Each Dazzling Moment

Art From the Heart - The 30-Day Challenge Gets Ahead of Me!

Well, I'm officially way behind on my one-piece-of-art a day challenge.  I'm determined to catch up, though, and have been making art as fast as I can.  That said, I don't want to post anything I'm not happy with.  (Well, please understand, I mean "happy with" relative to my skill and experience level!  :)  Also, these works are not meant to be masterpieces, so I have to let go of my perfectionist tendencies a little bit... "Loosen up" as Gary Reef would say!!  This challenge is certainly pushing me to learn and try all kinds of various techniques, which has been so much fun. 

Anyway, here are a few of my latest attempts.  Please let me know what you think....am I making any progress?  I'd love your feedback :)

The Summer Day (Mixed Media on Canvas Board 10 x 15")
(Loving all the eggshells in the center...thanks to Gary for this fantastic and fun technique, it's my first time to use it.)

Leap of Faith ATC (Mixed Media on paper 4 x 6") (Mounted on cardstock.)

Dream ATC (Mixed Media on paper 5 x 7") (Mounted on cardstock.)

Unbound ATC (Mixed Media on paper 5 1/2 x 7 1/2", including cardstock mounting.)

 

Llama Fancies (Mixed Media on paper. 7 1/2 x 8" before cardstock backing.)


Marmalade Sky (Mixed Media on paper. 8 x 8")

Stella d'Oro (Golden Dreams) Mixed Media on Watercolor paper. 8 x 10".

Believe...with your soul.  (Mixed Media / Collage on paper. 9 x 12")

Remember Your Original Dream (Mixed Media on paper. 8 x 8")

Allow Your Boundaries to Dissolve (Mixed Media on Paper 8 x 8".)

So, there you have it!  Will the challenge get the best of me?!  Stay tuned! 
Here's a hint.  I'm a Taurus.  Nothing gets the best of me.  If I can't manage with the consummate grace and composure... I will soldier on....if nothing else... I will just "muddle through" --  as they say across the pond.  LOL.  

"...float in the beauty of your own heart."

"...float in the beauty of your own heart." is from a beautiful chant by Krishna Das.  If you don't have his CD "Breath of the Heart", you should really check it out.  It's medicine for the soul. 

Carlito Dalceggio's Live Art (Day 6) in Toronto

Carlito Dalceggio's Live Art (Day 6) in Toronto
Originally uploaded by Adam Schwabe

Now, for something completely different.... ;) 
I'm blown away by this!  I was completely unaware of the art of Carlito Dalceggio until a few days ago. 

This work -- and the video showing it being created, live -- is absolutely breathtaking. I was inspired to create a little homage.

The colors just radiate energy...

I feel like I'm loading up on Redbull or something!

My (humble) homage....  :)

Now, for some real fun...  The videos!

CARLITO DALCEGGIO AT LUMINATO- EDITED VERSION OF THE 10 DAYS

The MODERN BOHEMIAN HEROES 

I promise you...inspiration will flood your entire being.  ;)
Let me know what you think! 

Let's Go Brightsiding!

It's always a good day when you discover a brand new WORD! 
Here's a word I discovered the other day...and I'm loving it.  It's "BRIGHTSIDING."  

It's always been my basic nature to look on the bright side of things... I incessantly (and perhaps annoyingly) point out potential silver linings and the like.  It's been a bit difficult lately to stay positive. 

In short, my disability insurance provider cut off my income with absolutely no warning, putting me in jeopardy of losing my house, etc.... all the things that are happening to people all over...in even worse situations than mine, I know.  I appealed and was denied.  In all their wisdom, they feel like I'm ready to go back to work.

I might think I was ready to go back to work if I hadn't spent a week in the hospital last month fighting rejection and the resultant liver failure!  Good news...I'm no longer orange! On the downside, I'm taking so much Prednisone, I look like a chipmunk.... (a weird effect of steroids is a puffy cheek thing.)  I'm back on immunosuppressants to avoid rejection of my bone marrow donor's cells and my liver numbers are looking pretty close to normal again.

So -- well, you know what they say about 'drastic times....'   I'm very fortunate and thankful that through some drastic measures...moving my daughter and grandchildren into my house (out of an apartment where the rent is roughly the same as my house payment) and moving me into my 'significant other's' house, we can all survive until I can either get a job or litigate!  LOL.  I'm trying to be very Zen about it.  It will definitely be an adventure.

Another thing that I am incredibly grateful for is the generous offer of temporary financial assistance from my brother and sister-in-law, who are both retired.  They are wonderful. 

All of these people are super-heroes to me.  They are saving my life. 

My heart is bursting with gratitude and love.  It must be time to go.....

Brightsiding!

As in...

Economy Got You Down? Go Brightsiding.

I love how the story on ABC News explained it.... 

"In the face of recent economic news, there are some people who respond to the spirit-crushing and downright scary headlines with a cheerfulness that's almost inappropriate.

New online movement has people focusing on positive messages.

It's called "Brightsiding."

It's based on the belief that, though you can't control the stock market or your job security, you can control your outlook on life. So why not stay positive?

The best online explanation of the Brightsiding concept comes from an original composition and animation called "Spread Joy." The composer, Mike Strickland said the idea just came to him.  "I was watching TV news one day thinking, 'There needs to be more positive messages being sent around the world,'" he said. "So I wrote a cheerful song called 'Spread Joy.'"

The video is pretty hilarious!  ----

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7157888

(Photo and article brought to you by ABC News: 

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JobClub/story?id=7154760&page=1)

You can tell ABC about how you're looking on the bright side here:

http://a.abcnews.com/GMA/story?id=6858504

Spread Joy!

Watch the video of the song by Mike Strickland here....  One warning, the song is infectious, you'll be singing it in your sleep!  ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y90-R9uyjIQ

So waddya think?  Did you already know about Brightsiding?  Do you love learning new words (especially those that this cheerful and positive!)?   Please leave a comment and let me know.  :) 

Snoopy photo courtesy of http://www.amptoons.com/

The 30-Day Challenge Continues!

I'm loving this challenge to create a new work of art every day.  Here are my latest.  I'd love any feedback. 

Luminous  (Acrylic Abstract on stretched canvas - 12 x 16")

Surrender to Enchantment (ATC on watercolor paper) 

I'm loving being a part of the Gary Reef community.  His ning channel is buzzing with camaraderie, support and inspiration. 

I've just joined "Creative Awakenings" and I'm so impressed by this community for "fiesty females"!  Creative Awakenings is hosted by author and guide to adventure: Sheri Gaynor, LCSW, REAT and Transformational Life Coach.  "The CA Salon Community has been created for members and readers who are creating conscious intention in their lives and working with the book Creative Awakenings: Envisioning the Life of Your Dreams Through Art."  I've ordered the book and can't wait to read it. 

Come join in the fun...  Let the fiesty-ness begin!  :) 

Disintegration Collaboration - The Reveal

Well, my dear little "Disintegration and Collaboration" bundle baked in the Texas sun and soaked up the spring rains.  Today it was finally time to open it up and see what transformation had resulted from Mother Nature's collaboration.

Here is the before and after. 

Well, I see I have a lot to learn about making an interesting bundle.  In any event, I like the drippy effect in the paint here.  :) 

You can see some really amazing after pictures by following the links to the individual participating artists listed for the project on Seth's blog.  It's absolutely worth the time, they are wonderful.  Seth's own reveal is fantastic.

Thanks again to Seth Apter of The Altered Page for putting together such a fun collaborative project!