I've been away from blogging for a little while now. BUSY with life. I get bummed when I don't keep up with these things but, I know it's important for me to put some things away and fill my creative tank.

( my new favorite)

 One of the things I've had the privilege in experiencing.. Is the BLOOM TRUE course by Flora Bowley!! It was five weeks of painting and fun. I loved it so much! I've never met her personally But by the end of the course I felt as though I new her in some small way. 

She taught me how to paint without judgment.. Give myself some freedom and to go with the flow. Her course reminded me that when "life happens" and I'm not in my studio (as much as I think I should be)..when I'm looking around comparing myself to everyone else who seems to have it together (artistically speaking)...that I need to look at my time away as a time to fill my creative well. 

So THAT my friends.. is what I've been doing. A lot has been going on. Some painting.. (more to come).  Many travels and many sweet moments with some of the people I love. 

my inspiration wall with a few of my favorite artists and quotes.

a drawer full of goodies.

 available now in my etsy shop! 

available now in my etsy shop! 

golden is my favorite.

on my table right now.

I've been taking Flora Bowley's  'Brave Intuitive You'  painting class,  which has really helped me in breaking out of my 'painting shell'. I'm using colors in ways I haven't before and I'm allowing myself to be more playful while painting.  I tend to over think painting sometimes and it feels good to just let go and allow myself the freedom to create without judgement. I've been layering and trying not to become to attached to any of it.  We'll see how this one ends up. I'll keep you posted. 

Cheers to Spring being around the corner! 

-Sunshine

A few things that are inspiring me lately:

In my kitchen hangs this sweet sign above one of my originals. My friend Sarah of fiveoeight made it for me and I love, love, love it. Go check out their work. It's pretty fabulous. 

My family and I went on a hike on one of the coldest of days and even so... it was beautiful. There is so much wonder in the woods. The sun was peeping out just enough.  A reminder to me that I need to get out in the woods more often. 

I've been working on some smaller canvases that I am fondly calling, "The Mini Series".  I'll be posting them SOON in my shop. They have a whole new look and flavor to them because I'm trying to just 'go with it'. 

Hoping you are having a week full of WONDER yourself. 

-Sunshine

 One thing is for sure... Time waits for no man. It's true. Is it really the second week in January already? I'm amazed at how time flies. 2011.. you have been good to me..but, I am looking forward to new things. Over the year, I  have had a few, "I said I would never do it" moments. These moments would occur when I would make a decision or a choice to do something that I always said I would never do. 

One of them is..write a goal letter to myself. I used to think, "What is the point in writing a letter to myself?"  But, now I see the importance of verbalizing what I may want to see happen this year.. goals for my family and for myself personally -  (even if it's just on paper).  

and so .... even though "I SAID I WOULD NEVER DO IT" ... here it is... 

Sealed and ready for me to open in one year. Perhaps we can take a look at it once the year is up! 

I've been trying to figure out how to get more studio time in. I'm finding that I tend to forget that even 30 minutes of creating.. is better than none in a day. So during the week when there are days that are full and I can only find a block of time here and there.. I am trying to jump in and not wait. 

I started working on this piece a few weeks ago and decided to pick it up again. 

and in between the painting and all the other duties that an artist/mom/wife has..  I've been taking care of this new addition to the family... (another thing I said I would never do again..) 

Isn't he cute?!

I hope this year is treating you well so far. 

- Sunshine

We bless this year 

for all we learned.

for all we loved and lost.

and for the quiet way it has

brought us nearer to our 

inevitable destination. 

-john o'donohue 

 May your new year be filled with amazing music... crazy awesome art... good books.... safe travel. . .great health...honest friends... good wine....good food...and above all may you experience God's PERFECT love.. 

Happy, Happy New Years my friends. Cheers to you!

Sunshine

 Today 36 years ago I came into the world. My Mom says it was a hard labor and I was turned all sorts of wrong which gave her horrible back labor (*sorry Mom*....) and so today in honor of my 36th birthday (and because Danielle Daniel gave me this fabulous idea): 

I am having a ONE DAY ONLY SaLE!

Everything in the shop is 36% off! 

(fyi: the 36% will be deducted at time of purchase).

