It's a beginning and who knows where things will end up!

I’ve learned that painting is a process and what you start with isn’t always what you end up with.  I’ve also learned not to get discourged during the early stages of a project.  This painting – like all of my other drawings and paintings – have an evolution that takes place and even though I have a plan of sorts once things get rolling anything can change.

I’ve had this idea for my studio entrance for a while.  At first I was just going to paint some flowers along the bottom but then after pondering a bit I decided to make the whole thing a large mural with billowing clouds, vines, flowers, insects and more.

There are vines, morning glories and holly hocks in my head plus bugs, frogs, snakes and such.  I thought about it today and decided that I won’t push to finish but will work on my studio entrance over time while doing other things.  That way I can enjoy the process more and practice some of the things I’m not 100% familiar with painting.  Like snakes and frogs… I’ve not painted either one so I’ll need to practice.

Today was a busy, productive, full-on, wonderful day and I’m happy to have started my mural.  Follow through… that’s what it’s all about.  Anytime you’re not where you want to be you need to have a plan and follow through with things.  That’s what is happening here.  Or as Nike always says… Just Do It!

Priming my "canvas" is ....

Today is the day I will begin painting the exterior entrance to my new art studio.  As you might know this “art studio/gallery” was once a garage (still is really) but I’m calling it something else and trying my best to transform the space.  The transformation is slow but steady, which suits me these days.  I enjoy the small progress, watching and enjoying each phase.  In my past life I was an “instant gratification gal” but no more.  The best way to appreciate your blessings is to slow the process down on purpose and absorb the good blessings around you.  Sometimes there will be challenges I know, but those too teach us valuable lessons that can  mould us into better human beings.

Well… I’d better get crackin’!

done and ready for the fun stuff!

There’s a new shop in Schoharie!

“Where?  What?  Tell me!?”

It’s called the “The Hive,” a gift/antique/funky stuff shop that just opened right on Main Street in Schoharie, New York.  Proprietors, Theresa and Michael, had a great launch yesterday after months of hard work.  There were the most delectable goodies and steaming hot java to enjoy while I browsed the shop and engaged in lively chatter.  Theresa has brought her unique, fun style to the shop as I knew she would.

“So what does all this have to do with a roosters?” you might ask.

Well, let me explain.

As you may recall Schoharie was hit hard with devastating flooding when Hurricane Irene hit back in late August 2011.  Recovery for the Town has been slow but steady for those who decided to stay and rebuild.  Theresa and Michael live nearby and decided to make a new commitment to commerce in Schoharie by investing in one of the flooded buildings.  I saw the building when they started this project and it essentially needed… everything.

For a project like this you need someone with vision and Theresa has vision in abundance.  So as the demolition and renovations began Theresa invested in one of the “Roosters” (cut from 3/4 inch plywood) available from the local business owners association.  You see Saratoga has it’s horses and, of course, in the rural landscape surrounding Schoharie the Rooster has become the Town’s mascot of sorts!

I felt complimented when Theresa asked if I could be willing to paint her rooster with completion to coincide with the shop’s opening!  So as The Hive’s renovations progressed I set to painting “The Rooster.”  I started with a quick watercolor sketch and after getting started basically threw most of my initial plan out the window.  Mostly I let it flow and just moved through the project intuitively painting and then repainting certain areas.  In the end I realized that I find nothing is more joyful that paint on any surface and that includes paint on plywood roosters!

I enjoyed the whimsical painting very much.  Whimsical painting is what I did most as a teenager.  Mushrooms, lady bugs, flowers and such were my specialty way back then and it was nice to revisit that fun with a  “just paint” attitude.  Everything is always okay in a mushroom, bumblebee (no stingers) kind of world, of course!

So the Rooster was delivered to his (or her) new home this weekend and now keeps watch from the front steps of The Hive.  Please do I find some time if you can to visit The Hive.  Make  a day of it if you’re from out of town.  There are several gift and lunch establishments along the way… not to mention the breathtaking Schoharie valley scenery!

Note to self… add to resume “experience painting roosters.”

