Ah, Home of My Heart!

I rediscovered a world that I had inhabited decades before like a bear in his den in winter. It has been there all these years just waiting for the prodigal daughter to wander back to her woods. And, I did. And I was enthralled once again, just as I had been way, way, way…well, you get the idea…back.

I rediscovered the public library.

Oh, Such Joy! Let's Frolic!
Spring from the Honey Bunnies Collection Notecards

It’s not a “wow” for everyone, but it always has been for me. My mother had taught me to read before I entered school and it’s been a passion ever since.

I lost the passion for a few years as it seemed I simply didn’t have the time to read. I got into a rut of buying my books because it could take me half a year to read one; I allotted no time for this undeniable pleasure. But it became a quandary as I went along because if I didn’t care for a book, I couldn’t bring myself to give up on it: it cost me money and I was going to get the whole product! That attitude cost me even more as I got bored with the stories and almost gave up on books completely.

My mom has been an avid reader and patron of her public library system for as long as I can remember. She kept after me to just follow her lead. I was concerned, though, that I would have all sorts of late fees and wouldn’t be able to get to the library with my schedule.

It dawned on me a couple of weeks ago that I drive right past our local branch 5 days a week…twice. The hours are great and renewal is simple. There went all my excuses! It was almost breath-taking stepping back into that world, into that part of my life again.

When something that’s an intricate part of who you are resurfaces after years of dormancy, there’s an actual sense of rebirth. It may not last long, nor make the rest of your life new again, but an invigorating moment like that can give you back a small amount of the joy just living can bring.

What Gifts Are Before You?
Autumn from the Honey Bunnies Collection Notecards

What do you think would give you that sense of joy? Would you be able to reopen a chapter in your life that would have a positive effect on your current life? If so, why not do it? I’ll bet your excuses would be moot if you looked at it honestly. Don’t lose the parts of your life that make you happy. Keep them active and keep your being alive!

Hey, That's My Name! IF "Dusty"



Lots of Fun with a Dusty Bottle!
Smooth Bristol Paper/Ink & Paint

The topic for this week at IF is "dusty". I'm very partial to the word.

A few years ago, I was tested for allergic triggers, because, obviously, I was having problems with reactions to almost everything. One of the conclusions was that I am allergic to a couple of the ingredients in hair dye.

This was a traumatic discovery. I had started turning gray when I was 28 and had been dying it ever since. I knew I was heavily gray under the color and dreaded letting it show. There's nothing as aging to a woman's appearance as gray hair.

With the help of a friend (who is also a masterful hair stylist), over about 2 years, the gray emerged, gracefully. I knew that it was permanent and, no matter how much I hated it, there was no realistic way of getting around it. Denial, rage, resignation, acceptance. I was grieving for my youthful-looking hair. Probably, for the youth in general, really.

About this time, I was becoming a texting fool and wanted a moniker that was me, but not ridiculous for a woman-of-a-certain-age. And, a song came to mind. It's called Dust On the Bottle. See where this is going? Here's the line that hit me:

"There might be a little dust on the bottle, but don't let it fool ya 'bout what's inside."

That was it; that was my needed, new handle. Dusty Bottle. It made gray hair fun. And a little saucy. Nothing wrong with a little saucy fun, ladies. Puts a bright twist on middle-age.

So, thank you, Illustration Friday, for the opportunity to illustrate my new nickname and to show how much fun a dusty bottle can be!



Finding Inspiration Everywhere

When first browsing through the wonderful world of blogs, I came across one called "100 Painting Challenge". I was immediately drawn in, watching over the days and months, as so many beautiful paintings were posted so frequently. At the time, I thought that there would be no way that I could produce 100 paintings in a year. I still don't feel that I'm there, but, I'm not as sure that it is beyond the realm of possibility now.

One of the artists, Teri C., is prolific. She works with so many different blogs and projects, she amazes me. And, she is incredibly supportive of artists across the spectrum. By following her activities I found Cactus Monday.

I've been attempting to join smaller, less-commitment laden "challenges" till I'm ready to take on a big, longterm challenge. This is my first try at Cactus Monday. It was taken from a photo of my sister-in-law's pride & joy Christmas Cactus. It's done with Sharpie marker on smooth Bristol paper 100#.

I like the effect of the marker on the Bristol paper, but, I didn't get quite the effect I wanted with the drawing itself, but, that's the point of these exercises: learning how to convey new ideas in new ways. I don't live in a part of the world that has cacti popping up wild and I can't honestly say that cacti are my favorite plants. That being said, this won't be my last attempt at Cactus Monday.