 COUPON CODE IS: OLDISBEAUTIFUL

It's been a full year and I am so grateful. 

We don't grow older. We grow riper. -Pablo Picasso

I have the privilege in taking part of a Holiday Blog Hop hosted by Katie Cahill.

Today's featured artist is the lovely and talented Angela DiGiovanni. Angela is a self taught artist and is in the process of writing an intriguing memoir called the virgin wife chronicles. Her etsy store is full of fun and intriguing faces. I think my most favorite are these two beauties:

Please go visit her etsy store and show her blog some love. You will not be disappointed... 

In the meantime.. here's my Magical Blog Hop treasury... Check out the talent!  

Happy December people!  It's a beautiful time of year. 

x- Sunshine 

MAGICAL BLOG HOP

• 

  Skull Cameo

  KatieCahill

  $19.99 USD

   
• 

  SALE Forever and a Day, Ar...

  artlovejoy

  $12.75 USD

   
• 

  Your Soul Song -- Print

  InnerWorlds

  $16.00 USD

   
• 

  Heaven & Hell

  BKDesignStud...

  $600.00 USD

   
• 

  Coy

  RubyShea

  $30.00 USD

   
• 

  Folk Art Whimsical Print H...

  MyArtistWith...

  $12.00 USD

   
• 

  Bird Cage, limited edition...

  digit13

  $23.00 USD

   
• 

  Original artwork by Tracy ...

  CasaCantamar

  $850.00 USD

   
• 

  Christmas Ornament 3...

  nancyperenne...

  $18.00 USD

   
• 

  Mixed Media Print of the O...

  AngelaDiGiov...

  $22.00 USD

   
• 

  Cute Little Bird Bottle Ca...

  AlicesSecret...

  $22.00 USD

   
• 

  After all you're the o...

  eltsamp

  $108.00 USD

   

Thanksgiving was a sweet time with my family and I am full of gratitude for my life and for being able to do what I love.  Now, it is time to get ready for the holiday rush and celebrate this special time of year. On December 4th I'll be hosting a Holiday Blog Hop.. so make sure you check back then! 

Remember this massive piece I started on a few weeks ago: 

 I've been in the studio.. with this little helper .. trying to figure out exactly what I wanted this to

look like.. 

 and so far this is what I have come up with: 

I'll keep you updated on the progress of this one. Its size has been a little intimidating but, it's also been a great way to stretch myself throughout the process. In the meantime....  I hope your Thanksgiving was as merry as mine, your bellies are full and you are aware of how BLESSED you are. 

I've been in the studio more lately and I realized how much I missed it...  it's been great to dive back in and get my feet wet.

Every time I have a small break I feel as though I'm starting over and I come back with a renewed love for creating. 

I purchased a light box for the fall/winter months and have been using it regularly.

So far so good! 

I must say... I have a new found appreciation for the sun. . artificial or real. .

and today it's an especially beautiful day out - which makes me very happy!!!

I've been playing around.. making a mess in my studio...listening to M83 and Florence + the Machine (new albums..check them out)..

Reminds me of a painting I did a while ago.. Remember this: 

www.etsy.com/listing/63509121/i-found-my-way-back-to-you-11-x-14-print

For some reason.. the swirls..are BACK! I have no clue what I will be doing with this one. . but, we'll see. 

In the meantime.. I will be enjoying my light (don't judge) and I will be finishing these three paintings I have on my hands. 

"Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, "You owe Me."

Look what happens with a love like that, 

It lights up the Whole Sky."  - Hafiz

- Cheers x  

I've never attempted a smaller painting.. and I'm not sure why. .  So today I started playing with this 8 x 8. 

And remember the large piece I've been working on?!  Here it is at its current state. I'm going between extremes. Each is challenging for different reasons. 

My days in the studio have been far and few between lately and the fall season has brought about a melancholy that is hard to shake! As soon as I blocked off time in my studio this week .. I felt a little lighter.

My schedule is changing and should be back to "normal" soon.. so, I'll be back in action!

I've had a few "helpers"  in the studio with me last night and today..and one decided to leave this for me to remember him by. . :) He painted this with his toes! 

Cheers and Happy Fall to you! 

-Sunshine