"I'd like to come in NOW!"

It was a very lucky and blessed day when I went to the animal shelter and adopted my Luvy Dovey.  He really picked me now that I think about it.  When I walked into the “cat room” he was on my lap almost immediately.  Inquisitive and affectionate he won me over right then.

Of course, I’d just stopped by the animal shelter to “look” because I “wasn’t ready” to adopt but after meeting Luvy (whose name was Smudge while at the shelter) I became ready and called my sister, Bet, for moral support and the proper urging that only a sister (and a best friend) can provide.

Now nearly two years later he is my dear friend.  Always loving and without judgment he gives and gives.  I adopted two cats that day – Lil Missy and Luvy – and Lil Missy is your typical aloof type cat. That trait was made much worse after I accidentally stepped on the tip of her tail, which lead to a horrific experience for both of us.   We both remember still but Missy is starting to come around and sleeps with me most nights.

Now that spring has sprung I let my two kitties outside for short jaunts around the house and into the woods and when they tire of the adventure I can rely and Luvy peering in the front window with those “let me in” eyes.  It always makes me smile and hope it makes you smile too.

What could be prettier than watching spring begin to bloom?!

What a beautiful time of the year!  I don’t ever remember being so appreciative of spring in the past or in such awe watching everything begin to bloom.  Perhaps it’s because winter seemed so long and now that I’m on my own every responsibility falls on my shoulders.  Don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining I’m just observing and realizing that even though things can seem hard at times we can do them.  Sometimes we do them because we want to and sometimes we do them because we must.

As winter dragged on and on I thought spring would never arrive but thankfully it finally did.  All through those winter months of hauling wood, dealing with snow and the cold I became a little stronger both physically and mentally.  I realized that I can.  With God’s help I can.

No matter the season each new day promises to bring us new challenges and wisdom if we’re paying any attention at all.  I’m always examining and re-examining the happenings in my life looking for God’s guidance and when I take a wrong turn I try to figure out the lesson in it all.

Already spring has already begun to share its challenges in the form of every conceivable kind of insect trying to infiltrate my house and my garage where I am setting up my very own art studio.   The question I am examining right now is… “are insects God’s creatures too?!”  As I scratch, swat and try to eradicate them from my home and my “soon to be” studio I’m trying to figure that one out!  Who knows… maybe God put them here so we will appreciate something else… like exterminators!

Time to Stop, Think and Pray!

Today is the National Day of Pray and never before have I experienced a greater need for pray and answers from God.  On the heels of another terrorist attack here in the U.S. and more lies from our government, I am feel afraid  of our supposed “gatekeepers” and question their motives for keeping the truth from the American citizens.  It is at times like these that we need to reach out in prayer and ask God to step in and to open our hearts to his love and truth.

I’m no spring chicken and know that there have always been wars, natural disasters and so on but never before have I seen our world so universally under attack by evil.  That’s why today is so important.  I know that God listens to each one of us when we pray but imagine how much more loudly we can be heard if we pray together, millions of us, humbly reaching out to God for His intervention and mercy.

So, today I reach out in earnest prayer to You Dear God.  May you hear our cries for mercy and bless us with your protection.  I pray for our elected officials that they may be awakened to You and your direction for us and our country.  May they abandon their evil motives and embrace You.  Through Jesus… amen.

J.E.G. Design, Inc., that's my kid!

I’m excited to announce my son Jonathan, who is J.E.G. Design, Inc. (click here), has just launched his new website.  Lots of planning, hard work, expert design and creative thinking went into this website and I am one proud Mama!

You know these days there aren’t many people you can look to for inspiration.  Our elected officials (most of them) are dishonest and Hollywood churns out people with all kinds of questionable morals and opinions, but if I look close to home I do find people who provide me with inspiration.  My sons provide me inspiration all the time as I watch them make their way through this maze called life.  Today I will focus on my son, Jonathan, with his new website being launched, because I just know that he will inspire you too!

