, have been and will be married by me. I set the stage for research books, juicy art tombs, and basic materials that, hopefully, an unsuspecting right hand can achieve. I built my "creativ" fortress, AROUND MY BED, with all I would need for a week of "Poor Me"retort. Everything needed to be at fingertip reach for that sudden burst or inspiration. Ask, and it shows up. My friends jumped into the hunt, starting at the library. How great is this? All those books, I coveted, will now be read, As I looked around, I recalled rainy days as a child, dragging out everything from crayons to cut-out dolls  for my little Maple table and chairs. I didn't want to be board. Those were happy days of exploration...without pain.That will be my emotional focus, Who knows what a lost hand can achieve while waiting.

 

A door closing

Kat's RESTYLE EMPORIUM is closing here in Florence. I'm not sure it is me or my back that has decided to close. I'm not getting any younger and this hauling is taking a toll. It doesn't take as much muscle to teach all I know. So this weekend is  the BIG store sale. At this point my store inventory is in my home. Tripping over things definitely changes your opinion on prices to reduce inventory.
So some people will get good bargains this weekend.

Butterfly Experience

I've been working through how my physical store, online store, course and book marketing go together. My brain says -wooh...too much. Something has to go. It would be better to do one thing the best you can. But, you see, that is the brain driven by fear of too much or not enough. I work at paying attention to when the brain wants control. I just left a spa day, with the plants and oils calling to me. As I was being wrapped , covered in algae mud the visual of being a caterpillar and emerging as a butterfly was sooo vivid. I went within to experience what that must be like emerging from a cocoon. I knew I was connected to my true nature. I saw my legs melt away and wings emerge. I asked - how do I blend all of what I am doing with what I am and want. The answer... emerge as the creative spirit you are. The store offers a place for others to find you, your creative sessions to teach, materials for others to have the opportunity, the book gives them a map through the experience and courses help to grow the creative spirit we all have waiting. There is only oneness, and the butterfly understands this.

Office Design Barnyard Hello

I know I'm pushing Spring in Oregon, but if it's Easter, it has to be Spring in my mind. That means it's time to change my seasonal office look. It is time to wake up to a cheery look, even if it is still raining. What is so great about a home office/ studio or nook that is your own...you are the boss. No one telling you, you can't have a plant on your desk. IT'S TIME TO  JUICE-UP that office feeling. What is friendlier than a country feeling. I looked around, pulled things from my Kat's RESTYLE EMPORIUM store to photograph my ideas for you. I love staging a photo shoot. I find that your theme is right in front of you. It is the things you love the most.

COUNTRY IS EASY
Crocks hold flowers, make a good lamp. My wire utensil rack is perfect for scissors, tape, hole punches etc. Those coffee, tea a flour canisters, collecting dust, are wonderful for dry erase "stuff" DVD and CD blanks (round?). An egg basket or wooden tray makes a great in box. My old wire milk create now holds my "DO TODAY" folders. Mason jars are for assorted pens, markers. My Germany egg cups have paperclips, stamps file folder clips now. That retired recipe box is great for index cards, note pads or business cards not yet filed. My antique school bell acts as a paper weight. An old picnic table cloth set my color theme. In 20 minutes, I had a new look, recycled more goodies and feel a freshness when I walk in now to write this blog. CHANGE IS PROGRESS. Using items you have a history with is "Passionista Six-Sense Styling".

 

 

PLAY, HAVE FUN, JUICE-UP YOUR OFFICE TODAY

 

The 2 turtles are finally a reality...at least in my mind. I'll have to wait to swim with them again in Maui. Enjoy.

Swimming with turtles

I think next to being an actor where you can recreate a fantasy life, being an artist is the next best thing. I'm getting ready for my one woman showcase "Pacific Passion" in Newport, Oregon. Yesterday was recalling being with turtles in Maui. As I drew them and designed the water patterns, I recalled the coolness of the ocean and the exhilaration I got when I realized I had entered their world. In the land of creativity, you get to create anything. Turtle's power is to remember to step to the plate, know who you are internally and, only when you are ready, pop out to seek what you deserve. 2 Green turtles is about sharing that inner knowledge. I am ready to "Pop out" and find the world of the painter in wax (Encaustic)

Juice-UP and PLUG IN

Juice -UP to creativity, PLUG IN to technology is every woman's biz battle cry today. Stop fighting, start joining the "Passionista" way. Use your Passion Q's -qualities & creativity as the focus. If you sell, FAST track to webology is a must. This blog & my camp site, PLUG-IN Café series, will be written from a new creative approach - design (and enjoy) your site. I'll show the pitfalls, upgrades and successes - I'll tell all. I decided we need to be mentors in this process together. Think of a site as clay, moldable and your creation. Each page reflects your passion process. It has your energy and attraction. You can design it with your color, visual sense, say all the things you have envisioned. NOTE It will live long after you...get my drift. Off to my 3 sites - whistle while you work you techno elves.