I want to find inspiration in as many unfamiliar places as I can. Where better to start than with something so alien in my world and life as a cactus?

So, thank you, Teri, and all other artists who promote and create these challenges. It's so nice to have my view expanded beyond the top of the hill!

***********

Speaking of artisans who are taking on "challenges":

Check out Stephanie's work for a colors-of-fall challenge at Crystal Allure Jewelry Blog. The results were stunning! I'm partial to the trendy colors. Stephanie's work is so original and sophisticated that I'm sure you'll find something that you'll have to have! I know I have!

"Sparkling" is living the dream! After exhaustive work honing her wordsmithing craft, she is now spending time getting to know her town and her neighbors and being paid to write about it. With her infectious positivity, she always brings out the best in those lucky enough to encounter her. On the path to success, I just know it!

Christie has started her Etsy shop and wishes for great results are being sent her way! I just purchased one of her Valentine's Day cards, and it was so wonderful: the design, the packaging, the quality. You can visit her at Christie's Scribbles & Stitches. I really think you'll love what you see. 



Chicken for IF

"I am outta here!", said the...Chicken.

Mike comes up with the greatest ideas for these illustrations!

This was fairly easy to put together, but I tried a different paper with the ink pens and I'm not thrilled with the results. I had used 120# watercolor paper for "Resolution" a couple of weeks back and had liked the results. But I ran out of that paper and just used what I have available which is 140# watercolor paper (different brand as well). It's too textured for ink pens. But I'm guessing it's going to look great with actual watercolor paints or pencils.

I never completed a course in studio arts, despite several attempts. As a result, a lot of what I'm creating is done by trial-and-error. So, bear with me as I explore this wonderful new-again world! Hope you enjoy the journey as much as I do!

Addendum: My technological spasms are acting up again, and I'm not getting the picture to post to IF. As always, though, I will keep trying! 

Fate



Boy Optician Meets...

Have I mentioned that I believe in Fate? That most of the time there is a reason that something happens the way it happens?

My favorite example is meeting my husband, Mike. We met at work, which being opticians wouldn’t be all that extraordinary. It was the timing that was, well, fortuitous.
 
I had started working for, shall we say, Company G in July. I was acquainted with one of the opticians and he had helped me get the job. Now, I had worked at a lot of optical offices, but had never worked at one that was so disorganized and petty. I was miserable. And, I’d only been there 3 weeks.

Luckily, another job offer came my way with a former employer and I jumped on it. I gave my 2-week notice to Company G. What a relief for me, not so much for the owner of the company. He was starting another office and needed to keep my position filled. Oh, well…such is life!
He had worked with Mike before and had brought Mike back to start the new office. But, in being overly-optimistic, he had brought Mike in 2 weeks earlier than he had needed. You see where this is going, right? Yep. It was love at first sight for me and Mike talked me into staying. I think he could’ve talked me into jumping off the proverbial bridge then!



...Girl Optician!

So, the timing was everything. Two weeks later and we might not have met. That’s a thought that saddens me, so I try not to think it.

I’ve felt the push of Fate working again as of late. I took the job I have now just hours before I was called for a busier, higher-paying job. Am I sorry? No, I’m not. If I had that job, I’d be under tremendous stress. I wouldn’t have the time or the energy to pursue these new and exciting avenues of blogging and trying to market my love of art.

I truly think that this is where I need to be at this point in my life. I’ve been re-introduced to friendships and talents that have lain dormant much too long. I’ve learned more about the internet and computers in the last 5 months than I had ever known prior. I’ve been exploring new media and techniques with artwork. I’m starting to love what I do at work again. I’ve found my zen for this moment in the universe.

The tendency we all have, the mentality that is pounded into all of our brains, is we always need to have more. More money, more time, more youth, more adoration, etc. And we rail against Fate when we don’t get it.

Go with the Flow and You May Land in a Beautiful Place!

But if you were to honestly evaluate what you do have, what would you change? And, if you changed it, what would you lose?



In the big picture, Fate has most likely given you what you need. Now, just take it and use it to create the life you want.

Who Am I Again?

I like to think that I’m above pop culture fads, as most people do, but I’m not. While I don’t use homepage blurbs as a primary news source, I do like to look at the fashion galleries and the self-help bits.



And the Heavens Opened & Proclaimed: You Are....

 While browsing these headlines about a month ago, I came across an article that claimed that your personality could be discerned based on which Christmas specials you like. A psychological profile in 500 words or less. So, of course, I had to peek.

It was an unnerving experience. My favorite specials are numerous, but the main two are How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated version) and A Charlie Brown Christmas. No real surprises, right? The basic tenants of both specials, so I thought, were the celebration of the spirit, not the commercialization, of the holiday season.