Jonathan is a son, husband and entrepreneur.  This road to becoming an entrepreneur – I know – hasn’t always been easy.  To the casual observer it all looks so glamorous and filled with freedom but I know otherwise.  I watched my young son working a full-time job by day and then working projects at home through the night for college classmates and friends who wanted a website or marketing brochures.  Day-after-day, night-after-night, year-upon-year Jonathan kept up this exhaustive schedule and now all these years later J.E.G. Design, Inc. is established and provides services for hundreds of other entrepreneurs.

As with anything worth having in life we need a true commitment, an impeccable work ethic and relentless determination.  I’ve learn from watching and know that if I hope to accomplish anything, if I expect to live my life’s purpose all those attributes need to be fostered and nurtured and then maybe, just maybe success will come to me too someday!

Things are happening around here and it still seems a bit surreal.  This thing… this place has been in my head so long that as it begins to unfold a little at a time I’m taking it all in without any feelings of urgency.  Nothing like the old me who would have been anxious and impatient.  The new me, the one who is walking with God is peaceful and without expectation although I did write a little snippet in my journal about what I hope will happen here.

These private thoughts on paper for my eyes only just this once will be shared in this place.  I wrote on February 13, 2013…

That is what I wrote and how I feel and I’m open to any detour, any change of direction, any outcome.  This dream in my head is a starting place and I’m moving forward looking for God’s guidance.  That I realize after all these years is really the only way.  We can make all kinds plans and do what we think is best but if “The Big Man Upstairs” isn’t in it then it will be hard and there will be obstacles.  I intend to move forward but I also am watching, listening and ever mindful that my plan needs to be in alignment with God’s plan.  It’s the only way.

Framing has begun

Amazing, exciting and just a little surreal… That’s how all this is beginning to feel.  I suppose this all feels surreal because I’ve always been a dreamer and not many of my dreams have come to fruition in the way that I dreamt them.  Of course, this dream as it is emerging and the original dream looks very different from what I’d first imagined.  But hold on a minute and let me get back to what’s really going on right now in the here and now before I go all philosophical on you.

If you're local and need a great Handyman, Gene's your man!

What happen is I found the most skilled “Handyman” in Gene Bannon not so long ago.  As it happened I’d noted his number on one of those community bulletin boards as someone who could take away some scrap metal I had laying all around the place.  At the time that I’d given him  a call some months ago I had no idea he was a handyman and no idea he would become instrumental in bringing this dream of mine to fruition one 2×4 and nail at a time.

And it is a slow process but the most important for me right now is to be patient with the process because I must save up the resources first and then move forward.  That approach – I know –  is going to take some time to accomplish.  But for some reason I feel peaceful with the waiting, saving and then moving forward as I am able.  I feel no urgency to get things done right now and have absolutely no desire to “charge it.”  I’d rather wait, let the process evolve and let the excitement come with each small step that will eventually lead me just exactly where I need to be.

Never before in my life have I felt so at peace with the slowness of the process but it feels fine to me these days.  So with God as the architect of the overall plan, myself as the financier and Gene as the contractor things will get done in due time.  It’s a good plan.  I like it very much?!

... and a little more progress! Am I still dreaming?!

Okay... get your imagination out...

Imagine this… Garage + Door + Window + Expert Handyman = Dream beginning to materialize.

You see the reason I’ve asked you to get out your imagination is because finally after a very long time, after maneuvering over and around many obstacles this dream of mine has begun to take shape.

At first the dream was to have a little shop, a place to show and sell my artwork from time-to-time and over the years it seemed be nothing but a pipe dream.  But as the wait continued the dream never faded but did start to take on a slightly different shape.  Art and creativity are still a huge part of this place but I believe it will become so much more than a “shop.”

What you see here is the beginning of a place where creative things can happen.  A place where God resides to guide that creativity and a place to cut loose with great creative abandon.   These pieces are just the beginning.  The rest is still inside my head but bit-by-bit with God’s guidance this place… my studio… will become something to share with others in search of a little peace and a place to express it.  So stay tuned… watch it all unfold… because only God really knows what it all will be in the end.