Still Healing...

I know I said this post would be about my next art project. But it isn't. It's about the day that everything changed. June is a heavy month for us. Steve's birthday, Father's Day and our Anniversary all fall within one week. The end of Owen's school year also brings a wave of emotion for us. Beginnings, endings and milestones...It's heavy. It's full.

It also houses the date-now the 7th anniversary of the day that everything changed in our family. I wasn't going to mention it this year. I thought I could pass it by without a word- but it looks like I'm not ready-yet. I still need to acknowledge it.

Healing is not linear. As much as I have healed in the last 7 years, it's not over. So, please allow me to share this post from last year that explains how I feel right now-still.

I feel so blessed to have this place to share the beautiful and the broken.  Could you do me a favor and squeeze the ones you love? Let's LOVE BIG today. I'm eternally grateful for all of you, every single one.

Here is the link. Here is the story. Thank-you for listening. 
LOVE,

Operation Find the Floor

     There's nothing like grounding yourself by cleaning your art studio. A couple of days after getting over my jet lag, I made my way down to my studio, dropped off some stuff and walked right out and closed the door. It was probably the messiest it's EVER been- I mean I could barely make out the color of the carpet- messy... Every surface was covered with painting supplies, canvases, fabric, beads, paper, paper and more paper. I tried to forget about it while I busied myself throughout the week with our 14th Anniversary and Steve's birthday. I tried not to think about it while I lay in bed for two stinkin days with a cold and I almost forgot about it when we went to Manitoulin Island for one night. But, when I woke up on Sunday morning with the rain tapping on the metal roof of our camper, I couldn't silence the obtrusive calls from my studio... Somebody save us down here... This place should be condemned... LOL! As soon as I returned from the Island I got busy.

 I'm almost finished...I still need to sort out my writing nook... but I thought I would share a few snapshots of my newly cleaned and happy studio. Maybe tonight I'll sleep through the night... ;)

 

I decided to remove my monster bulletin boards... 

It was time for some fresh inspiration!

I spy a Mindy Lacefield and a Michelle Allen...

I spy two Mindy Lacefields! (This girl is popular)

 

I spy a Sabrina Ward Harrison and Danita Art.

I spy a Misty Mawn original here... (MAKE ART)

It was sitting on all our tables at Art & Soul!

I also spy four Kendra Binney's.

I spy Kate Daniel's photography here...

I spy a Vivienne Mc Master!

yummy

A fresh space to get working!

Stay tuned for my next post as I share my latest creative ART project with you!!!
(There's a tower involved ;)

Happy Monday kind souls. xoxo

Bells and Birds

I'm home. 

Back from the South of France where time stands still.

There is something so special about being in a country with so much history, 

where stories linger in the tall grasses and ancient walls.

We stayed in a place called La Casquade in Durfort, France.

It's like a 400 year old condo nestled between grassy mountains 

with a river running through.

 

It is known for the old ways of making copper, slowly.

 

Every hour on the hour, this church bell would ring. 

A deep melancholy sound that resonated within my heart.

 

This was our backyard, our view. A constant flow of energy.

We traveled every second day taking in the breathtaking vistas, castles and churches.

We spent the day at the Lautrec Art Museum 

which was one of my highlights of the trip. 

Seeing this art filled up my soul and reminded me how much art matters.

 

As beautiful as it all was, I have to admit that I grew terribly homesick. 

There is nothing like slowing it all down to realize just how much 

your heart yearns for the ones you love.

 

Bells and birds are what I heard for seven days.

Bread, wine and cheese filled my belly every night.

Homemade gourmet dishes made by Nesha nurtured my body.

Group meditation before dinner nurtured my spirit.

Sharing stories nurtured my heart. 

"Arting" late into the night nurtured all the above.

 

Thank-you to Mary Beth Shaw and John Shaw for being such kind and gracious hosts.

Your friendships mean so much to me. You are such good peeps!

It was a delight to meet new friends as well; 

Sharon, Carolyn, Pat, Greg, Catherine and Eric.

And of course, time spent with bestie Mindy Lacefield is always precious (Love you).

The South of France taught me the following:

Take a breath.

Eat slowly.

Listen to the birds.

Our stories matter.

Take more walks.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Listen.

Repeat.

 

From One Adventure to the Next

Deep breath. I'm back. A whirlwind. An adventure. Another world.

Quebec city is like no other city in Canada. 

 It lives and breathes ART and culture.

It invites you in-

into the homes and inside the hearts of the people.

You feel like family after mere minutes.

I spoke ONLY French for three whole days. 

It felt like I came home.

The cheese, the wine, and yes, la poutine...

New friends, dear friends, and laughs so deep from within the belly it ached.

I miss it already. I will be back. 

I promise.

All photos from the show were taken by Isabelle Leblanc.

  Here is a picture of my cousin Christine who took this journey with me.

She totally shines this girl. I adore her (even after three days side by side ;) 

We grew up together. We're more like sisters.

 M. Gerald Poirier, conseiller municipal.

He was a kind supporter of my work.  A genuine man, the real deal.

 New friends Isabelle and Francois

  You'll have to forgive me for not having too many photos of the event. 

It lasted three hours and it went so fast. Artist Talk, Press Interview, and planning possible future projects made it difficult to take photos. I wasn't sure anybody was going to show up, but people did come and I am so grateful to each of them for making me feel so welcome and for expressing to me that my work matters.

Here are some more photos of the trip.

The Quebec Flag

Artists painting "en plein air."

Le vieux Quebec

Le Chateau Frontenac

La belle province

I also want to express my deepest thanks to Isabelle Leblanc, artist and owner/director of Mecen'Art. Thank-you for being the best guide a girl can ask for...

in every sense of the word. Je t'aime. xoxo

***********************************************************

I want to let you all know that my adventures continue.

I'm off in three days to France!!!

I'll be joining Mindy Lacefield to take part in Mary Beth Shaw's Art Retreat.

One week in Dufort, the South of France.

 Here is the link to my next destination.

 ***

I have to admit that it doesn't even feel real right now. 

2012 has completely surpassed my hopes and expectations already. 

I'm still counting those lucky stars every night before I go to bed. 

Plant your seeds. 

Dreams those dreams.

 I promise you-it can ALL come true and then some!