Eat Pray Love in New Jersey

My Sacred Life day 20...

I am truly blessed...I thank everyone who continually encourages me here...as a gift to you I am starting a new series Monday to help burgeoning/hopeful/struggling artists...anyone who wants to sell their art...ALL are invited to follow along as I continue on my path to selling my art...I will let you see all my progress and all my stumbles...I will give you the naked truth of my experience...get a cup of tea and join me each morning...together we will grow as artists and as community...spread the word... the journey to reinventage beings....

my newest rock...actually a petrified tree turned rock...what shall i put in the opening?
I am blessed with wonderful friends...Friday, last weekend, dear friends John and Mary, who live in Ewing, NJ, came to visit me in Philadelphia...they visited the trade show and then took me to lunch at Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant near America's 2nd largest mall King of Prussia...there were signed photos on the walls...everybody from Frank Sinatra to Bozo the Clown...the food was some of the best Italian food I have had outside Italy... on Saturday they took me to their beautiful home...it is decorated superbly...I need to start decorating NOW...perhaps with some of this....


anyway...they took me on a tour of New Jersey and Bucks County, PA along the Delaware River...I will share more photos tomorrow...but my ultimate goal was to get to the little shop called Two Buttons in Frenchtown... hidden behind warning signs to stay out...no trespassing is this little gem...


Two Buttons is a wonderful import gallery owned by Filipe of Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Lovefame... Okay...he is not really Filipe, but Jose, Liz's Brazilian boyfriend turned husband...Karen Cole, of Artsortments had a post about this shop the week before I left for Philadelphia...Jose was there manning the shop, so charming and full of details about the works of art and their travels to find them...no wonder she fell in love with him...

Book Review: Eat Pray Love,#1 on the NYT Paperback Nonfiction list, is romantic fiction about a woman who, after a bad divorce, went in search of herself and her spirituality. She does this by eating her way through Italy, praying and meditating through India, and loving through Bali.

Below is what I came home with...I was limited by what would fit in my suitcase or a life size gator would have followed me home...see products on the Two Buttons website for a view of him...


all my goodies, including the beads from the front of the book that Jose graciously gifted me with


the puppet with painted head and beautifully carved hands and feet


We went from Frenchtown to lunch in charming Lambertville, NJ, then across the river to artsy New Hope, PA...I will tell you more about this tomorrow...

Today's aMUSEment - do you have a good friend who deserves a call or letter from you? Take a few minutes today to do that...

U Be Creative Today!

Putting Myself Out There...

My Sacred Life day 19...
Today sees the return of my daily muse...Orangina is the muse of orderly rule. I am feeling absolutely separate from orderly rule. Everything seems to be in a state of flux right now. My life, my career, my health, my art, my home, my dreams, my spirit... Nothing appears really stable. I feel on a precipice, hanging on, but just barely. I long for that feeling of safe ordinariness that flows from balance.

I am desperately searching for a way to reinvent myself into an artist of smalls. What are smalls? Anything smaller than 6' X 6'! A muralist who can no longer climb scaffolding is a muralist without a means of support - literally, figuratively, and financially!!! It is a scary place to be.

I have managed to keep myself afloat by teaching, editing an industry magazine, writing for publications, and doing some graphic design work. But I long to be painting again and supporting myself with my art. That is where the smalls come in. I had a talk with Michael deMeng a few months ago about the fear I am feeling putting my smalls out there. It feels like I am putting one of my children out into the world. Putting my art out there before I left for Philadelphia was a big step for me - a coming out of sorts.

Next, I have to prepare for my first gallery installation, November 1. I am excited, but terrified at the same time. I need for my small artworks to sustain me and that places an urgency for creation that can sometimes stifle creativity. I do not know how to proceed. I have no idea if anyone will buy it. I am gently searching for a mentor who can lead me through the maze or, at least, give me a good shove in the right direction. I have to begin selling my art now.

The blogging community has been extremely supportive, encouraging me. I have felt very safe in sharing here. The response to my ball gown was overwhelming to me. Perhaps I do have a visual voice that speaks to others.

