I just found out today that my LEAP painting sold today at a little shop in Nanaimo (thank you to Tanya at Arzti for supporting me and so many other local artists).  It seems fitting somehow that my first sale of the year would be this piece, with the words that echo my intention for the year, to say YES! And don’t you love how the only photo I have of this piece is the one that includes the magic wizard hat my girls made for me? I do so believe!

Here’s to possibility….and to leaping!

With a new year, comes new hopes and new plans.  For me, I have also been thinking quite a bit about a new word to help me stay focused on moving forward. Last year my word was “gratitude”.  I started a daily gratitude journal which I wrote in at the end of each day, drifting off to sleep with my heart full of thanks, my mind teeming with awareness of all that is good in my life.  My jeweller friend Julie gifted me a silver pendant with the word “gratitude” stamped on it – it became part of my favourite necklace. Focussing on the good in my life really did help my attitude and make me happier.  There truly is good in each day and I love that in these first days of this new year people near and far are looking at this painting in my 2012 art calendar.

              does this piece make you smile? it is for sale in my etsy shop

For this new year I hope to continue with a positive outlook, I wish to set an intention and choose a word that will help guide me in finding more peace, more joy, and more of my true self.  I want to be optimistic and see the possibility that surrounds me.  I need to look at the positive side of the many challenges that surround me and say yes to moving forward with my dreams. Positive…optimism…yes….YES!  I believe I will adopt this powerful mantra of a dear old friend (oh how we miss you Arleighgran) and say “YES” more often in 2012.

So I will say YES to more fun and joy and trying new things and getting things done and being healthier and creating more….the list is endless and exciting.  And somehow, with the intention to say yes and be more positive, the endless to do lists seem more approachable. YES, I can organize my studio this year!  YES, I will strengthen my back this year! YES I will be more joyful with my family and spend more time having FUN (saying YES! more often to my girls’ spontaneous plans and requests to play and adventure will be so good for all of us). YES to all the possibility, YES to more love and laughter!

Dear friends, I hope that this new year provides you with the inspiration to choose your own intention (so much more juicy than a resolution don’t you think?).  For more ideas on choosing your own mantra for 2012, check out this post at Painted Path. There really is such big power in one little word.

YES!

P.S.   I would love to hear what word you choose…..

As the buzz of the holiday season picks up all around, I am attempting to slow down, to savour each incredible moment. Perhaps it is not such a bad thing the girls have a cold, for they have slowed down, said “no” to more crafts and “yes” to more snuggly stories. As we approach solstice, and the days shorten, I will take a hint from the rhythms of the earth and I will try to slow down.  I will take a lead from my sniffly children and just allow each day of my wonderful holiday to unfold.  If there is time to craft easily or bake without stress, we will do that. But if there is only time for snuggly stories I will embrace those incredible girls and settle in to enjoy the moment. As usual, it looks like my annual attempt at Christmas Cards will evolve into Happy New Year Cards…..and that is a good thing.

Happy Solstice and Merry Holidays to all of you!

I have to share some of the advent art excitement that has been happening here on Gabriola Island (and in my home) for the past 11 days!  Since December 1st I have been opening a special package each day from another local artist.  Each gift has been wrapped with love and tagged with bold number to help us get into the spirit of counting down the magic of the holidays. For me, the advent is marking the days until we see our French cousin on the 13th. How perfect since her visit will certainly be the highlight of this Christmas for us.

Each of us created 12 gifts – this included an extra one for the gift basket we auctioned off at a local fundraiser for the People for a Healthy Community (PHC). The basket raised over $500 for this important local charity and the generous purchaser then donated the basket of gifts back to the PHC. Not sure yet if the gifts will be handed out to some of those in need who rely on the support of PHC or if the basket will be raffled/auctioned again.  Either way, double love to the community thanks to this art exchange!

Today is Day 11 and everyone is opening a wee painting made by me. I hope these gifts of art will make them smile and help them pause to consider all the joy and colour of this sometimes hectic time of year.

How nice to share creations with other amazing women artists from our talented community! Pottery, paintings, sculptures in metal and fabric and more, handmade soap, jewellery, and even a handmade journal!  And still one day to go….

The artist who started it all, Jennifer Lynch, has been posting about this art exchange on her blog.  Have a peek at the wonders of it all and definitely take some time to look more closely via the links provided at the other artists involved. I am sure their creations will also make you smile!

Here’s to counting down the days (never before have I been as excited as my children with the daily advent surprises) and creating hand made gifts for the holidays!

Does anyone else work somewhere cool enough to host an in-house craft fair? Working at DFO in Nanaimo means I have been invited to sell my creations alongside some amazing crafting colleagues, all of us chatting it up and making some sales over coffee and lunch breaks. How fun is that?!  The craft fair is being held in the main lobby at the Pacific Biological Station on Hammond Bay Road – come check it out again tomorrow, Wednesday Dec 7th from 8 am – 3 pm.

Please do tell your Nanaimo friends to also come down to visit a dozen artisans offering a bit of everything: pottery, baskets, jewellery, wildlife books, stationary, calendars, paintings, knitted clothing and decorations, sewn creations for you and your home, and our pièce de résistance  —- handpainted wild salmon aprons!  $5 dollars from the sale of each apron goes to the Nanaimo River Stewardship Society so this is good for the fish lovers on your list AND the fish!

here I am modelling one of the chum salmon aprons in basic black

We have other colours too….wish I took a photo of the black and aqua fish on white apron!

Hope you can come on down and find that special something for that special someone!