A dream comes true

Over 9 years ago I moved from Maui to Scottsdale, AZ. My guidance was to start a conscious business school that would help mentor women with my knowledge of entrepreneurial biz, marketing, design and bridge how spiritual awareness can be a new way to view business. It was like being from a new planet. I had to move to Oregon to care take my family. I thought that life direction was over. Last year I published my 9 lives book about this amazing business/ spiritual journey and how all I know came from nature. TODAY, thanks to the advancement of technology, this dream will become a reality. In April a site will launch that will mentor women in this natural process of balance for personal, home and business growth. "Camp Passionista" will be a virtual space to hang out, be inspired, learn, chill out, try creative ideas...and never leave your chair. WE can now be the "PASSIONISTA of our brand. Stay posted. I will final get to teach what I learned - nature has 4 laws and our success depends on our knowledge of them.

Stacking Clutter Goes UP

Everywhere you look they are talking about de-cluttering our "STUFF". I do that regularly because as a creative shaker, I collect ...as do many of you. If you do jewelry or collect the bits for mixed media, it can really add up. I am passing on my two great tips for controlling the goodies you must keep. I found by going up, not out as we are forced to do as we grow our stash, I can control what I own, find what I have in minutes and deconstruct each container with mobility. STACK THE STUFF.

HERE'S MY JUICE -UP STUDIO TIPS:
 I went to Dollar Tree and purchased plastic chip & dip dishes. I gave each one a category, type of color or is sorted by what I do with them. They neatly stack into each other . I am at 14 well balanced trays so far. Check out my photo. One more mess with purpose. Totally justified.

The other is magazines - THE MUST HAVES- taking up a lot of room. ANSWER ...GO UP. I found an inexpensive vegetable stacking bin is a fabulous library. It is slim and stacks well. You can add to it. I have 60 magazines in one small space. For the aesthetics I put a Japanese silk panel over it. It has to look pretty for me.

New use for old friend

Getting ready for the DIY craft direction for my emporium store
I decided to find a new way of using all I had saved and sharing the creative ideas. Like many, I had a lot of silk flowers for different seasons. I stripped them of plastic. I also found a lot of old, beautiful ties my dad had. Everyday of his hotel life he wore elegant suits and ties. It was hard to throw them out when he passed. Today, I cut them up, added them to many layers of mixed flower pieces and ...magic, red velveteen, white organdy and checkered black and white silk. Added a felt circle and brooch pin to restyle old hats, purses, close a scarf, decorate a jacket even restyle a lamp shade. I made a simple pattern and then added pieces of jewelry, feathers and button centers. That tired winter hat looks runway ready. My creations are now in the store - 2 ways with pieces for others to make or already designed for restyling. Thanks dad for that touch of timeless elegance.

GETTING BACK

I don't know where the time goes. My last post was eons ago it seems. After September, the fall and winter holidays seem to take over and all intentions fly away. I guess it is traditions and holiday ritual that take us away from our normal creative goals; like making ornaments, shopping, overdoing on the perfect gifts - naturally hand made. I chose not to do cards this year. Getting the Kat's Restyle Emporium (my store)  ready for the Holiday buying season seemed more energetic this time. Enough excuses, it is a new artistic year and time to roll out those creativity goals. As the economic times change for the artist, remarketing yourself is crucial. I looked at what our town was lacking and not  having a place to buy craft items, for mixed media and 3-D crafting, was missing. I gathered all of my (horded) goodies and will now have them in my store - as a mini DIY space. Naturally I need a look. A mix of internati0onal travel and altered industrial chic. Dollar store boxes are being covered with craft paper and cut up McCalls patterns. Signage will be assorted stamps and my logo. I put in metal shelving to go thinner and higher. My goal is for the buyer to expect the unexpected each time they visit and have fun.