Today's aMUSEment - Are you having trouble putting your creations out into the world? We must find a safe and supportive venue in which to do that. If you do not already have one, consider starting a blog to put your work into the public. It is fairly simple to begin blogging. Blogger.com is free. Or create something to enter into Illustration Friday, Poetry Thursday, 3 Word Wednesday, Self Portrait Tuesday, Sunday Scribblings, etc. I am sure there are others that I have not found as yet. Get your stuff out there!!! I will take the journey with you.

U Be Creative Today!

Inside This Door...

MSL day 18...

Come inside this door and see where I got dressed for the ball...

actually this was my suite at the Faux Event in Philadelphia last week...but it remains in my dreams...it is the Paris Apartment fantasy suite...

the chandelier in the foyer...yes it had a foyer...


this is the mural above the chandelier...there were murals like this throughout the room...every ceiling...


except over the bed that was mirrored...oh my...


you could roll out of the bed and into the hot tub...


this is a room shot...mirrors everywhere...


the water closet was behind this door.... i am going to paint this in my home...


oh la la...I was spoiled during this event...

Today's aMUSEment - How do you spoil yourself? Sometime this weekend take a long, delicious bubble bath...dream of a Paris apartment...

U Be Creative Today!!

Oh What a Night...Day

MSL day 17...

Wasn't the Bloglandia Ball a smashing success??? Kudos to eb and all her co-hosts for doing it up right... This is without parallel; the opportunity extremely precious to those of us who became a tiny part of this experience...

Something extraordinary happened during the ball. The divine showed up and seemed to open everyone...inspiring creativity, enthusiasm, and a wonderful sense of community, spontaneity and joy. We were of one heart. Illuminating our path was the brilliance of a harvest moon. Here is mine peeking out behind the palms.



As the self-proclaimed dance chair...I attempted to dance with everyone...even the virtual dances with those who could not attend in person...If I didn't have a dance with you it was not because I didn't want to... I never left the floor except for those necessary times or to cool down a mite...I am a dancin' fool...but I loved it all....

This opened many new and exciting friendships for me. I meet such wonderful and wondrous people all day long. They looked so beautiful in their gowns. I hope to form a bond with each of you as we travel this art journey together... You are a blessing to me...

Today's aMUSEment - Daydream about your experience at the ball...write or draw what the experience meant to you...

U BE Creative Today!

Off to the Ball

I am off to the Bloglandia Ball today...hosted by the remarkable eb of be_dream_play...visit her bog to see the links to the ball attendees...and see their wonderful ball gowns...

As we arrive I see many wonderful artistas...arrayed in splendor of their own creation...the work of their hands has made the event so colorful and lively... I will be dancing the day and the night away...I love to dance...save a dance for me...

We are in awe, Cre8Tiva and I, as we stop to take it all in....for we haven't been to a ball in a long time...we were not sure if we would be dressed just right...and we were unsure if we should don the tiera...and of course we opted for...

tiera and wrap

This is my gown...


My Gown is called "She of the Sea"...it is made on heavy paper...painted with acrylics, silk ribbons and yarn, embellished with glass beads, shells, crystals, antique jewelry...

bodice detail

skirt detail

No ball gown is complete without the proper glass slippers...

glass slippers

I see Marita and Constance and Vanessa and Lisa and... over there are spf and corey...everyone i know is here...I must bid you adeiu for now...i want to see what everyone is wearing...below is a history of ball gowns if you would like to know...

The noun ball gown has one meaning:
Meaning #1: the most formal gown; worn to a ball

Ball gowns of the 1860s
A Ball gown is the most formal female attire for social occasions. According to rules of etiquette, a ball gown must be worn where "white tie" or "evening dress" is specified on the invitation. It is traditionally a full-skirted gown reaching at least to the ankles, made of luxurious fabric, delicately and exotically trimmed. Most versions are cut off the shoulder with decollete necklines. Such gowns are typically worn with a stole (a formal shawl in expensive fabric), cape or cloak in lieu of a coat, "good" (couture or vintage) jewellery and opera-length gloves. Standard accessories are dancing shoes and a clutch style evening bag. Where "state decorations" are to be worn, they are on a bow pinned to the chest, and married women wear a tiara if they have one.