Nope. Apparently, I have issues of which I was not aware.

Since I like the Grinch, I am seething with envy of all others who can live simply within suburban networks. I’m too snobbish to shop at the popular places and cannot deal with mass-produced imitations. It’s the real thing, or nothing. The only nice thing about me is that I am secretly generous with those in need and I like cats.

As for Charlie Brown, the results weren’t as awful. I am a romantic, it seems, and I live in a private world wishing for the past, refusing to grow up. I’m a mush, I admit, but I know better than to expect the world to “improve” on large scale. I know we can only improve the world one person and one place at a time. As for the past, uh, no. I am fine where I am. 

Is there anything to all of this? Part of me gets it. There’s a strain of truth in just about anything if you seek it. But are these tests telling of anything remotely true?

Years ago, I worked with a girl who informed the office that your personality was formed by which character you favored from A.A. Milne’s works about Winnie-the-Pooh. If you liked Tigger, you were an eternal optimist and probably a bit hyper. If you liked Owl, you were an intellectual. Eeyore, well, you were an "Eeyore": nothing was ever right and good in the world. Pooh represented contentedness and a simple love for life, etc.

A Winnie-the-Pooh Sight on an Eeyore Day



So, for fun, I just took 2 of the myriad of Winnie-the-Pooh personality tests available online. And the result was…

…I’m a Winnie-the-Pooh.

Oh, and an Eeyore.

Each test had a different set of questions. Even answered as honestly as possible when presented with rigid options, the results were completely divergent. So which test was more accurate? Which result was correct?

Obviously, they both were.



So I Added a Little Color to Make It a Tigger Sight!

 No one consists of one set of values and traits, preferences. No one really holds the same point-of-view from one day to the next because no one’s existence is static. No one lives the same circumstances every single day, which makes it impossible to not change.

Granted, there are a lot of people who will never admit that they’ve accepted a different perspective. Usually, and sadly, that’s for fear of appearing to have been wrong the first time. Most of us, though, welcome some or many changes throughout the years.

The moral of the story as I see it, is that one cannot be defined fully as long as one is alive. Definition comes from living. It’s a infinite work-in-progress. That’s not a bad thing at all.

Take the good, the sad, and absorb it, use it the way you see best, and enjoy all of it. Keep telling the world who you really are!

Resolution Is a Point of View



I'm glad this watch doesn't have better resolution! Or else I'd have to quit drinking now!

The topic for Illustration Friday this week is "Resolution". The idea was Mike's, but I so enjoyed putting this together. And, wouldn't you know it! Our internet went down last night.  I know it's going to be posted really too late for this week, but I still wanted to make the attempt.

This is my second attempt for IF. The first one I did, I couldn't figure out how to post it. My technological skills are very poor still. Thank goodness that my mentor is patient! And, thanks to Penelope too, for answering my email!



This topic was "Mail". It's not as polished as a lot of the other entries on IF, but the response I got to it was good. And, of course, it's just a fun picture!

I'm not sure if I'll get another done for next week, but I hope you enjoy these two!

A Great Start to 2011!

Congratulations to Heather of Azure Island Designs! Heather's name was drawn at the Crystal Allure Jewelry blog for my giveaway of 6 handpainted postcards. I am very happy that Heather won. And I thank her so much for her interest and support of Bronson Hill Arts.

Stephanie at Crystal Allure has done extensive work for transplant awareness through the years with her jewelry and her organization, Lungs for Life. The design idea used for the postcards was suggested to me by Stephanie: butterflies. The lovely creatures are symbolic for lung transplants, the gift of new life.

As a result of this small collaboration, Stephanie and I have decided to offer a collection of these postcards as notecards. The name of the collection will be Flights of Life. A portion of the money for each set sold will be donated to Lungs for Life Foundation and for transplant awareness programs.

The Flights of Life Collection will be added to along the way, in the hopes that you'll be able to select which cards you get in your order. The notecards will be printed on textured 110 lb. white matte paper and include a matching envelope. As a bonus, an individually-designed, handcrafted package will be included for the first 15 orders received. We'll also include free shipping for those first 25 orders. The cost will be $15.95 per set. If you order 2 or more sets, the cost will drop to $14.50 each with free shipping (even after the first 25 orders!).

The notecards would make a wonderful gift to both someone you like (or even, love) and those who need our help to continue living.

So, again, Heather and everyone: Thank you for participating in the giveaway!

And, thank you, in advance for helping Bronson Hill Arts help others. It's a great way to start 2011!