The ball-gown shape has changed little since the mid-19th century. Although man-made fabrics are now sometimes used, the most common fabrics are satin, silk, taffeta and velvet with trimmings of lace, pearls, sequins, embroidery, ruffles and ruching.

The Elements of Ladies' White Tie Attire

According to rules of etiquette and attire, ladies must wear a ball gown to events where men are required to wear white tie attire.

The elements of ladies' white tie attire could include:

• ball gown - ballerina (to the ankle) or full-length (to the floor)


• dancing shoes - formal pumps, sandals or ballet slippers


• jewellery - earrings and necklace; rings and bracelets are optional. A watch is not considered appropriate except for jewelled versions in which the face is covered so that it resembles a bracelet.


• gloves - if worn, should be opera length


• stole, cape or cloak, or an opera coat


• handbag - clutch style or small evening bag

Optional:

• state decorations - if specified on invitation; worn on a bow pinned to the chest


• tiara - if "state decoration" is specified; worn by married women only

The information above was provided by: Answer.com and Wikipedia and WordNet

Life Interrupted...by Chance

MSL day 16...

Life Interrupted...because:

this little fella was about 10-feet from A1A yesterday...that means he was about 13 seconds from being squished by all the traffic that flows past this area at 5:30 in the evening...

I brought him home...cleaned him up...and fed him...he was starved and thirsty in the 90+ degree heat in Florida yesterday...last night he managed to charm his way into my heart...smitten I am...

Meet Sir Chancelot...the newest addition to our family... Chance for short because he got a 2nd chance...

He went to the vet first thing this morning...he is only about 8-10 weeks old...how sad...so many people abandon puppies...he is a Jack Russel Terrier...like Eddie of Frasier fame...

Our sweet Mags gets to know him...


the sleepy little fella needs a nap...he has had a bad few days...

Connecting with My Students

MSL day 15...

I am back from Philadelphia...tired but overflowing with joy from the connections made during The Faux Event...especially the connection with my students....

Here are photos of 4 of my 5 student's work...most have never done any kind of fine art before. The word "fine" does not so much denote the quality of the artwork in question, but the purity of the discipline. I wanted them to connect with their inner artist...their spirit and soul...I believe that shows in their work below...

We began by painting 2 journal pages which I hope will start them on the road to journaling. We then did an interactive piece where everyone wrote a word on a piece of paper and we each then picked a word out of a hat and illustrated it with paint. One of the students said, "I am really uncomfortable with this." I said, "Good, that is where you need to be to stretch your limits." This is the work she produced entitled "Soap"...

"Soap" 2007 - acrylic on canvas...

We then did some Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) with collage methods combined with painting. Next we delved into all of Golden Artist Colors potions - acrylic mediums like: molding and crackle pastes; soft and heavy gels; glass bead, granite, and tar gels, fiber paste; absorbent grounds, and some plaster products from Golden's Proceed line. We also explored Modern Masters metallics. We worked and played and shared our finds...Thank you to Golden and Modern Masters for being so generous with products for the class!!!

The students did wonderful work...please see the preceding post for more class musings...click on photos to enlarge...

3 canvas works, 2 ATCs, Art Journal pages...

2 canvas works, Art Journal pages...

2 canvas works, 2 ATCs, Art Journal pages...

2 canvas works, 2 ATCs, Art Journal pages...

Aren't these wonderful? I was blown away with their talent!!! I am so pleased with the results of this class. You never know the first time you teach a new class how it will go. This far exceeded my expectations.

U Be Creative Today!

Le Studieux de Coeur

MSL day 14...

"max coeur (heart)" - 2007 - acrylic and watercolor on heavy paper, homage to my students and Peter Max

Yesterday in my sacred life my students entered Le Studieux de Coeur - The Heart Studio...or the studio of my heart...I had the gift of leading them in the discovery of their visual voice...

What great joy my students give me...to allow me the honor of accompanying them on their journey to self-discovery and self-fulfilment...how lucky am I? It was a special class of 5 extraordinary women who came together and formed an intentional artistic community for 5 hours...they left normal for a moment in time...and discovered new self-images...and forms of creation.

But it was more than that...it was a connection with that part of themselves that has not artistic boundaries...and will stretch themselves to find something more meaningful...more unique...their visual voice.

When class was over...they did not want to leave...and I did not want to stop accompanying them on their journey...so we stayed another hour beyond...deep in the flow of creation...

It was a very meaningful time for me as a teacher...I know that this is what I am called to do...this is what I was put on this earth to do...help people find and express their unique visual voice...I am blessed...

I will share photos of my students creations later today when I have some time to download and size them for the Internet...

Today's aMUSEment - Have you discovered your visual voice?

U Be Creative Today!

More Class Samples...

MSL day 11...

The final sample pieces for my class today...I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed creating them...

"trio" - 2007 - acrylic, watercolor and marmarino plaster on heavy paper

"escape" - 2007 - acrylic on heavy paper

U Be Creative Today!

Journeying...

MSL day 12...
Muse Sophie is a great traveling companion...she packs well...remembers everything...and is always on time... I will post more class samples later today...

Early this morning I left for Philadelphia...I am scheduled to arrive at 9:30 AM...then I will be off to Valley Forge to The Faux Event...

I love these industry events...I so enjoy seeing old friends and meeting new ones...the frenetic energy that abounds in these situations keeps me excited and energized...

Today's aMUSEment - investigate some industry events that you might like to attend...make a plan for how you can manifest it...

U Be Creative Today!

Watch This Video by SuziBlu

i just had to do a second post today...look at this little gem of a video from suzi blu...

this is my comment to her after viewing it...

suziblu...go ahead...yell...scream...holler...these are wonderfully inspiring videos....please keep making them...i am teaching a class in philly this thursday...i am going to show your videos to the students...we are going to start their art journal...blessings, rebecca

Shine On...

MSL day 10...

The following are more samples from my Come Down from the Ladder class made with metallic and interference paint...please click to see more detail...let me know what you think...

"run" - 2007 - acrylic on heavy paper

"red sky in morn" - 2007 - acrylic on heavy paper

"red string" - 2007 - acrylic on heavy paper

Altered Photo Challenge...

MSL day 9...

"an artist is born..." 2007 - Graphite drawing, color photos, PhotoShop on paper
Anna sits on the steps of her beloved grandparents stone house... remembering... She is 8 years old again...sitting on these very steps, early one summer morning...before anyone else was awake. She was just watching the sun peek over the tall mountain with a kiss of bright gold light. When she caught a glimpse of blue among the tree leaves. It was just a quick color shift that lasted only a second and was gone. She kept looking, squinting into the leaves where the sunlight was showing through. Then she saw it...a beautiful blue butterfly...flying out of the sun toward her. She sat very still...that was not easy for Anna...nevertheless, she didn't move...she held her breath. And the butterfly came close to the flowers on the wall by the stairs...hovered a few seconds...then landed. It opened and closed it's beautiful wings slowly as if it knew Anna was examining the colors. They stayed together for several minutes...one watching and memorizing the colors...the other showing and turning and displaying it's wings proudly... Then the butterfly left the flower. She crossed close to Anna, hesitated for a second and fluttered away...back into the sunbeam...in amongst the leaves...and away. Anna closed her eyes...wanting to remember every color...every division of the wings... She ran for her crayon box in her grandfather's big desk drawer. She grabbed a piece of paper and ran quickly to the table on the porch, afraid she would forget if she didn't hurry.... Anna had a need...a compulsion to create the colors and the beauty she had seen. Anna became an artist that morning. She smiled as she remembered....

Magpie Girl here is having an altered photo challenge...it is my first challenge...so it was fun...i was compelled to write this story about the image...what it means to me...

i love to play with PhotoShop...i have been using it since the program was issued in 1990...actually i used it before then when it was bundled with a scanner and called ImagePro...it was an giant step up from PixelPaint on my Apple...it was love at first sight..you can see the story of PhotoShop here...

You can view the original photo of 'Butterfly Blue' here...The top and bottom images are also altered...I love what happened when I altered and combined the three images below...I adjusted the contrast and brightness...played with levels...adjusted the colors...and softened each image...then i combined and cropped them...painted the face with a pastel floral brush...combined the two and adjusted the luminosity and opacity...the i layered the images...tweaked them some more...and voila...




some pink flowers asked...
how do you add your name across the bottom of each one that way?
I do the center command in HTML code: opening code is: <> type and style title and then close code is: < / center > .

A Day Abed...

MSL day 8...

"Wings" 2007 - Acrylic and molding paste on heavy paper board
More samples for my class next week in Philadelphia...Yesterday was a day abed for me...perhaps a good thing for I was able to do some computer work..and get some rest...but I was not able to get more class samples done...no painting is a bummer...

"Tempest" 2007 - Acrylic and molding paste on heavy paper
Being forced to stay in bed has enabled me work on the book though...it is important to finish anyway...it will be a draft for the class...but I want it to be a good draft...chock full of tips on ways to make art and ways to sell art...

"Devolve" 2007 - Acrylic on heavy paper

Today aMUSEment - Get out into your world today...take a walk around your neighborhood with your camera...photograph your world...if there is a farmer's market in your city...visit and photograph the fruit and veggies...this will be excellent reference material for your art in the future...

U Be Creative Today!

Life's Fleeting Moments

My Sacred Life day 7...

"Flutterby" - Acrylic on heavy paper...an expression of my unbridled joy this morning

The sage Flutteyby is elusive and free...she comes only when we need deep comfort...and today is such a day... Life is just as fleeting as a my Flutterby butterfly...and I was smacked up the side of the head by that truth yesterday morning...

After posting and visiting my favorite blogs yesterday, I headed into Jacksonville for a hair appointment...on the way my car, and consequently me, was rear-ended by someone on a cell phone and smoking...not sure how he was driving?!?!?...so I spent a good portion of the day in the emergency room...after cat scans and x-rays and much prodding and probing...I was released...sore and highly drugged...with a sprained neck, a pinched nerve, and a tension headache...

This was a terrifying moment in time for me...as you might know, I had a broken neck in my 20's...at that time, my doctor told me if I was ever hit from behind in a car, I "could bend over and kiss my butt goodbye."...so this scenario is one of my top fears and also why I hate car travel...

When speaking to my daughter last night...I was expressing my joy that I am still here...because I always thought I would not be if this happened...To face a fear, even without directly choosing to do so, is a freeing experience...I am no longer bound to this fear as a dark part of my psyche...a shadow that has followed me for some 30 years...

As I turn from this darkness into the light of my life...I feel as though I had an epiphany...a light bulb moment, if you will...I have a new lightness of being...I have finally put that life-stealing fear to rest...and I am walking in light...So what a blessing...I have much to be thankful for...

"Desert Morn" - Acrylic on heavy paper...an expression of my unbridled joy this morning
Even though this morning I am sore and drowsy...I hate pain-killer hangovers...I am alive and filled with joy...

Kindren spirit and fellow spiritual director Christine of Abbey of the Arts is holding a poetry challenge here. This is my attempt at this form:

French Pantoum by Cre8Tiva

come lie in my arms for a while
on this glorious sun-filled day
as we dream of nothing and everything
from now till the month of may

on this glorious sun-filled day
we can ride the clouds to the moon
from now till the month of may
or perhaps to the last of june

we can ride the clouds to the moon
as we dream of nothing and everything
or perhaps to the last of june
come lie in my arms for a while

"Circle of Life" - Acrylic and eavy molding paste on heavy paper board...an expression of my unbridled joy this morning

Today's aMUSEment - Visit Abbey of the Arts here. Try your hand at a French Pantoum...

U Be Creative Today!

The above artwork is for may class next week...